Free-Arm Canopy Crown Positioning for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cantilever parasols have a design issue where the crown is far away from the arm when open, making it difficult to position obliquely and leading to an unstable center of gravity, complex construction, and unprotected articulation means, which results in safety risks and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
The crown is positioned to rise above the articulation means when open, reducing the distance between the center of gravity and the arm, securing the parasol, and protecting the articulation mechanism, allowing for a more compact and secure design with improved aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the crown is arranged at the upper end region of a sleeve-shaped stick part that is slidable over the attachment, then the distance between the center of gravity and the arm is reduced, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve-shaped stick part is inserted into and slides over the attachment structure, with the crown positioned at the upper end of the sleeve. This nested arrangement allows the crown to rise above the articulation means when the parasol is opened, reducing the distance between the center of gravity and the arm, thereby reducing the force required to position the parasol obliquely while maintaining a compact construction.
2Reliability
If the crown rises above the articulation means when the parasol is opened, then the articulation means is protected, but the parasol stick construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve-shaped stick part is inserted into and slides over the attachment structure, with the crown positioned at the upper end of the sleeve. This nested arrangement allows the crown to rise above the articulation means when the parasol is opened, reducing the distance between the center of gravity and the arm, thereby reducing the force required to position the parasol obliquely while maintaining a compact construction.
3Ease of operation
If the articulation means is freely accessible, then the parasol can be operated easily, but the articulation means is unprotected and susceptible to soiling and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve-shaped stick part is inserted into and slides over the attachment structure, with the crown positioned at the upper end of the sleeve. This nested arrangement allows the crown to rise above the articulation means when the parasol is opened, reducing the distance between the center of gravity and the arm, thereby reducing the force required to position the parasol obliquely while maintaining a compact construction.
Data Source
AI summary
The free-arm canopy comprises a mast (2), on which an extendable and retractable jib (10) is arranged, with a transverse fitting (34) at the end thereof on which a canopy (12) is arranged on a canopy pole (30) by means of a joint (32). The canopy (12) comprises a slider (36), connected in a jointed fashion to top ribs (44) by means of support ribs (40) which are further jointed to a crown (48) connected to the canopy pole (30), wherein the canopy (12) may be opened and closed by means of a tensile line (70) connected to the slider (36) and displacing the canopy pole (30) against the fitting (34) and thus locking the joint (32) on opening. According to the invention, the free-arm canopy may be improved, whereby the crown (48) of the canopy (12) is arranged on the upper end of a pole piece (52) in the form of a sleeve which may be displaced over the fitting (34) such that with an open canopy (12) the crown (48) goes over the joint (32) and is at least almost in contact with the jib (10).