Gas Spring Umbrella Pole Assembly for Easier Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Opening and closing large umbrellas is challenging due to the size and weight of the umbrella, as well as obstacles from the shade member, ribs, and struts, making it difficult to apply sufficient force manually.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gas spring assembly within the umbrella pole to assist in opening and closing, utilizing a hollow tube, piston, seal, and cord mechanism to store and release energy for effortless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gas spring assembly is incorporated to assist opening and closing, then the manual effort required is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring assembly is nested within the hollow pole of the umbrella, with the piston moving inside the hollow tube. This nesting approach provides the lift assist function while maintaining a compact structure that does not significantly increase the overall umbrella size or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A cord connects the piston to the lower hub, serving as an intermediary element that transfers the force generated by the gas spring to the umbrella structure. This allows the gas spring to assist opening and closing without requiring direct mechanical connection that would complicate the design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gas spring assembly is retained within the umbrella pole assembly, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the space available for the mechanism is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring assembly is nested within the hollow pole, utilizing the existing internal space of the pole structure. The hollow tube of the gas spring fits within the hollow pole, and the piston moves within the hollow tube, maximizing space utilization while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring assembly is divided into distinct components (hollow tube, piston, seal, lower fixture) that can be independently manufactured and assembled within the constrained space of the hollow pole, allowing for efficient packing and installation.
3Device complexity
If an intermediate hub structure is eliminated, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism for actuating the gas spring becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The lower hub serves multiple functions: it is the pivot point for the shade assembly, the attachment point for the cord, and the component that moves along the hollow pole during opening and closing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate intermediate hub structure while maintaining ease of actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural movement of the lower hub along the hollow pole during umbrella opening and closing to automatically compress and expand the gas spring through the cord mechanism, without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gas spring assembly reduces the manual effort required to open and close umbrellas, particularly large ones, by providing an assistive force through a lift mechanism that simplifies the actuation process.
Implementation Method 1
The lift assist assembly includes a gas spring and a cord. The gas spring includes a hollow tube having an inner diameter, a piston having an outer diameter sized to fit within at least a portion of the hollow tube
Implementation Method 2
When closing the umbrella, the at least one hook disengages from the at least one ledge and the lower hub is moved downward and the cord applies a load to compress the gas spring by moving the piston into the hollow tube
Implementation Method 3
a seal positioned between the inner diameter of the hollow tube and the outer diameter of the piston
Implementation Method 4
The cord has a first end coupled with the hollow pole and a second end coupled with the lower hub. When opening the umbrella the gas spring applies a load to the cord, to cause an upward load to be applied to the lower hub
Data Source
AI summary
An umbrella is provided that includes a hollow pole, a shade assembly, and a lift assembly. The shade assembly is coupled with an upper portion of the hollow pole. The shade assembly includes an upper hub, a lower hub, and a shade structure coupling the upper hub to the lower hub. The shade structure supports a shade member and the lower hub is moveable along the hollow pole. The lift assembly is disposed within the hollow pole. The lift assembly includes a gas spring and a cord. The cord has a first end coupled with the hollow pole and a second end coupled with the lower hub. When closing the umbrella, the cord applies a load to compress the gas spring. When opening the umbrella, the gas spring applies a load to the cord, to cause the lower hub to be moved upward.