Hinged Awning Beam with Crank Cam Clamping Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing awning strut systems for caravans and motor homes are time-consuming and inefficient, with limited clamping force and shear forces damaging the canvas during clamping.
Innovation Solution
A beam system with a strut and clamping lath that can be laterally detached and hinge-mounted, utilizing a rotating crank with a cam to easily switch between clamping and open positions, ensuring secure and quick canvas fixation without requiring extensive dexterity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the canvass is clamped by turning the clamping lath against the resilient portion of the strut, then the clamping force is limited, but the operation is simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic cranking mechanism that converts rotational motion into linear clamping force. The crank rotates around an axis perpendicular to the strut wall, transforming a simple rotational action into a powerful linear pushing motion that overcomes the limitation of static resilient portions while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimensional approach by positioning the crank rotation axis perpendicular to the strut wall rather than parallel. This dimensional change allows the clamping lath to be pushed into the clamping position through a rotational motion that generates greater mechanical advantage, simultaneously improving both ease of operation and clamping force.
2Ease of operation
If the clamping lath is turned against the resilient portion of the strut, then the operation is easier, but shear forces are applied to the canvass which will damage the canvass or will cause wear
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic cranking mechanism replaces the static turning motion that causes shear forces with a controlled rotational-to-linear motion conversion. The crank's rotation around a perpendicular axis generates a pushing force that moves the clamping lath directly into position without applying damaging shear forces to the canvass edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful turning motion into a beneficial pushing motion. By rotating the crank around a perpendicular axis, the system transforms what would be a shear-inducing rotational action into a linear pushing force that applies clamping pressure perpendicular to the canvass, eliminating damage while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If the clamping lath is pushed into the clamping position by a rotating crank with a cam, then the clamping is secure and quick, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crank with cam mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the clamping force, maintains the clamping lath in the clamped position, and can be operated with a simple rotational motion. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by consolidating multiple operations into a single mechanical component that achieves secure and quick clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism changes the parameter of force application from a gradual turning motion to a concentrated pushing force at a specific point in the rotation. This parameter change allows the system to achieve rapid clamping with a single crank rotation, improving productivity while the complexity is managed through the efficient use of mechanical geometry.
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 beam system allows for rapid, secure, and windproof canvas clamping with minimal effort, reducing wear and damage, and can be easily disassembled for storage and reassembly.
Implementation Method 1
operating means are formed of at least one rotating crank with a cam which, in a particular position of the crank, pushes the clamping lath into the clamping position
Implementation Method 2
the strut and the clamping lath which can be detached by laterally pulling the strut and the clamping lath apart and which are hinge-mounted in relation to each other in their longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Beam for fixing a sidewall (6-7) of the awning (2) of a caravan, motor home (1) or the like, which, in the longitudinal direction, consists of a single part (13) or of several parts mounted in each other's prolongation (13A-13B), characterised in that it is formed of a strut (16) and a clamping lath (17) which are hinge-mounted in relation to each other in their longitudinal direction, whereby the strut (16) can freely hinge between a clamping position in which a canvass (10) can be clamped between a clamping element (28) of the strut (16) and a clamping element (29) of the clamping lath (17) and an open position in which the above-mentioned clamping parts (28-29) are removed from each other and whereby operating means are provided to move the clamping lath (17) from one position into another position and means to lock the clamping lath (17) in the clamping position.