Inflatable Toroidal Canopy With Eccentric Rod Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun umbrellas and inflatable tents suffer from centralized rods that obstruct central areas, tip easily, and are difficult to fold and assemble, with fixed connections that hinder multi-angulation and visibility, and often trap wind, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable toroidal display cover with an exocentric rod design featuring a flat central area, balanced rear region, tubular counterweight, and multi-angle stabilizer U-fork joint, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and adjustable angulation, while providing unobstructed shelter and wide access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a centralized rod is used to support the cover, then the cover can be supported and maintained in position, but the rod obstructs the central area of shelter and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod is extracted from the central position and relocated to the periphery of the cover structure. This removes the obstructing element from the harmful zone (central shelter area) while maintaining its essential support function through the stabilizer U-fork mechanism anchored to the ground
Solution Approach 2:
A stabilizer U-fork with multi-angle joint acts as an intermediary between the support rod and the ground. This intermediary component allows the rod to be positioned eccentrically without directly obstructing the central area, while still providing stable support through its ground-anchored configuration
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed connections are used between the rod and cover, then the structure is stable, but the cover cannot be adjusted to multiple angles according to sun and rain incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the support rod and cover is changed from fixed to dynamic through the multi-angle joint in the stabilizer U-fork. This joint allows the cover to be adjusted to various angles while maintaining structural stability, enabling adaptation to different environmental conditions
3Stability of the object's composition
If radial rods and rigid parts are used to provide support, then the cover is stable, but folding and compaction for transport becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into separate components: the cover, the support rod, and the stabilizer U-fork with ground anchors. This segmentation allows each component to be independently folded and compacted for transport, while reassembling provides stable support when deployed
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cover has a concave shape, then it can be structurally supported, but wind is trapped causing increased risk of flying and reaching people
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a concave shape that traps wind, the cover is designed with a convex or flat surface configuration. This inverts the traditional approach, allowing wind to pass over rather than become trapped, thereby reducing the risk of the structure becoming airborne while maintaining structural integrity
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 design offers stable, foldable, and compactable coverage with unobstructed central areas, reducing tipping risks, enhancing visibility, and facilitating printing and user access, while minimizing wind entrapment and folding issues.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a cover formed by an inflatable torus configured by inflation
Data Source
AI summary
This is an inflatable toroidal display cover with an exocentric rod (CT) comprising a cover (10) formed by an inflatable torus (11) configuring a flat central area (12) and an inflatable torus (11) conified with a larger diameter (d1) rear region (11A) and a smaller diameter (d2) opposite front region (11 B) and that in the rear region (11A) by the inner contour (ct1) includes a pair of upper and lower tether straps (11a1)/(11a2) that anchor profiles (21a)/(21b) of the stabilizer ‘U’ fork (21) with a multi-angle joint (23) integral to the support rod (22) of the cover (10); and support rod (22) in the inner contour (ct1) configuring unobstructed flat central area (12); and rear region (11A) in balance; and tubular niche (11a3) and balanced counterweight (30); and anchorage spaced from the profiles (21a)/(21b) with vertical and horizontal stabilizing staging effect (V1)/(H); and stabilizing U-fork (21) with multi-angle joint (23); and compression points (p1/p2) of easy fastening; and consistent rigid support rod (22); and flat central area (12) and multi-angle joint (23) for printing and easy viewing; and frameable; and, yet, friendly to the touch; flat; compressible; wide view and access.