Inside-Out Folding Umbrella Mechanism for Dry Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact umbrellas face issues such as the wet side of the canopy being exposed during folding, water leakage, and limited wind resistance, as the spokes and fabric arrangement do not effectively prevent water from dripping and the umbrella from turning inside out in wind.
Innovation Solution
A folding umbrella design featuring a central spine with a pulley system and hinge mechanism that allows the canopy to fold inside out, incorporating a cover and lid as a single unit, ensuring the wet side is contained and providing inherent stiffness against wind, with a unique string and pulley system for compact storage and easy deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spokes are folded with the canopy fabric gathered around them in conventional umbrellas, then the umbrella can be compacted, but the wet side of the fabric is exposed on the outside causing water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional folding direction. Instead of the canopy folding with the wet side outward, the invention designs the folding mechanism so that the canopy folds inside-out, placing the wet side inward and the dry side outward. This is achieved through the specific arrangement of the hinge mechanism and the interaction between the inner and outer struts, which guide the fabric to fold in the reverse direction compared to traditional umbrellas.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate pouch is used to store the folded umbrella, then the wet fabric can be contained, but the storage mechanism becomes more complex and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage function directly into the umbrella structure itself. The handle is designed with a hollow interior that serves as an integrated storage compartment for the folded canopy and struts. This eliminates the need for a separate pouch while maintaining water containment capabilities. The folding mechanism and storage function are combined into a single unified structure.
3Ease of operation
If the spokes use hinged segments with wire support, then the umbrella can be folded, but the frame has insufficient stiffness to resist turning inside out in wind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the strut structure into inner and outer components that work together. The inner strut provides the folding hinge mechanism while the outer strut provides structural strength and wind resistance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the inner strut for mobility and the outer strut for strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining different materials and mechanisms. The inner strut uses flexible hinge joints for folding, while the outer strut uses rigid material for wind resistance. The combination of these different structural elements creates a composite system that achieves both foldability and strength.
4Volume of moving object
If the canopy fabric is loose and wet during folding, then the umbrella can be compacted, but it is difficult to store in a cover pouch and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion to the folding sequence, causing the dry side of the canopy to be on the outside during the folding process. This reversal ensures that the user's hands contact only the dry exterior surface of the fabric during compaction and storage, eliminating the handling difficulty associated with wet fabric while maintaining compactness.
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 keeps the wet side of the canopy enclosed, prevents water leakage, and offers enhanced wind resistance, allowing for a compact and dry handling experience while maintaining the visual and operational characteristics of traditional umbrellas.
Implementation Method 1
The string is passed around a pulley at the lower end of the outermost section of the central spine
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring to move the upper crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown
Implementation Method 3
a hinge assembly pivotally connecting the inner strut to the outer strut; wherein the hinge assembly is adapted to allow the outer strut to pivot about 180°
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldaway umbrella (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, said umbrella comprising: k) a central spine (12, 112, 212, 312, 312, 412, 512); 1) an upper crown (24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524) moveable with respect to the central spine; m) a lower crown (38, 138, 238, 338, 438, 538) fixed with respect to the central spine; n) a collapsible canopy framework (16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 516) connected to the upper crown and the lower crown; and o) a main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy (18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518) covering the collapsible canopy framework said main canopy having an inside face closest to the collapsible canopy framework and an outside face crown from a position remote of the lower crown to a position close to the lower crown results in the collapsible canopy framework, and thus the main canopy, to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration wherein the main canopy is folded inside out such that only the inside face of the main canopy is exposed and vice versa.