Lateral Arm Awning Assembly for Roller Tube Weight Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lateral arm awnings face challenges in supporting the weight of the roller tube and motor, leading to installation constraints and increased material costs, while vertical arm awnings obstruct space and require specific mounting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lateral arm assembly with articulating arms and a roller tube, supported by end brackets, allows for a pivotal connection to the arms, enabling the roller tube to be mounted against a support surface, and a drive mechanism for furling and unfurling the canopy, maintaining the arms parallel during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lateral arm awnings are used to provide unobstructed space under the awning, then user accessibility is improved, but the structure cannot support the weight of the roller tube and motor
Solution Approach 1:
A motorized winch system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the heavy roller tube assembly. The winch retrieves the canopy and roller tube along a lead rail, allowing the lateral arms to remain lightweight and non-obstructive while still supporting the heavy components during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical support system where lateral arms directly bear the weight of the roller tube is replaced with a cable-driven winch system. This substitutes direct structural support with a tensile-based retrieval mechanism, enabling lightweight arms while maintaining support capability.
2Strength
If vertical arm awnings are used to support the roller tube and motor, then weight support capability is improved, but user space is obstructed and installation is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy roller tube and motor are extracted from the lateral arm support structure and placed within a housing mounted to the building structure. This separates the weight-bearing function from the lateral arms, allowing them to be lightweight and non-obstructive.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism transitions from vertical arm extension in three-dimensional space to a two-dimensional lead rail system along the building facade. The canopy is retrieved along the rail rather than being supported by extending arms, changing the operational dimension.
3Strength
If a box or housing is used to mount the roller tube and motor on the wall, then weight support capability is improved, but material costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lead rail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the heavy roller tube and motor, guides the canopy during retrieval, and acts as the retrieval path for the winch system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate housing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting housing and support structure are merged into a single integrated assembly mounted to the building. The lead rail is integrated with the housing, eliminating the need for separate support elements and reducing overall material requirements.
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 solution provides unobstructed space under the awning, reduces installation complexity, and minimizes material costs by distributing weight effectively, while ensuring smooth operation and space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms
Implementation Method 2
The roller tube is rotated by systems mentioned. The motor, spring, or manually operated gearbox is typically connected to the roller tube to rotate it in clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions, thus operating to furl or unfurl the canopy around or from the roller tube
Implementation Method 3
one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes first and second articulating arms comprising first and second ends, the first ends of the articulating arms are mounted upon assembly to a support surface at separate lateral locations. The first ends each comprise separate pivoting mounting structures for forming a first pivotal connection with the first and second articulating arms. The lateral arm assembly also comprises a roller tube having spaced lateral ends supporting respective end brackets that provide a second pivotal connection to the second ends of the articulating arms. The roller tube supports a canopy coupled to a roller shaft, wherein one of the end brackets further supports a device that drives the roller shaft for furling and unfurling the canopy.