Lateral Arm Awning Roller Tube Support Without Vertical Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lateral arm awnings face challenges in supporting the weight of the roller tube and motor, leading to increased material and manufacturing costs, and vertical arm awnings obstruct space and require specific mounting conditions, limiting installation options.
Innovation Solution
A lateral arm awning system with articulating arms and a roller tube design that allows the motor and roller tube to be mounted at the distal ends of the arms, eliminating the need for additional structural support and reducing material costs by integrating the motor and roller tube within the arm structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertical arm awnings are used to support the roller tube and motor, then structural support is provided, but space is obstructed and installation options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical arm configuration to lateral arm configuration, changing the spatial dimension of support. The lateral arms extend horizontally from the wall rather than vertically, moving the support structure into a different spatial plane that does not obstruct the vertical space underneath the awning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using vertical arms that extend upward to support the roller tube, the patent inverts the approach by using lateral arms that extend outward from the wall. The motor is mounted on the lateral arm rather than requiring vertical arm support, fundamentally reversing the traditional support configuration.
2Strength
If vertical arm awnings are used, then motor and roller tube are supported, but specific mounting conditions are required on the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting requirements are changed by moving from vertical wall mounting points to horizontal wall mounting points. The lateral arms are mounted to the wall at locations that do not require unobstructed vertical spaces, allowing installation above windows, doors, or other obstructions that would block vertical arm placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral arm configuration provides universal mounting capability across different wall conditions. Unlike vertical arms that require specific unobstructed vertical spaces, lateral arms can be mounted in various locations including above windows and doors, making the system adaptable to diverse installation environments.
3Ease of operation
If lateral arm awnings are used to provide unobstructed space, then space accessibility is improved, but additional material and manufacturing costs are incurred due to box or housing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor housing with the lateral arm structure itself. Instead of requiring a separate box or housing to contain the motor and support the lateral arms, the motor is directly mounted on the lateral arm, integrating multiple functions into a single structural element and eliminating redundant materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate box or housing component that was traditionally required for lateral arm awnings. By directly mounting the motor on the lateral arm and using the arm's inherent structural capacity, the unnecessary housing is removed, reducing material costs and simplifying manufacturing.
4Ease of operation
If lateral arms are used without vertical support, then unobstructed space is provided, but the roller tube and motor weight must be supported by alternative means
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using vertical arms to support the weight of the roller tube and motor, the patent inverts the support mechanism by using horizontally extending lateral arms. The motor is mounted on the lateral arm to rotate the roller tube, and the lateral arm's structural design provides the necessary support without requiring vertical arm configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral arm is designed to simultaneously provide both the horizontal extension for canopy support and the structural capacity for weight bearing. By integrating the motor mounting and weight support functions into the lateral arm itself, the system achieves unobstructed vertical space while maintaining adequate strength to support the roller tube and motor.
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.