Modular Pergola Shading Device with Motorized Roller Sails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pergola devices lack a multifunctional solution for adjustable shading that can effectively manage sunlight and rain while providing architectural finesse and minimal wind resistance.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional blocking device with modules featuring a structure of longitudinal beams, maneuverable sails with roller systems, and ballast means, allowing for adjustable sail length, inclination, and translation, along with a motorized traction system for optimal shading and wind management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sails are deployed to provide shading and rain protection, then protection against sun and rain is improved, but wind resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a motorized roller system that enables the sails to dynamically change their state between deployed and retracted positions. The sails can be automatically or manually adjusted based on weather conditions, allowing the structure to adapt to varying wind, sun, and rain conditions. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing protection when needed while minimizing wind resistance when sails are retracted.
2Strength
If rigid panels are used for shading, then structural strength is improved, but wind resistance and architectural flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fabric or canvas sails stretched over a frame instead of rigid panels. These flexible materials provide the necessary shading and rain protection while allowing the structure to flex and adapt to wind loads. The flexible nature of the sails reduces wind resistance compared to rigid panels while maintaining structural integrity through the supporting frame and tensioning system.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed shading structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different meteorological conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a fixed shading structure into a dynamic system with motorized rollers and movable sails. This allows the shading device to adjust its configuration in response to different meteorological conditions such as sun position, rain, and wind. The motorized mechanism enables automatic or manual adjustment of sail positions and angles, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process based on standard roller and frame components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If total obscuration is achieved with horizontal slats, then rain protection is improved, but sunlight control flexibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sails that can be adjusted to various angles and positions rather than fixed horizontal slats. The motorized roller system enables the sails to be tilted at different angles to optimize both rain protection and sunlight control. This dynamic positioning capability allows the structure to provide total obscuration for rain protection when needed while also allowing flexible adjustment for different sunlight conditions, resolving the contradiction between rain protection and sunlight control flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a multifunctional shading device (10), notably for producing a pergola, comprising a horizontal structure S which supports said device, which comprises modules (12-1, 12-n) equipped with a strip of fabric (16) and means (18) for adjusting the length of said strip of fabric, the modules being distributed along an axis of the structure S.