Modular Retractable Awning Assembly with Keyed Splices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current awning designs are cumbersome and complex, making them difficult for consumers to transport and install, limiting user autonomy and increasing costs due to the need for professional installation and special delivery.

Innovation Solution

A retractable awning assembly with modular components, including a roller tube, torsion bars, spring-loaded arms, and a fabric cover, connected using keyed splices and snap buttons, allowing for easy disassembly and self-assembly, and a method for assembling and packaging these components for user-friendly installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the awning is designed as a complete assembled unit, then the structural integrity and functionality are ensured, but the complexity of transport and installation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidtransport and installation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The awning is divided into multiple modular components including roller tube sections, front bar sections, mounting brackets, and hood sections that can be separately packaged and assembled by the consumer. Each section is designed with connection features that allow easy assembly while maintaining structural integrity when combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the awning components are designed for easy assembly with simple connection features, then the ease of installation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection feature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection features utilize a nested design where splices fit within tube sections and snap buttons engage with corresponding receptacles. This nesting approach provides self-alignment and tolerance compensation, allowing easy consumer assembly while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision through feature geometry rather than tight tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the awning is packaged in multiple sections for consumer transport, then the transportability and user autonomy are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser autonomyVSAvoidpackaging and assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

All connection features, fastening mechanisms, and alignment elements are pre-configured on the components during manufacturing. The splices are pre-formed on tube sections, snap buttons are pre-attached, and mounting brackets are pre-configured with attachment features. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex assembly tools or procedures, allowing consumers to simply connect pre-prepared components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11788298B2Retractable awning assemblies and methods for packaging the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 GLEN RAVEN INC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes a retractable awning assembly. The retractable awning assembly may include a plurality of roller tube sections, at least two torsion bar sections, a pair of spring-loaded arms, a fabric cover, a plurality of front bar sections, a pair of end caps, a plurality of mounting brackets, and a plurality of hood sections. Methods of assembling the same are provided.