Modular Wheeled Parasol Base with Removable Counterweights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile parasol bases are heavy, inconvenient to transport, and suffer from instability due to limited load capacity and aesthetically unattractive designs, with concrete bases prone to degradation and counterweights requiring separate purchase, leading to economic and practical issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular wheeled parasol base with a support frame of interconnected arms and removable counterweight blocks, where each arm encloses an accommodating space for counterweight blocks, positioned below the wheels to lower the center of gravity, enhancing stability and load capacity, and a top panel for aesthetic and protective purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If concrete or marble parasol bases are used to provide sufficient weight, then stability is improved, but weight and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The parasol base is divided into separate components: a lightweight support frame and removable counterweight blocks. The counterweight blocks can be detached and stored separately, allowing the base to be moved easily without the heavy counterweights attached. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the base to have sufficient weight for stability when needed, while being lightweight and easy to transport when the counterweights are removed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavy counterweights are included with the parasol base, then stability is improved, but shipping cost and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight blocks are extracted from the main parasol base structure and designed as separate, removable components. This allows the base to be shipped and transported without the heavy counterweights, reducing shipping costs and improving ease of transport. The counterweight blocks can be added separately at the destination location, providing stability only when needed and eliminating the burden of transporting heavy components.
3Strength
If concrete counterweights are used, then load capacity is improved, but aesthetic appearance and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is constructed from materials with different properties in different locations: the frame itself can be made of aesthetically pleasing materials like wood or metal with decorative finishes, while the counterweight blocks are made of dense, stable materials. This local differentiation allows the visible portions of the base to have superior aesthetic appearance while the functional portions provide the necessary load capacity and stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed, heavy parasol base is used, then stability is improved, but adaptability and ease of relocation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The parasol base transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The removable counterweight blocks allow the base to change its weight and stability characteristics based on operational needs. The base can be quickly reconfigured by adding or removing counterweight blocks, enabling easy relocation while maintaining stability when the counterweights are attached, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
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 modular design reduces the weight and improves the handling and stability of the parasol base, allowing for easier relocation and increased load capacity, while the top panel enhances aesthetics and protects against degradation, addressing the issues of weight, stability, and aesthetics in existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
positioned below the wheels to lower the center of gravity, enhancing stability and load capacity
Data Source
AI summary
Patio parasols are well known in which a parasol canopy is mounted to a parasol base to provide shade for a deck, patio, garden, or the like. The invention relates to a mobile parasol base. The invention also relates to an assembly of a parasol base according to the invention and at least one parasol mounted onto said parasol base.