Multi-layer Canopy Shade Shelter Wind Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable shelters designed to provide protection from rain and sunlight are susceptible to instability and damage from wind, leading to potential bodily injury and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A portable shade shelter with multiple canopies that allow airflow between them, featuring adjustable positions and openings to minimize wind forces, providing a stable and durable solution for outdoor use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single canopy is used to provide protection from rain and sunlight, then shelter effectiveness is improved, but wind resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single canopy is divided into multiple separate canopies (first canopy, second canopy, third canopy) stacked vertically. Each canopy is a distinct element that can function independently, allowing air to pass through the gaps between them. This segmentation reduces wind resistance while maintaining shelter effectiveness, as the multiple smaller canopies present less resistance to wind flow than one large continuous canopy.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopies are designed with openings or gaps between them, creating a porous structure that allows air flow. This porosity enables wind to pass through the shelter structure rather than being blocked by a solid continuous canopy, significantly reducing wind pressure and lift forces while still providing adequate sunlight and rain protection.
2Illumination intensity
If a continuous sheet canopy is used to block sunlight, then shade coverage is improved, but air flow capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous sheet canopy concept is segmented into multiple discrete canopy layers with gaps between them. Each individual canopy sheet maintains its sunlight-blocking function, but the segmentation creates vertical channels that allow air flow. The staggered positioning of canopies ensures that gaps between them provide adequate ventilation paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional continuous sheet to a three-dimensional stacked structure with vertical spacing. By adding the vertical dimension and creating gaps between canopy layers, the structure enables air flow in the vertical direction while maintaining horizontal sunlight blocking coverage.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple canopies are stacked to block sunlight, then shade effectiveness is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple canopies are merged into a single integrated shelter structure, sharing common support frames, poles, and anchoring systems. The canopies are positioned and configured to work together as a unified system, where the support structure for one canopy also supports the others, reducing overall structural complexity compared to having separate independent canopy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and framework elements serve multiple functions: they support multiple canopies, provide structural stability, enable assembly and disassembly, and facilitate anchoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall structure despite having multiple canopy layers.
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 design effectively blocks sunlight while allowing air to flow, reducing wind pressure and preventing shelter instability, ensuring user safety and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
providing a shaded area under and/or adjacent to the shelter
Implementation Method 2
block all or a majority of incident sunlight from passing below the shade shelter
Implementation Method 3
permitting air to flow horizontally though the vertical space or gap between the first and second canopies and permitting air to flow vertically through the openings
Data Source
AI summary
A portable shade shelter has a plurality of canopies including at least a first canopy and a second canopy. The first canopy is disposed over the second canopy, and the first canopy is capable of being spaced apart from the second canopy in a vertical direction such that air is capable of flowing between the first canopy and the second canopy. Each of the first canopy and the second canopy includes a plurality of openings configured to permit air and light to pass through the respective first canopy and second canopy.