Parasol Pivot Ring Structure to Prevent Dirt and Wobbling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parasols with telescopic tubes or without telescopic tubes face issues such as exposure of the uppermost section to dirt and debris, wind-driven rainwater, and undesirable lateral wobbling, especially in windy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A parasol design with a mast, multiple struts, and pivot rings where the central and upper pivot rings move together when open, ensuring a gap-free or nearly gap-free outer contour, and optionally incorporating a telescopic section or suspension relative to the mast, along with a tensioning device for maintaining the open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telescopic tube is used to guide the upper pivot ring, then the parasol can be raised and lowered smoothly, but the uppermost section remains exposed to dirt, debris, and wind-driven rainwater when open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the central pivot ring and upper pivot ring into a single integrated pivot ring structure. This eliminates the gap between the two rings that previously allowed exposure to harmful elements, while maintaining the telescopic tube's smooth movement function. The integrated ring ensures continuous protection against dirt, debris, and rainwater.
2Ease of manufacture
If the central and upper pivot rings are spaced apart when the parasol is open, then the parasol can be manually operated without a drive unit, but the uppermost section becomes exposed to dirt and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the central pivot ring and upper pivot ring into one integrated structure, eliminating the spacing gap that caused exposure to harmful elements. This merger maintains manual operability while providing continuous protection against dirt and debris accumulation.
3Device complexity
If designs without a telescopic tube are used, then manual operation is simpler, but undesirable lateral wobbling occurs especially in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pivot ring design provides structural rigidity that prevents lateral wobbling while maintaining manual operation simplicity. The unified ring structure acts as a stronger single component compared to spaced-apart rings, providing resistance against wind forces without requiring a complex telescopic tube mechanism.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the upper and central pivot rings are moved together when open, then exposure to dirt and debris is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making two separate rings move together (which would increase complexity), the patent merges them into a single integrated pivot ring. This approach achieves the same protective effect of eliminating gaps while actually reducing structural complexity compared to coordinating two independent moving components.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a parasol (2) with a mast (4) having a longitudinal axis (A) and with at least three canopy struts (6) for a foldable canopy, wherein each canopy strut (6) is provided with an associated support strut (8) hinged to its underside, wherein the canopy struts (6) are hingedly connected on the mast side to an upper pivot ring (10) and the support struts (8) are hingedly connected on the mast side to a lower pivot ring (12) that can be moved up and down on the mast (4), and wherein at least one support strut (8) is provided with a suspension strut (14) hinged to its upper side, which is connected to a central pivot ring (16) attached to the mast (4). In an open position of the parasol, the central pivot ring (16) and the upper pivot ring (10) are essentially retracted.