Segmented Pavilion Bracing System for Stable Upright Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tents lack stability and ease of use, particularly in allowing upright entry and exit, and often require complex setup and structural vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A tent design featuring a strut system with main and secondary elastic struts, tensioning elements, and articulated connections that eliminate the need for a central strut, enabling stable and secure upright access while being easy to set up and compact for transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single central stand with sliding sleeve is used, then the tent can be opened and closed easily, but the mechanism must be very robust to ensure stability
Solution Approach 1:
The tent structure is divided into multiple independent legs instead of relying on a single central stand. Each leg is a separate structural element that contributes to overall stability, eliminating the need for an overly robust centralized mechanism while maintaining ease of operation through distributed support.
2Device complexity
If a single off-center support is used, then the tent structure is simplified, but the single support must be very stable
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple legs distributed around the tent perimeter. This segmentation provides multiple stable support points without requiring any single support element to bear excessive load, achieving both structural simplicity and enhanced stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Stability is achieved locally at multiple discrete leg positions rather than concentrating all stability requirements in a single off-center support. Each leg provides localized stability, and the collective arrangement ensures overall tent stability with simpler individual components.
3Ease of operation
If inflatable floor and supporting frame are used, then the tent is easy to set up, but the stability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tent structure uses multiple rigid legs instead of a single inflatable frame. This segmentation provides distributed stable support points that maintain tent stability while keeping setup simple, as each leg can be independently positioned and secured without requiring complex inflation mechanisms.
4Stability of the object's composition
If semicircular fiberglass rods with special anchoring elements are used, then the tent is very stable, but the user cannot move around upright inside
Solution Approach 1:
The tent structure uses multiple straight legs positioned at the perimeter rather than semicircular rods that would enclose the space. This segmentation creates an open interior configuration that maintains stability through distributed leg support while allowing users to move freely upright inside the tent without structural obstruction.
5Stability of the object's composition
If multiple poles extending in an arc are used, then the tent structure is stable, but the tent does not allow entering or moving around inside while standing upright
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped pole structure is segmented into multiple independent straight legs positioned at the perimeter. This segmentation eliminates the enclosing arc configuration that blocked interior movement, while maintaining frame stability through the distributed arrangement of legs that provide robust support without obstructing the interior space.
6Reliability
If a central hub assembly with varying length poles is used, then the tent fabric is fully enclosed, but the assembly and disassembly is very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed tent structure is achieved through multiple independent legs rather than a centralized hub assembly. This segmentation allows each leg to be independently and quickly assembled or disassembled, dramatically reducing setup and takedown time while maintaining complete enclosure through the coordinated arrangement of legs and tent fabric.
Solution Approach 2:
The tent structure uses dynamic, easily adjustable leg assemblies rather than fixed varying-length poles connected to a central hub. This allows rapid configuration and disconfiguration of the enclosed space, enabling quick setup and teardown while maintaining reliable enclosure through the flexible leg-fabric connection system.
7Ease of operation
If a central crossbar with hinged joints is used, then the tent features semi-automatic opening mechanism, but the construction is very specialized and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-automatic opening function is achieved through multiple independent leg assemblies rather than a complex central crossbar with hinged joints. This segmentation simplifies the overall construction by eliminating the specialized crossbar mechanism, while maintaining ease of operation through the coordinated action of simpler, modular leg elements.
8Adaptability or versatility
If equal-length struts with spreading mechanism are used, then the tent can be collapsed, but the structure is very complex and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible capability is achieved through multiple independent, simple leg structures rather than a complex spreading mechanism with equal-length struts. This segmentation allows each leg to be independently collapsed or adjusted, providing versatility and collapsibility while eliminating the fragile, complex centralized spreading mechanism.
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 provides a stable, secure, and easy-to-use tent with improved access and handling, eliminating the need for complex setup and central support structures, while being lightweight and adaptable for various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The main bracing system comprises one or more resiliently elastic struts which are suitable and designed to connect the end regions of two opposing corners of the covering and to form feet for the pavilion or tent
Implementation Method 2
at least one tensioning element is provided which is suitable and intended to increase at least the distance between the ends of a strut of the bracing structure and thus the distance between the areas of the covering connected to the ends of the strut, thereby tensioning the covering of the tent or pavilion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pavilion 1 with a planar covering 2 and a bracing system 3, 4, which is connected to the covering 2 and is suitable and designed to hold the covering 2 in a three-dimensional shape. According to the invention, the bracing system 3, 4 consists of a main bracing system 3 and a secondary bracing system 4, wherein the main bracing system 3 has one or more resiliently elastic struts 5a, which are suitable and designed to connect end regions 6 of two opposing spandrels 7 of the covering 2 to one another and to form feet 11a for the pavilion 1. The secondary bracing system 4 has one or more resiliently elastic struts 5b, which are suitable and designed to connect central regions 8 of the edge 9 between two adjacent spandrels 7 of the covering 2 to one another.According to the invention, at least one tensioning element 10 is provided, which is suitable and designed to increase at least the distance between the ends 11 of a strut 5a, 5b of the bracing structure 3, 4 and thus the distance between the areas of the covering 2 connected to the ends 11 of the strut 5a, 5b, thereby maintaining the pavilion 1 in its three-dimensional shape. The pavilion 1 according to the invention does not have a central strut that supports the pavilion 1 from the ground and, in particular, does not cause any variation in distance. The pavilion 1 is very easy to assemble and disassemble and also proves to be very stable, standing almost anywhere without ground anchoring.