Pivotal Sunshade Pane for Public Space Shade

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Solution Overview

Problem

Public transportation stations and other outdoor public spaces often lack adequate sun protection, especially in areas with low rainfall or physical challenges, exposing users to harmful sunlight and adverse health impacts.

Innovation Solution

A pivotally mounted sunshade with an elongate, opaque pane that can be rotated to provide adjustable shade, equipped with optional features like photovoltaic panels, seating, electrical devices, and a motorized orientation system to optimize sun exposure and protection from weather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional shelter is installed to protect users from sun and weather, then user protection is improved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase due to physical and technical challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun exposure protectionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sunshade is divided into separate functional components: a pivotal mount fixed to the bottom surface and a independently rotatable pane. This segmentation allows the shading function to be provided without requiring complex shelter structures, reducing installation complexity while maintaining protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pane is made rotatable about a vertical axis through the pivotal mount, allowing dynamic adjustment of the shading orientation. This dynamic capability enables the sunshade to adapt to different sun positions and user needs without requiring multiple fixed structures, simplifying installation while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a large shelter structure is used to provide adequate shade, then sun protection effectiveness is improved, but space obstruction and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesun protection effectivenessVSAvoidhorizontal space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sunshade utilizes the vertical dimension by extending the pane height parallel to the vertical axis of rotation. This vertical orientation provides effective sun protection while minimizing horizontal footprint, allowing adequate shade without occupying excessive ground space in constrained public areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The pane width is optimized to provide sufficient shading coverage for typical user needs (32-140 cm) without excessive horizontal extension. This localized dimensioning ensures adequate protection effectiveness while limiting space obstruction in public transportation stations and sidewalks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the pane width is increased to provide broader shade coverage, then user comfort is improved, but space obstruction in the public area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidhorizontal obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pane width parameter is optimized within a specific range (32-140 cm, preferably 50-70 cm) to balance shade coverage and space occupation. This parameter optimization provides sufficient comfort for individual or small group users while minimizing obstruction to pedestrian flow and public space accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 sunshade effectively protects users from sunlight while allowing for adjustable obstruction and integration of additional features like energy harvesting and information display, enhancing user comfort and safety in public spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a pane (6) adapted to provide at least partial shade from sunlight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

said sunshade further includes at least one photovoltaic panel, at least one battery and an electrical system electrically supplied from said at least one photovoltaic panel through said at least one battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11771187B2Sunshade for outdoor public space and outdoor public space having such a sunshade

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 JCDECAUX SA

AI summary

A sunshade for an outdoor public space, having a pane made from an at least partially opaque material and a pivotal mount adapted to be fixed to the ground and pivotally supporting the pane for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The pane is of elongate shape, extending longitudinally, parallel to the axis of rotation, between a lower end and an upper free end. The pane has a width and a thickness smaller than the width.