Portable Sun Canopy with Segmented Pedestal and Nested Storage Cart

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a portable and collapsible sun canopy that can provide a protected space while being easy to transport and set up.

Innovation Solution

The portable sun canopy consists of a pedestal structure, a tarpaulin, and a storage cart. The pedestal elevates the tarpaulin above the ground, creating a protected space, and the storage cart allows for easy transport and storage of the canopy when it is collapsed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sun canopy is made portable and collapsible for easy transport, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of transportVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sun canopy is divided into multiple collapsible pedestal sections that can be disassembled and stored in a compact manner. Each pedestal consists of multiple segments that can be nested within each other, allowing the structure to be broken down into manageable parts for transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible pedestals are designed with nested sections where smaller segments fit within larger ones, creating a compact storage configuration. The pedestals can be collapsed into a nested arrangement that fits within the storage cart, significantly reducing the volume required for transport while preserving the full structural height when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the pedestal structure elevates the tarpaulin high above the ground to create adequate protected space, then the volume of protected space is improved, but the stability and anchoring reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of protected spaceVSAvoidanchoring stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pedestal structure is segmented into multiple sections that can be adjusted in height and configuration. The segmented design allows the pedestals to be positioned at optimal heights to maximize protected space volume while maintaining a low center of gravity through the distributed mass of the segmented structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring system extends into the vertical dimension by using long anchor stakes that penetrate deep into the ground. This vertical anchoring approach compensates for the elevated tarpaulin position by creating strong ground attachment points that prevent toppling, effectively transferring stability requirements from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12203284B1Portable sun canopy
Publication Date: 2025.01.21 MARABLE ROBERT
  • US12203284B1 patent drawing
  • US12203284B1 patent drawing
  • US12203284B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The portable sun canopy is a temporary structure. The portable sun canopy forms a protected space. The portable sun canopy is a collapsible structure. The portable sun canopy is a portable structure. The portable sun canopy forms a protected space when the portable sun canopy is deployed. The portable sun canopy is anchored into the ground. The portable sun canopy comprises a pedestal structure, a tarpaulin, and a storage cart. The pedestal structure elevates the tarpaulin above the ground. The tarpaulin forms a barrier that creates the protected space. The storage cart stores the portable sun canopy for transport after the portable sun canopy is collapsed.