Retractable Awning Arms Using Gas Spring Tube Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted awnings with crank arm designs have limited extension sizes, resulting in small sunshade areas and low space utilization due to the inherent size limitations of two-section arms, typically extending only to about 1.5 meters.
Innovation Solution
An awning with retractable arms is designed by adding a retractable section to the front arm, utilizing a gas spring mechanism to extend the inner tube, allowing for a 50% increase in extended size compared to traditional two-section crank arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a two-section crank arm design is used, then the awning structure is compact, but the extended size is limited to about 1.5 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The front arm is divided into two segments: an outer tube and an inner tube that can slide relative to each other. The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, allowing the arm to extend beyond the traditional two-section crank arm design, achieving an extended size increase of 50% while maintaining structural compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The arm transitions from a fixed two-section crank arm to a dynamic structure with a sliding inner tube that can extend and retract. The gas spring enables the inner tube to slide smoothly, providing dynamic extension capability that increases the overall extended size while keeping the retracted size compact
2Area of moving object
If the arm extended size is increased, then the sunshade area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is nested inside the outer tube, with the gas spring disposed inside the outer tube as well. This nested arrangement allows the arm to achieve a longer extended size by extending the inner tube while maintaining a compact retracted size, and the structure remains relatively simple without requiring complex external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
A gas spring is introduced to provide the necessary force for extending and retracting the inner tube. The gas spring mechanism simplifies the overall control system by using pneumatic pressure to enable smooth sliding motion, achieving extended size increase without complex mechanical linkages or motors
3Length of moving object
If a retractable inner tube is added, then the extended size increases by 50%, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front arm is segmented into an outer tube and an inner tube that can slide relative to each other. The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube, allowing the arm to extend beyond the traditional two-section crank arm design, achieving an extended size increase of 50% while maintaining structural compactness
Solution Approach 2:
A gas spring serves as an intermediary component between the outer tube and inner tube, providing the necessary force and guiding the sliding motion. The gas spring tail end is fixed to the middle hinge, and its body is disposed inside the outer tube, simplifying the assembly process by providing both actuation and guidance in a single component
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 retractable arm design significantly increases the sunshade area by 50% through the use of a gas spring-driven inner tube extension, enhancing space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
A gas spring is disposed inside the outer tube. A length of the inner tube corresponds to a retractable arm of the gas spring.
Data Source
AI summary
An awning with retractable arms is provided, which relates to the technical field of awning members. The awning includes an awning body and two arms hinged to the sunshade body. A front bar is disposed at front ends of the two arms. The arms include a front arm and a rear arm connected by using a middle hinge. The front arm includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The inner tube is inserted into the outer tube. A gas spring is disposed inside the outer tube. A length of the inner tube corresponds to a retractable arm of the gas spring. A tail end of the gas spring is fixed to the middle hinge. The retractable arm is fixed into the inner tube.