Retractable Awning Assembly with Recessed Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional awnings on recreational vehicles detract from the streamlined appearance due to their unsightly design, necessitating a solution that integrates seamlessly with the vehicle's structure.
Innovation Solution
An awning assembly featuring a U-shaped recess with pivotable support arms and a shaft, allowing the awning to transition between a retracted, rolled-up configuration and an extended, unfurled position, with components hidden within the frame to maintain a flush exterior, utilizing mechanisms like electric motors for automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional style awning is mounted on the side wall of an RV, then the awning provides functional shade, but it detracts from the streamlined appearance of the RV
Solution Approach 1:
The awning is nested within a recess in the RV wall when retracted, with the fabric rolled around a shaft that is also positioned within the recess. The support arms fold into the recess, allowing all components to be contained within the wall structure, creating a flush appearance that maintains the streamlined aesthetic of the RV while preserving full awning functionality when extended
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the awning components are hidden within the recess to maintain a flush exterior, then the streamlined appearance is maintained, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The awning mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: support arms with pivot points, a shaft for fabric winding, and a recess structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while fitting within the constrained space of the recess, managing complexity through modular design rather than a single integrated mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are designed to be dynamic, pivoting between extended and retracted positions, and the fabric is wound and unwound around the shaft as the arms move. This dynamic configuration allows the mechanism to adapt its shape and position, enabling all components to fit within the recess when retracted while maintaining full operational capability when extended
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 awning assembly blends seamlessly into the vehicle's design, maintaining a streamlined appearance by hiding the awning and support components in the retracted position and smoothly extending it without protruding beyond the vehicle's surface, enhancing aesthetic appeal while providing functional shade.
Implementation Method 1
first and second support arms having first end portions pivotably mounted within the recess
Data Source
AI summary
An awning assembly includes a frame having a U-shaped recess, and first and second support arms having first end portions pivotably mounted within the recess. The assembly further includes a shaft, and an awning supported on the shaft. The first and second support arms have second end portions connected to the awning or to the shaft. The awning is movable by the support arms between a retracted position and an extended position. When the awning is in the retracted position, the awning is in a rolled-up or collapsed configuration and the second end portions of the support arms and the awning are disposed within the recess. When the awning is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, the second end portions of the support arms pivot out of the recess and unfurl the awning.