Retractable Sun Shade Intermediate Boom Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional retractable sun shades face limitations in extension distance due to torque issues and are prone to jamming and damage from wind, especially when supported on a single end or a frame with misaligned joists.

Innovation Solution

A retractable sun shade design featuring booms supported by a track at an intermediate portion, with a flexible drawing element allowing for sliding along the track to extend and retract, and a crank mechanism for actuation, enabling longer extension distances and self-correction of boom alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional retractable awnings are extended far from the structure, then the shading area is increased, but the torque on the mounting point becomes too high to safely support the awning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshading areaVSAvoidtorque on mounting point

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The awning is divided into multiple sections with intermediate support points along its length. These support points distribute the load and reduce the torque on the mounting point, allowing the awning to extend much farther while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate support structures are placed at specific locations along the awning to provide localized support where needed. This allows different parts of the awning to have different support characteristics, enabling long extension distances without excessive torque at the mounting point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a conventional awning is supported only on one end, then the structure is simpler, but it can extend only a few meters before the weight applies too much torque to the mounting point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidextension distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple support points along the awning's length, including intermediate supports. This segmentation allows the awning to extend much farther while keeping each support segment relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If booms are driven at both ends to prevent misalignment, then the alignment is improved, but frequent jamming occurs since the ends cannot always be driven at exactly the same rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboom alignmentVSAvoidjamming frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of driving both ends of the booms, the system drives only one end while allowing the other end to follow passively. This inversion of the conventional approach eliminates the jamming problem caused by synchronization issues while maintaining alignment through the flexible fabric connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible fabric acts as an intermediary between the driven boom and the following booms. It transmits the driving force smoothly while accommodating minor misalignments and speed variations, preventing jamming while maintaining overall alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If a conventional awning is extended, then the shading coverage is increased, but high wind can catch the awning and damage the frame or tear it away from the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshading coverageVSAvoidwind damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The awning is designed with inherent flexibility and multiple support points that allow it to resist wind loads before they become damaging. The flexible fabric and intermediate supports create a structure that can flex with wind forces rather than rigidly resisting them, preventing frame damage and detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The awning incorporates flexible elements and multiple support points that allow it to dynamically respond to wind forces. The structure can flex and adjust its configuration under wind load, converting static rigidity into dynamic flexibility to prevent damage while maintaining shading coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10604940B2Retractable sun shade

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 SHADEFX CANOPIES

AI summary

A retractable sun shade, comprising at least one fabric section affixed to a boom, the boom supported and slideably engaged to a track at an intermediate portion of the boom, the track supported by a frame, and at least one flexible drawing element affixed to the boom at the intermediate portion, for drawing the boom in a first direction along the track to extend the sun shade and for drawing the boom in an opposite direction along the track to retract the sun shade.