Rail Elements with Lumens for Reversible Zone Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for systems and methods to reversibly cover ground zones, such as agricultural areas, to protect against sunlight, UV radiation, hail, frost, rain, and pests, while providing thermal protection and insect prevention, and existing solutions are not efficient or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising rail elements with lumens and support members that allow for the reversible deployment and retraction of a strip panel element using a bobbin mechanism, enabling easy installation on existing support cables without dismantling, and allowing for selective covering and uncovering of zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional covering system is installed, then the zone is protected from environmental factors, but the installation requires dismantling existing support structures and the system lacks reversibility
Solution Approach 1:
The covering system is divided into modular components: rail elements with lumens, support members, and strip panel elements. These segments can be independently installed and configured, allowing the system to be attached to existing support structures without complete dismantling while maintaining protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates reversible mounting mechanisms that allow the strip panel elements to be dynamically deployed and retracted. The rail elements with lumens enable the support members to be positioned and secured flexibly, providing both stable protection when deployed and easy removal when needed.
2Ease of operation
If a reversible covering system is designed, then the system can be easily deployed and retracted, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strip panel elements are contained within the lumens of the rail elements, creating a nested structure. The support members fit within the lumens, and the entire assembly nests together efficiently. This nesting reduces the number of separate components visible externally while maintaining the reversible deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip panel elements are constructed as flexible, thin covering panels that can be easily inserted into and removed from the rail element lumens. This flexibility allows simple deployment and retraction without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems, reducing overall structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing support cables are utilized, then installation cost is reduced, but the rail elements must be adapted to non-longitudinal mounting directions
Solution Approach 1:
The rail elements are designed with lumens that can accommodate support members in multiple orientations, not just longitudinal mounting. The same rail element structure serves both longitudinal and transverse mounting configurations, allowing existing support cables to be utilized regardless of their orientation, thereby reducing installation costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lumen cross-sections are designed with asymmetric dimensions (first internal transverse dimension greater than first opening dimension) to facilitate insertion of support members from specific directions. This asymmetric design enables the rail elements to adapt to non-longitudinal mounting directions while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the need for custom components.
Data Source
AI summary
A rail element is provided having a longitudinal axis, a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end longitudinally spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis. The rail element includes a rail body longitudinally extending between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end, the rail body defining therein at least one longitudinally extending first lumen having a longitudinally co-extensive transverse first opening, the rail element being configured for being mounted to at least one longitudinal support member in load bearing contact therewith in operation of the rail element. The rail element is configured for being mounted to the at least one longitudinal support member in a non-longitudinal manner A system for covering an area incorporating such rail elements is also provided, as well as a method for using such a system.