Roof-like Screen Uniform Arm Tip Height Rain Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof-like shields with convertible screens suffer from rain penetration at the edges and an unaesthetic appearance when closed due to varying umbrella heights, which compromise both rain protection and visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
The design ensures that the distance from the ground to the arm tip of adjacent umbrellas in the closed state differs by no more than 2%, with specific length ratios for arm sections, support rods, and mast heights, creating a uniform appearance while ensuring membrane overlap for maximum protection when open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional screens with different heights are used to bridge corner areas and ensure rain protection, then rain protection is improved, but the aesthetic appearance when closed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making neighboring umbrellas have different element lengths (outer arm sections, inner arm sections, support rods, or mast heights) specifically in the corner areas where overlap is needed for rain protection, while keeping the arm tip heights uniform when closed. This allows localized modification of umbrella structure only where necessary for functionality, without affecting the overall aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by introducing deliberate asymmetrical differences in the lengths of corresponding elements between neighboring umbrellas (with specific length ratios provided). This asymmetrical design enables the membranes to overlap effectively in corner areas for rain protection while the arm tips remain at uniform heights when closed, resolving the contradiction between functional overlap and aesthetic uniformity.
2Reliability
If membranes are arranged to overlap horizontally in the open state for rain protection, then rain protection is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the lengths of structural elements (outer arm sections, inner arm sections, support rods, mast heights) with specific length ratios to achieve the desired membrane overlap. This approach uses quantitative parameter adjustment rather than qualitative structural changes, enabling rain protection through overlap while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary
A screen with at least two screens, each with a mast, a frame, and a membrane, wherein, in the unfolded state, the membranes of adjacent screens are arranged in an overlapping manner, wherein the frame comprises articulated arms with inner and outer arm sections and arm tips, wherein the outer arm section is articulated to a support rod attached to the mast and the inner arm section is articulated to a drive strut, is characterized in that the distance from the ground level to the arm tip of the first screen in the closed state is at least 98% but at most 102% of the corresponding distance of the second screen, and that at least two lengths of the elements listed below lie within the range of the following length ratios: a1/a2 from 1.0 to 1.06; b1/b2 from 0.93 to 1.00; c1/c2 from 0.95 to 1.05; d1/d2 from 1.0 to 1.05;where a1, a2: length of the outer arm sections, b1, b2: length of the inner arm sections, c1, c2: length of the support rods, d1, d2: mast heights from ground level to the pivot point of the support rods on the mast in the open state. This ensures a uniform appearance in the closed state and a high degree of rain tightness in the open state.