RV Slide-Out Awning Mounting Structure for Concealed Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retractable awnings for recreational vehicles have an unfinished and utilitarian appearance due to exposed extension rods and slide brackets, detracting from their visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
A retractable awning design featuring a roller supported by head assemblies with slide bracket assemblies that include a plate and an elongated mounting arm with a slot for the tenon, allowing for secure and hidden mounting of the roller ends, and a torsion spring for tensioning the canopy, providing a visually appealing finish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional two-piece slide brackets with exposed extension rods are used to mount the roller, then the mounting structure is simple and functional, but the appearance becomes unfinished and utilitarian, detracting from visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the visible extension rods and slide brackets from the final assembled appearance. The mounting structure is designed so that the plate is secured to the front side of the slide-out room while the receiver bracket with tubular member is positioned to receive the extension rod, but the overall design conceals these functional components, presenting a clean, finished appearance without exposed mechanical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure employs a nested arrangement where the receiver bracket with tubular member receives and conceals the extension rod. The plate is secured to the front side of the slide-out room, and the receiver bracket is positioned within or alongside it, creating a nested configuration where internal components are hidden within external structures, eliminating the utilitarian appearance of exposed rods and brackets.
2Ease of operation
If the receiver bracket is made laterally adjustable to facilitate insertion of extension rods during mounting, then ease of installation is improved, but the structure requires additional adjustment mechanisms that may affect appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver bracket is designed with preliminary lateral adjustability that allows the extension rod to be inserted during initial mounting. Once the roller is centrally positioned between the slide brackets, the extension rods are secured to the slide brackets by screws or other fasteners. This preliminary adjustment capability facilitates easy installation while the final secured position provides a clean, finished appearance without visible adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If exposed extension rods and slide brackets are used for mounting, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but the finished product has an unfinished appearance that detracts from aesthetic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the visible portions of extension rods and slide brackets from the final appearance. The plate is secured to the front side of the slide-out room and the receiver bracket is positioned to receive the extension rod, but the overall configuration conceals these functional components, presenting a clean, finished appearance without exposed mechanical elements while maintaining simple manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure employs nesting where the receiver bracket with tubular member receives and conceals the extension rod. This nested arrangement allows the functional components to be hidden within external structures, achieving both simple assembly and an aesthetically pleasing finished appearance without exposed rods or brackets.
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 design enhances the aesthetic appeal of retractable awnings by concealing the slide brackets and rods, maintaining functionality while improving visual appearance.
Implementation Method 1
A torsion spring within the roller maintains tension on the canopy and causes the roller to rotate in an opposite direction when the slide-out room is returned to its storage position.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable awning is provided for a slide-out room on a recreational vehicle. The retractable awning includes a roller that has opposite ends supported by a head assembly. A slide bracket assembly is associated with each head assembly and includes a plate mounted on the slide-out room and a mounting arm that extends from the head assembly and may be slidably joined with the plate using a tenon and slot interconnection.