Segmented Portable Sunshade with Hinged Sections for Chair Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable sunshades are often large, heavy, and difficult to set up, while lightweight options lack sturdiness and are ineffective at shielding from sunlight due to reduced size, especially in windy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight portable sunshade design featuring a backrest member, chair holding member, sunshade member, and connecting member with ratchet mechanisms, allowing for easy folding and deployment, and a modular construction with elastic cords for stability and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sunshade is made larger and heavier to provide adequate sunlight protection and sturdiness, then the shielding effectiveness and structural strength are improved, but the portability and ease of setup are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sunshade is divided into multiple detachable sections that can be assembled and disassembled. Each section contains its own support structure and fabric panel, allowing the overall structure to be broken down into manageable, lightweight components that can be easily transported and assembled, yet form a sturdy large structure when combined
Solution Approach 2:
The sunshade sections are designed to nest within each other when collapsed or folded, with smaller sections fitting inside larger ones. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall volume and weight perception during transport while maintaining the full structural integrity and size when deployed
2Weight of moving object
If the sunshade is made smaller and lighter to improve portability, then the weight and size are reduced, but the sturdiness and sunlight shielding effectiveness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows each individual section to be lightweight and portable, while the modular connection between sections creates a distributed structural system that resists wind forces more effectively than a single small structure, as the force is distributed across multiple connection points and sections
Solution Approach 2:
The sunshade sections are pre-assembled with integrated support structures and fabric panels before deployment. This preliminary assembly ensures that each section maintains its structural integrity and wind resistance characteristics, allowing lightweight individual sections to collectively provide adequate wind protection when assembled together
3Area of stationary object
If the sunshade is made larger to provide adequate sunlight protection, then the shielding area is improved, but the portability and ease of transport are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The large sunshade is segmented into multiple manageable sections that can be easily transported and assembled. Each section contains standardized components that simplify the assembly process, allowing users to quickly construct a large coverage area without dealing with a single cumbersome large structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sunshade employs dynamic, adjustable support structures within each section that can be easily deployed and configured. These movable components allow the sections to be quickly set up in various configurations to achieve the desired large coverage area, maintaining ease of operation despite the increased size
4Reliability
If the sunshade structure is made more complex to improve sturdiness and portability, then the structural reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex requirements for sturdiness and portability are addressed by segmenting the sunshade into standardized modular sections. Each module contains a complete, self-contained support structure and fabric panel system, which simplifies the overall design by repeating proven reliable components rather than creating a single complex integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
Each sunshade section is designed as a universal module that can function independently or be combined with other identical sections. This multi-functionality allows the same standardized components to serve multiple purposes - providing structural support, wind resistance, and sunlight shielding - thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
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 provides a stable, effective sunshade that can be easily mounted to a chair, folded for portability, and withstands windy conditions while offering adequate sunlight protection, balancing weight, sturdiness, and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A ratchet mechanism is disposed at a midpoint of each of the crossbars, the ratchet mechanism being configured to allow folding of the crossbars
Implementation Method 2
The first cross tubes contain a first elastic cord permitting the first cross tubes to be collapsed relative one another and relative to the first frame tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A portable sunshade configured for removable connection to a chair backrest has first, second and third sections removably connected to one another. The first section having a pair of first frame tubes, a pair of first cross tubes, a pair of second cross tubes, and joint connecting the first and second pairs of cross tubes to the frame. The second section is removably mounted to one end of the first section and has a pair of second frame tubes, a first fabric panel supported by the second frame tubes, and a pair of first hinge mechanisms connecting end portions of the second frame tubes to respective first end portions of the first frame tubes of the first section so as to permit the second section to undergo pivotal movement relative to the first section. The third section is removable mounted to another end of the first section opposite the one end thereof and has a pair of third frame tubes, a second fabric panel supported by the third frame tubes, and a pair of second hinge mechanisms connecting end portions of the third frame tubes to respective second end portions of the first frame tubes of the first section so as to permit the third section to undergo pivotal movement relative to the first section.