Movable Shade Base with Screw-Actuated Ground Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large umbrellas and shade structures are difficult to move due to their weight and shape, and wheeled bases can cause unwanted movement, especially under wind forces, as they may shift or turn out of position.
Innovation Solution
A movable base with a first frame and a second actuable frame, coupled by a screw actuator, which transitions between a braked configuration where the second frame contacts the ground and a movable configuration where the base rests on wheels, allowing the user to lock the position of the umbrella by extending feet to bear its weight, thereby reducing or eliminating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wheeled base is used to enable mobility of the shade structure, then ease of movement is improved, but stability deteriorates because the wheels allow unwanted movement and turning under wind forces
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows it to switch between two states: a movable state where wheels contact the ground for easy relocation, and a stable state where feet extend to contact the ground to prevent unwanted movement. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by making the stability characteristic changeable based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The base changes its physical configuration parameters by extending or retracting feet relative to the wheeled frame. When feet are extended, they contact the ground to provide stability; when retracted, the wheels are free to move. This parameter change allows the base to adapt its characteristics to resolve the mobility-stability contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the base is designed to be fixed and stable, then position stability is improved, but ease of movement deteriorates because the structure becomes too heavy and difficult to relocate
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than designing a permanently fixed base, the invention creates a dynamic system that can transform between stable and mobile configurations. The feet mechanism allows the base to achieve stability when needed while maintaining the capability for easy relocation when required, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented into functional components: a wheeled frame for mobility and extendable feet for stability. This segmentation allows different parts to serve different purposes at different times, enabling the base to achieve both mobility and stability as needed without compromising either characteristic permanently.
3Stability of the object's composition
If feet are extended to contact the ground for stability, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the additional actuation mechanism required
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The user can easily extend or retract the feet as needed, and the mechanism maintains its position once actuated. This self-service approach provides stability functionality while minimizing the complexity of the actuation system.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the umbrella by locking its position on the ground, preventing unwanted movement and ensuring stability even under wind forces, while allowing easy mobility when needed.
Implementation Method 1
A screw actuator couples between the second frame and the first frame to transition the movable base between a braked configuration with the second frame contacting the ground and a movable configuration with the second frame lifted above the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A movable base for a shade structure such as an umbrella that is operable between a movable configuration and a braked configuration. The movable base includes a first frame, including a plurality of wheels, such as caster wheels, and a second, e.g., movable, frame that is actuatable relative to the first frame and wheels. In the movable position, a plurality of feed are raised and the wheels are in contact with a ground surface. In the fixed position, the feet of the second frame are in contact with the ground and/or the wheels are raised.