Shade Sail Conical Drum Rope Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shade sails with adjustable widths lack safety features and ease of use, posing risks due to loose ropes and aerodynamic inefficiencies, which are not addressed by prior technologies.
Innovation Solution
A shade sail design featuring a rotating shaft with a conical drum and balancing device that adjusts rope tension, allowing for easy installation and operation, ensuring stability and safety by increasing rope tension as the shaded area expands, and incorporating a frame with wall-mounted supports and pulleys for secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If draw ropes are extended to adjust panel width, then the shaded area can be varied, but the risk of stumbling and harmful games by children increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful loose rope segment from the system by routing the draw rope through a pulley system and drum mechanism. The rope is contained within the structural framework rather than extending freely, eliminating the safety hazard while preserving the width adjustment capability through controlled mechanical operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pulley and drum mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the panel adjustment system. This intermediary mechanism allows width adjustment through a controlled interface (handwheel or actuator) rather than direct manipulation of long loose ropes, maintaining adaptability while eliminating safety risks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If draw ropes are extended to adjust panel width, then the shaded area can be varied, but loose ropes wave noisily in strong wind and constitute a danger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful waving rope segments from the external environment by integrating them into the structural framework through pulleys and drums. The ropes are contained within the shade sail structure rather than extending outward, eliminating noise generation and danger from wind-induced movement while preserving width adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley and drum mechanisms serve as intermediaries that translate user input into panel width adjustment without requiring long external ropes. The mechanical advantage provided by these intermediaries allows control of panel width through short, contained rope segments that cannot wave or create noise in windy conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical actuation system is added to rotate the shaft and wind panels, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a spring-based balancing device that counteracts the gravitational force on the draw rope and panel. This counterweight mechanism offsets the weight that would otherwise require significant force to lift, enabling easy manual operation through a handwheel while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure without requiring motors or complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring balancing device creates an equipotential condition by compensating for the varying weight of the panel as it is wound onto the shaft. As the panel position changes, the spring force adjusts to maintain constant operational effort, making the system equally easy to operate throughout the entire winding range without increasing mechanical 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 solution provides a safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective shade sail that maintains stability in windy conditions, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing user safety while adhering to industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
The drum (44) is conical and is directed along the axis A so that the sides thereof slope up from the first support (12') to the second support (12''). The purpose of this construction feature is to increase the tension on the rope (35') and, therefore, on the panel (30).
Implementation Method 2
The balancing device (50) is contained inside the first post (11) and comprises a hoist (52) for the rope (35'), and a spring (54) whose purpose is to compensate for the weight of the panel (30).
Implementation Method 3
The balancing device (50) is contained inside the first post (11) and comprises a hoist (52) for the rope (35'), and a spring (54) whose purpose is to compensate for the weight of the panel (30).
Implementation Method 4
The first post (11) is provided with a pulley (111) through which the draw rope (35') passes in order to engage the panel (30).
Implementation Method 5
a rod (20) directed in a given way between a first support (12') and a second support (12''), both rotating around a common longitudinal axis (A)
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
Shade sail (1) comprising a frame (10) carrying a rod (20) directed in a given way between a first support (12') and a second support (12' '), both rotating around a common longitudinal axis (A); at least one panel (30) being provided with an edge (32), for fastening to the rod (20) so that it can be wound around this rod, and with at least one angular end portion (34), which is provided with a fastening element (36), that can be engaged by means of a draw rope (35') able to spread each panel (30) (30' ) transversally to the rod (20); actuating means (40) being supported by the frame (10) to drive the rod (20) into rotation around the axis (A); the actuating means (40) comprising a drum (44) for winding the rope (35') rigidly connected to, and axially carried by, the rod (20); the drum (44) being conical so as to vary the length of the rope (35') wound at every turn of the rod (20).