Sun and Rain Protection Device with Sliding Guide Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun and rain protection devices are sensitive to wind and loads due to the use of flexible cables or ropes, which compromises their stability and durability.

Innovation Solution

The guide rails of the sun and rain protection device are arranged with one end movable at right angles to the longitudinal profiles and the other end slidably mounted on them, allowing for relative displacement and a stable lowering mechanism without flexible cables, utilizing guide carriages with screw drives or linear drives for adjustment, and a pivotable lever for additional stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible cables or ropes are used for lowering the guide, then the structure can achieve simple implementation and ease of operation, but the device becomes susceptible to wind and other stresses, reducing stability and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the flexible cable or rope system with a rigid mechanical lowering mechanism consisting of guide rails that slide along longitudinal profiles of the supporting structure. This substitution eliminates the flexibility issue while maintaining the lowering function, providing both stability and reliability without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If rigid lowering mechanisms are used instead of flexible cables, then stability and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rails serve multiple functions: they guide the transverse movement of the guide, support the longitudinal profiles for sliding motion, and provide structural rigidity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the lowering mechanism to utilize the existing structural elements of the supporting structure (longitudinal profiles) as guide surfaces. This approach creates a mechanically balanced system where the guide rails naturally follow the structural framework, reducing additional complexity while ensuring stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the guide rails are fixed rigidly to the supporting structure, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to adjust inclination angle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic connection between the guide rails and the supporting structure through pivotable levers that allow relative movement. The guide rails can slide along the longitudinal profiles while maintaining rigid connection at the pivot points, enabling inclination adjustment while preserving structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lowering mechanism is divided into segmented components: the guide rails are separated from the supporting structure by intermediate pivotable levers. This segmentation allows independent movement of each component, enabling inclination adjustment while maintaining overall structural stability through the rigid connection of individual segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the guide can be lowered completely perpendicular to the supporting structure, then water drainage is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex and less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainageVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rails are designed to be movable at their first ends (connected to guide carriages) while the second ends remain articulated to the longitudinal beams. This partial movability allows the guide to achieve a lowered position for water drainage without requiring complete perpendicular movement, thereby limiting mechanism complexity while still improving drainage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This configuration provides a stable and durable adjustment mechanism for the sun and rain protection element, preventing damage and dirt accumulation, while allowing for easy inclination adjustment and effective water drainage.

Implementation Method 1

each with a vertical threaded spindle and a spindle nut interacting with the threaded spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the second end of the guide rail can be articulated to the longitudinal beam of the supporting structure via a pivotable lever. One end of the lever is pivotally connected to the longitudinal beam about a first axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3101197B1Sun and rain protection device
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 LEINER
  • EP3101197B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3101197B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3101197B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a sun and rain protection device comprising a support structure (1), a guide (2) pivotably arranged on longitudinal profiles (4) of the support structure (1) and adjustable by means of a drive, with guide rails (7) parallel to each other, and a sun and rain protection element (3) arranged on the guide rails (7). To enable simple and stable tilt adjustment, the guide rails (7) of the guide (2) are movable at their first ends perpendicular to the longitudinal profiles (4) of the support structure (1) by the drive, and are slidably arranged at their second ends on the longitudinal profiles (4) of the support structure (1).