Spring-Loaded Plug Insert for Outdoor Shelter Canopy Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor shelters require a significant amount of time to assemble due to the complexity of installing the roof canopy on the roof frame members, which is often difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded plug insert system that includes a base member with a cavity and a displaceable plug member, where the plug member is biased by a spring to an extended position, allowing easy fitting over the frame member, and can be manually retracted to facilitate the attachment of the canopy, with features like rib members for a tighter fit and a peripheral rim to prevent over-insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional installation methods are used for the roof canopy on frame members, then the canopy can be securely attached, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plug member is designed with dynamic characteristics through the spring mechanism, allowing it to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design enables the plug to automatically engage with the canopy during installation and provides easy release when needed, significantly improving ease of operation while reducing assembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The plug member is pre-positioned in an extended state within the frame member before canopy installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the plug is ready to automatically engage with the canopy as it is placed onto the frame member, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex fastening operations during assembly
2Reliability
If the plug member is always extended to secure the canopy, then the canopy attachment is reliable, but the plug cannot be easily removed or adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides dynamic control of the plug member, allowing it to be easily transitioned between engaged and disengaged states. The spring force ensures reliable engagement during normal operation, while manual pressure on the plug member allows for easy release when removal or adjustment is needed, balancing reliability with operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically maintains the plug member in the engaged position, providing self-locking functionality that ensures reliable canopy attachment without requiring additional fasteners or complex locking mechanisms. The system serves itself by automatically returning to the engaged state after any disturbance, maintaining reliability without user intervention
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 spring-loaded plug insert significantly reduces the assembly time of outdoor shelters by simplifying the installation of the roof canopy over the frame members, enabling quicker setup and a more efficient assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member configured to bias the displaceable plug member in an extended position relative to the base member
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-loaded plug insert for facilitating a fitting of a canopy over a frame member of an outdoor shelter is disclosed herein. The spring-loaded plug insert includes a base member defining a cavity, the base member configured to be inserted into an opening of the frame member of the outdoor shelter; a displaceable plug member slidably received within the cavity of the base member, the displaceable plug member including an end portion for attaching to the canopy of the outdoor shelter; and a spring member configured to bias the displaceable plug member in an extended position relative to the base member. The displaceable plug member is configured to be displaced by a user to a retracted position relative to the base member in order to facilitate the fitting of the canopy over the frame member of the outdoor shelter. An outdoor shelter including the spring-loaded plug insert also is disclosed.