Stowaway Patio Umbrella Table With Fold-Into-Base Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patio umbrellas are difficult to remove and store, especially in poor weather conditions due to their size and unwieldiness, requiring separate storage locations and posing challenges during strong winds.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible patio table design featuring a hollow main body that receives the umbrella in a collapsed position, with hinged ribs and a plunger system that allows for easy folding and storage within the table, ensuring the umbrella is securely concealed and can be quickly retrieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the umbrella is made large to provide adequate shade, then the shading area is improved, but the umbrella becomes unwieldy and difficult to remove and store
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella is designed to nest within the hollow main body of the table when collapsed. The hollow main body acts as a receptacle that receives and stores the umbrella, allowing the large umbrella to be conveniently stored within the table structure itself, eliminating the need for separate storage locations.
2Quantity of substance
If the umbrella is stored in a separate location from the table, then storage space is provided, but the hassle of transporting the umbrella to and from storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage function is merged with the table structure by incorporating a hollow main body that receives and stores the umbrella. This integration eliminates the need for separate storage locations and reduces the time and effort required to transport the umbrella, as storage and retrieval are performed directly at the table location.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the umbrella is stored separately during strong winds, then protection from wind damage is provided, but the difficulty of rapid storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow main body is pre-configured as a ready receptacle within the table structure, allowing the umbrella to be quickly collapsed and stored during sudden windy conditions. The pre-existing storage space eliminates the need to locate or prepare separate storage areas, enabling rapid response to adverse weather.
4Ease of operation
If the umbrella is made collapsible to facilitate storage, then storage convenience is improved, but the structural complexity of the umbrella increases
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella is divided into multiple segments including a pole, hinged ribs, and a canopy. The hinged ribs are connected to the pole through hinges that facilitate downward folding, enabling the umbrella to collapse into a compact form that can be easily received by the hollow main body of the table.
Data Source
AI summary
A table including a collapsible umbrella and a hollow main body is provided. The hollow main body is adapted to receive the umbrella when the umbrella is in a collapsed position. The collapsible umbrella may include a pole coupled to a plurality of hinged ribs supporting a canopy. Each of the ribs may include a first hinge coupled to the pole that facilitates a downward folding of the umbrella, and a second hinge disposed between a first end of the rib and a second end of the rib that facilitates an upward folding of a portion of the umbrella. A method for storing the umbrella of the table is also provided.