Sunshade Frame Assembly With Concealed Joints and Adjustable Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunshades have inconvenient bolt connections that are difficult to disassemble and assemble, with exposed bolts and gaps in the joints, affecting aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A sunshade design featuring notches in the column for crossbar insertion, beveled ends for tight fit, and internal assembly slots, along with a drive assembly using gears and rocker arms for precise blade adjustment, and sub-blades with connectors for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional bolt connections are used to connect crossbars and columns, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the disassembly and assembly process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into a connecting block with an insertion slot and a corresponding protrusion on the crossbar. This segmentation allows the crossbar to be inserted into the column through a simple sliding motion rather than requiring complex bolt tightening, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbar is nested within the column structure through the insertion slot design. The protrusion on the crossbar fits into the insertion slot of the connecting block, creating a nested connection that is both space-efficient and easy to assemble by simply sliding the crossbar into position.
2Shape
If traditional bolt connections are used to connect crossbars and columns, then the connection is secure, but exposed bolts and joint gaps create poor aesthetic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional exposed bolt connection is extracted and replaced with a concealed connection mechanism. The connecting block is designed with an insertion slot that hides the connection components, eliminating exposed bolts and joint gaps to achieve a smooth, aesthetically pleasing connection surface while maintaining structural security.
3Ease of repair
If sunshade blades are made as single integrated units, then the structure is simple, but replacement of damaged blades requires replacing entire assemblies increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
Each sunshade blade is segmented into multiple sub-blades that are connected through connecting blocks. This segmentation allows individual sub-blades to be replaced independently if damaged, significantly improving ease of repair and reducing maintenance costs compared to replacing entire blade assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular sub-blade design enables selective replacement of only the damaged portion (discarding the damaged sub-blade) while retaining and recovering the intact sub-blades and connecting blocks, thereby reducing material waste and maintenance costs.
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
Facilitates easy assembly and disassembly, improves aesthetics by hiding bolts, allows precise light adjustment, reduces maintenance costs, and extends service life by preventing rainwater ingress and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a rack, slidably connected to an inner side of a corresponding crossbar and meshed with the driven gear; an active gear, arranged on the inner side of the corresponding crossbar and meshed with the rack
Data Source
AI summary
A sunshade, including a frame and a blade group. The frame includes four crossbars that are connected end-to-end, and a column arranged at a connection between each adjacent two crossbars. The blade group is arranged between the four crossbars and includes sunshade blades at equal intervals; an end of each sunshade blade is rotatably connected to a first one of the four crossbars, and a drive assembly is arranged between the other end of the sunshade blade and a second one of the four crossbars, the first one being opposite to the second one. A top end of the column defines a notch for each of the adjacent two crossbars to extend into; a connecting block is arranged on an inner wall of the notch, and an assembly slot is defined on an end of a corresponding one of the adjacent two crossbars to be mated with the connecting block.