Sunshade Covering Element Flexion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile covering elements for adjustable sunshades suffer from longitudinal flexion due to weight, leading to compromised structural resistance and inefficient water discharge, especially under intense atmospheric conditions, and have high production costs and aesthetically undesirable curved forms.

Innovation Solution

A mobile covering element with a box-like structure and longitudinal appendices that minimize flexion, providing a flat surface when closed and allowing for efficient water management, made with a metal section bar and reinforcement ribs, ensuring structural integrity and low production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If covering elements are designed with larger cross sections to increase the radius of inertia, then longitudinal flexion is reduced, but overall weight increases and clear span is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal flexionVSAvoidoverall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element is divided into multiple longitudinal ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the element. These ribs segment the structure to provide distributed support against flexion, allowing each rib to independently resist bending moments while maintaining overall structural stability without requiring a uniformly larger cross section throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by positioning ribs at different heights above the covering plane, with at least one rib extending above the top surface. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a spatial framework that resists flexion through lever arm effects, providing structural stability without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall weight proportionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If covering elements are designed with larger cross sections to increase the radius of inertia, then longitudinal flexion is reduced, but clear span is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal flexionVSAvoidclear span
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element is divided into multiple longitudinal ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the element. These ribs segment the structure to provide distributed support against flexion, allowing each rib to independently resist bending moments while maintaining overall structural stability without requiring a uniformly larger cross section throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by positioning ribs at different heights above the covering plane, with at least one rib extending above the top surface. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a spatial framework that resists flexion through lever arm effects, providing structural stability without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall weight proportionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If covering elements are made with curved conformation to guarantee greater resistance to flexion, then structural resistance is improved, but production costs increase and aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to flexionVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element is divided into multiple longitudinal ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the element. These ribs segment the structure to provide distributed support against flexion, allowing each rib to independently resist bending moments while maintaining overall structural stability without requiring a uniformly larger cross section throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by positioning ribs at different heights above the covering plane, with at least one rib extending above the top surface. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a spatial framework that resists flexion through lever arm effects, providing structural stability without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall weight proportionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Strength

If covering elements are made with curved conformation to guarantee greater resistance to flexion, then structural resistance is improved, but aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to flexionVSAvoidaesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element is divided into multiple longitudinal ribs that are spaced apart along the length of the element. These ribs segment the structure to provide distributed support against flexion, allowing each rib to independently resist bending moments while maintaining overall structural stability without requiring a uniformly larger cross section throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by positioning ribs at different heights above the covering plane, with at least one rib extending above the top surface. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a spatial framework that resists flexion through lever arm effects, providing structural stability without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall weight proportionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3894641B1Mobile covering element for a covering apparatus, preferably an adjustable sunshade
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 PRATIC SPA
  • EP3894641B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3894641B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3894641B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Mobile covering element (10) for a covering apparatus (11), preferably an adjustable sunshade, comprising a main body (12) with an oblong development and at least a lower surface (17) configured to be disposed, in a covering position, substantially on a covering plane (PC). A longitudinal lateral appendix (34) is integral with the main body (12) and is positioned at least for a part, preferably wholly, above the bulk of the main body (12).