Segmented Sunshade Pole Plug Connection Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun protection devices, such as pavilions and tents, face challenges in handling and transportation due to their heavy weight and complex structure, which poses a risk of injury and inefficiency in space usage during transport.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates stand poles and roof poles composed of first and second pole elements connected via a plug-in system, with a cover in the connection area to shield and protect the joints, allowing for disassembly and reassembly, and a crossbeam rod that can also be dismantled for easier handling and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If stand poles and roof poles are made as one-piece stable structures, then structural stability is improved, but handling difficulty and transport complexity increase due to high weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stand poles and roof poles are divided into multiple segments (first pole element and second pole element) that can be disconnected from each other. This segmentation allows the poles to be disassembled into lighter components for easier handling and transport, while maintaining structural stability when assembled through connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If stand poles and roof poles are made as one-piece stable structures, then structural stability is improved, but transport space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtransport space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the poles into separable segments, the overall volume occupied during transport is reduced. The disconnected pole elements can be stored more compactly compared to a single rigid one-piece structure, optimizing space utilization during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If plug connections are used to enable disassembly, then handling ease is improved, but connection area safety risks increase due to exposed connecting elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidinjury risk from exposed connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover element is introduced as an intermediary component that bridges the connection area between pole elements. This cover element encapsulates the potentially harmful connecting elements (screws, bolts, pins) while maintaining the structural connection, thereby eliminating injury risks without compromising handling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection area is enclosed by a cover element that forms a protective shell. This thin-walled enclosure safely contains the exposed connecting elements, preventing direct contact and potential injury while allowing the plug connection mechanism to function properly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If connection areas are left exposed for easy assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but protection from external influences such as moisture and dirt is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcorrosion from moisture and dirt
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element serves as a protective intermediary that encloses the connection area. It acts as a barrier between the connecting elements and external harmful factors such as moisture and dirt, preventing corrosion while not interfering with the assembly process. The cover can be easily attached and removed, maintaining assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2905400B1Sunshade device
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 ZHEJIANG YOTRIO GRP CO LTD
  • EP2905400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2905400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2905400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sun protection device, preferably a pavilion or tent, more preferably a garden pavilion, with a roof structure comprising several roof poles (40, 50) and several support poles (10) connected to the roof poles (40, 50) and supporting the roof structure, is designed and further developed for simple and safe handling such that the support poles (10) and/or the roof poles (40, 50) are disassemblably assembled by means of a first pole element (101, 401, 501) and a second pole element (102, 402, 502), in particular by means of a plug connection, and that in the connection area between the first (101, 401, 501) and the second pole element (102, 402, 502) a cover (103, 104) for the connection area of ​​the pole elements (101, 102, 401, 402, 502) is provided. 501, 502).