Tarpaulin Support Structure With Rounded Hinges for Smooth Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for tarps are inefficient in facilitating the folding process, leading to mechanical stress and improper folding due to non-rounded supports.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with rounded heads having a circular cross-sectional profile and interdigitated segments, coupled by cylindrical guides and a rotation pin, allows the tarpaulin to rotate naturally, reducing mechanical stress and improving folding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-rounded supports are used in the support structure, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the tarpaulin folding becomes inefficient and mechanical stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by providing heads with a rounded cross-sectional profile at the hinge instead of angular or flat shapes. This curvature allows the tarpaulin to rotate smoothly during folding operations, reducing mechanical stress and improving folding efficiency while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If rounded heads with circular cross-sectional profile are used, then the tarpaulin folding efficiency improves and mechanical stress reduces, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heads into a plurality of separate segments that are interdigitated to each other. This segmentation allows the rounded profile to be constructed from discrete components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the curved geometry needed for smooth tarpaulin folding
3Ease of operation
If interdigitated segments are used to form the heads, then the rounded profile is achieved for better folding, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by having the interdigitated segments of the heads fit into each other like nested dolls. This configuration allows the segmented structure to achieve the rounded profile while maintaining a compact assembly that reduces overall complexity compared to alternative segmented designs
Data Source
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AI summary
A support structure for a tarpaulin for vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and containers, comprising two series of sliders (10) configured to be arranged for sliding along respective side supports (Al, A2) of a loading compartment (A), a plurality of carrier ribs (15) configured to support a tarpaulin, each carrier rib (15) connecting two sliders (10) of the two series, respectively, to each other, wherein adjacent sliders (10) of each series are connected to each other by means of two arms (21, 22) respectively hinged to the adjacent sliders (10), the two arms (21, 22) are hinged to each other, and each of said two arms is formed from a folded rod and comprises a pair of longitudinal portions (21a, 22a) and transverse portions (21b, 21c-21d, 22b, 22c-22d), said sliders (10) have a lower surface which is made of antifriction material or provided with wheels, and said two arms (21, 22) comprise respective heads (23, 24) hinged to each other, each head (23, 24) having a rounded cross-sectional profile at the hinge. Each of said heads comprises a fastening part (23a, 23b) clamped around at least one transverse portion (21c-21d, 22c-22d) of the relevant arm (21, 22), said heads are provided with respective cylindrical guides (23c, 24c) coupled to each other by a rotation pin (30), and said structure further comprises a support (40) mounted to the rotation pin (30), said support comprising fastening means (41) for fastening the tarpaulin thereto.