Telescopic Awning Arm for Camper Trailer Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing awning support arms are not suitable for camper trailers, as they cannot be vertically mounted to the side of the trailer in its collapsed configuration and fail to support the awning effectively when erected.
Innovation Solution
The design of an awning support arm comprising an outer member, an intermediate member, and an inner member, with fastening assemblies allowing for sliding and locking in extended or retracted configurations, enabling the arm to adapt to the camper trailer's height changes during towing and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length awning support arm is used, then the arm can be mounted vertically to the side of the camper trailer in its collapsed configuration, but the arm cannot support the awning effectively when the camper trailer is erected to full height
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm transitions from a fixed-length design to a dynamically adjustable telescopic structure with three sliding members (outer member, intermediate member, inner member) that can extend and retract relative to each other, allowing the arm length to adapt to different camper trailer height configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is divided into three separate sliding members that can move independently relative to one another, enabling incremental adjustment of the overall arm length to match the varying height requirements between collapsed and erected camper trailer states
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic arm with multiple sliding members is used, then the arm can adapt to different height configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three sliding members are nested within each other in a concentric arrangement, with the intermediate member sliding within the outer member and the inner member sliding within the intermediate member, allowing the complex telescopic structure to be compact when retracted and simple in concept
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated openings in the sliding members serve multiple functions: they guide the sliding motion of adjacent members, provide alignment during assembly, and accommodate the fastening assemblies that lock the members in extended or retracted positions
3Stability of the object's composition
If fastening assemblies are added to lock the sliding members, then the arm can be maintained in extended or retracted configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plunger in the outer fastening assembly automatically engages with the intermediate member to maintain the extended configuration without requiring continuous user intervention, while the threaded member with handle provides manual adjustment capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded member acts as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the clamping member, translating rotational motion into linear clamping force that secures the sliding members together in the desired position
Data Source
AI summary
An awning support arm for a camper trailer including: an outer member formed with an elongated opening; an intermediate member slidable relative to the outer member; an inner member slidable relative to the intermediate member; an outer fastening assembly arranged to hold the outer member fast with the intermediate member; and an inner fastening assembly arranged to hold the intermediate member fast with the inner member the inner fastening assembly including a user operation portion that extends through the elongated opening of the outer member; wherein the members may be slid relative to each other to assume an extended configuration or a retracted configuration and maintained in either configuration by means of said fastening assemblies.