Tent Top Folding Mechanism with Nested Elastic Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tent folding and unfolding mechanisms are cumbersome due to bulky size and heavy weight, requiring multiple persons for setup, and often have aesthetic issues like countersinks that affect usability.
Innovation Solution
A tent top folding and unfolding mechanism featuring a connecting seat, a sliding seat that moves up and down, and an elastic adjustable member, with a bolt and bolt cap system to compress the member and drive the tent top rod to fold and unfold, eliminating the need for countersinks and improving appearance integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a countersink is provided at the top portion of the connecting seat to accommodate the elastic adjustable member, then the mechanism can be compact, but the appearance integrity is compromised and debris can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic adjustable member is nested within the hollow interior of the connecting seat, with the bolt passing through the connecting seat body to secure the member. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for a countersink while maintaining compact dimensions and preserving the smooth external surface of the connecting seat.
2Volume of moving object
If the elastic adjustable member is accommodated in a countersink, then the structure is compact, but sundries can fall into the countersink affecting usability
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic adjustable member is nested within the hollow interior of the connecting seat, creating an enclosed space that prevents external debris from entering. The bolt passes through the connecting seat to secure the member from the exterior, while the interior remains sealed against contaminant ingress.
3Strength
If multiple persons are required to unfold a large tent, then the tent structure can be stable, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic adjustable member functions as a self-service mechanism that automatically provides the necessary force to unfold and stabilize the tent top rod. When the bolt is rotated to release the elastic member, it autonomously generates the expanding force needed to erect the tent structure, eliminating the need for multiple persons to manually assemble the large tent.
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
The mechanism allows for easier solo operation of large tents by compressing the elastic member to fold and unfold the tent top, enhancing practicality and aesthetics by avoiding countersinks that could trap debris.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic adjustable member, where a connecting rod for being pivotally connected to the tent top rod and supporting the tent top rod is pivotally connected to the circumference at a lower portion of the sliding seat
Implementation Method 2
a bolt successively passes downward through the sinking seat and a lower end of the accommodating seat from the connecting seat, and is connected to a bolt cap in a locked manner after passing through the elastic adjustable member
Data Source
AI summary
A tent top folding and unfolding mechanism includes a connecting seat, a sliding seat, connecting rods, an elastic member and a bolt. The connecting seat is to be pivotally connected with tent top rods, and includes a sinking seat extending downward. The sliding seat is disposed below the connecting seat and movable in an upward and downward direction with respect to the connecting seat. The sliding seat includes an accommodating seat for receiving the elastic member. The sinking seat of the connecting seat has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the accommodating seat to receive the accommodating seat. Each connecting rod has one end pivotally connected to a lower portion of the sliding seat and the other end to be pivotally connected to a corresponding tent top rod. The bolt passes through the connecting seat and the elastic adjustable member, and is fastened at the lower end.