Tiltable Sun Screen Framework for Veranda Debris Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun protection devices for verandas lack adjustability to varying sun positions throughout the day, often failing to provide adequate protection during low sun periods and accumulating debris like rainwater and leaves, which can damage the screens and hinder functionality.

Innovation Solution

A sun protection device with a tiltable sun blocking part supported by a framework of immovably connected girders, allowing the screen to be slid in and out, and featuring positioning means for adjusting the tilt angle, which reduces the moment of the sun blocking part's weight on attachments and facilitates debris removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the screen is made fixed and fully extended to provide maximum sun protection, then sun protection coverage is improved, but the device cannot be adjusted to varying sun positions and accumulates debris

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun protection coverageVSAvoidadjustability to sun position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sun blocking part is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities through a tilting mechanism that allows the screen to change its angle relative to the supporting part. The tilting axis enables the screen to rotate between a retracted position (parallel to supporting part) and an extended position (perpendicular to supporting part), allowing adaptation to different sun positions throughout the day while maintaining reliable sun protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the screen can be slid in and out to adjust to weather conditions, then adaptability is improved, but inadequate protection against low sun positions occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to weather conditionsVSAvoidprotection against low sun
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds a tilting dimension to the traditional sliding mechanism. While the screen can still slide in and out along the supporting part (first degree of freedom), it now also tilts relative to the supporting part (second degree of freedom). This dual-degree-of-freedom design allows the screen to achieve both weather adaptability through sliding and low sun protection through tilting, resolving the limitation of previous single-dimension designs.

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

3Reliability

If the sun blocking part is made large to provide comprehensive sun protection, then sun protection coverage is improved, but the moment of weight on attachments increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesun protection coverageVSAvoidmoment of weight on attachments
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting mechanism allows the sun blocking part to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. When not in full sun protection mode, the screen can be tilted to a retracted position, reducing the effective area exposed to wind and debris while maintaining attachment point stability. The dynamic positioning reduces the moment of weight on attachments compared to a permanently large, fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the screen is extended fully to block low sun, then sun protection is improved, but debris accumulation on the screen increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against low sunVSAvoiddebris accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting mechanism provides dynamic control over the screen's orientation. When low sun protection is not needed, the screen can be tilted to a retracted position that minimizes its exposure to rain and debris. This dynamic positioning reduces debris accumulation while maintaining the capability to provide full sun protection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tilting mechanism effectively separates the sun protection function from continuous screen extension. The screen can be tilted away from the horizontal position, extracting it from the debris accumulation zone during periods when full sun blockage is not required, thereby reducing exposure to harmful factors while preserving protection capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2336450B1Sun protection and use of a sun protection
Publication Date: 2016.01.13 ALUMINUM VERKOOP ZUID
  • EP2336450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2336450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2336450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Sun protection device provided with a sun blocking part and a supporting part for supporting the sun blocking part. The sun blocking part preferably comprises a screen that can be slid in and slid out. The supporting part comprises at least a first support element and a second support element which are immovably connected with each other and extend in mutually different directions along the sun blocking part. The sun blocking part is tiltably connected to the supporting part according to a tilting axis, which extends between two mutually spaced apart points of which a first point is associated with the first support element and a second point is associated with the second support element.