Tool-Free Folding Shelter Frame Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable shelters require extensive time and tools for assembly and disassembly, making them inconvenient for temporary use and storage, especially in remote locations where tools may not be available.
Innovation Solution
A portable shelter framing system featuring folding corner frame members, crossbeam members, and roof frame members that can be connected without tools, utilizing tool-less fasteners and compact designs for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing for quick setup and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional portable shelters use multiple fastening components and tools for assembly, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the assembly time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated tool-free fastener system. The fastener integrates locking, securing, and structural connection capabilities that previously required multiple separate components and tools, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining structural strength through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool-free fastener is designed to be self-installing and self-securing without requiring external tools. The fastener mechanism includes self-aligning features and self-locking capabilities that allow users to assemble the shelter structure by hand, eliminating the need for carrying tools and significantly reducing assembly time.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional portable shelters require multiple tools for assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to tool carrying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tool requirement from the assembly process by designing a tool-free fastening system. The fastener is designed to be installed and secured by hand without requiring any external tools, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener system is designed to be self-installing without requiring external tools or complex assembly procedures. The self-service mechanism allows end users to easily assemble and disassemble the portable shelter structure by hand, significantly improving operational ease while keeping manufacturing processes simple and cost-effective.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional portable shelters use traditional fastening systems, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fastening components into a single integrated tool-free fastener that provides all necessary connection and securing functions. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining structural stability through the unified fastener design that incorporates locking and securing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool-free fastener is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions including connection, locking, and securing in a single element. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized fastening components while maintaining structural stability across different assembly points.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional portable shelters require tools for assembly, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability decreases when tools are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener system is designed to be self-installing with built-in alignment and positioning features that ensure manufacturing precision without requiring external tools. The self-service mechanism includes self-aligning elements and precision-fit components that maintain assembly accuracy while eliminating tool dependency, thereby improving reliability in field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary alignment features and positioning elements within the fastener system that facilitate precise assembly without requiring external tools. These intermediary components act as mediators between the fastener parts, ensuring accurate positioning and secure connection while maintaining reliability when tools are unavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable shelter framing system is disclosed herein. The portable shelter framing system includes a plurality of corner support assemblies; a plurality of crossbeam members, at least some of the crossbeam members configured to be connected between a pair of the plurality of corner support assemblies without the use of tools; and a plurality of roof frame members, each of the roof frame members configured to be coupled to one of the plurality of corner support assemblies or one of the plurality of crossbeam members without the use of tools. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of corner support assemblies of portable shelter framing system comprises spaced apart apertures disposed at the top thereof, each of the spaced apart apertures configured to receive a respective downwardly extending portion of one of the plurality of roof frame members.