Retractable Trailer Shade Rails for Wind-Resistant Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailers lack a secure and easily deployable shade system to protect occupants and equipment from inclement weather and sun exposure, with temporary structures being prone to damage in high winds.
Innovation Solution
A retractable shade system for trailers, comprising a frame with longitudinal and latitudinal beams, a plastic sheet, and a roof support structure with c-channel rails and rollers, allowing easy deployment and storage, supported by side posts and a handle post for extraction and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If popup tents and temporary structures are used for shade, then ease of deployment is improved, but reliability and resistance to high winds deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shade system is divided into modular components including a frame structure with multiple beams, a separate plastic sheet material, and individual roller elements. This segmentation allows for easy deployment while the distributed structure provides enhanced wind resistance compared to monolithic temporary structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs rollers that can rotate to facilitate smooth extraction and retraction of the shade along the c-channel rails. This dynamic element enables easy operation while the rollers distribute mechanical loads, improving the system's ability to withstand high winds during deployment.
2Reliability
If a secure shade system is designed to withstand high winds, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The c-channel rails serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the frame, guide the rollers during extraction and retraction, and secure the shade in both deployed and retracted positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring wind resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers act as intermediary elements between the frame and the c-channel rails, facilitating smooth movement during deployment while distributing mechanical stresses. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall structure by providing a single point of contact for force transmission rather than requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a retractable shade system with multiple components is implemented, then reliability and wind resistance are improved, but ease of storage and deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed to nest within itself when retracted, with longitudinal and latitudinal beams fitting together in a compact configuration. The plastic sheet rolls up along the c-channel rails, and side support posts fold or retract to minimize storage space. This nesting approach maintains structural integrity for wind resistance while dramatically reducing storage footprint and simplifying deployment.
4Ease of operation
If temporary shade structures are used, then ease of deployment is improved, but loss of time due to setup and takedown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shade system is pre-assembled in a compact nested configuration that requires minimal assembly steps during deployment. The frame components are designed to interlock automatically, and the plastic sheet is pre-attached to the frame, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site assembly. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces setup and takedown time while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Provides a secure, wind-resistant shade system that can be easily erected and stored, protecting occupants and equipment from weather and sun, while withstanding moderate to high winds.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rollers are rotatably affixed to and along the external longitudinal beams
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable shade system coupled with the ceiling of a trailer, and a retractable shade system suitable for coupling with the ceiling of a trailer. The system includes a plurality of longitudinal and latitudinal beams, supporting a plastic sheet to form a shade. A plurality of rollers are provided along the external longitudinal beams. A roof support structure is secured or securable to the ceiling of the trailer, presenting as a pair of c-channel rails to allow retraction and extraction of the shade relative to the roof support structure. A pair of side support posts are affixed to opposing side beams to support the shade in an extracted position, and a handle post having a pin secured at one end is provided to facilitate retracting and extending the shade from the roof support structure, wherein the pin is received within an aperture of one of the external latitudinal beams.