Transverse folding shade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding furniture with integrated shades faces challenges in maintaining ease of storage and portability while providing sun and rain protection without complicating the collapsing process or compromising structural features.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible shade system that attaches to folding furniture, featuring arcing members with hinges and a flexible membrane, allowing for folding and adjustment without interfering with the furniture's use or setup, and can be retrofitted to various designs, ensuring minimal space occupation during transport and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shade is integrated with folding furniture, then sun and rain protection is provided, but the ease of storage and portability is compromised due to increased space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The shade is designed to nest within the furniture frame when collapsed. The arcing members and membrane fold into the existing structural space of the furniture, allowing the shade to be stored within the furniture's footprint rather than adding external volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The shade transitions from a static extended structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The arcing members with hinges enable the shade to dynamically fold and collapse, changing its volume from extended to compact state to match the furniture's folded configuration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shade is added to folding furniture, then protection is provided, but the collapsing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shade collapsing mechanism is merged with the furniture's existing collapsing structure. The arcing members are integrated with the furniture frame, and the hinge connections allow both the shade and furniture to collapse together in a coordinated manner, eliminating separate collapsing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shade is segmented into arcing members connected by hinges, allowing independent folding of each segment. This segmentation enables the shade to collapse in stages that match the furniture's folding sequence, reducing overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the shade is made adjustable, then usability is improved, but the folding and transport capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hubs are designed with dynamic adjustment capability during the extended state, allowing the shade position to be modified. When collapsing begins, the same hinge mechanisms that enable adjustment automatically guide the folding motion, maintaining simplicity during transport without sacrificing adjustability during use.
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
Enables easy transportation and storage of furniture with integrated shades by collapsing the shade within the furniture frame, maintaining functionality and usability, and allowing for adjustable sun protection without adding width to the furniture's footprint.
Implementation Method 1
two arcing members each having at least one hinge to aid in the collapsing of the shade
Implementation Method 2
A flexible shade membrane or fabric materials extends between the arcing members
Data Source
AI summary
A transverse folding shade includes a folding frame including a first hub, a second hub, a front assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, a rear assembly rotatably connected to the first hub and second hub, and a shade membrane connected to the front assembly and the rear assembly. The front assembly includes front support members, front arc members pivotally connected to the front support member via front support-arc pivots, the front arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a front arc-arc pivot. The rear assembly includes rear support members, rear arc members pivotally connected to the rear support members via rear support-arc pivots, the rear arc members are pivotally connected to each other via a rear arc-arc pivot.