Telescoping Umbrella Actuating Unit Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescoping umbrellas face issues with user safety due to exposed actuating units that can cause finger pinching and clothing entanglement, are prone to environmental damage, and have a negative visual impact.

Innovation Solution

The actuating unit for the cable pull or Bowden cable is relocated inside the receiving tube, protecting it from environmental influences and improving user safety by eliminating external hazards and enhancing the umbrella's visual appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuating unit is situated outside the receiving tube, then the cable pull can be actuated, but the mechanical elements are exposed to environmental influences and create safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice life of actuating unitVSAvoidexposure to environmental influences

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating unit including the winch is nested inside the receiving tube, which protects the mechanical elements from environmental influences such as rainwater and dust while maintaining accessibility for operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful external environmental factors are extracted from the location of the actuating unit by relocating it inside the receiving tube, separating the sensitive mechanical elements from damaging external conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the actuating unit protrudes to the exterior of the receiving tube, then the hand crank can be operated, but it creates safety hazards for users and passersby

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation of hand crankVSAvoidfinger pinching and clothing entanglement hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating unit is nested within the receiving tube structure, containing the mechanical elements that cause hazards while allowing the hand crank to extend through a controlled opening for operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving tube acts as an intermediary structure that houses the dangerous mechanical elements while providing a controlled interface through which the hand crank can be safely operated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the winch is situated outside the receiving tube, then the cable pull can be actuated, but the visual overall impression of the umbrella is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation of cable pullVSAvoidvisual overall impression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The winch is nested inside the receiving tube, concealing the mechanical actuating mechanism within the umbrella's structure to maintain a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance while preserving full operational functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8113223B2Telescoping umbrella

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 ZHEJIANG YOTRIO GRP CO LTD

AI summary

The invention relates to a telescoping umbrella, particularly a sun or rain umbrella, having a receiving tube and a telescoping tube displaceably and lockably located therein, having an umbrella roof connected to the telescoping tube in an articulating manner, the umbrella roof being adjustable by means of a cable or Bowden wire running inside the tubes, and having an actuating device for the cable or Bowden wire, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a winch for the cable or Bowden wire, the winch being located inside the receiving tube.