Umbrella Actuator Arm with Counterbalanced Weight System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large umbrellas are difficult to operate due to the significant force required to extend and collapse their canopies, and existing designs often incorporate complex mechanical configurations or weights, making them cumbersome to use and requiring substantial exertion from the operator.
Innovation Solution
The umbrella employs a specially designed actuator arm in conjunction with a pulley and counterbalanced weight system, allowing for easy operation with minimal effort, and can be configured to form a cover for tables and furniture by lowering the canopy while remaining fully extended, with an optional extendible skirt for enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hand-crank/gear designs are used to extend and collapse the umbrella canopy, then the umbrella can be operated mechanically, but significant force is required making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterbalanced weight system where weights are positioned to offset the force required to extend and collapse the umbrella canopy. The weights create a counterbalancing moment that reduces the operator's effort, allowing easy operation with minimal force applied to the actuator arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an actuator arm as an intermediary mechanism between the operator's input force and the canopy structure. This actuator arm, working in conjunction with the pulley and counterbalanced weight system, mediates the force transmission to reduce the effort needed while maintaining mechanical advantage for canopy operation.
2Ease of operation
If complex mechanical configurations or weights are incorporated to reduce operating force, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a counterbalanced weight system that, while adding components, provides a straightforward mechanical solution to reduce operating force. The weights are positioned to create counterbalancing moments, offering a relatively simple implementation compared to complex gear systems while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator arm serves as a simple intermediary component that connects the operator's input to the canopy mechanism. This single arm, working with the pulley system, provides a less complex alternative to multi-component gear mechanisms while achieving the desired reduction in operating force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the umbrella canopy is lowered while remaining fully extended to form a cover, then versatility as a furniture cover is achieved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the umbrella canopy to transition between different operational states: fully extended for traditional use, lowered for furniture covering, and collapsed for storage. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to adapt to multiple functions while maintaining stability through controlled positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the umbrella system to perform multiple functions: providing shade when extended, serving as a protective cover when lowered over furniture, and compact storage when collapsed. This multi-functionality is achieved through the same structural components and actuation mechanism, enhancing versatility without requiring separate structures for each function.
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
This configuration significantly reduces the effort needed to operate the umbrella, enabling easy extension and collapse, and provides a versatile covering solution for outdoor furniture by forming a protective enclosure around tables and chairs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pulley and counterbalanced weight system
Implementation Method 2
at least one pulley and counterbalanced weight system
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a large umbrella configured to solve several existing deficiencies. The umbrella is configured for ease of operation, requiring very little effort for operation. This is achieved, in part, by use of a specially designed actuator arm used in conjunction with at least one pulley and counterbalanced weight system. Moreover, the umbrella canopy and framework is configured to allow the entire canopy to be lowered while remaining fully extended, so as to form a cover for a table into which its center pole is situated. Additionally, the umbrella canopy can be constructed with an extendible skirt. When unfurled, the skirt can extend the canopy cover so as to form an enclosure that fully surrounds the table, table legs, and chairs, for example.