Umbrella Canopy Orientation Adjustment via Spring-Loaded Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large-size outdoor umbrellas face difficulties in smoothly adjusting the canopy orientation due to the potential gap formation between the threaded components when pivoting, leading to non-smooth pivotal operation and challenges in achieving the desired angular position for optimal sun shielding.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fixing tube with a coupling member, positioning ring, spring, rotational sleeve, and driving jacket, allowing for smooth pivotal movement of the canopy by engaging and disengaging the toothed portions to facilitate the adjustment of the canopy's orientation without gaps, enabling easy operation and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the threaded component is separated into two halves with shorter inner thread sections, then the assembly ease is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential gap formation between the two halves during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a threaded member as an intermediary component that engages with both halves of the threaded component. This threaded member acts as a mediator that transmits rotational force smoothly between the two halves, preventing gap formation during pivoting while maintaining the assembly advantage of separated halves. The threaded member ensures continuous engagement and force transmission throughout the pivoting range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a spring-loaded mechanism that preliminarily applies pre-tightening force to press the two halves of the threaded component against each other. This preliminary action ensures continuous contact between the halves before pivoting begins, preventing gap formation during operation. The spring maintains constant pressure to eliminate clearance and ensure smooth pivoting throughout the entire range of motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the canopy is made tiltable and pivotable to respond to sun position changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional mechanisms required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tilting and pivoting functions into a single integrated mechanism. The canopy assembly combines the tilt member for vertical angle adjustment with the rotational sleeve and threaded component for horizontal pivoting, allowing both movements to be controlled through coordinated action of unified components rather than separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft assembly serves multiple functions: it supports the canopy, enables tilting motion through the tilt member, allows pivoting through the rotational sleeve and threaded component, and provides structural support for the entire mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining adaptability.
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 solution ensures smooth and precise adjustment of the canopy's orientation, enhancing the umbrella's ability to shield sunlight effectively by allowing for easy pivoting and positioning, thereby addressing the issues of non-smooth operation and gap formation in existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is mounted around the guiding portion of the coupling member. The spring biases the positioning ring towards the axle.
Implementation Method 2
The positioning ring includes an upper end having a fixing toothed portion. The connecting ring includes a lower end having a connecting toothed portion. When the driving jacket moves to the disengagement position, the fixing toothed portion of the positioning ring disengages from the connecting toothed portion of the connecting ring, permitting the connecting ring, the rotational sleeve, the driving jacket, and the canopy operating device to pivot about the longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
An umbrella includes a fixing tube and a coupling member mounted on an end of the fixing tube. A positioning ring is mounted around and not rotatable relative to the coupling member. A rotational sleeve is rotatably mounted to the coupling member and is spaced from the positioning ring. A driving jacket is mounted around the connecting ring and the positioning ring. The driving jacket is fixed to the positioning ring and is movable between an engagement position in which the positioning ring engages with the connecting ring and a disengagement position in which the positioning ring disengages from the connecting ring. The rotational sleeve is rotatable relative to the coupling member when the driving jacket is in the disengagement position, permitting a change in an orientation of a tilted canopy of the umbrella to face the sun for obtaining a better shielding effect.