Umbrella Canopy Spacer for Wind Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shade structures, such as umbrellas, lack flexibility and effective ventilation, making them prone to damage from wind and unable to efficiently vent air, which can lead to increased wind resistance and potential structural failure.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a spacer system that creates gaps between canopy panels, allowing air to vent through when the umbrella is open, with spacers mounted on ribs and biased to adjust panel separation based on load conditions, using a combination of elongate members, brackets, and resilient biasing mechanisms to manage panel positioning and wind resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the umbrella canopy is made solid without gaps, then it provides better shade coverage, but it increases wind resistance and makes the structure prone to damage from strong winds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy is divided into multiple panels with gaps between them, allowing wind to pass through while maintaining shade coverage. This segmentation reduces wind resistance and prevents structural damage during storms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of wind into a beneficial ventilation feature. The gaps between panels allow air flow that reduces wind resistance and prevents the canopy from acting as a sail, while still providing adequate shade coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If gaps are introduced between canopy panels for ventilation, then air can vent through the umbrella, but the shade coverage is reduced and the structure may become less stable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidcanopy stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust dynamically based on wind conditions. In calm conditions, they maintain panel separation for ventilation; in windy conditions, they allow panels to move closer together for stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gap size between panels is made variable rather than fixed. The spacers can change their position to adjust the gap width, optimizing ventilation when needed and minimizing gaps when structural stability is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If fixed spacers are used to maintain panel separation, then ventilation is ensured, but the structure cannot adapt to varying wind loads and may fail under extreme conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow through canopyVSAvoidresponse to varying wind loads

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers incorporate resilient members that allow dynamic adjustment of panel spacing. The system transitions from a static fixed-gap design to a dynamic adaptive system that responds to varying wind conditions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient spacers provide passive feedback-based adaptation. When wind pressure increases, the spacers are pushed inward, automatically reducing the gap size without requiring sensors or active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Volume of moving object

If the spacer is positioned close to the rib, then the structure is compact, but the gap between panels is insufficient for effective ventilation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer positioningVSAvoidventilation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers extend perpendicular to the rib surface, utilizing the radial dimension to create effective gap spacing without increasing the axial footprint along the rib. This allows sufficient ventilation gap while maintaining compact radial structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances the umbrella's ability to vent air, reduces wind resistance, and minimizes the risk of damage from strong winds by allowing panels to adjust and absorb loads, providing a more stable and aesthetically pleasing structure.

Implementation Method 1

the umbrella can further comprise a resilient member configured to bias the elongate member toward the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient member biasing: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the gap between the panels provided by the spacer permits air to be vented across the canopy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir venting: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8020572B2Umbrella structure

Publication Date: 2011.09.20 MA SRL

AI summary

An umbrella is provided that comprises a canopy and a support structure upon which the canopy is supported. The canopy can comprise a first panel and a second panel. The support structure can comprise a spacer configured to provide a gap separating the first and second panels to permit air to be vented through the canopy.