Outdoor Umbrella Electro-Control Panel for Appliance Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor umbrellas lack comprehensive control over a wide range of electrical appliances, requiring separate controllers and complex wiring, which complicates their operation and affects the umbrella's folding and unfolding mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor umbrella with a built-in electro-control panel located adjacent to the electrical appliances, featuring a control circuitry with input terminals and control terminals for selective connection, allowing for one-stop comprehensive control of various appliances without pre-wiring, and capable of using different power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical appliances are incorporated onto the outdoor umbrella, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is designed as a universal control device that can manage multiple different types of electrical appliances (lighting, audio, ventilation) through a single interface. The panel includes multiple control terminals that can selectively connect to various appliances, allowing one-stop comprehensive control without requiring separate controllers for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel integrates multiple control functions and connections into a single unified device. Instead of having separate switches and controls for each electrical appliance, all controls are merged into one panel located on the umbrella, simplifying the control system and reducing operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical appliances are mounted on the outdoor umbrella, then the versatility is improved, but the ease of operation for folding and unfolding mechanisms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical appliances and control system are designed as separable, modular components that can be independently installed and removed. The control panel is affixed to the awning frame rather than being integrated into the supporting frame, allowing it to be positioned optimally without interfering with the folding mechanism's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel serves as an intermediary device that coordinates the operation of multiple electrical appliances without directly interfering with the mechanical folding and unfolding mechanisms. The panel's location on the awning frame positions it as a mediator between the user and the appliances, keeping the supporting frame and folding mechanisms clear and operational.
3Ease of manufacture
If control panel is located far from electrical appliances, then the ease of installation is improved, but the wire connecting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is positioned locally adjacent to the electrical appliances on the awning frame, creating a localized control system. This local positioning minimizes the distance between the control terminals and the appliances, reducing cable length and simplifying the wire connecting arrangement while maintaining ease of installation.
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor umbrella for electrical appliances includes a supporting frame, an awning frame, and an electro-control panel. The awning frame includes a functional umbrella hub suspendedly supported by the supporting frame for supporting the electrical appliances in position, a plurality of awning frames radially and outwardly extended from the functional umbrella hub, and an awning supported by the awning arms to define a shading area under the awning. The electro-control panel includes a control circuitry and a control device. The control circuitry has an input terminal adapted for electrically connecting to a power source, and a plurality of control terminals for selectively connecting to the electrical appliances respectively. The control device is electrically connected to the control circuitry for selectively controlling each of the electrical appliances in an on-and-off manner.