Automatic Umbrella Unfolding via Gas Spring and Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sunshade umbrella unfolding mechanisms are cumbersome, slow, and prone to breakage, with manual operation and complex structures, and existing alternatives are either inconvenient or require manual effort.
Innovation Solution
A controllable automatic umbrella unfolding device using a nitrogen spring and valve opening mechanism, comprising an upper runner, middle runner, lower runner, and center bar, with a gas spring and valve system for controlled unfolding, eliminating the need for manual cranks and levers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional crank-opening way is used, then umbrella can be opened, but umbrella unfolding is troublesome, opening speed is slow, and breakage possibility of umbrella rope is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical crank and rope system with a gas spring-based automatic unfolding mechanism. The gas spring provides the necessary force to automatically unfold the umbrella when the closure mechanism is released, eliminating the need for manual cranking and reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring system enables the umbrella to unfold automatically without requiring continuous manual operation. Once the closure lever is released, the gas spring automatically pushes the runners to unfold the umbrella canopy, making the system self-serving and reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If pull lever-type opening and closing device is used, then umbrella can be closed, but umbrella position is high after closing and operation is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pull lever mechanism with a runner-based sliding mechanism guided by a center bar. This allows the umbrella to close smoothly to a lower, more convenient position while maintaining ease of operation through a simple release and slide motion.
3Ease of operation
If sliding blocks with knob are used, then umbrella unfolding and closing are accomplished, but manual operation is required and structure is more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex knob and sliding block mechanism by using a simpler runner system that slides directly along the center bar. This reduces the number of components while maintaining ease of operation through a straightforward sliding motion controlled by the gas spring force.
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
Enables automatic, controllable, and efficient umbrella unfolding with a simple structure, allowing for stroke control at any position, reducing component count and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring is disposed in the center bar, the tail end of a cylinder barrel of the gas spring is connected with the middle runner of the umbrella
Implementation Method 2
the gas spring is a nitrogen spring
Data Source
AI summary
A controllable automatic umbrella unfolding device includes an upper runner, a middle runner, a lower runner and a center bar. The upper runner is fixed at the top end of the center bar, the middle runner and the lower runner of the umbrella are movably sleeved on the center bar, the upper runner is connected with long ribs, the long ribs are connected with short ribs, the middle runner is connected with branch ribs, the branch ribs are connected with the short ribs, the short ribs are connected with the lower runner, a gas spring is disposed in the center bar, the tail end of a cylinder barrel of the gas spring is connected with the middle runner of the umbrella, a valve is arranged at the end of a piston rod of the gas spring, and a valve opening device is disposed corresponding to the valve.