Umbrella Pivot Joint for Canopy Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large umbrellas, such as patio umbrellas, require significant effort to tilt and reposition their canopies due to poor mechanical leverage and limited degrees of freedom, restricting effective sun shading.
Innovation Solution
A pivot joint system that allows the canopy support hub to swivel and tilt easily in multiple planes and degrees of freedom without requiring rotation of the supporting arm, using a rotatable pivot joint with a drive mechanism for user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the canopy is supported by a long extending side arm that rotates about its axis, then the canopy can be repositioned to change orientation, but significant user effort is required due to poor mechanical leverage and heavy canopy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single rotation operation into two independent rotational movements using a gimbal structure with first and second rotation axes. This segmentation allows each rotation to cover a smaller angular range, reducing the effort required for each individual operation while achieving comprehensive canopy repositioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-axis rotation system to a two-axis gimbal system, adding another dimension of rotation. This dimensional change enables the canopy to achieve full spherical orientation coverage through two independent rotational movements rather than one complex rotation, improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the side arm rotates to change canopy orientation, then the canopy can be tilted, but the degree of freedom is limited to an arc about the side arm axis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two independent rotation mechanisms into a unified gimbal structure where the first rotation axis (azimuth) and second rotation axis (elevation) work together. This combination provides complete spherical orientation control while maintaining relatively simple individual rotation ranges for each axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal structure serves multiple functions: it provides azimuth rotation for horizontal orientation, elevation rotation for vertical tilting, and enables the canopy to achieve any orientation in three-dimensional space. This multi-functionality comprehensively addresses orientation needs without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
3Ease of operation
If a rope runs through the side arm for opening/closing the canopy, then the canopy can be operated, but the range of rotation of the side arm is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the opening/closing function from the rotation function by using independent mechanisms. The rope operates within the inner hub without interfering with the gimbal's rotational movements, allowing full rotation range while maintaining easy canopy operation through the rope mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner hub serves as an intermediary structure that houses the rope mechanism while allowing the outer hub and canopy to rotate freely around it. This intermediary design enables the rope to function for opening/closing without constraining the rotational movement of the canopy support system.
Data Source
AI summary
An umbrella having the crown of the canopy coupled to a support structure via a pivot joint that is structured and configured to allow swiveling and/or tilting of the canopy with ease by a user, in more than one plane or with more than one degree of freedom with respect to the support structure. The canopy frame includes a longitudinal central support hub, and the pivot joint is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the axis of the canopy support hub makes a fixed or variable non-zero angle with respect to the pivot joint rotation axis. As a result of the angle between the pivot joint rotation axis and the canopy support hub axis. The rotation of the pivot joint causes tilting of the canopy support hub axis, thus tilting the canopy to change its orientation.