Wind-Resistant Umbrella Pull Rib Tensioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind-resistant umbrellas face issues with the flexible pull wire becoming slack and entangling during closure, leading to difficulties in opening and potential damage, as well as the risk of the umbrella turning inside out in windy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pull rib structure incorporating a tighten-up device with a compression spring, tension spring, or magnets to maintain the pull wire in a constant stretched and tight condition, preventing slackening and entangling, and ensuring smooth operation and extended lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible pull wire is used in the pull rib structure, then the umbrella can be collapsed, but the pull wire may become slack and entangle during closure
Solution Approach 1:
The pull wire is transformed from a static flexible element to a dynamically controlled system. The wire passes through a guide hole in the tightening device, allowing it to extend during opening and retract during closing, maintaining tension throughout the motion cycle and preventing entanglement
Solution Approach 2:
A tightening device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pull wire and the umbrella structure. This device includes a guide hole that directs the wire's movement and a tightening member that maintains constant tension, mediating the wire's extension and retraction to prevent slack and entanglement
2Ease of operation
If the pull wire is kept constantly stretched to prevent entangling, then smooth operation is ensured, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening device is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide hole for wire direction control and a tightening member for tension maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for a complex integrated mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The pull wire system is designed to be self-regulating through the tightening device. As the umbrella opens and closes, the wire automatically extends and retracts through the guide hole, with the tightening member maintaining constant tension without requiring external control mechanisms or complex actuation systems
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
The pull rib structure keeps the pull wire consistently stretched and tight, preventing entangling and ensuring smooth umbrella operation and extended service life by maintaining tension during both opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
The position-restoration member comprises a compression spring received in the slide track, the compression spring having an end fixed to a front end of the slide track
Implementation Method 2
The position-restoration member alternatively comprises a tension spring, which has an end fixed to a rear end of the slide track
Implementation Method 3
The position-restoration member alternatively comprises a set of magnets, one of which is fixed to a rear end of the slide track, the pull wire extending through the extend-through hole of the tighten-up device to connect to another one of the magnets
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an improved pull rib structure of a wind-resistant umbrella. The pull rib includes a rigid pull bar section and a flexible pull wire connected to each other. The pull wire has a free end that is coupled through a tighten-up device to the outer rib. The tighten-up device includes a position-restoration member arranged therein to connect to the free end of the pull wire and apply a position-restoration driving force to the pull wire. The tighten-up device keeps the pull wire in a stretched and tight condition during collapsing of umbrella so as to prevent entangling and ensure a smooth opening operation and service life of the umbrella.