Segmented Umbrella Rod Retraction to Prevent Hand Strikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manually opened and automatically closing umbrellas suffer from a multi-section middle rod that rapidly curves and retracts, causing the foldable rib member to hit the user's hand during closure, and result in an undesirably long retracted length, which is not advantageous for storage.
Innovation Solution
A manually opened and automatically closing umbrella design featuring a multi-section middle rod with a retaining hole, an elastic fastener, and a pull sleeve mechanism that allows for controlled retraction, preventing the rib member from hitting the hand and minimizing the retracted length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the multi-section middle rod is designed for rapid automatic retraction, then the closing speed is improved, but the foldable rib member hits the user's hand causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The middle rod is divided into multiple sections (first middle rod section, second middle rod section, third middle rod section) that can retract independently at different speeds and distances. The first section retracts completely, the second section retracts partially, and the third section remains stationary, creating a segmented retraction process that controls the folding speed to prevent injury while maintaining closing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic fastener is pre-positioned to engage with the retaining hole in the third middle rod section before retraction begins. This preliminary engagement setup ensures that the third section is locked in place beforehand, preventing it from moving during the retraction process and eliminating the risk of it striking the user's hand
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bottommost stick is not retracted to prevent rib member from hitting hand, then safety is improved, but the retracted length increases making storage less advantageous
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of leaving the entire bottommost stick extended, the retraction system is segmented into three sections where only the necessary portions are extended. The first section retracts fully, the second retracts partially, and the third remains stationary but is positioned to minimize overall length, achieving a balance between safety and compact storage
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the middle rod have different retraction characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first section is designed for complete retraction to maximize compactness, the second section has partial retraction to maintain structural support, and the third section remains fixed to prevent injury, with each section's properties optimized for its local role
3Ease of operation
If a complex umbrella-closing assembly with multiple components is added, then the retraction control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic fastener automatically engages with the retaining hole and the pull sleeve automatically pulls the linking cord when the umbrella is closed, creating a self-actuating system. The user simply needs to push the umbrella closed, and the elastic fastener and pull sleeve mechanism automatically control the segmented retraction of the middle rod sections without requiring manual intervention for each component
Solution Approach 2:
The umbrella-closing assembly components (elastic fastener, pull sleeve, linking cord, and segmented middle rod) are merged into a single integrated system where the closing action of the umbrella canopy automatically drives the retraction mechanism. The movement of the foldable rib member is combined with the retraction of the middle rod sections through the linking cord and elastic fastener, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms
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 design ensures a simple structure and compact size when fully closed by preventing the rib member from hitting the hand during closure and optimizing the retraction process, enhancing user experience and storage convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the foldable rib member has a retracting spring
Implementation Method 2
the elastic fastener movably snaps into the retaining hole
Data Source
AI summary
A manually opened and automatically closing umbrella includes a multi-section middle rod, an upper nest, a lower nest, a head, a foldable rib member and an umbrella-closing assembly. The upper nest and the head respectively fit with upper and lower ends of the multi-section middle rod. The lower nest telescopes the multi-section middle rod. The foldable rib member is pivotally connected to the upper nest and the lower nest. The foldable rib member has a retracting spring. The umbrella-closing assembly fits with the multi-section middle rod, the upper nest, the lower nest and the head. When the umbrella is retracted through the umbrella-closing assembly, it is possible to prevent the foldable rib member from hitting a user's hand. In addition, a longitudinal hole is formed on a lowest stick of the multi-section middle rod to adjust a position of a pull sleeve relatively to the head.