Automatic Umbrella Shaft Reducing Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic umbrellas require significant user effort and pose a risk of injury due to the strong spring force needed to compress and close the umbrella, especially for individuals with weaker hand strength, such as women and children, as the expansion spring's length and force make it difficult to operate safely.
Innovation Solution
The automatic umbrella incorporates a shaft assembly with an internal plug, inner tube, and operation cable system, where the expansion spring is compressed internally by the plug, allowing the operation cable to assist in telescoping the shaft sections, reducing the manual force required for closing and minimizing the risk of spring back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the expansion spring spans from the first section to the third section of the shaft to provide sufficient spring force, then the umbrella can be opened automatically, but the spring force becomes too strong requiring great user effort to compress and close the umbrella
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into three telescopic sections that can be compressed sequentially. The expansion spring is segmented to act on specific sections rather than spanning the entire length, allowing the user to compress shorter sections at a time, reducing the force required while maintaining the overall spring force for automatic opening
Solution Approach 2:
A control ring with control bar is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hand and the shaft compression. This control mechanism allows the user to operate the umbrella closing function with reduced effort by mechanically assisting the compression process through the control ring's interaction with the shaft sections
2Reliability
If the expansion spring has great strength to ensure reliable automatic opening, then the umbrella opens reliably, but any incaution or negligence in applying force may lead to undesired spring back causing physical injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft sections are pre-arranged in a telescopic configuration that allows controlled compression. The control ring mechanism is designed to guide the compression process, ensuring that the spring force is applied in a controlled manner that prevents sudden spring back and reduces injury risk while maintaining reliable opening function
Solution Approach 2:
The control ring and control bar mechanism converts the potentially harmful strong spring force into a controlled closing action. The control mechanism utilizes the spring force beneficially to assist the closing operation while preventing the harmful spring back effect through its mechanical design that guides the shaft sections into proper alignment during compression
3Extent of automation
If the push button is arranged at one side of the main body exposed through the handle, then the umbrella can be operated automatically, but the shaft maintains fully expanded condition requiring long reach to grip and depress toward the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is designed to rotate and move dynamically in response to push button operation. This dynamic movement of the control ring allows it to interact with the shaft sections during compression, enabling automatic operation while the shaft transitions from expanded to compressed state, reducing the reach required for users with shorter hands
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
This design enables easier and safer operation of the umbrella by reducing the manual force needed to close it, minimizing the risk of injury and making it more accessible for users with weaker hand strength, while maintaining efficient compression and expansion mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion spring having an overall length substantially corresponding to the total length of three sections of the shaft so as to span from the first section to the third section
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of ribs coupled between the top cap and the runner, with each rib being acted upon by a collapse spring
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a structure of shaft of automatic umbrella, which includes a shaft assembly (30) including a second section (32) having a top end fixed to an internal plug (35). An inner tube (34) is fixed at a top end thereof to the internal plug (35) and receives therein an operation tube (36) having a bottom coupled to an operation plug (38). The inner tube (34) receives in a top portion thereof a pulley (37) around which an operation cable (39) wraps. An end of the operation cable (39) is fixed to a bullet-like member (50) and an opposite end fixed to the operation plug (38). To open the umbrella, a push button (22) is depressed and an expansion spring (60) pushes upward the second section (32) so that the runner cable (42) and the operation cable (39) drive a runner (40) and a third shaft section (33) upward to completely open the umbrella.