Umbrella Shaft Segmentation Reduces Compression 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, particularly difficult for individuals with weaker hand strength, such as women and children, and prone to accidental spring back.
Innovation Solution
A novel shaft assembly with an operation cable and internal plug arrangement that reduces the length and strength of the expansion spring, allowing for easier and safer compression and closing by telescoping the shaft sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the expansion spring spans from the first section to the third section of the shaft, then the umbrella can be fully expanded, but the spring force becomes too strong requiring great user effort to compress
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into three telescopic sections that can be compressed in stages. The first section compresses into the second section, and the second section compresses into the third section, breaking down the single large compression task into three smaller sequential tasks that require less force.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion spring is extracted from spanning the entire length of all three sections and is instead confined to only the second section. This extraction of the spring from the full shaft length reduces the spring force while maintaining the ability to expand the umbrella through the telescopic mechanism.
2Strength
If the expansion spring has great strength to fully expand the shaft, then the umbrella opens completely, but it causes physical injury risk to users with weaker hand strength
Solution Approach 1:
The compression process is segmented into three stages corresponding to the three shaft sections. Users compress the shaft in manageable increments rather than facing a single large spring force, significantly reducing the risk of injury for users with weaker hand strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The dangerous high-force spring is extracted from the system by limiting its span to only the second section. The telescopic mechanism replaces the need for a long-span strong spring, eliminating the injury risk while preserving umbrella expansion functionality.
3Length of stationary object
If the shaft maintains fully expanded condition with all three sections extended, then the umbrella provides maximum coverage, but it makes it difficult for users with short hands to grip and compress
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into three telescopic sections that can be compressed sequentially. This segmentation allows users with short hands to grip and compress the shaft in stages, starting with the outermost section, making the operation feasible for users who cannot reach or grip a fully extended long shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft transitions from a static fully extended state to a dynamic telescopic state during compression. The sections dynamically telescope into each other, allowing the shaft length to change during operation and enabling users with limited reach to effectively compress the umbrella.
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 efficient and safe operation of the umbrella by reducing the force required to compress and close it, minimizing the risk of injury and making it more accessible to users with weaker hand strength.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion spring pushes upward the second section so that the runner cable and the operation cable respectively drive the runner and a third shaft section upward
Implementation Method 2
The expansion spring has an overall length substantially corresponding to the total length of three sections of the shaft and this render the expansion spring an elongate elastic element that shows high strength and large spring force
Implementation Method 3
The inner tube receives in a top portion thereof a pulley around which an operation cable wraps
Implementation Method 4
The third shaft section and the second shaft section are telescopically coupled to each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a structure of shaft of automatic umbrella, which includes a shaft assembly including a second section having a top end fixed to an internal plug. An inner tube is fixed at a top end thereof to the internal plug and receives therein an operation tube having a bottom coupled to an operation plug. The inner tube receives in a top portion thereof a pulley around which an operation cable wraps. An end of the operation cable is fixed to the bullet-like member and an opposite end fixed to the operation plug. To open the umbrella, a push button is depressed and an expansion spring pushes upward the second section so that the runner cable and the operation cable drive the runner and a third shaft section upward to completely open the umbrella.