Movable Umbrella Stand With Foot-Actuated Wheel Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing umbrella stands are cumbersome, requiring manual operation for wheel deployment, are inconvenient to move due to their size and weight, and often necessitate separate transportation, leading to high logistics costs.
Innovation Solution
A movable umbrella stand with a base assembly, arms, wheels, and an actuator assembly that switches between stationary and movable states via a foot-operated mechanism, allowing easy transition between grounded and lifted positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the umbrella stand is made heavy and large in volume to ensure stability and prevent tipping over due to wind, then the stability is improved, but the ease of movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella stand is divided into a base component and a canopy support component that can be separated. The base remains stationary and heavy for stability, while the canopy support with wheels can be easily moved and detached, allowing the heavy base to stay in place while the lighter movable part is transported separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbrella stand incorporates wheels on the canopy support component, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one that can be easily moved. The base remains stationary while the canopy support can roll freely when needed, providing adaptability between stability and mobility requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the wheels are manually operated to roll freely when in contact with the ground, then the ease of movement is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the mechanism required to deploy and hide the wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels are extracted as a separate functional component attached to the canopy support rather than being integrated into the base. This allows the wheels to be deployed only when the canopy support is detached and needs to be moved, simplifying the overall structure by not requiring permanent wheel mechanisms in the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy support component is designed to be self-contained with its own wheels and mounting mechanism, allowing it to be easily detached and moved independently without requiring complex integration with the base structure. The component serves itself by having all necessary movement capabilities built into the movable portion rather than requiring base-based mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the umbrella stand is disassembled for transportation, then the ease of transportation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella stand is segmented into two main components: a stationary base and a movable canopy support. This segmentation allows the components to be separated for transportation, with the heavy base remaining at the destination and the lighter canopy support being transported separately, simplifying logistics without requiring complete disassembly of all components.
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
Facilitates convenient movement and operation of the umbrella stand with reduced manual effort, optimizing logistics by allowing disassembly for compact packaging and reducing transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator assembly is coupled to the base assembly and configured to cause the base assembly to switch between a first stationary state and a second movable state
Implementation Method 2
The stand includes a plurality of wheels respectively coupled to the distal ends of the plurality of arms
Implementation Method 3
each of the plurality of supports comprises a pivot point for a respective one of the plurality of arms
Data Source
AI summary
A stand is for moving an umbrella on a surface. The stand includes a base assembly to receive the umbrella and being over the surface, and arms. Each arm has a proximal end coupled to the base assembly, and a distal end extending outwardly from the base assembly. The stand also includes wheels respectively coupled to the distal ends of the arms, and supports coupled to the base assembly and extending outwardly from the base assembly, each of the supports has a pivot point for a respective one of the arms. The stand includes an actuator assembly coupled to the base assembly and configured to cause the base assembly to switch between a first stationary state and a second movable state.