GR20200100702A - Mechanism attached to parasols for automatic and continuous shading - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a mechanism meant to be attached to parasols for automatic and continuous sun shading , which mechanism has, for the movement of the parasol, an electric dc motor (2a) rotating the parasol up to 360 degrees and an electric dc motor (2b) allowing the inclination of the parasol by 45 degrees forwards and 45 degrees backwards as to the vertical axis (Ψ). A processor (100) manages the operation of said mechanism either automatically or via wireless or wired control (101) or via a mobile phone application and two pairs of peripheral sensors (102) & (103) which, being placed in a crosswise position opposite each other and connected to a peripheral control unit (104, are liable to detect the exact position of the sun; an eccentric mechanism (23 ) is attached to the shaft (14) in order to command the processor (100) as to the perpendicularity and the permissible forward or backward inclination limits of the parasol as to the axis (Ψ); an inclination control switch (10) is also provided.

Description

ATTACHED UMBRELLA MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC AND CONTINUOUS

SHADING FROM THE SUN'S RAYS

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a mechanism, which is characterized by the fact that it is attached to most types of shading umbrella and makes it possible to move it automatically in order to provide continuous shading to the user, automatically following the sun's trajectory.

Level of prior art and evaluation thereof:

The umbrellas used to provide shade, mainly in swimming pools, beaches, dining areas, coffee bars, etc., generally consist of the following components. In particular, there is usually a pole that either penetrates the ground, or penetrates and stabilizes on some base which is usually either filled with water and is transportable, or is fixed e.g. of concrete. On the upper free part of the pole, the umbrella enters, at the height desired by the user. The purpose of the support base is to ensure as much stability as possible for the umbrella and for this reason its weight is usually large and its movement difficult. In the shading area created by the umbrellas, either chairs and/or sunbeds are placed, or towels are laid out for the users to stay.

The main disadvantage of these umbrellas is that, due to the constant movement of the sun, the shaded area is constantly shifting, with the result that the users of the umbrellas must also be shifted at regular intervals, if they wish to be protected from the sun and with them the towels, chairs, sunbeds they use.

In order to overcome this particular disadvantage, umbrellas are known which have a split mechanism, but these also have the disadvantage that said mechanism should be readjusted at regular intervals in order to provide the desired shading, a process which also requires continuous manual work - effort and alertness on the part of the user.

Finally, umbrellas are known that have automatic movement systems, but, on the one hand, these systems are bulky and complex, taking up a significant amount of space from the shading area, and on the other hand, they do not adapt to different types of umbrellas.

All the above disadvantages prompted me to try to find a solution, the result of which is the subject of this description.

With the invented mechanism, the above disadvantages disappear, because the user is automatically provided with automatic, continuous and effectively targeted shading from the umbrella, without any effort on his part. Because the invented mechanism, which is placed between the fixed pole, which enters the ground or support base and the umbrella pole, has the ability to detect and adjust the inclination and orientation of the umbrella in relation to its exact position sun, either automatically or via a wired or wireless remote control or via a mobile phone application.

In this way, the user or users of the umbrella do not have to move their towels or chairs or deckchairs in order to be in a shaded area. At the same time, if the umbrellas are controlled by businesses or placed on organized beaches, the employees do not need to return the sunbeds to their original position, since during the day they are not moved to find shade.

Finally, the invented mechanism is portable and due to its manufacturing characteristics can be adapted to most umbrellas on the market today, which makes it easy to use and low cost.

Disclosure of invention

In order to make my invention comprehensible to those skilled in the art, I now refer to the attached drawings, which illustrate a specific industrial application thereof.

In particular, figure 1 shows a section of the invented mechanism which is placed on the umbrella

Figure 2 shows the inside of the invented mechanism with the components that make it up.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the motor that controls the rotation of the umbrella. .

Figure 4 shows a detail of the motor that controls the umbrella call.

According to the proposed illustrative application of the invention, the mechanism is made of metal, plastic or other suitable material treated so as not to oxidize and is attached to the umbrella, through the insertion base (1) which enters the pole that penetrates the ground or the support base of the entire system, and the support base (16) into which the umbrella pole enters and is stabilized at the desired height by the handle (21), the movement of which activates the locking pin (18) equipped with a locking washer (19) and gasket (20). The support base (16) is shaped in such a way that it can accept different pole sizes and this is achieved by a specific cut in its upper part that creates elasticity in the metal, while the opening and closing of its diameter is achieved by rotating the handle (21 ).

The invented mechanism has two basic structural elements for fixing and stabilizing its components:

the lower base (32) through which wiring passes, through the wiring support (41) and on which rests the DC (12 to 24)VDC motor (2), which is responsible for rotating the mechanism through 360° degrees in relation to the vertical axis (Ψ), the screws (40), which hold on this jacket (6), which contributes to the structural strength and the subsequent building of the mechanism and at the same time provides coverage of the electric motor (2) , the locking fittings (38), the wiring support (41), the upper bearing retaining screw (45), the D-type communication plug (58), data exchange and motor power supply (2), and the alignment and mounting guides (dowel rips) (51). The base (32) rests on the bearing (9), while it accepts the alignment and fixing guides (dowel rips) (51), the D-type plug (58) for communication, data exchange and power supply of the motors (2), the screws (59 ), retaining the D-type plug (58), the bearing retainer (53), the sleeve (4) which is made of aluminum special for chrome anodizing, supports the lower cover (5) and shelters, hides and protects the gears ( 7) and

the upper base (3) from which a wiring passage is provided through the wiring support (41) and on which rests the (12 to 24)VDC motor (2), which is responsible for tilting the mechanism 45° forward or - 45° degrees back to the vertical axis (Ψ). Also on the upper base (3) are supported the screws (40), which hold the jacket (6) on it. In addition, the bearing (9) of the shaft (1) rests on the upper base (3), which rotates the mechanism without friction and together with the lower bearing (9) of the lower base (32), define two reference points which from from a mathematical point of view, they characterize a line and thus the verticality of the axis (1) is defined, since this line is parallel to the axis (Ψ). The upper base (3) also accepts the alignment and fixing guides (dowel rips) (51 ), the bearing retainer (53).

The sleeve (26) is also connected to the upper base (3), which is also an important structural element for fixing and stabilizing the invented mechanism, on which the reducer (13) rests, which provides the maximum torque to achieve the 45 degree inclination ° degrees forward or -45° back to the axis (Ψ), while providing support for the top cap (33), the top base (3) and housing the reducer (13), the support screws (34), (35) and (39), wiring support (41), lock fittings (38), motor base (17), DC motor mounting screws (47) (2), and spindle adapter (12) DC motor (2).

The mechanism also has an upper cap (33) to protect the mechanical parts below it and to act as a support base for the carrying handle (25), a lower cap (5) which protects the mechanical parts from sand ingress and the user from inadvertent contact with the mechanism components, side caps (27), (62), (29), (61) and (30), which cover the screws of the mechanism and provide aesthetics to the whole structure and cap (24) which protects the micro switches (10) and the Hall effect sensor (11). All the above caps are made of aluminum special for chrome anodizing.

The invented mechanism has two electric motors for the movement of the umbrella: The electric motor (2a) of direct current, slow angular speed for greater position accuracy and achieving a strong torque, due to the fact that it internally contains a reducer which rotates a toothed gear (7) in relation to the axis (Ψ), resulting in the rotation of the umbrella up to 360° degrees as well as the electric motor (2b) of direct current of slow angular speed and strong torque due to the fact that it internally contains a reducer that engages with an additional external reducer (13), which in turn rotates the axis (14), and allows the umbrella to be tilted by 45° degrees forward and -45° degrees back with respect to the vertical axis (Ψ). In order to prevent the umbrella from tilting more than the aforementioned, there is a limit switch (10) for rotation and tilt control.

To manage its operation, the mechanism has a processor (100), which either manages it automatically or via a wireless or wired controller (101) or via a mobile application with which the user can manage the angle of inclination that the umbrella wants to have of him, through his mobile phone as well as two pairs of peripheral sensors (102) & (103) to detect the exact position of the sun which are connected to an external peripheral control unit (104) through wiring, which is connected to the mechanism. The pairs of sensors (102) and (103) are placed in a cross arrangement, with each pair placed opposite the other. It also has a cam mechanism (23), which is attached to the axis (14), and is responsible for giving instructions to the processor (100) regarding the verticality and the permissible limits of forward or backward inclinations of the umbrella with respect to the axis (Ψ) .

In order to detect the existence of cloudiness or darkness, the mechanism has a sensor (22) through which an order is given to return the umbrella to a vertical position, while it has a magnetic sensor (11) to detect the absolutely vertical position (0°) in relation to the Ψ axis of the umbrella support base (16).

The power supply to the engines and the various systems is carried out either through a battery or through a connection to the power supply network. Finally, the mechanism has a handle (25) for easy transport and adjustment to the umbrella on which it will be used.

The mechanism communicates with the peripheral circuits through a D-type serial port (15), it is connected to the processor (100) which receives signals through the wiring coming from the pairs of sensors (102) & (103 ) which are placed in a suitable position on the umbrella and detect the exact position of the sun in position with it, so that the full surface of the umbrella is always oriented towards the sun, due to the mechanism's ability to rotate around the vertical axis (Ψ) 360° degrees, and is inclined to the vertical axis (Ψ) 45° degrees and - 45° degrees.

Based on the above arrangement of components, the processor (100) of the modified mechanism, receiving information from the pair of sensors (102) gives an order to rotate the umbrella around its vertical axis (Ψ) by 360° with the base (1) to it remains stable even with the rotation of the toothed gear (7). When the rotation of the umbrella is completed, the processor (100) receives information from the pair of sensors (103), for the desired tilt angle of the umbrella, which will be determined when the pair of sensors (103) receives equal radiation from the sun's rays.

Alternatively, the invented mechanism has a sensor (105) for detecting high wind intensity, which will activate the closing of the umbrella for safety reasons.

It should be appreciated that the subject matter of the invention is not limited to the above example. The achievement of the invention is also possible by other construction methods and places of description.

remain in the vision of the present

Claims (9)

1. Attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, made of metal, plastic or other suitable material treated so as not to oxidize and characterized by being attached to the umbrella, by means of the insertion base (1) which enters on the pole that penetrates the ground or on a suitable base and the support base (16) into which the umbrella pole enters, has as structural elements for fixing and stabilizing its components the lower base (32) and the upper base (3) ) and for the movement of the umbrella it has an electric motor (2a) of direct current, slow angular speed for greater position accuracy and achieving a strong torque, which rotates the umbrella up to 360° and an electric motor (2b) of direct current of slow angular speed and of strong torque that allows the umbrella to be tilted by 45° forwards and -45° backwards with respect to the vertical axis (Ψ), while for the management of its operation has a processor (100), which either manages it automatically or through a wireless or wired controller (101) or through a mobile application and two pairs of peripheral sensors (102) & (103) to detect the exact position of the sun, which are placed in a cross arrangement with each pair facing each other which are connected to a peripheral control unit (104) as well as a cam mechanism (23), which is attached to the shaft (14), and commands the processor (100) as regards the verticality and the permitted limits of forward or backward inclination of the umbrella in relation to the axis (Ψ) and limit switch (10). 2. Attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor (2a) for rotating the umbrella up to 360° rotates a toothed gear (7) with respect to the axis (Ψ). 3. An attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor (2b) internally contains a reducer engaged with an additional external reducer (13) which rotates a shaft (14) which allows the umbrella to be dialed 45° forward and -45° backward relative to the vertical axis (Ψ). 4. An attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the limit switch (10) for controlling rotation and tilts, operates in the event that the umbrella tends to tilt more than 45 ° degrees forward and -45° degrees back relative to the vertical axis (Ψ). 5. An attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pair of sensors (103) informs the processor (103) of the desired angle of inclination of the umbrella, which is specified when the sensor pair (103), receive an equal amount of radiation from the sun's rays. 6. Attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a cloud or darkness sensor (22), through which a command is given to return the umbrella to a vertical position, and a magnetic sensor (11) to detect the absolutely vertical position (0°) in relation to the axis Ψ of the base (16) supporting the umbrella. 7. An attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the support base (16) has, in its upper part, a suitable shape-cut that gives elasticity to the metal, in order to accept various pole sizes. 8. Attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that the increase and decrease of the diameter of the base (16) is achieved by a handle (21) whose movement activates the locking pin (18) having lock washer (19) and flange (20). 9. An attached umbrella mechanism for automatic and continuous shading from the sun's rays, according to claim 1, characterized in that it alternatively has a sensor (105) for detecting high wind intensity, which will activate the closing of the umbrella for safety reasons.