At a glance
| Patent number | CN108903170B (application CN201810831038) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product shape, structure and method |
| Original title | Sun umbrella (一种遮阳用太阳伞) |
| Patent owner | Taian Zhenghao Property Management Co ltd, Taian Zhongquan Information Technology Co ltd |
| Inventors | Li Jianxin |
| Filing date | 2018-07-26 |
| Grant date | 2019-12-03 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2038-07-26 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 2 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN108903170B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a sunshade parasol including a parasol (1) whose umbrella frame carries a shell (2). A storage battery (3) is fixed to the inner wall of the shell. An air blowing mechanism (4) is inside the shell. A connecting plate (5) on the rear side of the shell cavity links to a reset spring (11) and a supporting rod (9). A slide plate (6) inside the shell holds a magnetic clutch mechanism (7) comprising a first magnetite (71) and a second magnetite (72) arranged with the same polarity. The second magnetite connects to a motion bar (73) welded to the clamping rod (9). A driving mechanism (75) with an articulation piece (751), hinge bar (752), drive rod (753), buoyant spheres (754), driving spring (755) and ramp blocks (74, 756) operates the motion bar. A semi-ring (8) on the rear of the shell holds a supporting rod (9) that slides against the slide plate. Anti-skid circles (10) are bonded inside the supporting rod and semi-ring to clamp the outer ring of the parasol.
Claim 2 - the air blowing mechanism includes a servo motor (41) whose input is electrically connected to the battery (3), with the motor fixed to the shell wall. Claim 3 - the servo motor shaft connects via clutch actuation to a transmission shaft (42) that turns flabellum fan blades (43). Claim 4 - an air inlet pipe (201) on the front wall connects to an air inlet disk (202) and a tapered air jet pipe (203).
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force in China until at most 2038-07-26 (if annual fees are paid). It has no US or other foreign counterpart. Because there is no US family member, the patent does not restrict making, using or selling this specific design in the United States. However, making or selling the product in China while the patent is in force needs the owner’s permission.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Powered outdoor umbrellas and canopy fans are an active product field. While no foreign patents cite this specific Chinese document, other companies may hold US or foreign patents covering battery-powered fans mounted to shade structures, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review focused on umbrella-mounted cooling devices is recommended before launching in the US.
- Battery safety and waterproofing. Housing a lithium battery and motor inside a fabric canopy exposed to rain and UV light requires careful sealing and thermal management, which must be validated during prototyping.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Umbrella size | Diameter and rib count to be confirmed in design |
| Shell material | Injection-molded ABS, polycarbonate or UV-stabilized PP |
| Battery capacity | Cell size and runtime set in design based on motor draw |
| Motor and fan | Servo motor rating and blade pitch adjusted for airflow targets |
| Magnet strength | Magnet grade selected to balance holding force and release effort |
| Colors and finish | Shell color matched to canopy fabric; gaskets in black or gray |
| Jet pipe shape | Taper angle and outlet diameter tuned for air spread |
Things to plan for (US market)
- UL 1072 / UL 507 - safety standards applicable to household and commercial electric fans; the battery-powered blower assembly will likely need evaluation.
- UN 38.3 - mandatory testing for lithium batteries transported by air or sea to the US.
- FCC Part 15 - if the servo motor controller or any optional switch uses radio frequency or digital oscillation above thresholds, FCC registration applies.
- CPSC general requirements - outdoor furniture accessories sold to consumers must not present unreasonable injury risks; sharp edges on the clamp and pinch points in the magnetic mechanism need guarding.
- California Prop 65 - plastics, batteries and metal plating must be screened for listed chemicals.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - confirm target umbrella diameter, desired airflow, battery runtime and order volume.
- Design - engineer the shell tooling, select the servo motor and battery cells, and dimension the magnetic clamp and anti-slip gaskets.
- Prototype - build samples to test clamp retention force, magnetic release smoothness, noise levels and airflow direction.
- Pilot run - produce a small batch for weather exposure tests, battery cycle testing and compliance pre-scans.
- Production - injection mold the shells, assemble the electrical components, bond the gaskets, and pack with the umbrella frames.
Quantities & timeline
The shell requires custom injection molds sized to the chosen umbrella rib profile. The magnetic clamp components, anti-slip gaskets and driving mechanism springs need dedicated dies and assembly jigs. UN 38.3 battery certification and UL fan testing run concurrently with pilot production. Send us your target umbrella size, required airflow, battery runtime expectations, quantity and destination market and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
