Automatic sidewall deployment system

Abstract

An expandable structure has an expansion portion with side wall panels that can be stacked into and deployed from a bulkhead center housing. Rails may be deployed on the enclosure walls to facilitate movement of the wall panels into and out of the center housing. By means of the innovative configuration, all the wall plates can be efficiently and accurately stored in the central enclosure bulkhead, and meanwhile the wall plates can be used as a basic supporting structure of the compartment body. After the wall panels are deployed and the structure is fully expanded, the wall panels can be tensioned together to provide sound and weather protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to expandable structures. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sidewall for an expandable structure, wherein the sidewall is formed by a plurality of panels that are pulled tightly together when deployed. Background Art

[0002] The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., but not limited to, methods, facts, or common knowledge), and although it is expected that these examples will help further educate the reader about additional aspects of the prior art, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention or any of its embodiments to anything stated or implied or inferred therein.

[0003] Recently, expandable shell structures have received more attention in the fields of mobile homes and recreational vehicles (RVs). The expansion mode will determine the effective living area, the complexity of the drive and control systems, and the purchase and maintenance costs. Exploring a simple and reliable expansion mechanism is of great significance.

[0004] Traditional (RV) configurations are characterized by significantly limited slide-out areas. The main approach for RV manufacturers seeking to increase the limited space within slide-out structures has been to increase the size of the initial vehicle body. This in turn has established a proportional relationship between the extent of the slide-out area and the available body space. However, such solutions have inherent limitations.

[0005] In view of the above, there is a need for an expandable shell structure that can expand living space through an improved slide-out configuration without sacrificing sound and weather protection. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the above problems in conventional expandable structures by providing an expandable structure, wherein the sidewall of the expandable structure of the present invention is formed by a plurality of panels that are pulled tightly together when deployed.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable structure, comprising: a main structure; a first expansion portion that can expand outward from the main structure in a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; the wall of the first expansion portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, and the wall panels in the retracted configuration are stacked with their flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; and a tensioning system that is operable to push the plurality of wall panels together when in the expanded configuration.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable structure, comprising: a main structure; a first expansion portion that can expand outward from the main structure in a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; the wall of the first expansion portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, and the wall panels in the retracted configuration are stacked with flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; a first pin that extends upward from the top of each of the plurality of wall panels near the front edge; a second pin that extends upward from the top of each of the plurality of wall panels near the rear edge; a slide rail that is operable to move outward from the main structure, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels is attached to the slide rail; and a tensioning system that is operable to push the plurality of wall panels together when in the expanded configuration, wherein the first pin is rotatably positioned in a channel formed along the longitudinal axis of the slide rail and can slide along the channel; and the first pin of the guiding wall panel among the plurality of wall panels is fixed to the slide rail by a fixing pin.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable structure, comprising: a main structure; a first expansion portion that can expand outward from the main structure in a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; the wall of the first expansion portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, and the wall panels in the retracted configuration are stacked with flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; a first pin that extends upward from the top of each of the plurality of wall panels near the front edge; a second pin that extends upward from the top of each of the plurality of wall panels near the rear edge; a slide rail that is operable to move outward from the main structure, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels is attached to the slide rail; a tensioning system that is operable to push the plurality of wall panels together when in the expanded configuration; a first cable that interconnects each second pin of each of the plurality of wall panels; and a plurality of second cables, each second cable interconnecting adjacent wall panels among the plurality of wall panels, wherein each second cable is disposed in a first position when the expandable structure is in the contracted state, and each second cable is movable to a second position when the expandable structure is in the expanded state.

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Some embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example and are not limited by the drawings, in which the same reference numerals may indicate similar elements.

[0012] Figure 1 Perspective view showing the expandable structure converted from the contracted state to the expanded state;

[0013] Figure 2 Showing in the expanded state Figure 1Detailed view of the side wall and side wall track of the expandable structure, with a gap between the wall panels of the side wall;

[0014] Figure 3 Perspective view of the expandable structure in the expanded state, where the side wall is tightened to eliminate the gap between the wall panels of the side wall;

[0015] Figure 4 Cut-away perspective view of the expandable structure in the expanded state, with the floor section removed;

[0016] Figure 5 Cut-away perspective view of the expandable structure in the expanded state, where the floor section is moved to its deployed position;

[0017] Figure 6 Track and wall panel storage chamber of the expandable structure in the contracted state;

[0018] Figure 7 Perspective view of a single wall panel of the side wall, showing the cable trough designed on the wall panel, where for simplicity, this feature may be hidden in other figures;

[0019] Figure 8A Detailed view of the wall panel stored in the wall panel storage chamber;

[0020] Figure 8B Shows Figure 8A Cross-sectional view of the detailed view of

[0021] Figure 9 Detailed perspective view of the wall panel deployed from the wall panel storage chamber;

[0022] Figure 10 Shows the transition of the side wall from the contracted state to the expanded state;

[0023] Figure 11 Shows along Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the wall panel taken along line XI-XI of

[0024] Figure 12A Shows multiple stacked wall panels with cables and cable troughs;

[0025] Figure 12B Detailed view of one end of the stacked wall panels;

[0026] Figure 12C Shows along Figure 12A Cross-sectional view of the stacked wall panels taken along line XII-XII of

[0027] Figure 13A Shows multiple expanded wall panels;

[0028] Figure 13B Cross-sectional views showing a plurality of extended wall panels taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 13;

[0029] Figure 14A Showing a plurality of extended wall panels pressed together;

[0030] Figure 14B Cross-sectional views showing a plurality of extended wall panels after being tensioned to hold the wall panel assembly together;

[0031] Figure 15 Showing a detailed view demonstrating locking a first wall panel within a track;

[0032] Figure 16 Cross-sectional views showing locking a first wall panel within a track;

[0033] Figure 17 Showing a partial cross-sectional view demonstrating the deployment of stacked wall panels within a track;

[0034] Figure 18 Showing a partial cross-sectional view demonstrating a first wall panel fully positioned within a track;

[0035] Figure 19 Showing a partial cross-sectional view demonstrating cords interconnecting each of a plurality of wall panels;

[0036] Figure 20 Showing a partial cross-sectional view demonstrating a side wall in a fully extended state with a locking structure embedded within a track activated;

[0037] Figure 21 Showing a detailed view demonstrating the arrangement of connection cords between extended wall panels;

[0038] Figure 22 Showing a detailed view of a track with a locking structure embedded within the track deactivated prior to tensioning the wall panels together;

[0039] Figure 23 Showing a partial cross-sectional view of a track demonstrating wall panels in a fully tensioned state with a locking structure embedded within the track deactivated;

[0040] Figure 24A Showing a side perspective view of a track;

[0041] Figure 24B Showing a top perspective view of a track; and

[0042] Figure 25 Showing a perspective view of a locking structure.

[0043] The illustrations in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0044] Now, the present invention and its various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which describes the illustrated embodiments. It should be clearly understood that the illustrated embodiments are stated by way of example and not as a limitation of the invention as finally defined in the claims. Detailed Description

[0045] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0046] All terms used herein, unless otherwise defined, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in a general dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined.

[0047] In describing the present invention, it will be understood that numerous techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these techniques has its respective advantages, and each can also be used in combination with one or more of the other disclosed techniques, or in some cases with all of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, for clarity, this description will avoid repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary manner. However, the specification and claims should be understood to cover such combinations fully within the scope of the present invention and the claims.

[0048] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0049] This disclosure is considered to be exemplary of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the figures or described below.

[0050] As is well known to those skilled in the art, when designing the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, particularly embodiments of the present invention, many careful considerations and trade - offs must typically be made. The commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention can be configured according to the needs of a particular application, whereby any aspect, feature, function, result, component, method, or step of the teachings associated with any described embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and / or optimized by those skilled in the art using their ordinary skills and known techniques to achieve a desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

[0051] Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present invention provide an expandable structure having an expansion portion with side wall panels that can be stacked onto and deployed from a central enclosure housing. Tracks can be deployed on the enclosure to facilitate the movement of the wall panels into and out of the central housing. This innovative configuration not only enables efficient and accurate storage of each wall panel within the central enclosure but also serves as the base support structure for the compartment simultaneously. After the wall panels are deployed and the structure is fully expanded, the wall panels can be tightened together to provide sound and weather protection.

[0052] Refer to Figure 1 , the expandable structure 10 can move between a collapsed state / configuration and an expanded state / configuration. In the expanded state, the expandable structure 10 can include a main portion 11 and an expansion portion 13. The expansion portion 13 can include end walls 16, a top 14, and side walls 18 formed by a plurality of wall panels 12. As Figure 2 shown in the details of (upper and lower tracks for actuation) slide rails 20, which will be described in more detail below. During and after the deployment of the expansion portion 13, gaps 22 can be included between the wall panels 12. As Figure 3 shown, as will be discussed in more detail below, once fully expanded, the expansion portion 13 can be retracted such that the wall panels 12 are pressed tightly against each other, thereby reducing or eliminating the gaps 22.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall deployment system can be configured as a modular cylinder when folded, enabling large-scale extension without affecting the external structure / surface. Some conventional expandable housing structures have side walls that are hard and brittle and are typically hinged around some pivots mounted on the edges of the main housing structure. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wall deployment system can achieve an adaptive extension range (e.g., extend 8 feet or only extend outward 2 feet), making the extension of the new housing structure flexible. In addition, by stacking the wall panels into a columnar structure, the sacrifice of available indoor space can be effectively avoided. The wall panel extrusion function, which allows gaps between the wall panels during deployment, can ensure smooth deployment during expansion while still maintaining a high R-value of the side walls after the extrusion function is completed.

[0054] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a plurality of floor support panels 24 can be deployed from the main structure 11 after expansion. As Figure 5 shown, when in the retracted state, the floor 26 can be placed adjacent to the outer wall 16, and when in the expanded state, the floor 26 can pivot downward to be supported by the plurality of floor support panels 24.

[0055] As Figure 6 shown, the wall panel 12 can be stored in the wall panel storage chamber 28, typically located in the main structure 11 and having an open end 30 facing the outer wall 16 (see Figure 4 ). As described below, the slide rail 20 can move outward in the expansion direction, moving together with the wall panel 12.

[0056] Reference Figure 7 , each wall panel 12 can include a first pin 42 extending upward from the top surface 12F near the front end 12D of the wall panel 12. As discussed below, the first pin 42 is configured to move within the channel 38 of the slide rail 20 (see Figure 8B ). Each wall panel 12 can also include a second pin 44 extending upward from the top surface 12F near the trailing end 12E of the wall panel 12. As discussed below, the second pin 44 is configured to move along a set of guides to move into and out of the slide rail 20. This allows the wall panel 12 to be folded, stacked, and stored when in the retracted state. The second pin 44 can also include a hole 32 therethrough for passing a cable that can be used to assist in retracting the wall panel 12 during the retraction process. The height of the second pin 44 can be greater than the height of the first pin 42.

[0057] As used herein, the front end 12D refers to the end that guides the wall panel 12 during the expansion of the expansion portion 13. The trailing end 12E is the end closer to the main portion 11 after expansion. When retracted, the front end 12D of each wall panel 12 can face the outside of the structure. After expansion, the front end 12D can face the outer wall 16.

[0058] Reference Figure 8A and Figure 8B Figure 8B , the wall panel 12 is shown in a retracted state, where the slide rail 20 houses the first pin 42 within a channel 38 formed along the upper body portion of the slide rail 20. The second pin 44 of each wall panel 12 is housed within the channel 34A of the first guide member 34, where the first guide member 34 extends generally along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track 20. The second guide member 36 may have a channel 36A that communicates with the channel 34A of the first guide member 34 and extends to the inner edge 20C of the slide rail 20. The first guide member 34 is generally perpendicular to the second guide member 36 (or forms an obtuse angle, such as 91 to 150 degrees, therewith). The slide rail 20 may include, for example, teeth 20A on its outer surface. The teeth 20A may interact with a rack and pinion system (not shown) within the main structure to drive the slide rail 20. Of course, other moving mechanisms (such as hydraulic, screw drive, etc.) may also be used to move the slide rail.

[0059]

[0059] While the drawings focus on the slide rail 20 and the associated structure at the top front of the structure 10, similar structures also exist at the bottom front, top rear, and bottom rear of the structure 10, thus providing four structures that can be operated to move the extension portion between the extended state and the retracted state. For example, Figure 1 Two slide rails 20 showing the front of the structure 10 are presented.

[0060] Reference Figure 9 Figure 9 , the deployment of the wall panel 12 is shown. In the first image at the upper left, the first pin 42 of the first wall panel 12A is fixed to the slide rail 20. The slide rail 20 is moved such that the second pin 44 of the first wall panel 12A moves from the first guide member 34 into the second guide member 36. The second image shows that as the slide rail 20 is further extended, the first wall panel 12A moves along the second guide member 36. In the third image (upper right), the first wall panel 12A will be received by the first receiving portion 66 of the slide rail 20. The first receiving portion 66 may open towards the inner edge 20C of the slide rail 20 to allow the second pin 44 to move from the second guide member 36 into the first receiving portion 66. The fourth image (lower right) shows the first wall panel 12A fully within the slide rail 20 and the second wall panel 12B (as shown in the fifth image) being moved by the moving track 20, at which time the second pin 44 of the second wall panel 12B moves along the second guide member 36 towards the inner edge 20C of the slide rail 20. As shown in the last image (lower left), the second pin 44 of the second wall panel 12B is located within the second receiving portion 68 of the slide rail 20, and the third wall panel 12C moves along the second guide member 36 to move its second pin 44 into the third receiving portion 70 of the slide rail 20. As described below, grooves 40 are provided for accommodating cables that interconnect each of the panels 12 through the holes 32 of the second pins 44.

[0061] Figure 10 Show the movement of the sliding rail 20 from the retracted state to the extended state. Once in the extended state, the panel closest to the main structure can be fixed in its position, and the sliding rail 20 can move inward (towards the main structure) to squeeze the panels together, thereby providing enhanced insulation performance. This aspect will be discussed in further detail below.

[0062] Now refer to Figures 11 to 15 , as described above, cables such as cable 58 (see Figure 13B ) can be used to interconnect the panels 12 along the central portion of the panel 12. In some embodiments, as shown, two portions of the panel 12 can be joined by a similar wiring structure. The upper structure of these wiring structures is described herein, and the lower structure of the wiring structure will include similar features. As shown, a single central wiring structure can be used instead of two wiring structures.

[0063] The wiring structure can include a first anchor 52, which can be located in a recessed area 52A positioned towards its exterior. The recessed area 52A can communicate with the exterior of the panel 12 and a first downwardly extending recessed area 46. As shown, the downwardly extending recessed area 46 can also communicate with the exterior face of the panel 12. A second anchor 50 can be located in a recessed area 50A positioned towards the interior of the panel. The recessed area 50A can communicate with the front end 12D of the panel 12 and a second downwardly extending recessed area 48. As shown, the second downwardly extending recessed area 48 can then communicate with the interior face of the panel 12.

[0064] The recessed area 52A can communicate with a vertical recessed area 54 that extends through the exterior face of the panel 12 and communicates with a rear edge recessed area 56, where the rear edge recessed area 56 communicates with the trailing end 12E of the panel 12.

[0065] When the panel 12 is in the retracted state, as Figures 12A to 12C shown, the cable 58 can extend downward from the first anchor 50 of the front panel 12A (the front panel 12A is the panel that is guided when the wall is unfolded) into the second downwardly extending recessed area 48, enter the lower portion of the first downwardly extending recessed area 46 of the next panel 12B, and then extend upward into the first downwardly extending recessed area 46 to be anchored at the second anchor 52 of the next panel 12B. Each of all the panels 12 can be interconnected in this way.

[0066] When the panel is in the extended state, as Figures 13A to 14BAs shown, the cable 58 can be moved to extend from the first anchor point 52 of the front wall panel 12A along the vertical recessed area 54 and protrude through the rear edge recessed area 56 to connect to the second anchor point 50 of the next wall panel 12B. Thus, as discussed above, when the first wall panel is pulled out by the slide rail 20, the subsequent wall panels can follow the first wall panel along the slide rail 20. Figure 14A and Figure 14B shows the wall panels after squeezing the wall panels together by sliding the slide rail 20 back into the main structure as discussed above. In some embodiments, thermal and acoustic insulation materials can be provided between the wall panels 12 and can be squeezed together during the process of squeezing the walls together, thereby providing further sound and weather insulation.

[0067] Figure 15 and Figure 16 shows how the first / front wall panel 12A is fixed to the slide rail 20. In some embodiments, a pin 60 can be inserted through the top of the slide rail 20 to engage with the front wall panel 12A. For example, the pin 60 can be inserted into the first pin 42 of the front wall panel 12A. In this way, the front wall panel 12A can easily rotate around the axis defined by the first pin 42. The pin 60 can fasten the pin 42 to the track 20, but the pin 60 can be configured to move slightly within the U-shaped groove at the top of the track 20 to ensure smooth deployment of the wall panel.

[0068] Reference Figures 17 to 19 , additional details of the movement of the wall panel 12 (such as the front wall panel 12A) from the guides 34, 36 into the slide rail 20 are shown. In Figure 17 , the step-by-step progress of the second pin 44 entering the first receiving portion 66 of the slide rail 20 is shown. In these figures, the tops of the guides 34, 36 are removed for clarity. Figure 18 and Figure 19 shows how the cable 76 passes through the hole 32 in the second pin 44 and is connected between each pin 44 of the adjacent wall panels 12. When the wall panels 12 place their second pins 44 in the corresponding receiving portions (such as receiving portions 66, 68, 70) of the slide rail 20, the cable 76 can be arranged along the groove 40. The cable 76 can be fixed to the second pin 44 of the front wall panel 12A, so that during contraction to the retracted state, periodically pulling the cable 76 can pull in the nearest wall panel, then the next nearest wall panel, and so on until the front wall panel 12A is pulled in, which helps the wall panels 12 to contract into the wall panel storage chamber 28 (as described above).

[0069] Reference Figure 20 to reference 25 describe the details of the positioning of the wall panel 12 in the slide rail 20 and the squeezing of the wall. As Figure 24BMost visibly, the slide rail 20 may include a plurality of receiving portions, such as a first receiving portion 66, a second receiving portion 68, a third receiving portion 70, etc. During the deployment of the wall panel 12, each receiving portion may receive the second pin 44 of each successive wall panel 12. The first receiving portion 66 may include a first region 66A that communicates with the inner edge 20C of the slide rail 20. Each other receiving portion (such as the second receiving portion 68 and the third receiving portion 70) includes a second pin receiving region 68A that communicates with the first region 66A. Thus, the second pin 44 may move into the first region and then, during the squeezing of the wall, move into the second pin receiving region 68A. The second pin receiving region 68A may extend from the first region 66A at a 90-degree angle, where the second pin receiving region 68A extends in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slide rail 20. Figure 22 Show the locking arm 74 being moved away to allow the wall panels to be squeezed together. Figure 23 Show the second pin 44 within the second pin receiving region 68A after the locking arm 74 has been moved away and the wall panels 12 have been squeezed together.

[0070] Figure 20 and Figure 21 Show the second pin 44 in the first region 66A before the wall panels 12 are squeezed together. The locking arm 74 may be fitted into a locking arm channel 72 within the top of the slide rail 20. The locking arm 74 may include a longitudinal axis 84, where a plurality of locking members 86 extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis 84. The locking arm 74 may move within the locking arm channel 72 (e.g., using one or more linear actuators 82, as Figure 21 shown), where, during the expansion of the expansion portion, the locking members 86 extend to block the second pin 44 of the wall panel 12 from entering the second pin receiving region 68A. Thus, a gap 22 is maintained between the wall panels 12 (see Figure 2 ), facilitating expansion. When the wall is squeezed by moving the slide rail 20 backward toward the main structure, the locking members 86 are moved away to allow the second pin 44 to enter the second pin receiving region 68A. It can be seen that the total length of the second pin receiving region 68A is greater closer to the main structure. This is because when each wall panel 12 is squeezed together, the slide rail 20 needs to move a greater distance relative to the wall panel 12 when closer to the main structure.

[0071] Unless otherwise expressly stated, all features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purposes. Thus, unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed is only one example of a series of equivalent or similar features.

[0072] The claim elements and steps of this document may have been numbered and / or lettered solely to aid readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in and of itself is not intended and should not be used to indicate the order of elements and / or steps in the claims.

[0073] Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, many changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth only by way of example and should not be regarded as limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, although the elements of the claims are set forth below in specific combinations, it must be clearly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more, or different elements of the disclosed elements.

[0074] The words used in this specification to describe the present invention and its various embodiments should be understood not only in their ordinary defined meanings, but also to include, by special definition in this specification, their meaning as representing a general structure, material, or action of a certain kind.

[0075] Accordingly, the definitions of the words or elements in the following claims are defined in this specification to include not only combinations of elements literally set forth. In this sense, it is contemplated that any one element in the following claims may be equivalently replaced by two or more elements, or two or more elements in the claims may be replaced by a single element. Further, although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it should be clearly understood that in some instances, one or more elements from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variant of a sub-combination.

[0076] From the perspective of those of ordinary skill in the art, non-substantive changes to the claimed subject matter that are now known or later designed are clearly considered equivalent within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, obvious substitutions now or later known to those of ordinary skill in the art are defined as being within the scope of the defined elements.

[0077] Accordingly, the claims should be understood to include what is specifically set forth and described above, equivalents in concept, obvious substitutions, and what incorporates the basic idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. An extensible structure comprising: Main structure; a first expansion portion, the first expansion portion being expandable outwardly from the main structure along a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; The wall of the first extension portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels in the retracted configuration being stacked with flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; as well as A tensioning system, when in the expanded configuration, is operable to push the plurality of wall panels together.

2. The expandable structure of claim 1, further comprising a slide rail operable to move outwardly from the main structure, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels is attached to the slide rail.

3. An expandable structure according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels includes a first pin extending upward from a top of each wall panel near a front edge and a second pin extending upward from the top of each wall panel near a rear edge.

4. The expandable structure according to claim 3, wherein: The first pin is rotatably positioned in a channel formed along a longitudinal axis of the slide rail and is slidable along the channel.

5. The expandable structure according to claim 3, wherein: The first pin of a guide wall plate among the plurality of wall plates is fixed to the slide rail by a fixing pin.

6. The expandable structure according to claim 3, wherein: The height of the first pin is smaller than the height of the second pin.

7. The expandable structure according to claim 4, wherein: The second pin is disposed in the first guide when the expandable structure is in the collapsed state, and the second pin is movable through the first guide and the second guide to be positioned in one of the plurality of receiving portions of the slide rail in the expanded state.

8. The expandable structure of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of receiving portions comprises a first region for receiving the second pin during expansion of the expandable structure and a second region for receiving the second pin during tensioning of the wall by the tensioning system.

9. The expandable structure of claim 8, further comprising a locking arm that prevents the second pin from moving from the first region to the second region during expansion of the expandable structure.

10. The expandable structure according to claim 8, wherein: The second area of ​​each of the plurality of receiving portions gradually increases in size from a distal end of the slide rail to a proximal end of the slide rail, wherein the proximal end is adjacent to the main structure when the expandable structure is in the expanded state.

11. The expandable structure of claim 3, further comprising a cable interconnecting each second pin of each of the plurality of wall panels.

12. The expandable structure of claim 1, further comprising cables interconnecting adjacent ones of the plurality of walls.

13. The expandable structure according to claim 12, wherein: The cable is disposed in a first position when the expandable structure is in the collapsed state and is moveable to a second position when the expandable structure is in the expanded state.

14. An expandable structure comprising: Main structure; a first expansion portion, the first expansion portion being expandable outwardly from the main structure along a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; The wall of the first extension portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels in the retracted configuration being stacked with flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; a first pin extending upwardly from a top of each of the plurality of sidings proximate a front edge; a second pin extending upwardly from a top of each of the plurality of sidings proximate a rear edge; a slide rail operable to move outwardly from the primary structure, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels is attached to the slide rail; as well as a tensioning system operable to push the plurality of wall panels together when in an expanded configuration, wherein: The first pin is rotatably positioned in a channel formed along the longitudinal axis of the slide rail and is slidable along the channel; as well as The first pin of a guide wall plate among the plurality of wall plates may be fixed to the slide rail by a fixing pin.

15. The expandable structure according to claim 14, wherein: The height of the first pin is smaller than the height of the second pin.

16. The expandable structure of claim 14, wherein: the second pin being disposed in the first guide when the expandable structure is in the contracted state, the second pin being movable through the first guide and the second guide to be positioned in one of the plurality of receiving portions of the slide rail in the expanded state; as well as Each of the plurality of receiving portions includes a first region for receiving the second pin during expansion of the expandable structure and a second region for receiving the second pin during tensioning of the wall by the tensioning system.

17. The expandable structure according to claim 16 further comprises a locking arm which prevents the second pin from moving from the first area to the second area during expansion of the expandable structure, wherein the second area of ​​each of the plurality of receiving portions gradually increases from the distal end of the slide rail to the proximal end of the slide rail, wherein when the expandable structure is in the expanded state, the proximal end is adjacent to the main structure.

18. The expandable structure according to claim 14, further comprising: a first cable interconnecting each second pin of each of the plurality of wall plates; and A second cable interconnects adjacent ones of the plurality of wall panels.

19. An expandable structure comprising: Main structure; a first expansion portion, the first expansion portion being expandable outwardly from the main structure along a first direction to convert the expandable structure from a contracted state to an expanded state; The wall of the first extension portion is formed by a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels in the retracted configuration being stacked with flat inner or outer faces adjacent to each other; a first pin extending upwardly from a top of each of the plurality of sidings proximate a front edge; a second pin extending upwardly from a top of each of the plurality of sidings proximate a rear edge; a slide rail operable to move outwardly from the primary structure, wherein each of the plurality of wall panels is attached to the slide rail; a tensioning system operable to push the plurality of wall panels together when in an expanded configuration; a first cable interconnecting each second pin of each of the plurality of wall plates; as well as a plurality of second cables, each second cable interconnecting adjacent wall panels of the plurality of wall panels, wherein: Each second cable is disposed in a first position when the expandable structure is in the collapsed state, and each second cable is movable to a second position when the expandable structure is in the expanded state.

20. The expandable structure of claim 19, wherein: The first pin is rotatably positioned in a channel formed along the longitudinal axis of the slide rail and is slidable along the channel; The first pin of the guide wall plate among the plurality of wall plates can be fixed to the slide rail by a fixing pin; The height of the first pin is smaller than the height of the second pin; the second pin being disposed in the first guide when the expandable structure is in the contracted state, the second pin being movable through the first guide and the second guide to be positioned in one of the plurality of receiving portions of the slide rail in the expanded state; as well as Each of the plurality of receiving portions includes a first region for receiving the second pin during expansion of the expandable structure and a second region for receiving the second pin during tensioning of the wall by the tensioning system.

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