Interior space expansion device

Abstract

An interior space expansion device (2) for a vehicle (4) or trailer, having a movable section (6), a textile surface structure (8) and a toggle lever (14), which carries out a movement of a spatial middle section or spatial middle area (16) of the interior space expansion (10) when the movable section (6) is moved into a moved-in position and / or a folded position and enables a movement of the textile surface structure (8) towards the spatial middle section or spatial middle area (16) of the interior space expansion (10). Also a method for moving in and / or folding a movable section (6) of an interior space expansion device (2), an application of an interior space expansion device (2) and a vehicle (4) or trailer having an interior space expansion device (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an interior space extension device arranged or arrangable on a housing, preferably on a vehicle or trailer, more preferably on a campervan or camping trailer, the interior space extension device having: a movable section capable of entering not only an extended position and / or an unfolded position but also an inserted position and / or a folded position; and a textile surface structure that, together with the movable section in the extended and / or unfolded positions, constructs / provides an interior space extension of the housing. Background Technology

[0002] The interior space extension for accommodating a device (e.g., a vehicle or trailer) primarily serves to expand the usable space of the vehicle (or trailer), which is preferably stationary. Here, the usable spaces can be connected or separated from each other. It is known that the wall sections of the interior space extension can be constructed of various materials, such as metals, plastics, textiles, natural materials, composite materials, etc., and have a flexible or bend-resistant structure.

[0003] As known from DE 10 2017 206 260 A1 or DE 10 2021 114 464 A1, the guidance of the wall sections resisting bending is carried out in a paper-folding manner by means of a hinged connection (membrane hinge) between them. In the flexible wall sections, it is known in the prior art to provide an external scissor-like mechanism on the wall section that tensions and guides the flexible structure; however, due to the external layer, the internal space expansion is restricted or reduced. US 7 677 641 B1 discloses such an internal space expansion.

[0004] In known wall sections guided in this manner and composed of flexible structures, the following problem often arises: under actual boundary conditions, the guidance fails and cannot lead to a clearly defined final position of the flexible structure. In this case, the flexible structure is easily damaged and must be manually moved to the intended final position. This, in addition to increasing material wear, results in longer folding times for internal space expansion devices and thus a poorer user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In this context, the objective of this disclosure is to avoid or at least reduce the aforementioned disadvantages, and in particular to provide an interior space expansion device for accommodating devices, such as vehicles or trailers, which enables economical and durable use and a user-friendly experience. Sustainability is of particular importance in order to provide a sustainable interior space expansion device.

[0006] This task is accomplished by an internal space expansion device according to the invention, a method according to the invention for moving and / or folding a movable section of the internal space expansion device, an application of the internal space expansion device according to the invention, and a receiving device according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments are described below.

[0007] This disclosure relates to an interior space expansion device arranged or potentially arranged on a housing, preferably on a vehicle or trailer, more preferably on a campervan or camping trailer, the interior space expansion device comprising: a movable section capable of entering not only an extended position and / or an unfolded position but also a moved-in position and / or a folded position; a textile surface structure that, together with the movable section in the extended and / or unfolded positions, constructs / provides an interior space expansion portion of the housing; and an elbow arranged on a corner section of the interior space expansion device and, when the movable section enters the moved-in and / or folded positions, performs movement toward a central section or central region of the interior space expansion portion and enables movement of the textile surface structure toward the central section or central region of the interior space expansion portion, preferably pulling the textile surface structure toward the central section or central region of the interior space expansion portion.

[0008] The interior space expansion device according to this disclosure is prepared and configured to expand / enlarge the interior space. A modular structure can be used, for example. According to this disclosure, "modular" should be understood in particular as the existence of a housing, preferably a vehicle or trailer, and the interior space expansion device can be subsequently installed on that housing. This advantageously achieves long-term use because it enables user-specific add-on options to improve existing housings.

[0009] The interior space extension device according to this disclosure is arranged or can be arranged on a housing, preferably on a vehicle or trailer. The housing can be movable or immovable. A immovable housing can be a shed, a living container, or a micro-house. Conversely, a movable housing can be, for example, a micro-house on a vehicle, trailer, or wheel. The vehicle is not limited to a campervan. The vehicle can be, for example, a van, a motorhome, or a campervan. Similarly, the trailer is not limited to a campervan. The trailer can be, for example, a touring vehicle.

[0010] The internal space expansion device can be arranged according to this disclosure on the side wall and / or top of the housing, preferably on the side wall of the vehicle / trailer, and / or preferably on the top of the vehicle / trailer, and / or preferably on the rear wall of the vehicle / trailer. This enables a wide variety of application options with significant value creation potential to be advantageously implemented.

[0011] When referring to a movable section according to this disclosure, the movable section is defined as a section that can move not only into an extended position and / or an unfolded position but also into an inserted position and / or a folded position. Such a movable section may be part or all of a receiving device sidewall, a receiving device top, or preferably a vehicle / trailer sidewall, preferably a vehicle / trailer top, or preferably a vehicle / trailer rear wall. In particular, the movable section is a wall / top section that is mounted to or can be mounted to a receiving device sidewall, a receiving device top, or preferably a vehicle / trailer sidewall or preferably a vehicle / trailer rear wall and, together with other elements or components, forms an internal space expansion device according to this disclosure.

[0012] According to this disclosure, the extended position and / or unfolded position are defined as predetermined positions that will be reached when the internal space extension device extends or expands the internal space. Conversely, when the movable section of the internal space extension device occupies the moved-in position and / or folded position (which is also preferably a predetermined position), the internal space preferably does not expand or increase.

[0013] According to this disclosure, a movable segment can be substantially described as a pure rotational motion about an opposite side when the movable segment is lifted only on one side. Following the same logic, the movable segment can also be lifted only at a single point, allowing for a pure rotational motion about either the opposite point or the opposite side. This is referred to as unfolding in this disclosure. However, it is also possible for the movable segment to be lifted on both sides or at the four corner points. This provides a pure translational motion and is referred to as extending according to this disclosure. Combining both types (unfolding and extending) also allows for combined rotational and translational motions.

[0014] Therefore, according to this disclosure, the movable section of the internal space expansion device can be configured to describe (only) translational extension movement, (only) rotational unfolding movement, or a combination of extension and unfolding movements. The structural space is advantageously increased through the possibility of combining different motion components, thereby enabling a unified design with simultaneously improved technical applications.

[0015] When the movable section extends and / or unfolds, the internal space expands or increases. Therefore, by extending and / or unfolding the movable section, an internal space extension or internal space enlargement section is provided. As a result, the internal space extension section can also be referred to as the internal space enlargement section.

[0016] According to this disclosure, the textile surface structure is a textile that can typically be constructed as a two-dimensional surface. However, a three-dimensional space can also be formed by combining at least one inner and outer skin of the textile surface structure. This is especially true when referring to textile surface structures with at least two walls. These can utilize fluids to achieve inflatability / fillability, thereby forming a rigid, and particularly inflexible, structure. This embodiment according to this disclosure is advantageous compared to flexible textile surface structures. It should be understood that the three-dimensional space formed by a double-walled textile surface structure, or multiple three-dimensional spaces formed by double-walled textile surface structures combined with each other, can preferably expand the space of the internal space extension together with the aforementioned moving section. However, this disclosure is not limited to providing or setting an inflatable / fillable textile surface structure. Accordingly, the textile surface structure according to this disclosure can also be a substantially two-dimensional, flexible textile.

[0017] The textile surface structure allows for quick and reliable opening and closing of the internal space expansion device. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the textile surface structure combines the nostalgia of traditional and reliable camping with a modern design featuring state-of-the-art construction. This enhances user or operator satisfaction.

[0018] When referring to an internal space extension according to this disclosure, the internal space extension is an additional volume segment or volume region that increases upon the original volume segment or volume region within the housing, or preferably within the vehicle, or preferably within the trailer. In other words, the total volume is obtained by adding the original volume segment to the additional volume segment.

[0019] The internal space expansion device according to this disclosure includes an elbow lever. "Elbow lever" according to this disclosure is particularly understood to be a mechanism comprising at least one upper elbow lever component and a lower elbow lever component, these elbow lever components being interconnected by a positioning guide element, preferably a hinge. Such an elbow lever can also be referred to as a positioning mechanism. Therefore, in other words, the elbow lever should therefore be particularly understood according to this disclosure as a knee joint.

[0020] According to this disclosure, the elbow lever is restricted in its movement such that pure movement toward the edge between two adjacent corner sections of the internal space extension device is not possible. If all motion components are observed, the composite direction always points toward the central space section or central space region, for example, such that the composite direction consists of at least two motion components, i.e., a first motion component toward an adjacent first corner section and a second motion component toward an adjacent second corner section, on which a corresponding elbow lever is arranged, preventing pure movement toward one of the two adjacent corner sections. According to a preferred embodiment, this substantially or approximately corresponds to movement toward diagonally opposite corner sections. In other words, the resulting motion components always primarily point toward the central space section or central space region of the internal space extension, wherein the resulting motion components do not necessarily have to be precisely oriented in the direction of diagonally opposite corner sections.

[0021] When corner sections are referred to according to this disclosure, these corner sections are generally defined as the corner and / or edge regions of a cuboid or polyhedron. Here, the lines connecting the two corners of the cuboid or polyhedron to the base surface of the top and / or sidewall of the receiving device, or preferably the top and / or sidewall and / or rear wall of the vehicle / trailer, extend vertically and thus correspond to the virtual edge, such that a corner section according to this disclosure essentially means a section or region along said edge. Preferably, the dependent elbow extends substantially along such virtual edge. In other words, the position of the elbow is substantially or preferably orthogonal to the dependent base surface, which corresponds to the sidewall of the receiving device or the base surface mounted on the sidewall of the receiving device when the internal space expansion device is arranged at the top of the receiving device, and corresponds to the top of the receiving device or the base surface mounted on the top of the receiving device when the internal space expansion device is arranged at the top of the receiving device. Preferably, when the interior space expansion device is arranged on the side wall of the vehicle / trailer, the base surface corresponds to the side wall of the vehicle / trailer or the base surface on which it is mounted; when the interior space expansion device is arranged on the top of the vehicle / trailer, the base surface corresponds to the top of the vehicle / trailer or the base surface on which it is mounted; and when the interior space expansion device is arranged on the rear wall of the vehicle / trailer, the base surface corresponds to the rear wall of the vehicle / trailer or the base surface on which it is mounted.

[0022] It should be understood that, according to this disclosure, when the interior space extension device is mounted on top of the housing, particularly on the vehicle / trailer, the movable section does not need to extend or stand parallel to the top of the housing. In other words, the movable section can be positioned in a combined extended and unfolded position and thus form an inclined top plane of the interior space extension device, such that a polyhedron is correspondingly formed by the interior space extension device.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be understood that, according to this disclosure, a rectangular base surface is preferred. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and any base surface, such as any triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc., is conceivable. In this case, the elbow is also arranged in the corner sections of the base surface, particularly in the transition region between the two edges of the base surface, and moves to the middle section or middle region of space, quite particularly preferably but not necessarily along the angle bisector between the two edges of the base surface.

[0024] When referring to a spatial intermediate segment or spatial intermediate region according to this disclosure, it refers to a volume segment / region located inside the internal space extension. However, this volume segment / region does not correspond to the entire volume of the internal space extension, because the area near the boundary surface of the wall segment of the internal space extension device formed by the textile surface structure does not belong to this volume segment / region. This indicates that the spatial intermediate segment or spatial intermediate region now fully defined includes the geometrical center point, but does not include the surface center point of the boundary surface of the wall segment.

[0025] The smaller the volume of the intermediate segment or region of space, the more restricted the direction of motion of the exposed elbow is. If, for example, 80% of the volume of the intermediate segment or region of space corresponds to the total volume of the internal spatial extension, the degrees of freedom or possibilities of motion are greater than when the percentage decreases (to, for example, 20%). In other words, when the percentage approaches 0, the motion of the elbow corresponds to motion toward the geometric center point. In other words, by excluding the area near the boundary surface of the wall segment, motion along the edge between the two corner segments is also excluded.

[0026] When referring to wall sections according to this disclosure, these wall sections are defined as the faces of a cuboid facing the lateral boundaries. It should be understood that multiple wall sections, particularly all four wall sections, can be formed preferably infillable and at least double-walled by a continuous, particularly non-destructively separable textile surface structure. Furthermore, it should be understood that multiple wall sections, particularly all four wall sections, can also be formed by a single, preferably infillable and at least double-walled textile surface structure.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the internal space expansion device, at least one bottom element and at least one top element, along with at least three wall sections, are constructed on the sidewall of the receiving device, or preferably on the vehicle / trailer sidewall and / or / preferably on the vehicle / trailer rear wall, by unfolding / extending movable sections. In other words, the missing fourth wall section can form a connection with the internal space of the receiving device, or preferably, a connection with the internal space of the vehicle / trailer. Preferably, at least two wall sections are made of a woven fabric structure, particularly a fillable woven fabric structure with at least two walls. More preferably, the wall section parallel to the sidewall of the receiving device, particularly parallel to the vehicle / trailer sidewall or parallel to the vehicle / trailer rear wall, forms a movable section according to this disclosure, which can be positioned in an unfolded / extended position. In contrast, the bottom element, the top element, and two of the three wall sections are formed of a woven fabric structure.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment of the interior space extension device on top of the housing, preferably on top of the vehicle / trailer, wall sections, particularly four wall sections, are also generated by the unfolding / extending of the movable section. The bottom element particularly includes a connection to the interior space of the housing, or preferably a connection to the interior space of the vehicle / trailer, particularly by means of an opening. Here, the bottom and top elements preferably have a bending-resistant material, and the wall sections very preferably have a woven fabric structure, particularly a at least double-walled, inflatable woven fabric structure as the material. According to this embodiment, the top element forms the movable section according to this disclosure.

[0029] Advantageously, the wall sections have a fillable textile surface structure with at least two walls as the material. This achieves, for example, insulation against sound and temperature, and resistance to UV and weather protection. Furthermore, the fillable textile surface structure with at least two walls is low-risk and fragile. This advantageously achieves high levels of sleep comfort, privacy, and user-friendliness.

[0030] The bottom element is preferably made of a bending-resistant material. This allows the load introduced by the user / user to be advantageously distributed onto the housing, preferably on the vehicle or trailer, and more preferably on defined force-introducing points on its body and chassis. This prevents damage and enables durable use. It will be understood that the bottom element can be a slatted frame or a downward-opening frame.

[0031] In another embodiment, the additional bottom element is omitted because it is formed by the existing structure.

[0032] Preferably, the elbow is constructed and configured according to this disclosure to forcibly guide the textile surface structure. In other words, preferably, but not necessarily, a permanent connection exists between the elbow and the textile surface structure, preferably in the corner section of the internal space expansion device between two adjacent wall sections of the textile surface structure. In other words, the textile surface structure responds with movement when the elbow moves. Preferably, this applies not only when the movable section moves to the extended and / or unfolded position, but also when the movable section moves to the inserted and / or folded position, and in all possible intermediate states.

[0033] According to this disclosure, the elbow can be located in the corner section, particularly entirely within the internal space extension / within the internal space formed by the internal space extension device / arranged internally relative to the textile surface structure. In other words, as long as the enclosed wall section, bottom element, and top element are opaque, the elbow cannot be seen by an external observer. This advantageously contributes to a convincing design in the location of sensitive components that are simultaneously protected and enclosed relative to their surroundings.

[0034] If, for example, multiple elbows are provided on all (four) corner sections of the internal space expansion device, it is preferable that all elbows are arranged inside the internal space expansion section / in the internal space formed by the internal space expansion device / arranged inside relative to the textile surface structure.

[0035] If multiple elbows, such as four elbows, are arranged on the corner sections of the internal space expansion device, the multiple elbows preferably move toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion when the movable section is placed into the moving position and / or folded position, and can respectively (from the corresponding corner section, preferably from all corner sections) realize the movement of the textile structure toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion, preferably pulling the textile structure (from the corresponding corner section, preferably from all corner sections) toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion.

[0036] The elbow according to this disclosure, when arranged on top of the receiving device, may include a bottom guide element connected to a bottom element facing the receiving device, particularly a positioning guide element for connection / coupling with the textile surface structure, a top guide element connected to a top element facing away from the receiving device, a first lower elbow component, and a second upper elbow component. When the assembly is on a side wall of the receiving device, the elbow may include the same components, however rotated substantially or approximately 90° accordingly. It should be noted that the literal meanings of top, bottom, side, upper, and lower may be adapted where necessary.

[0037] The bottom guide element of the elbow can be advantageously connected to a fastening element (e.g., a screw) via a force-locking or material-locking connection, preferably via an elongated hole, or welded to the bottom element. Form-locking connections are also possible. Threaded connections suitable as fastening elements, for example, provide load-bearing force-locking through the presence of external and internal threads based on friction between the fastening element and the bottom element. The elongated hole advantageously compensates for translational and rotational deviations that are difficult to avoid in manufacturing. Furthermore, the releasable, variable connection facilitates maintenance, thereby improving sustainability. The same possibilities exist for the top guide element.

[0038] According to this disclosure, at least one of the two elbow components / sections may be made of metal or plastic, preferably fiber reinforced, and have a solid material structure or a structure with open sections, or a truss structure or a biomimetic structure.

[0039] This disclosure relates to an elbow that, when bent in the region of a positioning guide element, performs an inward movement, substantially toward the middle section or region of the space. This movement enables movement of the textile structure by releasing the movement, and is particularly useful for driving the textile structure because the textile structure is attached to the elbow, and more preferably to the positioning guide element. This forces the textile in a particularly advantageous manner, resulting in a gentle fold and, in particular, preventing it from dangling from the designated area. This enables safe, easy-to-use, and careful folding / insertion of the textile structure of the internal space expansion device, especially under real-world conditions. According to this disclosure, the textile structure may not be attached to the elbow and may be manufactured, particularly woven, such that the textile structure follows the movement or movement possibilities released or realized by the elbow.

[0040] According to this disclosure, an advantageous improvement to the textile surface structure is that the textile surface structure is constructed in a fillable and at least double-walled manner, and is therefore a fillable, double-walled textile surface structure that also serves as an actuating mechanism. The fillable function of the textile surface structure is formed by interconnected membranes filled with a subordinate fluid, preferably ambient air, and thus the textile surface structure adopts a set fillable shape. In the fillable form, the textile surface structure preferably has at least one / more wall sections located between the top element / movable section and the bottom element. It should be understood that the fillable textile surface structure can be erected by filling with fluid and pulled together by discharge, especially extraction. Furthermore, it is understood that the movable section can only be brought into a folded or moved-in position, especially after discharge, i.e., when the flexible double-walled textile surface structure is present again. In this state, the textile surface structure can move toward the central section / region of space, especially by being pulled into the central section / region of space by one / more elbows.

[0041] The filling and discharging of the inflatable textile structure can advantageously allow the movable section to quickly, especially between 30 and 180 seconds, preferably between 90 and 120 seconds, move from the in-folded state to the extended / unfolded state, or vice versa.

[0042] In particular, it allows for different connection methods of the textile fabric structure on the elbow in the area of ​​the elbow's positioning and guiding element. Without connection, the elbow enables movement of the textile fabric structure, for example, when the textile fabric structure is properly woven. In existing connections, the elbow is used to forcibly guide the textile fabric structure, especially by pulling.

[0043] The preferred connection of the textile surface structure to the elbow can be made on the inner skin of the textile surface structure. This has the advantageous characteristic that the cross-section of the particularly inflatable textile surface structure remains unchanged and no thermal bridges are generated. Preferably, the connection is provided at a continuous position to the "zero" of the textile surface structure. This has the advantageous characteristic that the textile surface structure is particularly robust and durable in the area of ​​the connection.

[0044] When a section of the textile fabric is "zeroed out," it means that one or more layers gradually decrease (retract) in that area until these layers essentially disappear completely. In other words, the textile fabric in that area is a single layer of fabric.

[0045] More particularly preferably, the double-walled, inflatable textile structure and at least one / more than one wall segment thereof are provided with a pneumatic motion or actuation mechanism for moving the movable segment from its inserted / folded position to its extended / unfolded position. However, the motion mechanism / or actuation mechanism is not limited to a pneumatic motion mechanism / or actuation mechanism. Essentially, according to this disclosure, any actuation mechanism can be provided, configured to pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically unfold or extend the movable segment of the internal space extension device.

[0046] This disclosure also relates, in particular, to a single-layer textile fabric structure that cannot function as a pneumatic actuation mechanism. Such a design may preferably include at least one pneumatic, particularly cylindrical, lifting bellows positioned in one or more corner sections. However, the function of the lifting bellows can also be satisfied by hydraulic, particularly hydraulic cylinders, or mechanical, particularly folding mechanisms (equivalent to the actuation mechanism).

[0047] According to this disclosure, at least one rising bellows may also be present near the elbow as a pneumatic actuation mechanism. It should be understood that the fillable, double-walled textile structure can be filled with fluid, in a redundant manner with respect to the rising bellows, at least one or more of its wall sections. This provides additional advantages, such as temperature insulation and sound insulation, in addition to the potential redundancy.

[0048] Pneumatic or hydraulic operating mechanisms also require a filling or venting device, which actuates the mechanism by generating overpressure / negative pressure. In the venting device, the venting process is shortened in an advantageous manner, improving the user experience. In particular, the same device can be constructed and configured as both a filling and venting device.

[0049] According to this disclosure, all embodiments provide an increase in the internal space of the housing and thus simultaneously increase the usable space, as well as the usable surface or living space and possibly the living area. It should be understood that in the case of multiple internal space extensions, these internal space extensions may be connected to or not connected to each other and / or connected to or not connected to the non-extended internal space of the housing.

[0050] According to this disclosure, the textile surface structure may include one or more sealing edges, through which the textile surface structure can be connected to adjacent sections. In particular, corded connections can be used here. Besides the sealed connection between adjacent sections, this also enables the connection of additional elements, especially windows and / or doors.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one elbow member segment is a bent segment, a curved segment, or an arched segment. Therefore, at least one elbow member can be referred to as a bent / curved / arched elbow member. Preferably, the segment of at least one elbow member bends or arches away from the positioning guide element, that is, particularly in a center-pointing direction, or bends away from the positioning guide element, so that the elbow members are spaced apart from each other, especially in the inserted or folded position of the movable segment.

[0052] Particularly preferably, at least one elbow member has a bent section, which bends particularly away from the positioning guide element to achieve spacing. The spacing between the elbow members advantageously ensures protection of the textile structure during the folding process of the elbow, and very preferably also after the folding process is complete, when the textile structure is in the folded state. This spacing is advantageously greater than the preferred minimum reliable folding spacing of the textile structure.

[0053] When discussing reliable folding spacing, this means that self-folding or folded textile products are generally not damaged within the fabric or the folded area due to unacceptably high pressure loads on the stacked textile layers, or due to insufficient pressure loads on the stacked layers caused by subsequent frictional damage. Besides small folding spacing, excessively large folding spacing, according to this disclosure, also has negative effects. Therefore, choosing an excessively large folding spacing, in addition to damaging the textile due to increased external dimensions, leads to a reduction in the internal space of the housing or an increase in the external surface of the housing, which has adverse aerodynamic effects, especially in vehicles / trailers, and thus completely leads to increased energy demand during operation. In other words, determining a reliable folding spacing is an optimization task.

[0054] According to this disclosure, the elbow lever may also include a folding synchronization part or an unfolding synchronization part. Therefore, it is preferable to synchronize the folding process and / or unfolding process of the elbow lever. This synchronization can be achieved by means of Bowden lines and / or shafts and / or levers and / or linkages, and is configured and set up to cause the elbow levers to move in a predetermined pattern or simultaneously and synchronously. A preferred embodiment with Bowden lines utilizes the rotation of guide elements on the elbow lever to synchronize these guide elements with other subordinate guide elements on the remaining elbow levers. Here, rotation is converted into translation. Another preferred embodiment uses a shaft, for example, via gears, especially bevel gears, to synchronize the rotational movement of the different elbow lever guide elements.

[0055] In another embodiment, the gear of the folding synchronization part can also be responsible for the extension / deployment of the movable section, so that the elbow includes the functions of the folding / deployment synchronization part and the operating mechanism.

[0056] According to this disclosure, at least one elbow lever may further include a locking portion. This locking portion can be operated manually or automatically and prevents corresponding elbow lever movement. Here, the locking portion may be mounted on a top guide element and / or a positioning guide element and / or a bottom guide element to lock subordinate movement. In particular, the locking portion may include a lower locking member fixedly connected to the lower elbow lever component, an upper locking member fixedly connected to the upper elbow lever component, and a locking latch to lock relative movement between the two locking members. Thus, the locking portion is provided and set up to lock the elbow lever by means of a latching function. Therefore, in an advantageous manner, a redundant locking function for the operating mechanism can be achieved in the extended / deployed state of the movable section of the internal space extension device. In the retracted / folded state of the movable section of the internal space extension device, this can advantageously provide protection. In other words, this can help prevent theft. It is not excluded that the locking portion is not desired during other states. Instead, the locking portion can advantageously realize an intermediate stage of the internal space extension during intermediate states, i.e., between the extended / deployed and retracted / folded states. The locking mechanism can be implemented using an additional locking lever or locking latch. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. Furthermore, the locking function can also be provided, for example, by a folding synchronization mechanism, thereby locking rotation or translation. Preferably, the locking mechanism is automatically operable, comprising an additional adjusting drive or linear drive.

[0057] The elbow, according to this disclosure, is configured and arranged such that the textile surface structure can move inward toward the central segment or central region of the space. This movement, in principle, results in the tightening of the textile surface structure.

[0058] This disclosure also preferably relates to a knitted pattern that facilitates tightening of the textile surface structure, which, when connected to an elbow or not, helps to tighten and forcefully guide the textile surface structure. In other words, the function of forceful guidance can preferably be assisted by a favorable knitted pattern. More preferably, the favorable knitted pattern can also achieve forceful guidance alone, while the elbow enables movement.

[0059] According to this disclosure, wall sections and / or bottom and / or top elements may include recesses provided and set for the installation of windows, particularly panoramic windows and doors. However, these recesses are not limited to windows and / or doors. These recesses may also include additional fittings and / or be provided for retention.

[0060] A method is also disclosed, which includes moving the elbow toward the middle section or middle region of the space when the movable section of the internal space extension device is moved in and / or folded, or is about to be moved in and / or folded. This is because this specific movement enables the associated movement of the textile surface structure. This disclosure also relates accordingly to a method for moving the movable section of the internal space extension device in and / or folding, wherein at least the following steps are performed when the movable section is moved in and / or folded: The elbow arranged on the corner section of the internal space expansion device moves toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion section constructed or provided by the movable section and the textile surface structure, and the textile surface structure moves toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion section, preferably pulling the textile surface structure toward the middle section or middle region of the internal space expansion section.

[0061] Advantageously, there is a connection between the elbow and the textile surface structure, because the textile surface structure is driven by the movement of the elbow as an extension of the aforementioned method steps.

[0062] Advantageously, a step can be implemented in which the folding synchronization part is realized when the elbow arranged on the corner section of the internal space extension device moves toward the middle section or middle area of ​​the internal space extension made or provided by the movable section and the textile surface structure, that is, in particular, the movement of at least one additional elbow, especially a predetermined and established movement, is realized.

[0063] It is also advantageous to implement a step in which the folding synchronization part is realized when the elbows arranged on the corner sections of the internal space extension device move toward the middle section or middle area of ​​the internal space extension made of or provided by the movable section and the textile surface structure, that is, in particular, the movement of all other elbows, especially the predetermined and established movements, is realized.

[0064] Furthermore, it may be advantageous to implement the step of locking the movement of the elbow lever arranged in the corner section of the internal space extension device by activating the locking part. This allows the elbow lever to be locked in the extended position in a further advantageous manner, preferably also locked in the folded position. In other words, the elbow lever can be locked when the movable section is in the extended and / or unfolded position, but preferably also when the movable section is in the retracted and / or folded position.

[0065] Furthermore, the foregoing description of the apparatus according to this disclosure is adapted, with the necessary modifications, to the method according to this disclosure.

[0066] This disclosure also relates to the application of the aforementioned internal space extension device for accommodating the internal space extension portion of the device, wherein the accommodating device is preferably a vehicle or trailer, more preferably a campervan or camping trailer.

[0067] This disclosure also relates to a housing device having the aforementioned internal space expansion device, preferably a vehicle or trailer, more preferably a campervan or camping trailer. Attached Figure Description

[0068] The present disclosure is further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the interior space expansion device according to the present disclosure in an embodiment on the roof of a vehicle; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the extended / unfolded internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure, having a bottom opening and a folding synchronization part and a locking part of the elbow, wherein, for illustrative purposes, the textile surface structure of the internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure is omitted; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure in an intermediate state; Figure 4 A side view / section view of an elbow is shown, which in an intermediate state has a connection with the textile surface structure of an internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure; Figure 5 A side view / section view of an elbow is shown, which in another intermediate state has a connection with the textile surface structure of the internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure; Figure 6 A side view / section view of an elbow is shown, which in another intermediate state has a connection with the textile surface structure of the internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure; Figure 7 A side view / section view of the elbow is shown, which is not connected to the textile surface structure of the internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure in the extended / deployed state; Figure 8 A side view / section view of an elbow is shown, which, in its extended / deployed state, has a connection to the inner skin of a textile surface structure of an internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure; Figure 9 A side view / cross-sectional view of an elbow lever is shown, which has a coherently “zeroed” connection with the textile surface structure of the internal space expansion device according to this disclosure in the extended / deployed state; and Figure 10 A perspective view of an internal space expansion device according to the present disclosure is shown, the internal space expansion device having a textile surface structure in an intermediate state.

[0069] Wherein: 2-Internal space expansion device; 4-Vehicle; 6-Movable section; 8-Textile surface structure; 10-Internal space expansion part; 12-Corner position; 14-Elbow bar; 16-Intermediate space section or intermediate space area; 18-Bottom element; 20-Wall section; 22-Wall section; 24-Wall section; 26-Wall section; 28-Door / window element; 30-Sealing edge; 32-Bottom element opening; 34-Lower elbow bar element; 36-Upper elbow element; 38-Bottom guide element; 40-Positioning guide element; 42-Top guide element; 44-Locking part; 46-Lower locking element; 48-Upper locking element; 50-Locking latch; 52-Folding synchronization part; 54-Coordinate system; 56-Bending; 58-Bending; 60-Outer skin; 62-Inner skin; 64-Connection; 66-Connection; 68-Zeroed part; 70-Specific weave pattern; 72-Tightening.

[0070] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and intended only to better understand this disclosure. The same elements are given the same reference numerals. Features of some embodiments may be substituted for each other. Detailed Implementation

[0071] Figure 1 An embodiment of an interior space expansion device 2 according to the present disclosure for a vehicle 4 is shown in a top-down perspective view. The interior space expansion device 2 has a movable section 6 and an extended textile structure 8, the movable section being brought to the shown extended and unfolded positions, the textile structure forming / providing the interior space expansion portion 10 together with the movable section 6. Furthermore, the interior space expansion device 2 has four arranged elbows 14 on the corner sections 12. It can be seen that the elbows 14 are rotated and arranged toward the central space section or central space region 16. This allows the elbows 14 and the textile structure 8 to move toward the central space section or central space region 16 respectively when the movable section 6 moves from the shown extended and unfolded positions into the retracted and folded positions. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a combined motion when moving from the in and folded position to the extended and unfolded position, because in a particular example, the forward elbow 14 in the travel direction is shorter in the extended position than the rear elbow 14, and therefore, rotational and translational motion components are set when the movable segment 6 moves from the in and folded position to the extended and unfolded position.

[0072] exist Figure 1 In this configuration, the elbow 14 is located internally relative to the extended space between the movable section 6 and the textile surface structure 8. In other words, the elbow 14 is within the interior space extension 10. Furthermore, the elbow 14 is not visible to an observer standing outside. It should be noted that... Figure 1The internal space expansion device 2 shown in the figure has an aesthetically pleasing design, especially due to the externally extended textile surface structure 8.

[0073] also, Figure 1 The embodiment has a bottom element 18 fastened to the vehicle 4. The bottom element 18, together with the movable section 6, forms a limiting interface, between which a textile surface structure 8 is spread out by four wall sections 20, 22, 24, 26 of the textile surface structure.

[0074] Furthermore, the bottom component 18 enables a modular structure for the internal space expansion device 2. Therefore, the modules of the internal space expansion device 2 can be mounted integrally on the vehicle 4.

[0075] Furthermore, the bottom element 18 is preferably constructed with a load-bearing surface, which is distributed to handle the loads that occur during the use of the internal space extension 10.

[0076] It should be understood that the bottom element 18 may also have one or more openings, and a frame that opens downwards may also be the bottom element 18. Similarly, the bottom element 18 may be a slat frame. Therefore, the bottom element 18 is not necessarily required to be a load-bearing surface.

[0077] also, Figure 1 The extended door / window element 28 is shown, which is arranged on the rear wall section 26 of the interior space extension device 2 along the driving direction. This advantageously allows for entry and exit in the case of the door element or natural ventilation in the case of the window element.

[0078] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows the different sealing edges 30 of a preferred configuration with a rope connection. This allows the separate sections to be sealed together.

[0079] It is clear, of course, that the connection with vehicle 4 can be achieved at the load-bearing section of the vehicle, preferably at the vehicle body and chassis.

[0080] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 The movement of the elbow 14 is shown in the figure. Here, a perspective side view of the internal space expansion device 2 according to the present disclosure is shown, but the textile surface structure 8 is not shown. This allows for advantageous tracking of the structure and movement of the elbow.

[0081] Figure 2 The embodiment shown includes four elbows 14, locking portions 44 on the elbows 14, and folding synchronization portions 52 between the elbows 14, which are arranged in corner positions 12 between the movable section 6 and the bottom element 18 having a recess 32. For illustrative purposes, a coordinate system 54 is introduced.

[0082] The recess 32 of the bottom element 18 is provided and configured to connect the interior space extension 10 to the vehicle interior space. This makes comfortable passage between the vehicle interior space and the interior space extension 10 possible. In the drawings, the recess 32 is depicted as relatively small, but according to this disclosure, the recess can also extend across the entire base surface, such as when the bottom element 18 is a frame that is substantially open downwards.

[0083] (Single) elbow 14 includes a lower elbow component 34, an upper elbow component 36, a bottom guide element 38, a positioning guide element 40, and a top guide element 42 that is hidden in the perspective view.

[0084] The locking part 44 installed on the (single) elbow 14 has a lower locking member 46, an upper locking member 48 and a locking latch 50.

[0085] exist Figure 2 As shown, although the movable section 6 of the internal space extension device 2 according to this disclosure has been moved into the extended and / or unfolded position, the elbow 14 is not fully extended or overextended. This advantageously achieves direct folding of the elbow 14. In other words, the elbow 14 moves towards the space center section or space center region 16 solely due to gravity. This direct movement can be prevented by using the locking part 44, so that when the locking part 44 locks the movement, the elbow 14 can transmit a normal force with possible lateral force along the z-direction of the coordinate system 54. This locking function of the locking part 44 is achieved when the locking latch 50 connects the lower locking member 46 to the upper locking member 48 as exemplarily shown. It should be understood that the elbow 14 according to this disclosure can also be overextended, however, this requires manual engagement or the provision of a suitable release mechanism.

[0086] The folding synchronization unit 52 includes multiple shafts and is capable of transmitting torque between the elbows 14. This allows the movement of the elbows 14 to be pre-set advantageously, so that these elbows move coherently and together. The movement can be determined by the connection between the folding synchronization unit 52 and the elbows 14 through various forces and torques, particularly through the intermediate transmission mechanism. Ropes or connecting rods are also conceivable alternatives to the shafts.

[0087] Figure 3 A perspective side view of the internal space expansion device 2 according to this disclosure is shown in its inserted / folded intermediate state. The movement of the elbow 14 toward the intermediate space section or intermediate space region 16 is clearly shown. Only the following description relates to… Figure 2 The difference.

[0088] The elbow 14 folds to varying degrees, which is facilitated by the folding synchronization part 52. Because the elbow folds differently, the movable section 6 performs a combined motion consisting of translational and rotational motion components.

[0089] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The movement of the elbow 14 is illustrated in a two-dimensional view. The cross-sectional planes of the view are located at the center along the longitudinal axis of the respective elbow 14. The elbow 14 is connected to the textile surface structure 8, thereby pulling the textile surface structure 8 toward the spatial intermediate section or spatial intermediate region 16 as the elbow 14 moves toward the spatial intermediate section or spatial intermediate region 16. The inflatable double-walled textile surface structure 8 is shown in the figure.

[0090] The elbow 14, corresponding to the depicted embodiment, includes a bent section 56 on the lower elbow member 34 and another bent section 58 on the upper elbow member 36. These bent sections are located on the side facing the positioning guide element 40. This advantageously achieves a spacing between the lower elbow member 34 and the upper elbow member 36, especially when they are substantially parallel to each other. This substantially parallel position between the elbow members 34, 36 is created when the movable section 6 has entered the shifted position and / or folded position. This spacing is set and constructed to be no less than the minimum folding spacing of the textile fabric structure 8, so as to fold the textile fabric structure particularly gently and thereby achieve durable use.

[0091] In this embodiment, the textile surface structure 8 is an inflatable textile surface structure 8, which can be filled with fluid, preferably ambient air. The textile surface structure 8 includes an outer skin 60 pointing towards the external environment and an inner skin 62 pointing towards the middle section or middle region of the space.

[0092] Elbow 8 is connected to inner skin 62 via connector 64.

[0093] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this process, the elbow 14 continues to move toward the central segment or central region 16 of the space. It is particularly important to note how the textile surface structure is stretched and how the spacing is formed.

[0094] Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 Three embodiments are shown in two-dimensional views. The cross-sectional planes of the views are located at the center along the longitudinal axis of the respective elbow 14. Connections 64 and 66 (connection types) that connect the textile surface structure 8 to the elbow 14 on the positioning guide element 40 of the elbow are not described in these three embodiments. Only the following descriptions of... Figure 4 , Figure 5and Figure 6 The difference.

[0095] Figure 7 The connection between the textile surface structure 8 and the elbow 14 is not shown. Thus, the elbow 14 allows the movement of the textile surface structure 8 by releasing the movement space; otherwise, the elbow 14 would lock the movement space. When the textile surface structure 14 has a specific weave pattern 70 (such as...), Figure 10 (as shown in the diagram) and this is especially advantageous when the tension is automatically and specifically tightened during movement toward the central segment or central region 16 of the space.

[0096] Figure 8 The connection 64 between the inner skin 62 and the positioning guide element 40 of the elbow 14 is shown for the textile surface structure 8. It can be seen that despite the presence of the connection 64, the textile surface structure 8 remains unchanged in cross-section and therefore retains its substantially unchanged properties. Due to this connection, the elbow 14 enables movement of the textile surface structure 8 and pulls it towards the central segment or central region 16 of space.

[0097] Figure 9 The connection 66 between the textile surface structure 8 in the "zeroed" section 68 and the positioning guide element 40 of the elbow 14 is shown. It can be seen that the cross-section of the textile surface structure 14 narrows within the positioned portion 68 to achieve an extremely robust and durable connection. Due to this positioned connection 68, the elbow 14 enables movement of the textile surface structure 8 and pulls it towards the middle section or middle region of space, similar to... Figure 8 .

[0098] Figure 10 An embodiment of the internal space expansion device 2 according to the present disclosure is shown in a perspective view from an oblique upper angle. This internal space expansion device includes four elbows 14, a movable section 6, a bottom element 18, and four wall sections 20, 22, 24, and 26. The wall sections 20, 22, 24, and 26 are made of a fillable, particularly at least double-walled, textile surface structure 8, which deforms inward from itself by means of a special weave pattern 70 when moving toward the movable section 6 to an inserted and / or folded position. This inward deformation can be supported by connections 64, 66 on the elbows 14 and / or only occurs when there is no connection to the elbows 14. Here, the textile surface structure forms a tightening 72, which is analogous to the movement of the elbows 14 toward a central section or central region of space.

[0099] If the textile surface structure 8 is not fillable, it is preferable that there are connections 64 and 66, so that the unfillable textile surface structure 8 is pulled from the elbow 14 toward the middle section or middle region of the space.

Claims

1. An internal space expansion device (2), said internal space expansion device being arranged or being arrangeable on a receiving device, said internal space expansion device having: Movable section (6), which is capable of entering not only the extended position and / or unfolded position but also the moved-in position and / or folded position; and A textile surface structure (8) that, together with the movable section (6) in its extended and / or unfolded positions, constructs or provides an internal space extension (10) for the receiving device; wherein, The internal space expansion device (2) also includes an elbow (14) arranged on the corner section (12) of the internal space expansion device (2) and moving toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space expansion part (10) when the movable section (6) enters the moving position and / or folding position, and is capable of moving the textile surface structure (8) toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space expansion part (10).

2. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The elbow (14), or in the case of multiple elbows (14), is completely arranged within the internal space extension (10).

3. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal space expansion device (2) includes a plurality of elbows (14) arranged on corresponding corner sections (12) of the internal space expansion device (2), and the elbows move toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space expansion part (10) when the movable section (6) enters the moving position and / or folding position, and can realize the movement of the textile surface structure (8) toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space expansion part (10).

4. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The textile surface structure (8) is inflatable and at least double-walled.

5. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 4, wherein, The inflatable at least double-walled textile surface structure (8) is configured and arranged to act as a pneumatic actuation mechanism responsible for the extension and / or deployment of the movable section (6) of the internal space expansion device (2).

6. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The textile surface structure (8) has at least one connection (64, 66) to the elbow (14), which is configured to pull the textile surface structure (8) toward the middle section or middle region (16) of the internal space extension (10).

7. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 6, wherein, The textile surface structure (8) has at least one connection (64, 66) to the elbow (14), wherein the connection (64) is realized with the inner skin (62) of the textile surface structure (8) and / or the connection (66) is realized with the "zeroed" section (68) of the textile surface structure (8).

8. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The elbow (14) is neither fully extended nor overextended in the extended and / or unfolded positions of the movable section (6), so that the elbow is set and configured to move in and / or fold under the sole action of gravity.

9. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The elbow (14) includes two elbow components (34, 36) and a positioning guide element (40), wherein the elbow (14) is configured and set such that in the moving position and / or folding position of the movable section (6) it is not less than the minimum folding distance between the elbow components (34, 36).

10. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 9, wherein, At least one of the two elbow components (34, 36) bends at its end toward the positioning guide element (40) located between the elbow components (34, 36) such that the resulting gap between the elbow components (34, 36) in the moving position and / or folded position of the movable section (6) is not less than the minimum folding gap.

11. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The elbow (14) also includes a folding synchronization part (52), which includes a Bowden pull line and / or shaft and is configured to allow the plurality of configured elbows (14) to move in a predetermined pattern or simultaneously and synchronously.

12. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The elbow (14) also includes a locking part (44) which is configured and set to perform a locking function.

13. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The housing is a vehicle (4) or a trailer.

14. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The housing is a campervan or a camping trailer.

15. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The elbow (14) pulls the textile surface structure (8) toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space extension (10).

16. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 3, wherein, The internal space expansion device includes four elbows (14).

17. The internal space expansion device (2) according to claim 12, wherein, The locking part is configured and set up to redundantly implement a locking function relative to the operating mechanism.

18. A method for moving and / or folding a movable section (6) of an internal space extension device (2), wherein, At least the following steps are performed when the movable section (6) is moved in and / or folded: The elbow (14) arranged on the corner section (12) of the internal space extension device (2) is moved toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space extension (10) constructed or provided by the movable section (6) and the textile surface structure (8), and the textile surface structure (8) is moved toward the middle section or middle area (16) of the internal space extension (10).

19. An internal space expansion device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is used for housing the internal space expansion portion (10) of the device.

20. A housing device having an internal space expansion device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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