Full-automatic turning plate balcony and motor caravan
By using a parallelogram four-bar structure and staggered hinge design, combined with an electric push rod drive, the stability and sealing issues of the fully automatic flip-up balcony are solved, achieving stable unfolding, smooth folding and good sealing, which is suitable for expanding the space of a motorhome.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520556665.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-27
AI Technical Summary
The existing fully automatic flip-up balcony has a complex structure, is unstable after unfolding, and is prone to swaying, resulting in insufficient safety; the folding process is not smooth, and the fit between the folded balcony and the wall is not tight, resulting in problems such as poor sealing and mechanical jamming.
It adopts a parallelogram four-bar structure, and through staggered hinges and electric push rods, it can realize the stable unfolding and smooth folding of the balcony. Combined with sealing components, it ensures good sealing performance, and integrates folding stools and folding tables to expand the usable space.
It ensures the stability and safety of the balcony after unfolding, the folding process is smooth and without jamming, the noise is low, the mechanical structure is stable, and the wall is tightly sealed after folding to ensure good airtightness, thus improving safety and ease of use.
Smart Images
Figure CN223835497U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of space expansion, specifically a fully automatic flip-up balcony and recreational vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] The fully automatic flip-up balcony is a new type of space expansion design that combines mechanical structure and intelligent control. It allows for flexible switching between balcony forms through folding, lifting, or rotating. Application scenarios include residential attics, recreational vehicles, and small space expansion. When folded, it forms a vertical wall; when unfolded, it becomes a balcony structure with a appropriately high front panel to prevent falls, and railings on both sides.
[0003] In the prior art, Chinese patent application No. 2022106884547 discloses a fully automatic extension platform, which uses the side wall of the carriage, the first side wall panel, the second side wall panel, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm to form a four-bar linkage mechanism. Because the side wall panel is large and easily deformed, it causes poor sealing. The hinge of the two panels is prone to concentrated stress and damage. The balcony is mechanically stuck and noisy during the unfolding and retraction process.
[0004] US Patent Application No. US20080296922A1 discloses a vehicle with a retractable section, which involves an extension platform. It is a semi-independent four-bar linkage with slidable connections between the plates. However, the hinge axes are placed on the same vertical line, and the rotational connection is achieved by axial offset connecting shafts. The uneven force on the connection also causes poor sealing. The concentrated force on the hinge of the two plates is prone to damage. The mechanical jamming and noise are also caused during the extension and retraction of the balcony.
[0005] Therefore, existing fully automatic flip-up balcony structures are complex, unstable after unfolding, and prone to swaying, resulting in insufficient safety; the folding process is not smooth, and the fit between the folded balcony and the wall is not tight. These technical problems need to be solved. Summary of the Invention
[0006] This utility model addresses the above-mentioned technical problems by providing a fully automatic flip-up balcony and recreational vehicle. It features a parallelogram four-link design, with the three hinge shafts on the front bearing a triangular force distribution, ensuring the balcony's stability and safety after unfolding. The reasonable force-bearing structure ensures smooth and uninterrupted unfolding and folding processes, stable force distribution, low noise, and a stable mechanical structure. After folding, the walls are tightly sealed, guaranteeing excellent airtightness.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:
[0008] A fully automatic flip-up balcony includes a side wall frame, a drive mechanism, a four-bar linkage structure, and upper and lower side panels that can be joined together.
[0009] The four-bar linkage is a parallelogram four-bar linkage, including a vertically arranged vertical arm and a vertical side frame, and a first rotating arm and a second rotating arm arranged in parallel.
[0010] The lower side panel is hinged to the horizontal lower frame of the side wall frame, and a sliding pair is provided on the panel surface of the combined edge;
[0011] The side wall frame is connected to the lower side plate via a drive mechanism;
[0012] The vertical arm is set vertically, with a first hinge at the lower end that is hinged to the sliding pair, and the outer side is connected to the vertical upper side plate;
[0013] The outer ends of the first and second rotating arms are respectively hinged to the inner side of the vertical arm via the second and third hinges, and the other ends are respectively hinged to the vertical frame of the side wall frame via the fourth and fifth hinges.
[0014] The pivots of the second, third, fourth, and fifth hinges of the four-bar linkage are staggered in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. The pivots of the third and first hinges are also staggered in the vertical direction.
[0015] This fully automatic flip-up balcony uses a drive mechanism to rotate the lower side panel, switching between horizontal and vertical positions. In the horizontal position, it is an unfolded balcony; in the vertical position, it is a vertical wall. During the rotation of the lower side panel, the sliding joint and the first hinge act on the vertical arm of the four-bar linkage, guiding the swing of the first and second rotating arms to move the upper side panel up and down and back and forth. The upper side panel remains vertical throughout its movement.
[0016] When the balcony is in its extended state, the upper side panel is vertically positioned at the front edge of the lower side panel, serving as a barrier to prevent falls. The first and second rotating arms are horizontally positioned vertically at the left and right edges of the lower side panel, respectively, serving as the left and right railings of the balcony. No additional railings are required on the left and right sides of the balcony, resulting in a simple structure.
[0017] When folded, the upper and lower side panels are vertically aligned, with the upper side panel above the lower side panel, and both are fitted into the side wall frame.
[0018] The four-bar linkage structure of this fully automatic flip-up balcony is a parallelogram four-bar linkage structure. Because the rotation axes of the second, third, fourth, and fifth hinges are staggered in the vertical and horizontal directions respectively, and the rotation axes of the third and first hinges are also staggered in the vertical direction, each hinge point forms a triangular force distribution through the staggered arrangement of each hinge, resulting in stable force distribution. The automatic flip-up balcony has stable force distribution during rise and unfolding, low noise, stable mechanical structure, and the wall is tightly sealed after folding, ensuring good airtightness.
[0019] The design was further optimized so that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth hinge components are all bearing hinge components. These bearing hinge components ensure smooth and stable rotation of each hinge component.
[0020] The design is further optimized by adding a staggered extension on the upper part of the inner side of the vertical arm, with the second hinge positioned on the staggered extension. This staggered extension creates a horizontally offset arrangement between the hinges.
[0021] The design is further optimized so that the width of the misaligned extension is not less than the width of the first rotating arm. This ensures the strength of the misaligned extension, making the second hinge stable and reliable under load.
[0022] The design has been further optimized by incorporating several positioning sections extending outwards from the vertical arm. These sections connect to the inner wall of the upper side plate. The positioning sections on the vertical arm ensure high precision and stronger stability in the connection.
[0023] In a further optimized design, the driving mechanism consists of two electric push rods, positioned on the left and right sides respectively; the vertical side frame extends upward and is movably hinged to the fixed end of the electric push rod, while the telescopic end of the electric push rod is movably hinged to the lower side plate.
[0024] The electric push rod has a compact structure, smooth operation, low noise, good self-locking performance, and strong load capacity, ensuring the safety of the fully automatic flip-up balcony.
[0025] To further optimize the design, a blocking mechanism is provided on the lower side plate inside the sliding pair to prevent the slider of the sliding pair from disengaging from its guide rail. This blocking mechanism ensures that the slider of the sliding pair does not disengage from its guide rail during the folding and unfolding of the fully automatic flip-up balcony, thus ensuring safety.
[0026] In a further optimized design, a first sealing element is provided at the contact point between the side wall frame and the upper and lower side panels; and a second sealing element is provided at the joint between the upper and lower side panels when they are folded. The first and second sealing elements ensure the airtightness of the fully automatic flip-up balcony as a wall after folding.
[0027] Further optimization of the design includes a folding stool and a folding table, with the upper and lower side panels respectively hinged to the stool and table. This fully automatic flip-up balcony integrates a folding stool and table, allowing for efficient furniture arrangement within a limited space and further expanding usable area; it is also convenient to use.
[0028] In a further optimized design, the upper side panel is provided with several windows for ventilation or light transmission.
[0029] A motorhome includes a passenger compartment, the side of which is provided with any of the fully automatic flip-up balconies described above.
[0030] This utility model has the following technical advantages compared with the prior art:
[0031] This fully automatic flip-up balcony and motorhome features a parallelogram four-link design, with the front three-hinged shafts bearing a triangular force distribution, ensuring the balcony's stability and safety after unfolding. The reasonable force-bearing structure ensures smooth and uninterrupted unfolding and folding, stable force distribution, low noise, and a stable mechanical structure. After folding, the walls fit together perfectly, guaranteeing excellent sealing. Attached Figure Description
[0032] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an unfolded embodiment of the fully automatic flip-up balcony of this utility model;
[0033] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A stereoscopic view from another perspective;
[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the fully automatic flip-up balcony in the state between unfolding and folding;
[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the fully automatic flip-up balcony after folding;
[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Side view;
[0037] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Side view;
[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the center lines connecting the five hinge components.
[0039] In the diagram: 1. Side wall frame; 2. Upper side panel; 2a. Window; 3. Lower side panel; 3a. Joined side; 3b. Drive mechanism; 4. Electric push rod; 4a. Four-bar linkage; 5. Vertical arm; 5a. Offset extension; 5a1. Positioning part; 5a2. Vertical side frame; 5b. First rotating arm; 5c. Second rotating arm; 5d. Sliding pair; 6. Blocking mechanism; 7. First seal; 8. Second seal; 9. Folding stool; 10. Folding table; 11. First hinge; 21. Second hinge; 22. Third junction; 23. Fourth hinge; 24. Fifth hinge; 25. Detailed Implementation
[0040] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0041] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, this invention relates to a specific embodiment of a fully automatic flip-up balcony. This fully automatic flip-up balcony can be embedded in the side of a motorhome compartment, expanding the space within the motorhome compartment.
[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the fully automatic flip-up balcony of this embodiment includes a side wall frame 1, a drive mechanism 4, a four-bar linkage 5, and an upper side plate 2 and a lower side plate 3 that can be joined together.
[0043] The side wall frame 1 is equipped with a four-bar linkage structure 5 on the left and right sides respectively;
[0044] The four-bar linkage 5 is a parallelogram four-bar linkage 5, including a vertically arranged vertical arm 5a and a vertical side frame 5b, and a first rotating arm 5c and a second rotating arm 5d arranged in parallel.
[0045] A sliding pair 6 is provided on the lower side edge 3a of the lower side plate 3, which is hinged to the horizontal lower frame of the side wall frame 1 and the combined side edge 3b.
[0046] The side wall frame 1 is connected to the lower side plate via the drive mechanism 4;
[0047] The vertical arm 5a is set vertically, and the lower end is provided with a first hinge 21 that is hinged to the sliding pair 6. The outer side is connected to the vertical upper side plate 2.
[0048] The outer ends of the first rotating arm 5c and the second rotating arm 5d are respectively hinged to the inner side of the vertical arm 5a by the second hinge 22 and the third hinge, and the other ends are respectively hinged to the vertical frame of the side wall frame 1 by the fourth hinge 24 and the fifth hinge 25.
[0049] The pivots of the second hinge 22, the third hinge, the fourth hinge 24, and the fifth hinge 25 of the four-bar linkage are staggered in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. The pivots of the third hinge and the first hinge 21 are also staggered in the vertical direction.
[0050] The fully automatic flip-up balcony uses a drive mechanism 4 to rotate the lower side panel 3, switching between horizontal and vertical positions. In the horizontal state, it is an unfolded balcony; in the vertical state, it is a vertical wall. During the rotation of the lower side panel 3, the sliding joint 6 and the first hinge 21 act on the vertical arm 5a of the four-bar linkage 5, guiding the swing of the first rotating arm 5c and the second rotating arm 5d, which in turn moves the upper side panel 2 up and down and back and forth. The upper side panel 2 remains in a vertical state throughout its movement.
[0051] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, when the fully automatic flip-up balcony is in the unfolded state, the upper side panel 2 is vertically positioned at the front edge of the lower side panel 3, serving as a barrier to prevent falls. The first rotating arm 5c and the second rotating arm 5d are respectively positioned horizontally vertically at the left and right edges of the lower side panel 3, serving as the left and right railings of the balcony. No additional railings are required on the left and right sides of the balcony, resulting in a simple structure.
[0052] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, when the fully automatic flip-up balcony is in the folded state, the upper side panel 2 and the lower side panel 3 are respectively set vertically and parallel, with the upper side panel 2 located above the lower side panel 3, and the two are attached to the side wall frame 1.
[0053] The four-bar structure 5 of the fully automatic flip-up balcony is a parallelogram four-bar structure 5. Since the rotation axes of the second hinge 22, the third hinge, the fourth hinge 24, and the fifth hinge 25 are respectively staggered in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the rotation axes of the third hinge and the first hinge 21 are also staggered in the vertical direction, each hinge point forms a triangular force through staggered setting, which is stable. The automatic flip-up balcony has stable force when rising and unfolding, low noise, stable mechanical structure, and the wall is tightly sealed after folding to ensure good airtightness.
[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the first hinge 21, the second hinge 22, the third hinge, the fourth hinge 24, and the fifth hinge 25 are all bearing hinges. The bearing hinges ensure smooth and stable rotation of each hinge.
[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, a misaligned extension 5a1 extends from the upper part of the inner side of the vertical arm 5a, and the second hinge 22 is positioned on the misaligned extension 5a1. The misaligned extension 5a1 causes the hinges to be misaligned in the horizontal direction.
[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the extension width of the misaligned extension 5a1 is not less than the width of the first rotating arm 5c. This ensures the strength of the misaligned extension 5a1, making the second hinge 22 stable and reliable under load.
[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, several positioning parts 5a2 extend from the outer side of the vertical arm 5a, and are connected to the inner wall surface of the upper side plate 2 through the positioning parts 5a2. The vertical arm 5a is provided with positioning parts 5a2 to connect to the upper side plate 2, ensuring high connection accuracy and more stable strength.
[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, in the fully automatic flip-up balcony folding state, the second hinge 22, the third connecting piece 23, the fourth hinge 24, and the fifth hinge 25 are respectively misaligned, so that the first rotating arm 5c and the second rotating arm 5d do not interfere with each other.
[0059] like Figure 7 As shown, when the fully automatic flip-up balcony is in the unfolded balcony state, the center line connecting the second hinge 22, the third hinge, the fourth hinge 24, and the fifth hinge 25 forms a parallelogram. The first hinge 21 and the third hinge are vertically offset; the second hinge 22 and the third hinge 23 are vertically offset, and the second hinge 22 and the fourth hinge 24 are horizontally offset; correspondingly, the fourth hinge 24 and the fifth hinge 25 are vertically offset, and the fifth hinge 25 and the third hinge are horizontally offset. The staggered arrangement of the five hinges ensures that during the unfolding and retraction of the fully automatic tilting balcony, each hinge point, together with the first rotating arm 5c and the second rotating arm 5d, forms a triangular force distribution, resulting in stable force distribution. The first rotating arm 5c, the second rotating arm 5d, and the hinge points share part of the weight of the upper side panel 2 and the lower side panel 3, ensuring stable force distribution, low noise, stable mechanical structure, and a tight seal between the folded walls, guaranteeing excellent airtightness.
[0060] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive mechanism 4 consists of two electric push rods 4a, arranged on the left and right sides respectively; the vertical side frame 5b extends upward and is movably hinged to the fixed end of the electric push rod 4a, and the telescopic end of the electric push rod 4a is movably hinged to the lower side plate 3.
[0061] The electric push rod 4a features a compact structure, smooth operation, low noise, good self-locking performance, and strong load capacity, ensuring the safety of fully automatic flip-up balconies.
[0062] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the lower side plate 3 is equipped with a blocking mechanism 7 on the inner side of the sliding pair 6 to prevent the slider of the sliding pair 6 from disengaging from its guide rail. The blocking mechanism 7 ensures that the slider of the sliding pair 6 does not disengage from its guide rail during the folding and unfolding of the fully automatic flip-up balcony, thus ensuring safety.
[0063] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a first sealing element 8 is provided at the joint between the side wall frame 1 and the upper side panel 2 and the lower side panel 3; a second sealing element 9 is provided at the joint between the upper side panel 2 and the lower side panel 3 when they are folded. The first sealing element 8 and the second sealing element 9 ensure the airtightness of the fully automatic flip-up balcony as a wall after it is folded.
[0064] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the fully automatic flip-up balcony also includes a folding stool 10 and a folding table 11, with the upper side panel 2 and lower side panel 3 respectively hinged to the folding stool 10 and folding table 11. The fully automatic flip-up balcony integrates the folding stool 10 and folding table 11, allowing for a reasonable arrangement of furniture within a limited space and further expanding the usable space; moreover, it is convenient to use.
[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the upper side panel 2 has two windows 2a that can be opened or closed for ventilation or light transmission.
[0066] This utility model also discloses a recreational vehicle, including a carriage, the side of which is provided with the aforementioned fully automatic flip-up balcony.
[0067] This fully automatic flip-up balcony and motorhome features a parallelogram four-link design, with the front three-hinged shafts bearing a triangular force distribution, ensuring the balcony's stability and safety after unfolding. The reasonable force-bearing structure ensures smooth and uninterrupted unfolding and folding, stable force distribution, low noise, and a stable mechanical structure. After folding, the walls fit together perfectly, guaranteeing excellent sealing.
[0068] In summary, as described in the specification and figures, this utility model has been manufactured into actual samples and subjected to multiple use tests. The test results demonstrate that this utility model achieves its intended purpose, and its practicality is beyond doubt. The embodiments described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any equivalent embodiments made by those with common knowledge in the relevant technical field, utilizing the technical content disclosed in this utility model, without departing from the scope of the technical features and similar features disclosed in this utility model, are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A fully automatic flip-up balcony, characterized in that: It includes a side wall frame (1), a drive mechanism (4), a four-bar linkage (5), and an upper side plate (2) and a lower side plate (3) that are joined together. The four-bar structure (5) is a parallelogram four-bar structure, including a vertically arranged vertical arm (5a) and a vertical side frame (5b), and a first rotating arm (5c) and a second rotating arm (5d) arranged in parallel. The lower side plate (3) is hinged to the horizontal lower frame of the side wall frame (1) and the plate surface of the combined side (3b) is provided with a sliding pair (6). The side wall frame (1) is connected to the lower side plate (3) through the drive mechanism (4); The vertical arm (5a) is set vertically, and the lower end is provided with a first hinge (21) hinged to the sliding pair (6), and the outer side is connected to the vertical upper side plate (2). The outer ends of the first rotating arm (5c) and the second rotating arm (5d) are respectively hinged to the inner side of the vertical arm (5a) through the second hinge (22) and the third hinge (23), and the other ends are respectively hinged to the vertical frame of the side wall frame (1) through the fourth hinge (24) and the fifth hinge (25). The pivots of the second hinge (22), third hinge (23), fourth hinge (24), and fifth hinge (25) of the four-bar linkage (5) are respectively offset in the vertical and horizontal directions. The pivots of the third hinge (23) and the first hinge (21) are also offset in the vertical direction.
2. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first hinge (21), the second hinge (22), the third hinge (23), the fourth hinge (24), and the fifth hinge (25) are bearing hinges.
3. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the inner side of the vertical arm (5a) has a misaligned extension (5a1), and the second hinge (22) is positioned on the misaligned extension (5a1).
4. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 3, characterized in that, The extension width of the misaligned extension (5a1) is not less than the width of the first rotating arm (5c).
5. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several positioning parts (5a2) extend outward from the vertical arm (5a), and the inner wall surface of the upper side plate (2) is connected through the positioning parts (5a2).
6. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (4) consists of two electric push rods (4a), which are set on the left and right sides respectively; the vertical side frame (5b) extends upward and is movably hinged to the fixed end of the electric push rod (4a), and the telescopic end of the electric push rod (4a) is movably hinged to the lower side plate (3).
7. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower side plate (3) is provided with a blocking mechanism (7) inside the sliding pair (6) to prevent the slider of the sliding pair (6) from disengaging from its guide rail.
8. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side wall frame (1) is provided with a first sealing element (8) at the joint where it fits with the upper side plate (2) and the lower side plate (3); the upper side plate (2) and the lower side plate (3) are respectively provided with a second sealing element (9) at the joint when they are folded.
9. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a folding stool (10) and a folding table (11), wherein the upper side plate (2) and the lower side plate (3) are respectively hinged to the folding stool (10) and the folding table (11).
10. The fully automatic flip-up balcony according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper side panel (2) is provided with several windows (2a) for ventilation or light transmission.
11. A motorhome, comprising a passenger compartment, characterized in that: The side of the carriage is provided with a fully automatic flip-up balcony as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Vehicles with retractable portions
US20080296922A1