Combined guide rail extension system with two-stage extension for a vehicle body

Abstract

A combined two-stage extension guide rail system for a vehicle body, mounted on a vehicle body (26), comprising an extension box (1), support boxes (2), a support frame (3), a combination guide rail mechanism (24), and a drive unit (23), wherein the support boxes (2) are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides below the extension box (1) and each has a slotted opening (17) on their underside, wherein the support frame (3) comprises a base plate and a top plate, the base plate being attached to the vehicle body (26), and wherein the combination guide rail mechanism (24) comprises a first guide rail (5), a second guide rail (6), a reinforcement mounting plate (7), a first sliding block (4a), a second sliding block (4b), a third sliding block (4c), and a fourth sliding block (4d).wherein the first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are slidably coupled to the first guide rail (5) and the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are slidably coupled to the second guide rail (6), wherein the first guide rail (5) is attached to a side wall of the respective carrying case (2), wherein the first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are attached to the reinforcement mounting plate (7) and the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are attached to the support frame (3), wherein the drive unit (23) is attached to the support frame (3) and is coupled to the respective carrying case (2) in order to move the carrying case (2) and the extension case (1) relative to the support frame (3),and wherein the high plate of the support frame (3) projects through the respective elongated slot opening (17) and is integrated together with the drive unit (23) and the combination guide rail mechanism (24) in the respective carrying case (2).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of expanding the usable interior space of vehicles and in particular to a combined guide rail extension system with two-stage extension for a vehicle body. State of the art

[0002] In familiar vehicles and motorhomes, a pull-out box is used to increase the usable interior space. While driving, the outer wall of the pull-out box is essentially flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body or trailer; when stationary, the pull-out box extends outwards through an opening in the vehicle body, thus increasing the interior space.

[0003] Chinese patent application CN202111541306.4 discloses an extension mechanism for a motorhome and a corresponding motorhome. The extension mechanism is located below and to the side of the vehicle body and is not integrated, which requires a large amount of installation space, makes assembly complex, and results in comparatively unstable operation.

[0004] US patent application US202117408020 discloses an extension device arranged on both sides of the extendable box. Due to the complex mechanism and the large overall height of the telescopic drive unit, the installation space requirement is high, maintenance is complex, and operating costs increase.

[0005] According to the inventor, existing telescopic mechanisms for extending vehicle bodies are comparatively bulky, complicated to assemble, and expensive. Therefore, extension systems for vehicle bodies suffer from problems such as a large installation space requirement, limited usability, and difficult installation. Description of the invention

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the problems of large installation space requirements and difficult assembly that exist in known pull-out systems for vehicle bodies.

[0007] To solve this problem, a combined guide rail extension system with a two-stage extension is provided for a vehicle body. The extension mechanism is integrated into the two lower sides of the extension box, allowing it to float. When this system is used in a vehicle, installation space can be saved and the usable interior space increased. Because the entire extension mechanism is integrated within the support box and connected to the base of the support frame, it is not necessary to dismantle any parts of the vehicle's underbody frame. For installation and removal, it is sufficient to attach the base of the support frame to the vehicle body to position the entire extension box within the opening in the body.

[0008] A combined two-stage extension system for a vehicle body, mounted on a vehicle chassis (26), comprises an extension box (1), support boxes (2), a support frame (3), a combination guide rail mechanism (24), and a drive unit (23). The support boxes (2) are arranged symmetrically on the two lower sides of the extension box (1) and each has an elongated slot opening (17) on their underside. The support frame (3) comprises a base plate and a top plate, the base plate being attached to the vehicle chassis (26). The combination guide rail mechanism (24) comprises a first guide rail (5), a second guide rail (6), a reinforcement mounting plate (7), a first sliding block (4a), a second sliding block (4b), a third sliding block (4c), and a fourth sliding block (4d).The first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are slidably coupled to the first guide rail (5), the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are slidably coupled to the second guide rail (6). The first guide rail (5) is attached to a side wall of the respective support box (2), the first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are attached to the reinforcement mounting plate (7), and the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are attached to the support frame (3). The drive unit (23) is attached to the support frame (3) and coupled to the respective support box (2) to move the support box (2) and the drawer box (1) relative to the support frame (3).The high plate of the support frame (3) protrudes through the elongated slot opening (17), so that the high plate, the drive unit (23) and the combination guide rail mechanism (24) are integrated within the carrying case (2).

[0009] The linear sliding guidance of the sliding blocks along the guide rails reduces friction and enables straight-line movement. The support box can carry the first guide rail, and the support frame can bear the load of the combined guide rail mechanism. Because the drive unit, combined guide rail mechanism, and high plate of the support frame are integrated within the support box, these components are protected from external influences; at the same time, assembly and disassembly are simplified, the external appearance is improved, and the usable interior space of the vehicle is increased.

[0010] The support boxes are arranged symmetrically below both sides of the pull-out box and support its weight in the suspended state.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit comprises a rack, a gear, a gearbox, and an electric motor. The rack is attached to a side wall of the respective carrying case. An output shaft of the electric motor is coupled to the gearbox, and the gear is secured to the gearbox output shaft by means of a retaining ring A and a retaining ring B. The electric motor drives the gear via the gearbox, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the rack, so that the rotary motion of the gear is converted into a linear motion of the rack.

[0012] Through this design, the drive device converts the rotary motion of the gear into a linear motion of the rack, thereby causing the extension and retraction of the drawer box.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the base plate of the support frame has openings for attaching it to the vehicle body. The support frame is attached to the vehicle body via these openings. An extension stop plate and a retraction stop plate are also arranged on both sides of the support frame's top plate.

[0014] This design allows the support frame to transfer the load to the vehicle body and ensures that the drawer box is suspended and does not interfere with the bodywork. The support frame can also carry the drive mechanism. The extension stop plate limits the drawer box's extension travel, and the retraction stop plate limits its retraction travel, thus preventing the drawer box from unintentionally sliding out.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the end face of the first guide rail facing the vehicle interior has a first stop plate mounting bore to which a first stop plate is attached. A locking pin is arranged on the first stop plate. A locking groove is formed on the reinforcement mounting plate, which corresponds to the locking pin. The second guide rail is rigidly connected to the reinforcement mounting plate. A second stop plate mounting bore is provided on the end face of the second guide rail facing the vehicle interior, to which a second stop plate is attached.

[0016] With this design, the combination guide rail mechanism can perform a two-stage telescopic movement and support the weight of the drawer unit in a suspended position, thus enabling the drawer unit to be extended and retracted to expand the interior space. When the first guide rail is extended, the locking pin engages the second guide rail upon reaching the bottom of the locking groove. The extension process is complete as soon as the second stop plate engages the drawer stop plate.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the other end of the second guide rail has a third stop plate mounting bore to which a third stop plate is attached, and the support box has a cover plate along its longitudinal direction.

[0018] In this design, when the drawer box is retracted, the first guide rail is pulled in first. As soon as the cover plate contacts the third stop plate, the second guide rail is also pulled in.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the first guide rail, the second guide rail and the reinforcement mounting plate are always arranged as cantilever arms during the extension and retraction of the drawer box.

[0020] The low-cantilever arrangement of the first guide rail, the second guide rail and the reinforcement mounting plate allows the extension length of the drawer box to be increased, thus increasing the usable interior space of the vehicle without additional support elements.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the pull-out box lies essentially flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body during driving.

[0022] This allows external environmental influences on the vehicle interior to be reduced while simultaneously achieving an appealing external appearance.

[0023] In summary, the invention has at least one of the following advantageous effects: 1. The combination guide rail mechanism, the drive unit and part of the support frame are arranged in pairs in a mirror-image fashion in support boxes below the two sides of the extension box, enabling a two-stage synchronous extension and increasing the usable interior space of the vehicle. 2. The integrated, mirror-image arrangement of the combination guide rail mechanism, drive unit and parts of the support frame in the support boxes shields these components against external influences, simplifies assembly, improves the external appearance and increases the usable interior space of the vehicle. 3. Since the entire combination guide rail mechanism is integrated and connected to the support frame inside the carrying case, it is not necessary to dismantle the lower vehicle frame. It is sufficient to attach the base of the support frame to the vehicle body to position the entire pull-out box in the opening of the body. 4. The support box transfers the weight of the pull-out box to the combination guide rail mechanism, which then transfers this weight to the support frame; the support frame finally transfers the load to the vehicle body. 5. During driving, the pull-out box is essentially flush with the outer surface of the vehicle body, thus reducing external environmental influences on the vehicle interior and at the same time achieving an appealing appearance. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to scale. The drawings show: Fig. 1: a partially cut-out side view section of the drawer box according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2: a side view of the drawer box according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the extension mechanism for the vehicle body according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4: an exploded view of the drive unit of the extension system for the vehicle body according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5: a schematic representation of the support frame according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6: a schematic representation of the box housing of the carrying case according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7: an exploded view of the combination guide rail mechanism according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8: an exploded view of the extraction mechanism according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9: a front view and a rear view of the internal structure of the carrying case according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 10: a side view of the internal structure of the carrying case according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 11: a schematic representation of a fully extended extension system for a vehicle body according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12: a schematic representation of a fully retracted extension system for a vehicle body according to a specific embodiment of the invention; Fig. 13: with the Fig. 13A to 13C schematic representations of an extension system for a vehicle body in the non-extended state (13A), during the extension process (13B) and in the fully extended state (13C); Fig. 14: with the Fig. 14A to 14C schematic representations of an extension system for a vehicle body in the fully extended state (14A), during the retraction process (14B) and in the fully retracted state (14C). Detailed description of exemplary implementations

[0025] To clarify and make the purpose, features, and advantages of the invention more readily understandable, specific embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the described embodiments represent only a portion of the possible embodiments of the invention and are not to be understood as limiting its scope. Those skilled in the art can derive further embodiments within the scope of protection of the invention from the embodiments described in this application without any inventive step.

[0026] With reference to the Fig. A pull-out system for a vehicle body comprises a drive unit 23, a support frame 3, a combination guide rail mechanism 24, support boxes 2, and a pull-out box 1. The pull-out box 1 is made of aluminum alloy or another structurally rigid yet lightweight material. A corresponding support box 2 is arranged on each of the lower sections of the side walls of the pull-out box 1. The two support boxes 2 have an identical internal structure, are linked to each other, and move synchronously while supporting the weight of the pull-out box 1. The combination guide rail mechanism 24, the drive unit 23, and the high plate of the support frame 3 are integrated inside the support boxes 2, thus saving installation space and enabling quick assembly and disassembly.

[0027] With reference to Fig. The drive unit 23 comprises a rack 9, a gear 10, a gearbox 11, and an electric motor 12. The output shaft of the electric motor 12 is connected to the gearbox 11. The gear 10 is attached to the output shaft of the gearbox 11 by means of a retaining ring A 13a and a retaining ring B 13b. The electric motor 12 drives the gear 10 via the gearbox 11. The tooth flanks of the gear 10 mesh with the tooth flanks of the rack 9, so that the rotary motion of the gear 10 is converted into a linear motion of the rack 9.

[0028] With reference to Fig. The base plate of the support frame 3 has vehicle body mounting openings 20. The support frame 3 is attached to the vehicle body 26 via the vehicle body mounting openings 20. An extension stop plate 19 and a retraction stop plate 18 are arranged on both sides of the high plate of the support frame 3.

[0029] With reference to Fig. 6 A long slot opening 17 is provided on the underside of the support box 2. The support box 2 slides back and forth over the long slot opening 17 along both sides of the high plate of the support frame 3. The rack 9 is attached to the outside of the support box 2. A cover plate 16 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the support box 2.

[0030] With reference to Fig. The combination guide rail mechanism comprises a first guide rail 5, a second guide rail 6, a reinforcement mounting plate 7, a first sliding block 4a, a second sliding block 4b, a third sliding block 4c, and a fourth sliding block 4d. The first guide rail 5 is rigidly connected to a side wall of the support box 2. At the end of the first guide rail 5 facing the vehicle interior, a first stop plate mounting bore 25a is provided, to which a first stop plate 8a is attached. A locking bolt 15 is arranged on the first stop plate 8a. A locking groove 14 associated with the locking bolt 15 is provided on the reinforcement mounting plate 7. The second guide rail 6 is rigidly connected to the reinforcement mounting plate 7.At the end of the second guide rail 6 facing the vehicle interior, a second stop plate mounting hole 25b is provided, to which a second stop plate 8b is attached. At the other end of the second guide rail 6, a third stop plate mounting hole 25c is provided, to which a third stop plate 8c is attached. The first sliding block 4a and the second sliding block 4b are slidably coupled to the first guide rail 5, while the third sliding block 4c and the fourth sliding block 4d are slidably coupled to the second guide rail 6. The first sliding block 4a and the second sliding block 4b are attached to the reinforcement mounting plate 7, and the third sliding block 4c and the fourth sliding block 4d are attached to the support frame 3. The first guide rail 5, the second guide rail 6 and the reinforcement mounting plate 7 are always arranged in a cantilevered manner during the extension and retraction of the drawer box 1.

[0031] Fig. Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the extraction mechanism. Fig. 9 a front and rear view of the internal structure of the carrying case 2 and Fig. 10 a side view of the internal structure of the carrying case 2.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 13 The drawer box is extended by the extension system as follows: The electric motor 12 drives the gearbox 11 into rotation, whereupon the gear 10 is driven by the gearbox 11. Under the drive of the gear 10, the rotary motion is converted into a linear motion and the rack 9 moves the support box 2 outwards. The support box 2 guides the first guide rail 5 with it. After a certain extension distance, the locking pin 15, upon reaching the bottom of the locking groove 14, causes the second guide rail 6 to move outwards. As soon as the second stop plate 8b meets the extension stop plate 19, the extension process is complete and a two-stage extension is achieved. Fig. Figure 13A shows the not extended state, 13B the state during the extension process, and 13C the fully extended state of the extension system.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 14 The retraction process proceeds as follows: The electric motor 12 drives the gearbox 11 in the opposite direction, causing the gear 10 to rotate in the opposite direction via the gearbox 11, and the rack 9 pulls the support box 2 inwards. The support box 2 guides the first guide rail 5 inwards with it. After a certain retraction distance, the cover plate 16 contacts the third stop plate 8c and together they pull the second guide rail 6 inwards. As soon as the third stop plate 8c contacts the retraction stop plate 18, the retraction process is complete, and a two-stage retraction is achieved. Fig. Figure 14A shows the fully extended state, 14B the state during the retraction process, and 14C the fully retracted state of the extension system.

[0034] The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to carry out or use the invention. Various modifications of these embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The general principles described in this application can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented in this application, but encompasses the broadest possible scope of protection consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list 1 pull-out drawer 2 carrying cases 3 support frames 4a first sliding block 4b second sliding block 4c third sliding block 4d fourth sliding block 5 first guide rail 6 second guide rail 7 Reinforcement mounting plate 8a first stop plate 8b second stop plate 8c third stop plate 9 Rack 10 gear 11 gearboxes 12 Electric motor 13a Retaining ring A 13b Retaining ring B 14 Locking groove 15 locking bolts 16 Cover plate 17 Long slot opening 18 Retraction stop plate 19 Extension stop plate 20 Vehicle body mounting opening 21 Gearbox mounting plate 23 Drive unit 24 Combination guide rail mechanism 25a first stop plate mounting hole 25b second stop plate mounting hole 25c third stop plate mounting hole 26 Vehicle body QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 202111541306.4

[0003] US 202117408020

[0004]

Claims

[1] A combined two-stage extension guide rail system for a vehicle body, mounted on a vehicle body (26), comprising an extension box (1), support boxes (2), a support frame (3), a combination guide rail mechanism (24), and a drive unit (23), wherein the support boxes (2) are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides below the extension box (1) and each has an elongated slot opening (17) on their underside, wherein the support frame (3) comprises a base plate and a top plate, the base plate being attached to the vehicle body (26), and wherein the combination guide rail mechanism (24) comprises a first guide rail (5), a second guide rail (6), a reinforcement mounting plate (7), a first sliding block (4a), a second sliding block (4b), a third sliding block (4c), and a fourth sliding block (4d).wherein the first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are slidably coupled to the first guide rail (5) and the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are slidably coupled to the second guide rail (6), wherein the first guide rail (5) is attached to a side wall of the respective carrying case (2), wherein the first sliding block (4a) and the second sliding block (4b) are attached to the reinforcement mounting plate (7) and the third sliding block (4c) and the fourth sliding block (4d) are attached to the support frame (3), wherein the drive unit (23) is attached to the support frame (3) and is coupled to the respective carrying case (2) in order to move the carrying case (2) and the extension case (1) relative to the support frame (3),and wherein the high plate of the support frame (3) projects through the respective elongated slot opening (17) and is integrated together with the drive unit (23) and the combination guide rail mechanism (24) in the respective carrying case (2). [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that the drive device (23) comprises a rack (9), a gear (10), a gearbox (11) and an electric motor (12), wherein the rack (9) is attached to a side wall of the respective carrying case (2), wherein an output shaft of the electric motor (12) is connected to the gearbox (11), wherein the gear (10) is attached to an output shaft of the gearbox (11) by means of a retaining ring A (13a) and a retaining ring B (13b), wherein the electric motor (12) drives the gear (10) via the gearbox (11) and wherein tooth flanks of the gear (10) engage with tooth flanks of the rack (9) in order to convert a rotary motion of the gear (10) into a linear motion of the rack (9). [3] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that the base plate of the support frame (3) has vehicle body fastening openings (20) via which the support frame (3) is attached to the vehicle body (26), and that an extension stop plate (19) and a retraction stop plate (18) are arranged on both sides of the high plate of the support frame (3). [4] System according to claim 1, characterized by, that a first stop plate mounting bore (25a) is provided at the end of the first guide rail (5) facing the interior of the vehicle, to which a first stop plate (8a) is attached, that a locking bolt (15) is arranged on the first stop plate (8a), that a locking groove (14) associated with the locking bolt (15) is provided on the reinforcement mounting plate (7), that the second guide rail (6) is firmly connected to the reinforcement mounting plate (7), and that a second stop plate mounting bore (25b) is provided at the end of the second guide rail (6) facing the interior of the vehicle, to which a second stop plate (8b) is attached. [5] System according to claim 4, characterized by, that at the other end of the second guide rail (6) a third stop plate mounting hole (25c) is provided, to which a third stop plate (8c) is attached, and that the carrying case (2) has a cover plate (16) along its longitudinal direction. [6] System according to claim 5, characterized by , that the first guide rail (5), the second guide rail (6) and the reinforcement mounting plate (7) are always arranged in a cantilevered manner during the extension and retraction of the drawer box (1). [7] System according to claim 6, characterized by , that the pull-out box (1) is essentially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle body (26) during the journey.

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