Adjustable Wall and Floor System for RV Interior Space Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide-out rooms in vehicles are limited in extension distance, rely on bulky support structures, elevate the extended floor, create trip hazards, and block interior space when retracted, failing to effectively increase usable floor space and are restricted to one side of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A track system comprising a floor engaging plate, wall engaging plate, and rail allows for the expansion and retraction of adjustable floor and wall panels, which roll up into hidden storage, maintaining floor level and enabling expansion on both sides of the vehicle, supported by an adjustable joist system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional slide-out rooms use cantilever or ridge structures for support, then the structure can be simplified, but the extension distance is limited and the structure becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal extension (conventional slide-out) to vertical rolling storage. The wall panels and floor panels are stored vertically in a rolled-up state within the vehicle body, then deployed horizontally when needed. This dimensional change allows greater extension distance without proportionally increasing support structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall panels and floor panels are constructed as flexible, rollable structures rather than rigid fixed panels. These thin, flexible panels can be rolled up into compact storage within the vehicle body and deployed as needed, enabling extended reach without requiring bulky support structures throughout the entire extension path.
2Stability of the object's composition
If extended floors are elevated to provide support, then structural stability is improved, but the floor space is reduced and trip hazards are created
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the extended floor panels themselves and relocated to fixed support structures within the vehicle body. The extended floor panels are supported at their origin point by the vehicle's existing floor structure, allowing them to extend horizontally without being elevated or requiring intermediate support that would reduce usable floor space or create trip hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary support mechanism where the extended floor panels are connected to and supported by the fixed floor structure at the vehicle body. This intermediary connection allows the flexible floor panels to extend outward while maintaining support stability, keeping the extended floor level with the fixed floor without requiring elevation.
3Area of stationary object
If slide-out rooms are extended to increase interior space, then living space is improved, but the extending walls block off interior space when retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The wall panels are segmented into multiple sections that can be independently rolled up and stored vertically within the vehicle body. When retracted, these segmented panels can be stored in a compact vertical configuration that does not block interior space, allowing full accessibility to the interior living area while still providing the option to extend for increased living space when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An room assembly that expands the interior space in a vehicle. The room assembly comprises an expandable room comprising an adjustable floor panel component, an adjustable wall panel component, and a track system for moving the adjustable floor panel component and the adjustable wall panel component between a nested and an expanded position. The track system comprises a corner component comprising a floor engaging plate, a wall engaging plate connected to the floor engaging plate, and a rail extending from both plates.