Angled Drop-Down Bed Mattress Segmentation for RV Headroom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fold-down beds in leisure vehicles are impractical due to space constraints, especially in vehicles with low headroom, as they protrude into the aisle area in their stowed position, obstructing the use of facilities and requiring structural modifications to the roof.

Innovation Solution

A pull-down bed design with a mattress that can be arranged at an angle in the stowed position, utilizing a hinge to fold the second part relative to the first, allowing both ends to rest against the ceiling, thus minimizing intrusion into the vehicle's headroom without requiring structural changes to the roof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional drop-down bed is positioned above the aisle, then the bed can be stowed during the day, but it protrudes into the aisle when stowed, obstructing the use of facilities in vehicles with low headroom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to amenitiesVSAvoidintrusion into aisle space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into a first part and a second part that can be folded relative to each other. The second part can be folded down to form a horizontal surface, allowing the mattress to be compacted into a smaller volume when stowed, thereby reducing intrusion into the aisle space while still providing full sleeping surface area when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the drop-down bed is arranged parallel to the aisle, then it minimizes intrusion into the aisle area when stowed, but the support units can only be made very narrow, offering little comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintrusion into aisle spaceVSAvoidcomfort of bed
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging the bed parallel to the aisle (one-dimensional arrangement), the invention positions the bed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the recreational vehicle. This angular arrangement utilizes the third dimension (depth into the vehicle) more effectively, allowing the bed to achieve both compact stowed volume and sufficient width for comfort simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the drop-down bed is arranged at right angles to the aisle, then it provides sufficient width for comfort, but it protrudes into the aisle area in its stowed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of bedVSAvoidintrusion into aisle space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress incorporates a folding mechanism that allows it to dynamically change its configuration between a full-size comfortable bed when in use and a compact folded state when stowed. The second part of the mattress can be folded down relative to the first part, enabling the mattress to reduce its volume significantly when not in use, thereby minimizing intrusion into the aisle space while maintaining full comfort when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If the recreational vehicle has sufficient headroom, then the drop-down bed does not obstruct the aisle when stowed, but vehicles with low headroom cannot accommodate conventional drop-down beds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadroom clearanceVSAvoidcompatibility with low headroom vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the mattress into foldable parts, the invention enables the bed to be compacted into a much smaller volume when stowed. This segmented design allows the bed to fit within the limited headroom space of low-headroom vehicles without requiring structural modifications to the roof, thereby increasing adaptability to different vehicle types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Shape

If the drop-down bed is integrated into the vehicle ceiling, then it minimizes aesthetic impact, but it requires structural modifications to the roof or reduction of headroom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidstructural modifications to roof
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mattress mechanism allows the bed to achieve a compact stowed configuration that fits within the existing headroom clearance of the vehicle. This dynamic compaction capability eliminates the need for structural roof modifications or headroom reduction, as the folded mattress can be positioned in the ceiling space without creating protrusions or requiring architectural changes to the vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3964393B1Lifting bed for a recreational vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 NIESMANN BISCHOFF
  • EP3964393B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3964393B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a drop-down bed (100) for a recreational vehicle (120), wherein one level of the drop-down bed (100) is arranged obliquely inside the recreational vehicle (120) in a stowed position of the drop-down bed (100), wherein in the stowed position a first end (107) of the drop-down bed (100) has a lower height than a second end (108) of the drop-down bed (100); wherein the drop-down bed (100) has a mattress (140); wherein, in the intended use of the mattress (140) and the drop-down bed (100), in the operating position of the drop-down bed (100), a first end (147) of the mattress (140) is arranged at the first end (107) of the drop-down bed (100) and a second end (148) of the mattress (140) is arranged at the second end (108) of the drop-down bed (100); wherein the mattress (140) has a first part (142) and a second part (144) which is foldable relative to the first part (142), wherein the second foldable part (144) is arranged at the second end (108) of the drop-down bed (100) when the mattress (140) is unfolded;and wherein the first part (142) and the second part (144) of the mattress (140) in the stowed position, when folded down or away, form a horizontal, flat surface (160) at an upper end of the mattress (140). The invention further relates to a recreational vehicle (120) with a aforementioned drop-down bed (100).