Arcuate Slide Out Drive Assembly for RV Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide out drive assemblies for expandable enclosures in recreational vehicles and trailers are cumbersome, heavy, and complex, making them time-consuming to install and operate, and adding weight and complexity that is undesirable for transportation applications.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly featuring an arcuately shaped support rail, a beam with guide and drive gears, and an actuator (electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic) that extends and retracts the slide out, with a curvature that adjusts the orientation of the slide out and maintains engagement with a drive gear, reducing weight and complexity while allowing for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional slide out drive assemblies are used, then the slide out can be extended and retracted, but the weight and complexity of the drive assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is segmented into modular components: a support rail with channel, a beam with guide portion, and a separate actuator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail is arcuately shaped with a curved channel instead of a straight path. This curvature allows the beam to rotate and orient the slide out at different angles during extension and retraction, providing operational versatility without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If traditional slide out drive assemblies are used, then the slide out can be extended and retracted, but the weight of the enclosure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is extracted as a separate element that is at least partially enclosed within the channel of the support rail. This allows the guide function to be integrated into the existing support structure rather than adding a separate heavy guiding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the movement channel for the beam, and through its arcuate shape, enables rotational orientation of the slide out. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components that would increase weight.
3Ease of operation
If traditional slide out drive assemblies are used, then the slide out can be extended and retracted, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented modular design allows components to be pre-assembled and tested independently, then installed as units into the enclosure. This reduces on-site installation time and complexity compared to assembling a monolithic drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion is designed to rotate relative to the beam, allowing for dynamic adjustment during installation to accommodate different mounting configurations and tolerances, simplifying the installation process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the weight and complexity of the drive assembly, simplifies installation and operation, and maintains engagement between the beam and drive gear, enhancing the usability and efficiency of the slide out mechanism while minimizing noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
a support rail defining a channel, the support rail being arcuately shaped; a beam having a front portion that is attachable to the slide out and having a guide portion opposite from the front portion that is at least partially enclosed within the channel; and an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam relative to the support rail, wherein a curvature of the support rail varies orientation of the slide out relative to the opening based on the position of the guide portion within the channel
Implementation Method 2
the drive assembly further includes a drive gear engageable with the at least one row of teeth provided on the beam, and in some of these examples, the support rail is configured to press the beam into engagement with the drive gear
Implementation Method 3
an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam relative to the support rail, wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of an electric cylinder, a hydraulic actuator, and a pneumatic actuator
Implementation Method 4
the guide portion includes a slide member configured to slide within the channel and, in some of these examples, the slide member is configured to rotate relative to the beam
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly utilized in combination with slide out includes a beam attached to a beam guide in an arcuate support rail that is attached to the slide out. The beam may have a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth thereon, where the first row of teeth and the second row of teeth extend parallel to each other on opposite sides of the beam. In addition, the teeth in the first row of teeth are offset relative to the teeth in the second row of teeth. The drive assembly further includes a drive gear having a first gear wheel that engages the first row of teeth and a second gear wheel that engages the second row of teeth, as well as an actuator coupled to the beam to selectively extend and retract the beam. The beam may deflect with respect to the arcuate support rail based on its location and the location of the beam guide to aid in leveling of the slide out.