Camper Trailer Roof Lift Actuator With Self-Locking Thread Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof lift systems for camper trailers face issues such as cable tangling, high maintenance complexity, noise from electric motors, and susceptibility to damage due to high torque requirements, along with weight and cost concerns, making them unsuitable for family camper trailers that require a compact, easy-to-maintain solution.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuator system featuring a linear guide, rotatable threaded shaft, and slider mechanism with self-locking engagement, coupled with a motor and flexible pushrod, which allows for efficient roof raising and lowering while preventing damage from obstacles and reducing noise and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable lift systems are used to raise the roof, then the system can support the roof weight, but the cables are prone to tangling, fraying, snagging and binding over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable system entirely from the camper trailer roof lift mechanism and replaces it with a rigid actuator system. This extraction eliminates the reliability issues associated with cables (tangling, fraying, snagging) while maintaining the roof support function through a more robust mechanical actuator design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible cable-based mechanical system with a rigid actuator system comprising threaded shafts, nuts, and linkages. This substitution provides a more reliable mechanical connection that resists the tangling and fraying problems inherent in cable systems while maintaining the ability to lift and support the roof.
2Force
If powerful electric winch motors are used to provide high torque for roof lifting, then the lifting force is sufficient, but the motors are large, noisy and have high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lifting function into multiple smaller actuators distributed at different locations on the camper trailer rather than using one large centralized motor. Each actuator provides moderate torque through mechanical advantage from the threaded shaft mechanism, and the combined effect of multiple actuators achieves the total lifting force needed, reducing the size and weight of each individual motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the lifting system by using fine-pitch threaded shafts that convert small rotational movements into large linear displacements. This mechanical multiplication allows smaller motors to generate sufficient lifting force through the threaded mechanism, reducing motor power requirements and noise while maintaining adequate torque for roof lifting.
3Extent of automation
If traditional actuator systems are used for roof lifting, then automation is achieved, but the stroke length is insufficient for the raising height required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs telescopic posts that can extend to provide additional stroke length. The actuator drives a telescopic post that nests within itself, allowing the effective stroke length to exceed the physical length of the actuator body. This nested configuration provides the required raising height while maintaining a compact retracted profile that fits within the camper trailer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional linear actuator to a multi-dimensional system combining rotational motion of the threaded shaft with linear extension of the telescopic post. This dimensional transformation allows the system to achieve greater effective stroke length through the combination of rotational threading mechanism and telescopic extension, providing sufficient raising height for full roof deployment.
4Device complexity
If cable systems with pulleys are used for roof lifting, then the mechanism is simple, but the cables and pulleys are points of weakness susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable and pulley system entirely from the design, eliminating these inherent points of weakness. The rigid actuator system with threaded shafts and direct mechanical linkages provides a more robust connection that cannot fray, snap, or derail like cable systems, significantly improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible cable-pulley mechanical system with a rigid threaded shaft and nut mechanism. This substitution eliminates the points of weakness associated with cables (fraying, snapping) and pulleys (derailing, binding) by using solid mechanical components with fixed geometric relationships, providing a more damage-resistant lifting system.
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 actuator system provides a reliable, low-maintenance, and quiet operation for camper trailers, offering a cost-effective and space-efficient solution that minimizes the risk of damage and enhances user convenience during setup and use.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable threaded shaft that extends in alignment with the guide; and a slider, located in the guide, and threadably mounted to the shaft; wherein the slider is prohibited from substantial rotation within the guide, about an elongate axis thereof, such that, on rotation of the shaft, the slider moves along the shaft
Implementation Method 2
self-locking engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A lift system for a roof of a camper trailer, including a plurality of actuator assemblies, each actuator assembly for operative engagement with a respective roof support that extends/retracts to raise/lower the roof; at least one control unit for controlling the actuators.