Edge-Stowable Tent for Flatbed Trailer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer tents either occupy cargo space on the trailer floor or deploy beside it, poorly utilizing the floor space for carrying motor toys and other cargo.
Innovation Solution
A tent that is stowable around the edges of a flatbed trailer, supported by rotationally deployable U-shaped supports, allowing the floor to remain open for cargo, with mechanisms for easy deployment and stowage using support bars and fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tent is deployed on a trailer, then shelter is provided, but cargo space on the trailer floor is occupied or floor space is poorly utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The tent is repositioned from occupying floor space (2D plane) to utilizing vertical edge space (3D perimeter). The tent wraps around the vertical edges and corners of the trailer, transforming the deployment geometry from horizontal to vertical/three-dimensional, thereby preserving the entire floor area for cargo while providing shelter through the edge-mounted structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tent structure is divided into modular components: vertical panels mounted on side edges, a front panel on the front edge, and a rear panel on the rear edge. These segmented panels can be independently assembled and disassembled, allowing the tent to be configured around the trailer perimeter without requiring floor space occupation.
2Ease of operation
If a tent is rapidly deployable by one person, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tent employs dynamic, movable components including roll-up side panels that can be quickly deployed and stowed, and a telescoping support pole that extends and locks into position. These dynamic elements enable rapid transformation between stowed and deployed states without requiring complex assembly procedures, maintaining ease of operation while providing adequate structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tent incorporates self-supporting features such as the telescoping pole with integrated locking mechanism and the self-tensioning guy lines that automatically adjust to provide stable support. These self-service elements reduce the need for complex manual assembly instructions or multiple persons for deployment, enabling single-person rapid setup while the structural complexity handles the mechanical support functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A tent stowable around edges of a flatbed trailer to leave the floor of the flatbed trailer open for cargo and motor toys. The edge-stowable tent is supported internally by three rotationally deployable squared-off U-shaped supports. To be stowed, the tent and tent supports rotate to align with the front top edge and front portions of side top edges of the flatbed trailer. To be deployed, the tent and tent supports rotate to bring the rear edge of the tent to the rear edge of the flatbed trailer. Opposite legs of U-shaped tent supports are coupled to respective mounting supports on each side of the trailer, and rotate about aligned right-angled flanges to erect the tent. Support bars, attached to the top surfaces of front and side trailer walls or frame, support fasteners for bottom edges of the tent. The tent is stowed and erected by various means.