Expandable Transformer House with Side and Rear Solar Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional expandable house structures lack the ability to efficiently expand living space while providing adequate solar panel coverage for power generation, especially when integrated with electric vehicle chassis, due to complexity and cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
An expandable structure design that allows for side and rear expansion with a solar panel array that can cover the expanded sections, featuring pivotable and sliding components for efficient space utilization and power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the house structure is expanded to increase living space, then the living area is improved, but the complexity of the driving and control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The house structure is divided into a main body and multiple expandable sections (first expansion section and second expansion section) that can be independently controlled. Each expansion section has its own folding mechanism and can be operated separately, reducing the overall system complexity compared to a single large expansion mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion sections utilize folding mechanisms with pivotable connections between walls and roofs, allowing dynamic transformation between expanded and retracted states. The pivotable side walls and foldable roofs enable flexible configuration changes without requiring complex mechanical systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar panel coverage is expanded to provide adequate power generation, then the power supply capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array is integrated with the expansion sections, combining the structural expansion function with the power generation function. When the expansion sections are deployed, the solar panels automatically extend to cover the new surfaces, eliminating the need for a separate solar array deployment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion sections serve dual purposes: they provide additional living space and simultaneously support expanded solar panel coverage. The same structural components (walls and roofs) that create living space also serve as mounting surfaces for power generation panels.
3Ease of operation
If the house structure is made compact for transport, then the ease of transport is improved, but the living space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The house structure transitions between two dynamic states: a compact configuration for transport where expansion sections are folded against the main body, and an expanded configuration for living where sections are deployed outward. The pivotable connections enable smooth transitions between these states.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion sections are designed to nest against the main body when retracted, with side walls folding inward and roofs collapsing onto the structure. This nesting arrangement minimizes the transport footprint while maintaining all living space when expanded.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile expandable structure can expand both outward, from at least one side thereof, and rearward, from a back side thereof. When expanded, the mobile expandable structure can provide an expansion of about 2.5 to about 3 times the original living space provided by the main structure. The structure may be on an electric chassis and the structure can include a solar array that is disposed, in the stowed configuration, over the main structure. The solar array is expandable to cover some or all of the expansion sections when in the expanded configuration. The expansion sections can include pivotable floor members that pivot downward upon expansion of each 10 expansion section. Side walls of the side expansion may be unfolded to provide sides of the side expansion section.