Single-Level Fifth Wheel Layout With Pass-Through Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-level fifth wheel travel trailers require users to traverse multiple steps to access different living areas, resulting in difficulty for those with limited mobility and reduced storage and headroom, especially in elevated spaces.
Innovation Solution
A single-level fifth wheel travel trailer design with a horizontal floor plane between the front and rear, a continuous pass-through storage compartment, and utility equipment housed in the storage compartment, eliminating the need for steps and maximizing storage and headroom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multi-level interior living space is used in fifth wheel trailers, then storage capacity and living space are improved, but users must traverse multiple steps to access different areas which reduces ease of operation especially for those with limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into distinct levels: an upper interior living space and a lower storage compartment. This segmentation allows the patent to provide both elevated storage capacity and a separate accessible storage area below the floor, resolving the contradiction by creating functional zones that serve different purposes without requiring users to navigate multiple steps within the living area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by creating a pass-through storage compartment that extends below the floor level. This downward extension into an additional dimension provides accessible storage space without requiring users to traverse steps upward to reach storage areas, thus maintaining ease of operation while increasing total storage capacity.
2Weight of stationary object
If elevated interior living space is created, then headroom in certain areas is improved, but storage space below the floor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage function into two parts: elevated storage compartments within the interior living space and a separate pass-through storage compartment below the floor. This segmentation allows the elevated areas to provide headroom and living space while the below-floor compartment compensates for any loss of storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pass-through storage compartment is nested below the floor level of the interior living space. This nested configuration allows the storage compartment to utilize the vertical space underneath the floor without interfering with the headroom and living space above, effectively combining both functions in a compact arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If utility equipment is housed in the interior living space, then ease of access for maintenance is improved, but the usable living and storage space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts utility equipment from the interior living space and relocates it to the pass-through storage compartment below the floor. This extraction provides dedicated space for utility equipment that is easily accessible for maintenance while preserving the entire interior living space for its intended purposes without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pass-through storage compartment serves as an intermediary space that houses utility equipment separate from the interior living space. This intermediary location provides easy access for maintenance personnel while preventing the utility equipment from encroaching on usable living and storage space, thus resolving the contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational fifth wheel travel trailer includes a frame, a wheel for supporting the frame on a ground surface, and a body supported by the frame. The body has a length defined between a front end and a rear end of the body. A roof is coupled to the body, and an interior space is defined in the body between a floor and the roof. The travel trailer includes a door for providing entry to the interior space, a step for gaining access to the floor of the interior space, and a storage compartment at least partially formed by the body. The storage compartment is located below the floor of the interior space. The floor is defined along a plane from the rear end of the body to a location near the front end thereof such that the interior space is accessible without traversing more than a single step.