Fixed RV Slide-Out Cover to Prevent Sagging and Debris Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicle slide out elements are exposed to environmental elements such as dust, dirt, rain, snow, and leaves, leading to wear and potential failure, and these elements can enter the interior space, causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A fixed slide out cover is secured to the recreational vehicle, spanning the top area above the slide out element, with a fixed length to fit snugly over the element, featuring side flaps to protect the exterior surfaces and prevent environmental elements from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slide out element is left exposed to protect the recreational vehicle interior, then the interior space remains accessible, but environmental elements cause wear to the slide out element and can enter the interior space causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A fixed cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the slide out element and the environmental elements. The cover includes a main body portion that covers the top surface and side flaps that extend downward to cover portions of the sidewall surfaces, creating a protective barrier that prevents environmental elements from directly contacting the slide out element while allowing the slide out element to remain in its deployed position
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a retractable slide out cover is used to protect the slide out element, then environmental protection is provided, but the cover is prone to sagging and billowing that reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a dynamic/retractable cover system to a fixed/static cover system. The fixed cover is secured to the slide out element and the recreational vehicle, eliminating the movement and flexibility issues that cause sagging and billowing. The side flaps are positioned to extend downward and cover portions of the sidewall surfaces, providing stable environmental protection without the structural instability inherent in retractable designs
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed length cover is used to protect the slide out element, then the cover fits snugly and provides effective protection, but the cover must be removable for vehicle transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed cover is designed as a separate, removable component that can be installed and removed independently from the recreational vehicle and slide out element. The cover includes a main body portion and side flaps as integrated segments that work together to provide protection. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily installed by securing it to the slide out element and the vehicle, and removed when transportation is required, balancing effective protection with operational ease
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed slide out cover may be secured to a recreational vehicle so that the fixed slide out cover spans a top area above a slide out element. The fixed slide out cover is formed to a fixed length based on the distance between the exterior wall of the recreational vehicle and a distal end of the slide out element. This enables the fixed slide out cover to be pulled tight over the top surface of the slide out element, and enables the fixed slide out cover to resist sagging or billowing that other types of slide out covers may be prone to, such as retractable slide out covers.