Foldable RV Staircase Layout for Upper Berth Access and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leisure vehicle designs require ladders or staircases that need to be supported by threshold edges or bars, which can be cumbersome and limit space utilization, especially when accessing upper sleeping areas.
Innovation Solution
A mobile, foldable staircase with vertical orientation, comprising two parallel stringers and articulated steps, that can be positioned for use by resting on the floor or folded vertically along a side wall, allowing for storage beneath the upper part and providing access to functional zones without relying on threshold edges or bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed or removable ladder is used to access the upper sleeping area, then access to the upper part is provided, but the ladder requires support from threshold edges or bars and occupies interior living space when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase is divided into multiple individual steps that can be independently folded and stored. Each step is a separate component that can be collapsed vertically along the side wall, allowing the entire staircase to be segmented into compact sections that occupy minimal space when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The staircase transitions from a horizontal deployment in the interior living area to a vertical folding configuration along the side wall. By changing the dimension of deployment from horizontal to vertical, the staircase utilizes the vertical space along the side wall rather than occupying valuable horizontal living space.
2Area of stationary object
If a folding staircase is fixed along a side wall with steps folded down vertically, then space is saved in the interior living area, but access to functional areas in the side wall is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase is designed to be dynamically movable between folded and unfolded states. The lateral upright is mounted on sliding guides that allow it to move horizontally along the side wall, and the steps are articulated to fold vertically. This dynamic design allows the staircase to adapt its position and configuration based on whether access to functional areas is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The staircase serves multiple functions: it provides access to the upper sleeping area, it can be positioned to allow access to functional areas in the side wall when folded, and it can be horizontally translated to optimize space utilization. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between space savings and accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the staircase is made mobile and foldable, then space efficiency is improved and storage beneath the upper part is enabled, but the complexity of the staircase structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The staircase is segmented into modular components (lateral upright, stringers, steps) that can independently fold and store. This segmentation allows each component to be compact when stored beneath the upper part while maintaining structural integrity during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable stringer and steps are designed to nest along the fixed lateral upright when folded. The steps fold vertically along the inner face of the lateral upright, creating a compact nested configuration that fits within the space beneath the upper part.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the arrangement of a living area comprising a lower section and a sleeping space delimited by a front transverse edge of a threshold (24) and equipped with a movable multi-step staircase (40) (46) that is movable to occupy a position for use of the staircase to access the upper section, or a rear position for storage of the movable staircase (40). The movable staircase (40) is foldable and collapsible in a vertical plane.