Patio Wall Locking via Kingpin and Catch Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Toy hauler recreational vehicles face safety hazards due to flimsy patio walls that are not well-attached to the ramp door, lacking a balance between light weight and sturdiness, which compromises the rigidity and safety of the patio system.
Innovation Solution
A patio system for ramp doors that includes hinged walls with catch plates and kingpins, allowing the walls to pivot and lock securely over the ramp door, deriving rigidity from the door's structure and minimizing additional weight by using lighter walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If flimsy patio walls are used to minimize weight, then the weight of the patio system is reduced, but the strength and rigidity of the patio structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patio walls are merged with the ramp door structure through the catch plate and kingpin connection system. The walls are attached to the door frame rather than standing independently, allowing lighter materials to be used while the door structure provides the necessary strength and rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patio walls are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The hinged connection allows the walls to pivot between stored and deployed positions, and the catch plate mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment of wall position while maintaining structural integrity when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If simple attachment methods are used to ease operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection between walls and ramp door deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catch plate mechanism is designed to be self-latching when the wall is in the deployed position. The slot and kingpin geometry automatically engages to secure the wall to the door, providing reliable connection without requiring additional fastening operations by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct components: the hinged wall assembly, the catch plate with slot, and the kingpin on the door. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall reliability through the coordinated interaction of parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A patio that is pivotable over a ramp door via hinges fixed with respect to the ramp door. The patio has a wall that is pivots to align a catch plate to a kingpin. The kingpin is for being secured to the ramp door. The kingpin has a major diameter, an undercut, and a shoulder near a distal end. The shoulder is spaced from the ramp door when the kingpin is affixed to the ramp door. The catch plate is moveable to the kingpin so that the slot receives the undercut of the kingpin and the catch plate is retained between the shoulder of the kingpin and ramp door when the undercut is in the first slot.