Pickup Bed Compartment Chassis With Roll-In Hitch Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for converting a truck bed into an enclosed cargo, passenger, or camping compartment face issues with electrical service, climate control, protruding components, vibration, and difficult installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
An automobile accessory that converts a pickup truck bed into an enclosed compartment by using a chassis with rollers and a gooseneck or fifth wheel hitch adapter, along with a gasket for weatherproofing, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system integrated within the compartment, along with an electrical service system and drop-leg jacks for support and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a truck bed is converted to an enclosed compartment using traditional methods, then the compartment provides cargo storage or passenger space, but the installation and removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The compartment is designed with dynamic characteristics allowing it to be easily installed and removed. The chassis includes rollers that engage with inclined roller pockets in the truck bed, enabling the compartment to roll into position during installation and be extracted during removal. This dynamic design contrasts with traditional fixed or bolted installations, making the process quick and tool-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartment is divided into separable components: the main compartment body, the chassis with rollers, and the drop-leg jacks. This segmentation allows the compartment to be easily assembled and disassembled without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, directly addressing the installation ease and time concerns.
2Ease of operation
If air conditioning components are installed in the compartment, then climate control is provided, but the components protrude beyond the outer mold line of the truck
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning system is nested within the compartment's internal volume. The evaporator, condenser, and other AC components are positioned inside the compartment boundaries, utilizing the internal space efficiently. This nesting approach provides full climate control functionality while maintaining a clean external appearance that does not protrude beyond the truck's outer mold line.
3Reliability
If the compartment is securely attached to the truck bed, then vibration resistance is improved, but the installation and removal process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis acts as an intermediary between the compartment body and the truck bed. It includes rollers that engage with inclined roller pockets, providing secure attachment during normal operation to resist vibration and movement. However, the same roller-pocket mechanism allows easy installation by rolling the compartment into place and easy removal by extracting the rollers, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrical service components are added to the compartment, then electrical functionality is provided, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system is designed with universal, multi-functional components. A single battery provides power for multiple functions including interior lighting, HVAC system operation, and any additional accessories. This approach provides comprehensive electrical service capability while minimizing system complexity by avoiding multiple separate power sources and control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a seamless conversion of a truck bed into a compartment with reliable electrical and climate control services, easy installation and removal, and enhanced mobility, addressing the previous issues of vibration and installation difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
declined roller skid pockets allow the compartment to simultaneously settle down onto the truck bed floor and truck bed rails
Implementation Method 2
The passenger, cargo, or camping compartment forward bulkhead compresses the gasket creating a seal between the passenger compartment and the truck cabin
Implementation Method 3
An intake fan is joined to the air plenum and configured to direct fresh air from outside the passenger compartment into an air intake the air plenum
Implementation Method 4
An air conditioner is arranged in the air plenum and joined to the air intake, an air exhaust, a conditioned air output, and a recycled air input
Implementation Method 5
provides a means for the cargo, passenger, or camping compartment to be moved rearward in the truck bed by means of a winch or by driving the truck in reverse
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile accessory is configured to quickly convert a truck bed into an enclosed cargo compartment, passenger compartment, or camping compartment. The automobile accessory has a truck cabin joined to a truck bed and further comprising a truck cabin rear bulkhead. At least two pockets are arranged proximate a plurality of roller skids on the truck bed. A chassis is joined to a cargo, passenger, or camping compartment having a compartment forward bulkhead. A gasket is joined to the passenger compartment forward bulkhead. The chassis is detachably secured to the truck bed and further comprising at least two rollers. Rolling the at least two rollers into the at least two pockets and installing the gooseneck or fifth wheel adapter joins the chassis to a truck under-bed gooseneck/fifth wheel hitch and the passenger compartment forward bulkhead compresses the gasket creating a seal between the passenger compartment and the truck cabin.