Pivotable Shell Camper Trailer for Hard-Shell Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional camping trailers are difficult to use, as they often have failing pop-up mechanisms, are constructed from less secure tent fabric rather than hard-shell materials, and lack 'pop out' expansion capabilities, making them less durable and harder to transport.
Innovation Solution
A camper trailer system with a base frame, rigidly mounted floor and walls, and pivotably coupled shells that can be configured between folded and expanded arrangements, allowing for simplified transport and secure, durable camping with suitable interior space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pop-up mechanisms are used in camping trailers, then the trailer can be quickly deployed, but the mechanisms are unreliable and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic pivotable joints that allow the trailer body sections to rotate and expand from a compact to an expanded state. These joints use gravity and manual manipulation rather than complex mechanical actuators, eliminating unreliable pop-up mechanisms while maintaining quick deployment capability through simple rotational movements about horizontal and vertical axes.
2Weight of moving object
If tent fabric is used for trailer construction, then the trailer is lighter and easier to transport, but the structure is less secure and durable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite construction combining aluminum extrusions for the frame structure with fabric panels for the walls and roof. The aluminum frame provides structural strength and rigidity, while the fabric panels reduce overall weight compared to all-metal construction. This composite approach maintains security and durability through the rigid frame while keeping the trailer lightweight for transport.
3Device complexity
If traditional fixed-size trailers are used, then the structure is simple, but the trailers lack expansion capabilities and cannot adapt to different camping needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the trailer into multiple separable sections including a base trailer and one or more expandable modules that can be attached and detached. These modules connect through standardized interfaces using pivotable joints, allowing the trailer to be configured in different sizes and layouts. The segmented design enables expansion from a compact single-section configuration to a larger multi-section configuration while maintaining structural simplicity through modular repetition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic expandability through pivotable joints that allow trailer sections to rotate between compact and expanded positions. The joints enable the trailer to transition from a folded transport configuration to an expanded camping configuration by rotating modules outward from the central axis. This dynamic capability provides adaptability for different camping needs while maintaining relatively simple fixed structural components.
4Strength
If hard-shell materials are used instead of tent fabric, then the trailer is more secure and durable, but the weight increases and transport becomes harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction combining aluminum extrusions for the frame structure with fabric panels for the walls and roof. The aluminum frame provides structural strength and rigidity, while the fabric panels reduce overall weight compared to all-metal construction. This composite approach maintains security and durability through the rigid frame while keeping the trailer lightweight for transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A camper system is configurable between folded and expanded arrangements. The camper system includes a base frame, a floor substantially rigidly mounted to the base frame, a base wall rigidly coupled with the floor, substantially perpendicular thereto and having interior surfaces and exterior surfaces. First and second flanges project from the floor substantially perpendicular thereto and intersect at least one of the base wall interior surfaces. A first shell is pivotably coupled with the base wall along a first pivot axis. A second shell is pivotably coupled with the base wall along a second pivot axis parallel with the first pivot axis. A third shell is pivotably coupled with the base wall along a third pivot axis perpendicular to the first and second pivot axes. A fourth shell is pivotably coupled with the first and second flanges along a fourth pivot axis parallel with the third pivot axis.