Retractable RV Cover Frame With Ventilated One-Person Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheeled land vehicle covering systems are not economically viable, reliable, or long-lasting, particularly for larger vehicles like motorhomes and travel trailers, which are challenging to cover effectively.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable and retractable suspended cover system using a flexible, durable material that can be easily extended and retracted, allowing for one-person operation, with a frame and track system that supports the cover and allows for ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, and can be stowed away compactly for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a covering system is designed for larger wheeled land vehicles like motorhomes and travel trailers, then the protection coverage area is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The covering system is divided into multiple independent booms (first boom, second boom, third boom, fourth boom) that can be independently adjusted. Each boom is supported by its own uprights with height adjustment mechanisms, allowing the large coverage area to be achieved through modular segmentation rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates height-adjustable uprights and width-adjustable booms that can be dynamically reconfigured. The booms can be positioned at different heights and angles, and the entire structure can be collapsed or extended based on the vehicle size and covering needs, making the system adaptable rather than fixed.
2Ease of operation
If a retractable cover system is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is suspended from an overhead track system that runs along the top of the covering area. This positioning allows the cover to be easily retracted to a horizontal stowed position along the track, eliminating the need for complex folding mechanisms and reducing reliability issues associated with multiple moving joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover itself is made of flexible material that can be easily manipulated and repositioned. This flexibility allows a single person to easily extend and retract the cover along the track system without requiring complex mechanical assistance, while the simple track-guided movement maintains reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation features are added to prevent moisture buildup, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ventilation is achieved by creating a three-dimensional air space between the cover and the vehicle surface. The suspended cover hangs from the overhead track at a distance, forming an air gap that allows natural convection and evaporation to occur, eliminating the need for active ventilation systems or complex moisture management mechanisms.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover material is made breathable to equalize humidity, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material is specified as breathable fabric that allows moisture vapor to pass through. This simple material property, rather than a complex active humidity control system, achieves humidity equalization between the covered space and the external environment, maintaining effectiveness while avoiding high manufacturing costs.
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 system provides effective protection from elements and impacts while being easy to use and maintain, offering a durable and long-lasting solution for covering large wheeled land vehicles, enhancing their durability and extending their lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The material that such a vehicle cover is made from preferably also is breathable to permit moisture to escape, e.g., evaporate and/or pass through the cover, as well as to equalize humidity inside the cover to that of the ambient humidity outside the cover.
Implementation Method 2
The material that such a vehicle cover is made from preferably also is breathable to permit moisture to escape, e.g., evaporate and/or pass through the cover
Implementation Method 3
Such a cover is of tented roof construction providing a ventilation air space between the roof of the vehicle and the top of the cover to help facilitate equalization of humidity and evaporation of moisture from the surface of the vehicle when covered with the cover.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheeled land vehicle covering system configured for one-person operation, the covering system having a covering system frame composed of a plurality of spaced apart uprights which support an overhead track from which a vehicle cover is suspended that is extendable along the track to cover a vehicle and which is retractable to uncover the vehicle. Each one of the uprights is height adjustable to adjust how far a top of the cover is above a roof of a vehicle to maintain a ventilation space therebetween. The cover is configured for one-person removal for storage when it is disposed in the fully retracted position. Such a cover also is configured for one-person installation when it is desired to reinstall the cover. The cover is attached by a hanger arrangement that enables extension and retraction of the cover by enabling relative extensible and retractable movement of the cover along the track.