RV Slide-Out Corner Drive and Sealing for Flush Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide-out systems for vehicles face challenges with complex and costly seals for non-flat wall contours, exposure of mechanisms to the environment leading to dirt and debris issues, and difficulty in achieving an effective seal when retracted, which affects the reliability and maintenance of the systems.

Innovation Solution

A slide-out room system with a peripheral frame mounting structure and corner units that include a drive screw mechanism with a continuous seal, allowing for easy installation and reduced exposure of components, along with a flexible weather seal to protect the drive shafts and maintain a flush outer wall when retracted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex seals are used to conform to non-flat wall contours, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple segments that can independently conform to the wall contours. Each segment can flex and adjust to match the specific geometry of the vehicle wall and slide-out room interface, providing effective sealing without requiring a single complex custom-shaped seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal design allows for adjustment of geometric parameters such as curvature and orientation to match different wall contours. This enables the same seal design to be adapted to various non-flat surfaces without redesigning the entire sealing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If mechanisms are exposed to the environment when the slide-out room is extended, then operational functionality is improved, but susceptibility to dirt and debris increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational functionalityVSAvoidexposure to dirt and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible weather seal or protective film covers the drive mechanism components when the slide-out room is extended. This protective layer allows the mechanism to remain exposed and functional while preventing direct contact with dirt and debris in the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective covering is designed to be dynamic, moving with the slide-out room as it extends and retracts. This ensures continuous protection of the mechanism while maintaining full operational functionality throughout the entire range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If hydraulic actuators are used to position the room, then positioning capability is improved, but difficulty in achieving effective seal when retracted increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness when retracted

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary positioning mechanism or intermediate structure is introduced between the hydraulic actuator and the slide-out room. This intermediary component facilitates precise positioning while ensuring proper alignment and contact for effective sealing when the room is in the retracted position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary positioning adjustments before final retraction using the hydraulic actuator. This preliminary action ensures that the slide-out room is correctly aligned with the vehicle wall interface, creating optimal conditions for the seal to function effectively when retracted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 a reliable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing solution with reduced maintenance needs, improved operational reliability, and enhanced sealing to prevent leaks, while maintaining a compact exterior footprint.

Implementation Method 1

corner units that include a drive screw mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

continuous seal allowing for easy installation and reduced exposure of components, along with a flexible weather seal to protect the drive shafts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3470265B1Slide-out system for a recreational vehicle and associated method

Publication Date: 2023.09.13 XL IP BV

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AI summary

A slide-out room and operating mechanism includes a plurality of corner units (32) and a plurality of wall panels connected to the corner units. The slide-out room is receivable in a mounting structure. Each corner unit (32) includes a drive mechanism therein. The drive mechanisms cooperate with the mounting structure to enable selective translation of the slide-out room through the mounting structure in first and second opposing directions.