Slide-Out Room Cable Drive for Even Extension and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide-out room assemblies in vehicles face issues such as limited amplitude of movement due to short screws or pinions, cantilevered extension leading to tipping and weight distribution problems, and require modifications to the underframe, which compromises its strength and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly using four synchronized drive cables connected to a driver member that tensions or slackens to move a slide-out room relative to the vehicle body, ensuring even actuation and minimizing power input, with mechanisms housed within the jamb to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If screws or pinions are used to effect telescoping movement of the slide-out unit, then the mechanism can achieve movement, but the amplitude of movement is limited due to the practical length constraints of screws and pinions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw or pinion mechanism with a cable-driven system. The cable is wound around a drum that rotates to extend or retract the slide-out unit, eliminating the length constraints of screws and pinions while achieving greater amplitude of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spring-loaded drum mechanism that uses elastic potential energy storage and release to drive the cable system. The spring acts as a mechanical energy storage device, providing the force needed to wind or unwound the cable during extension and retraction cycles.
2Volume of moving object
If the slide-out room is extended cantilevered, then the living space is increased, but the outer end tends to tip downwardly putting weight on the operating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a spring-loaded drum mechanism that provides counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the extended slide-out room. The spring stores mechanical energy and releases it to counteract the downward tipping force, reducing the load on the operating mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to store potential energy before the slide-out unit is extended. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to automatically counterbalance the weight during extension, rather than requiring the operating mechanism to overcome the full weight during movement.
3Volume of moving object
If the slide-out room is extended cantilevered, then the living space is increased, but the slide-out mechanism becomes loose at the top and tight at the bottom causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded drum provides uniform counterbalancing force throughout the extension range, maintaining even pressure distribution on the seal. This prevents the loose-at-top/tight-at-bottom condition that causes leakage in cantilevered systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force distribution parameter by introducing the spring mechanism, which dynamically adjusts the counterbalancing force to maintain uniform seal pressure across the entire seal length during extension and retraction.
4Ease of operation
If the operating mechanism is installed outside the underframe, then the slide-out function is achieved, but the underframe's strength and rigidity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the operating mechanism components (drum, spring, cable) within the jamb structure of the slide-out unit itself, rather than mounting them on the underframe. This nested arrangement allows the mechanism to be integrated into the moving assembly without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle's underframe.
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 smooth, even actuation of the slide-out room without twisting or binding, maintains the vehicle's structural integrity, and allows for greater extension amplitude without requiring underframe modifications.
Implementation Method 1
each of the at least four drive cables having a first end coupled to the driver member and a second end coupled to the slide-out room. The driver member is configured to tension or slacken the at least four drive cables upon actuation of the driver member.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly for reciprocating a slide-out room, the slide-out room having a pair of opposing sidewalls and being insertable within an opening in a vehicle body. The drive assembly includes a drive member coupled to at least four drive cables including a first, second, third, and fourth drive cable. The first and third drive cables are connected to the drive member and extend to a first end of the slide-out room. The second and fourth drive cables are connected to the drive member and extend to a second end of the slide-out room opposite the first end. The first and second drive cables extend in opposite directions, and the third and fourth drive cables extend in opposite directions. Actuation of the drive member in the first direction engages one of the four drive cables to move the slide-out room, thereby engaging at least one of the remaining drive cables.