Slide-Out Assembly Using Double Push Chains for Hidden Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide-out systems for vehicles are heavy, compromise vehicle aesthetics, and have issues with sealing and visibility of the drive system, particularly when using scissor mechanisms or push chains.
Innovation Solution
A slide-out assembly with a drive system utilizing a rigid double chain set comprising two unidirectionally bendable chain strands that transmit thrust forces, allowing the slide-out box to extend and retract while ensuring effective sealing and hiding the drive components from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scissor mechanism is used to drive the slide-out box, then the slide-out box can be moved between storage and extended positions, but the drive system becomes heavy and reduces vehicle load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional scissor mechanism with a push chain drive system. The push chain consists of rigid chain strands that transmit forces axially, eliminating the need for complex scissor linkages. This substitution significantly reduces the weight of the drive system while maintaining the ability to move the slide-out box between storage and extended positions.
2Weight of moving object
If push chains are used to drive the slide-out box, then the drive system weight is reduced, but sealing of the vehicle interior becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drive system components from the vehicle interior space by routing the push chain through a guide device that extends to the outer side of the vehicle wall. This allows the chain to be positioned outside the sealed interior environment, enabling effective thermal sealing of the vehicle interior while maintaining drive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide device as an intermediary component between the drive system and the slide-out box. The guide device includes a guide means that directs the push chain from the interior to the exterior of the vehicle wall, allowing the chain to operate outside the sealed environment while still transmitting force to move the slide-out box. This mediator enables both lightweight construction and effective sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If racks are provided on the outside of the slide-out box as part of the drive system, then sealing is improved, but the drive system remains partially visible from the inside or outside, compromising aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a nesting principle by integrating the push chain within a housing or cover structure when viewed from the interior of the vehicle. The chain is positioned within the guide device and can be concealed by interior panels or trim, making it invisible from the inside while maintaining its external routing for sealing purposes. This nested arrangement eliminates aesthetic concerns while preserving both sealing and lightweight advantages.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
A slide-out arrangement (10) for a vehicle (100) allows a slide-out box (20) to be extended for the purpose of enlarging the vehicle interior. A slide-out arrangement (10) comprises a vehicle-side assembly (40) for mounting on the chassis of the vehicle (100) and a slide-out-side assembly (50) for mounting on a slide-out box (20), and further includes a drive system (60) by means of which the vehicle-side assembly (40) and the slide-out-side assembly (50) are movable relative to each other. It is proposed that the drive system (60) comprise a push chain drive with at least one double chain set (64) which has at least two chain strands (66A, 66B) that are independently fed to a contact area when the double chain set is extended, and which are each designed as unidirectionally articulated chain strands (66A, 66B).The at least two chain strands (66A, 66B) come into contact with each other in the contact area (62) when the chain strands (66A, 66B) are extended, in such a way that they can be extended as a common chain assembly (68) supporting or holding each other.