RV Slide-Out Floor Entry Bevel for Tear-Resistant Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional slide out floor assemblies in recreational vehicles (RVs) deteriorate when transitioning between extended and retracted positions, leading to ripping and tearing of the floor components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an entry bevel with a leading edge, transitional surface, angled contact surface, sheet concealment ridge, exterior sheet accommodating surface, and anchoring tail in the slide out floor assembly, along with a composite floor design featuring a core floor component sandwiched between impact and weather resistant sheets, and a planar strength member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional slide out floor assemblies are used, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the floor deteriorates when transitioning between extended and retracted positions
Solution Approach 1:
The floor assembly is divided into multiple functional layers including a core floor component, impact resistant sheet, weather resistant sheet, and entry bevel. Each layer serves a specific protective function, with the entry bevel specifically designed to prevent deterioration during transitions between extended and retracted positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties: the core floor component provides structural support, the impact resistant sheet protects against mechanical damage, the weather resistant sheet protects against environmental factors, and the entry bevel prevents peeling and ripping during movement. This multi-material composite approach enhances overall durability while managing the complexity through functional specialization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slide out compartment transitions between extended and retracted positions, then the interior volume can be adjusted, but the floor components rip and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The entry bevel is pre-formed with a specific geometric configuration featuring an angled contact surface designed to guide and protect the leading edge of the core floor component during transitions. This preliminary structural preparation prevents peeling and ripping before they can occur during the movement between extended and retracted positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the floor assembly by introducing the entry bevel with specific angular dimensions and thickness variations. The bevel's angled contact surface creates a favorable stress distribution pattern during transitions, changing the mechanical parameters of how forces are applied to the floor components and preventing material failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational vehicle (RV) may include a chassis, at least one axle assembly, a vehicle body, and a slide out compartment. The slide out compartment may be integrated with the vehicle body, extendable to expand an interior volume of the vehicle body, and retractable over a body-side edge of the floor of the vehicle body to reduce an interior volume of the vehicle body. The slide out compartment may include a slide out floor assembly including an impact resistant sheet, a core floor component, a weather resistant sheet, and an entry bevel. The entry bevel may be positioned along an entry edge of the core floor component of the slide out compartment and may include a leading edge, a transitional surface, an angled contact surface, a sheet concealment ridge, an exterior sheet accommodating surface, and an anchoring tail.