Lubrication-free linear tables for retractable alcoves in caravans

Profile

• What was needed: Lead screw linear modules drylin of the SLW series
• Requirements: Compact systems due to limited installation space, lubrication-free solution
• Industry: Automotive, caravans
• Success for the customer: The drylin SLW linear axes can be integrated very easily into the adjacent construction, are compact, lubrication-free and torsion-resistant; the electric motor for driving the system can also be obtained from our product range

The "Zoom" caravan can extend its sleeping alcove by 1.32 metres to a total of 5.22 metres.

Problem

When the "Zoom" is on the road, it is only 3.90 metres long, making it a true compact caravan. Once at the campsite, the caravan can simply slide the entire sleeping section out over the trailer coupling via an electric motor and then gains not only 1.32 metres more usable length, but an alcove with a highly spacious double bed of 1.60 x 2.05 metres, which is neither in the way of the seating arrangement nor the kitchen.
But the sliding alcove is by no means the only innovation of the "Zoom". The kitchen concept is equally well thought-out and new. It is located in the rear and can easily be transformed into an open-air kitchen by swinging open the large tailgate. Ross Design has designed a movable kitchen unit that moves on two lateral lead screw axes in the vertical axis. If you want to cook outside, simply move the kitchen down a little. And if you raise the kitchen block all the way up, you can load bicycles or canoes through the large tailgate.
For the linear systems for the alcove and kitchen, the manufacturer needed both compact systems that could be easily integrated into the caravan and solutions that were as lubrication-free as possible.

Solution

The drive and guide system for pushing out the alcove come from external suppliers. Ross works with us on the linear systems and uses a three-point drive here. This sits centrally under the slide-out unit; two aluminium profiles installed laterally above the alcove provide guidance. So no misalignment can occur.
A lead screw linear system of the type drylin® SLW is used as the central drive. These linear axes with trapezoidal thread (high helix threads and toothed belts are also available) do not require lubrication because the lubricant is incorporated in the sliding and guide elements made of the iglidur® J material. These elements form an excellent sliding pair with the shaft made of hard anodised aluminium.
The drylin® SLW linear axes can be very easily integrated into the adjacent structure. They are compactly built and offer high torsional rigidity. An electric motor from our comprehensive product range is recommended for the drive when used in series production. The aluminium guides that Ross Design uses for the "zoomable" sleeping compartment also come from our product range.
And two parallel lead screw drives of the drylin SLW type also provide the necessary mobility for the movable kitchen block.

In the "Zoom", the alcove can be pushed out via the drawbar. This turns the caravan into a spatial wonder.

Cosy and spacious: the bed is neither in the way of the seating area nor the kitchen.

A drylin linear unit, which is mounted below the alcove, performs the slide-out.

The lead screw linear systems of type drylin SLW are compactly built and do not need to be lubricated thanks to the "built-in" lubricant.

Aluminium guides from igus above the alcove ensure torsion-free three-point guidance of the "zoomable" sleeping compartment.

The height adjustment of the kitchen block is implemented via two synchronously running lead screw drives with igus linear systems.