GB2599339A

GB2599339A - A mobile accommodation system

Info

Publication number: GB2599339A
Application number: GB2010286.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosenthal Neil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-04
Filing date: 2020-07-04
Publication date: 2022-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-04
Also published as: GB202010286D0; GB2599339B

Abstract

A mobile accommodation system comprises a trailer 2 or portable system having a support surface. A plurality of accommodation units 6 are arranged on the trailer or portable system, each for housing sleeping apparatus. Two or more different power sources are provided, at least one of which is renewable. There may be at least three power sources, at least two of which are renewable. The power sources may include a wind power generator 10, solar panels 8, batteries 14, rechargeable batteries, a combustion engine, cryogenic engine, rotary engine and/or a piston engine. A control system may control power distribution from the power sources and may include a controller in communication with a power aggregator and a power hub to selectively control power provided to a desired accommodation unit and/or from an active power source. The accommodation units may be provided on either side of a corridor and may be provided on first and second storeys. The mobile accommodation system may also comprise a reversible heat pump 13, water and waste tanks 17 and a shower or washroom which may have a height two or more times that of the accommodation units.

Description

A Mobile Accommodation System The present invention relates to a mobile accommodation system including a plurality of accommodation units or sleeping cabins.

There are known a number of examples of mobile lodgings including a vehicle body for a trailer and having a plurality of adjacent sleeping cabins. One such example is described in US-A-4,759,582, which discloses a system in which plural sleeping units are provided in a transverse arrangement with respect to a generally longitudinal axis of the trailer.

A further example is disclosed GB1043975 which discloses a vehicle including a trailer adapted for being used as a hotel. Units are provided in a moveable configuration, arranged to be horizontally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to a generally longitudinal axis of the trailer.

EP-A-1,155,913 discloses a storage system comprising a wheeled structure carrying a plurality of closable compartments. A lock arrangement is provided which is arranged to permit each compartment to be locked in a closed condition to prevent access to the interior.

Improvements in mobile lodgings are desired.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile accommodation system, the system comprising: a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface; a plurality of accommodation units, arranged on the trailer or portable system, each for housing sleeping apparatus for a user; two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable.

A mobile accommodation system, is provided that includes a plurality of accommodation units, arranged on a trailer or portable system and two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable. The provision of multiple power sources at least one of which is renewable ensures that a redundant power source I

I

available. This is particularly useful in the present invention which includes plural accommodation units in which power requirements may be high and the need to ensure reliability of power supply is also high.

In one example, the trailer or portable system has a generally longitudinal axis and the accommodation units are arranged on one or both sides of the trailer or portable system so as to define an access corridor.

In one example, the accommodation units are arranged in two or more rows such that there is a first storey of units and a second storey of accommodation units.

In one example, the accommodation units are arranged on each side of the accommodation system and the access corridor is defined between the sides.

In one example, there are at least three different power sources, at least two of which are renewable.

In one example, the power sources are selected from the group including, wind power generator, solar power generator, battery system, rechargeable battery system, combustion engine, cryogenic engine, rotary engine, piston engine.

In one example, the mobile accommodation system comprises a reversible heat pump arranged to pump heat into or out of the mobile accommodation system.

In one example, the mobile accommodation system includes a power control system coupled to each of the one or more power sources and arranged to control power distribution within the system.

In one example, the power control system comprises a controller in communication with a power aggregator and a power hub arranged to selectively provide control to ensure that power is provided to a desired accommodation unit and/or from an active power source.

In one example, the mobile accommodation system comprises a water tank for storage of water for use on the accommodation system.

In one example, the mobile accommodation system comprises a shower or 5 washroom.

Preferably, the shower or washroom has a height greater than that of the accommodation units.

Preferably, the shower or washroom has a height that is 2 or more times that of the accommodation units.

In one example, the mobile accommodation system comprised a waste tank arranged to receive waste and/or effluent from the shower or washroom.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of powering a mobile accommodation system comprising a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface, a plurality of accommodation units arranged on the trailer or portable system and two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable, the method comprising; receiving power from the one or more sources and controllably providing power to the accommodation units.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile accommodation system, the system comprising: a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface; a plurality of accommodation units, arranged on the trailer or portable system, each for housing sleeping apparatus for a user; wherein there are provided on each longitudinal side of the trailer at least 2 levels of accommodation units, each including at least 4 and preferably at least 6 accommodation units, each individually accessible from within the trailer or portable system. A communal area is provided within the system such that access to each of the accommodation units is from the communal area. This has the advantage if it is, say, muddy outside, then access to the accommodation units is from an area that is not muddy. The accommodation units include beds that are arranged with their longitudinal axis parallel or within 45 degrees of the longitudinal axis of the system as a whole.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing mobile accommodation, the method comprising providing a mobile accommodation system, the system comprising: a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface; a plurality of accommodation units, arranged on the trailer or portable system, each for housing sleeping apparatus for a user; two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable.

In an embodiment, the accommodation units are provided in a herringbone layout.

In an embodiment, the accommodation system comprises two or more different power sources at least one of which is renewable.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a mobile accommodation system; Figure 2 shows a view of the internal space of the mobile accommodation system of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mobile accommodation system with the roof removed; and Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of the functional components of the mobile accommodation system; Figure 5 is a plan view of a further example of a mobile accommodation system.

Referring to Figure 1, an example of mobile accommodation system 1 is shown. The mobile accommodation system, in this example includes a vehicle in the form of a trailer 2 which is hooked up to and towed by a cab 4. The trailer 2 has a number of accommodation units 6 arranged therein, viewed from the outside only in Figure 1. The accommodation units are self-contained in that each provides a private space distinct and separate from that of any other of the units. Preferably each is lockable to provide a further level of enclosure and meaning that the units are self-contained and not say analogous to plural beds being provided in a shared space. In the example shown, there are two rows of six accommodation units 6 on one side of the trailer and, as will be explained below with reference to Figure 2, a similar arrangement is provided on the opposite longitudinal side of the trailer 2. Accordingly, in total there will be provided in this example of the mobile accommodation system 1, twenty-four accommodation units on a single trailer 2. The trailer is preferably the maximum size permitted on UK roads.

The accommodation system can be provided on a trailer with a cab as shown and described, although other forms of portable system could be used. For example, the accommodation could be provided on a truck without a separable cab, it could be arranged integrated into a bus or coach, or any other form of portable system or vehicle The accommodation units 6 are provided in a fixed arrangement on the trailer 2 such that once in position, they are substantially permanently configured.

A problem with known mobile lodgings is the provision of power (electricity) which is typically required by the accommodation units 6 and the users within them. Power might, for example, be used to provide heating or cooling depending on the outside ambient temperature. In addition, power may be required to operate other functionality of the units to be described in greater detail below.

An important aspect of the present mobile accommodation system is that a number of different power sources are provided which can operate either alone or together but are arranged and controlled such that there will always be a sufficient supply of power even if all the accommodation units 6 are occupied.

Referring to Figure 1, a number of solar panels 8 are provided on the roof of the trailer 2. Solar panels 6 can also be provided on other parts of the trailer or cab so as to maximise the available surface for power generation. In addition, a wind power generator 10 is provided at the rear of the trailer 2. In the example shown, the wind power generator 10 is packed away and so cannot be seen in an extended configuration, but the wind power generator 10 is preferably reconfigurable such that it can be extended either in a vertical or horizontal direction (or some combination in 3 dimensions) so as to be positionable to obtain maximum power from any surrounding wind. An awning may be provided which can be extendable on one or both sides (and also optionally to the front and rear) of the system 1 to provide shade from sun to the sides of the system 1. The awning is preferably stowable in a region between an upper surface of the trailer 2 and the solar panels 8.

A generator 12 is also provided which may be powered by any suitable fuel source. One example is LPG, but others may also be used. For example, the generator could simply be powered by petrol or diesel or indeed it could be a cryogenic engine arranged to be driven by a cryogenic fuel source such as liquid air or liquid nitrogen which, upon heating expands and can be used to drive the generator.

Finally, a battery system 14 is provided which is arranged to be able to provide power to any components or accommodation units 6 on the trailer 2 when required. Preferably, the battery system is a rechargeable lithium ion battery system which is arranged to be powered or charged by excess power produced by one or more of the other possible power sources. Excess power produced may be thought of as power produced but not required at the time of production by any of the accommodation units 6 or other components of the accommodation system 1. What will be understood, is that by the provision of a number of independent power sources which are both renewable and non-renewable fuel sources, a large degree of flexibility is provided which means that whatever the weather or environment in which the trailer is used, sufficient power is available for the accommodation units and otherwise for the accommodation system 1 as a whole.

There might for example be components of the accommodation system 1 which are not directly within or associated with a specific one of the accommodation units 6, such as lighting or heating for communal areas, or power to plug sockets within the communal area, to be described in greater detail below.

A water and waste system 16 is provided, arranged in this example, between the wheel units of the trailer 2 and cab 4. The water and waste system includes tanks 17 provided in a configuration with appropriate pipes and conduits and control elements to enable a flow of water to a toilet or shower system (not shown in Figure 1) provided on the trailer 2, and possibly also to each of the individual accommodation units 6.

It is preferred that in use when a trailer is driven to the desired location, the water tank will be empty (the waste will of course be empty since it will have been emptied prior to use). Once in location and parked in position, the water tank may be filled from a local source. Alternatively, the water tank can be filled when the trailer is at an originating base although this will generate additional fuel costs due to the transportation of the water. The water and waste system, may be configured as desired to provide the required functionality but the skilled person will understand that one or more pumps may be provided together with a heating means to heat water to a desired temperature for use in, say, an on-board shower.

A reversible heat pump 13 is provided (see Figure 1) this may be arranged with one or more temperature detectors and is arranged to moderate the temperature both within the unit as a whole and within the individual sleeping units 6. Preferably, environment control can be provided within each of the sleeping units 6. This will enable a user independently to control environmental parameters such as temperature or humidity etc within the accommodation unit 6 in question.

Referring now to Figure 2, an internal view looking towards to the end 18 of the trailer 2 longitudinally distant from the cab 4 is shown.

As can be seen, a walkway 20 is provided that it defines a corridor between the opposite banks of accommodation units 6. The ceiling 22 is provided with a decorative light unit 24 and panelling arrangement to improve the aesthetics of the interior of the accommodation system 1.

As can be seen, a lower row on each side of the trailer 2 has accommodation units 6 including sleeping furniture such as a mattress and bedding 26.

An opening 28 is provided which enables easy access for a user to the interior of the unit 6. Each accommodation unit will have a security exit on the exterior for emergency exit. Typically, the dimensions of an accommodation unit might be 2m in length, 1.2 metres in width and 1.25 m in height although the dimension could of course be varied as required for a specific application or configuration. It is preferable that the length of each accommodation unit is between 1.8 and 2.5m, and the height is between 1.1 and 1.6m and the width is between 1.2 and 1.6m. Any possible combination of dimensions within these ranges may be provided.

To facilitate easy access to the upper rows of accommodation units, steps in the form of ladders 30 are provided. A landing platform 32 is arranged to provide a position for footing for a user entering a sleeping unit 6 on the upper row. The landing platform 32 is preferably provided with a surface coating of (or manufactured entirely from) a nonslip material to increase safety and minimise the risk if any accidents for users entering an upper level unit 6.

The units on the top and bottom rows are substantially the same, although as can be seen the shape of the openings may be different. However, this can be varied as required or desired based on design and/or to facilitate access to the units.

One or more power sources are provided in the form of plug sockets 34 on an inner skirting board region on each side of the corridor 20. Thus, easy access to a plug socket is available for each of the accommodation units 6. In a preferred or alternative example, power sockets are provided on an interior surface of the units 6 as well or instead of the power sockets on the skirting board already described in the communal area.

The exterior walls of the units 6 are preferably formed of sheet metal or polymer materials. Any suitable material can be used although it is preferable that a material is chosen that has desired thermal properties either to ensure that the units remain warm when used in a cold environment or that they remain cool when used in a hot environment. Typically, any of the inner surfaces such as the inner walls and/or ceiling and/or floor, will be coated with materials to make more pleasant the interior of each unit.

For example, wood panelling may be provided or some form of coating to give the impression of a decorated room.

It is envisaged that the mobile accommodation system 1 will find particular application for use at festivals such as music, book, car or other such cultural festivals.

As explained above, a problem encountered at music festivals is the rough nature of the accommodation and this means that the festivals remain inaccessible to many people who otherwise would like to attend. The provision of an accommodation system having a flexible and redundant power provision assembly in the form of multiple different and independent power sources ensures that the accommodation system 1 can be powered whatever the weather.

The mobile accommodation system 1 can be driven to a festival and then disconnected from the cab and left to stand by itself without the cab, possibly with other such systems, for the duration of the festival Another application of this system would be to supplement accommodation for the homeless in the winter when demand is greater.

Given the provision of internal stairs or ladders 30 there is no need for any external apparatus to enable access to the upper rows. This means that the external facade of the unit is simple and effectively in the form of a planar wall or curtain sides as can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mobile accommodation system 1 with the roof removed. As can be seen, two rows of six accommodation units 6 are provided in this example, with an aisle 20 between them. A landing platform 32 is provided to enable easy access to each of the accommodation units 6. It will be appreciated that what can be seen in Figure 3 is the top layer of units 6 and that beneath the twelve units visible in Figure 3 will be another 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A staircase 34 is provided to enable easy access to the interior of the trailer 2. One or more shower units 36 are provided on each side of the trailer. The shower units 36 may preferably also generally include other bathroom features. For example, a shower together with a basin and optionally a toilet as well may be provided. In one example the toilets are provided separately from the shower rooms although both may include basins for reasons of hygiene.

In Figure 1, the water and waste tank 16 is shown coupled to the underside of the trailer 2. Referring to Figure 3, the water and waste tank (not shown in Figure 3) is arranged with a conduit to couple clean water to, and waste from shower and/or toilet facilities 36.

Referring to Figure 4, a schematic block diagram of the functional components of the mobile accommodation system 1 is shown. A number of power generation units or source are shown 38. Each of these might correspond to one of the power generation units or sources shown in Figure 1. For example, one would be the wind power generating unit 10, one would be the solar panels 8, one would be the LPG generator 12 and one could be the lithium ion battery system 14. A power aggregator 40 is provided including a power moderator and power controller 42. The power moderator and controller 42 is preferably configured to determine power needs based on the use of the accommodation units and provide power accordingly.

The connection between each of the sources 38 and the aggregator 40 is shown in simplified schematic form. It will be understood that particularly in respect of the connection between the rechargeable battery, the connection is arranged to be bidirectional such that at times when more power is being generated by the renewable power sources than is required by the accommodation units 6 or system 1 as a whole, any excess power may be routed by the aggregator and power moderator and controller 42 to the rechargeable battery or battery system. A shunt (not shown) is also provided to controllably direct excess power to earth in the situation where the battery is fully charged, and yet still more power is being generated than is needed.

The power moderator and controller 42 may be provided in hardware or in the form of a conventional processor loaded with appropriate software. A power distribution hub 44 is provided which itself is coupled to each of the accommodation units 6. The power distribution hub 44 is also in communication with the water and waste system to control power supply to its components. The power distribution hub 44 provides switching to enable power to be controlled to each of the connected units. In particular, the water and waste system include tanks 17, described above, and preferably also include one or more systems for determining the temperature, levels and/or pressures of fluids stored within the tanks. Controllable valves (not shown) are provided to enable water and waste to be directed as required. Preferably an alarm is provided which generates an alert when it is detected that the water levels are too low or the waste levels too high, or indeed when any undesirable situation is determined regarding the onboard fluids.

A pump (not shown) is provided associated with the tanks 16 which serves to provide pressurised water to the shower and toilet facilities 36. In addition, in one example, the accommodation system 1 is provided with means for collecting rainwater which would couple as a reserve water source, although of course this would only be additional since it could never be reliable.

In the schematic example shown, the aggregator 40, the power controller 42 and the power distribution hub 44 are shown as separate elements or components. It is of course possible in one example that they are provided as a power control system 43 for the accommodation system 1. The power control system 43 could itself be part of the overall system control, which might also be used to control power distribution to and from the vehicle battery, which is not specifically shown in Figure 4.

Importantly, the provision two or more power sources, at least one of which is renewable such as solar or wind, ensures that the trailer 2 has power available in all circumstances.

Figure 5 shows an example of mobile accommodation system 1 according to a further embodiment. In this example the mobile accommodation system again includes a vehicle in the form of a trailer 2. The trailer 2 has a number of accommodation units 6 arranged therein. The accommodation units are self-contained in that each provides a private space distinct and separate from that of any other of the units. Preferably each is lockable to provide a further level of enclosure and meaning that the units are not, say, analogous to plural beds being provided in a shared space. In the example shown, there are two rows of six accommodation units 6 on each side of the trailer. The accommodation units are arranged in a herringbone layout. This provides a number of advantages.

First, for each of the units an additional area of stowage 46 is provided. The area can be positioned either adjacent to a longitudinal side of one of the units as seen in area 461, or adjacent to the transverse edge of each unit 462. A further advantage is the privacy of the entry region 48 to each unit. As can be seen the region 48 between the units 6 on the inwards facing side is sheltered from the entry regions 48 for every one of the other units 6 on the same longitudinal side of the trailer. Accordingly, an increased degree of privacy is provided to the users. The angle 0 between the longitudinal axis of the trailer and the longitudinal axis of the accommodation units of the herringbone can of course be varied and fixed at a desired value so as to optimise space and privacy for users. As the angle increases, with a fixed size of unit 6 and a fixed size of trailer the width of the central aisle will decrease with increased angle (and increased area of area of stowage). Typically, a value of up to 40 degrees may be used for the angle 0, and preferably an angle of between 20 and 30 degrees.

Windows 50 are provided for each of the units 6, and are preferably also provided to the shower or toilet areas 36, although are not shown in this figure.

Again, in this example two floors or layers of units are provided such that there will be a total of 24 units. It will also be appreciated that for all of the examples and embodiments shown the dimensions of the accommodation units can be varied so that for example two people could comfortably fit and sleep in one. In total in the example shown in Figure 5, there will be provided twenty-four accommodation units on a single trailer 2. The trailer is preferably the maximum size permitted on UK roads. Preferably, but not essentially, plural power sources and control systems may be provided as in the example described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

A communal area is provided within the system such that access to each of the accommodation units is from the communal area. This has the advantage if it is, say, muddy outside, then access to the accommodation units is from an area that is not muddy. Access to each of the units may be from the end or side faces of the units as seen in Figure 5.

The accommodation units include beds that are arranged with their longitudinal axis XX' is parallel or within 45 degrees of the longitudinal axis YX of the system as a whole. In all the examples shown in Figures 1 to 5 it will be appreciated that the accommodation system needs no substantial reconfiguring from a travel configuration to a fixed configuration for use. In all the examples shown, the accommodation units are positioned at all times within the same footprint, i.e. within the same outer envelope as viewed from above.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile accommodation system, the system comprising: a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface; a plurality of accommodation units, arranged on the trailer or portable system, each for housing sleeping apparatus for a user; two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable.
2. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 1, in which the trailer or portable system has a generally longitudinal axis and the accommodation units are arranged on one or both sides of the trailer or portable system so as to define an access corridor.
3. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the accommodation units are arranged in two or more rows such that there is a first storey of units and a second storey of accommodation units
4. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 2 or 3, in which the accommodation units are arranged on each side of the accommodation system and the access corridor is defined between the sides.
5. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 1 or 2, in which there are at least three different power sources, at least two of which are renewable.
6. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the power sources are selected from the group including, wind power generator: solar power generator, battery system, rechargeable battery system, combustion engine, cryogenic engine, rotary engine, piston engine.
7. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 1 to 4, comprising a reversible heat pump arranged to pump heat into or out of the mobile accommodation system.
8. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 1 to 7, including a power control system coupled to each of the one or more power sources and arranged to control power distribution within the system.9. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 8, in which the power control system comprises a controller in communication with a power aggregator and a power hub arranged to selectively provide control to ensure that power is provided to a desired accommodation unit and/or from an active power source.
9. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising a water tank for storage of water for use on the accommodation system.
10. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising a shower or washroom.
11. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 9 wherein the shower or washroom has a height greater than that of the accommodation units.
12. A mobile accommodation system according to claim 11, wherein the shower or washroom has a height that is 2 or more times that of the accommodation units.
13. A mobile accommodation system according to any of claims 9 to 11, comprising a waste tank arranged to receive waste and/or effluent from the shower or washroom.
14. A method powering a mobile accommodation system comprising a trailer or portable system comprising a support surface, a plurality of accommodation units arranged on the trailer or portable system and two or more different power sources, at least one of which is renewable, the method comprising; receiving power from the one or more sources and controllably providing power to the accommodation units.
15. A method according to claim 14, in which the mobile accommodation system is a system according to any of claims 1 to 13.