Patent Publication Number: US-2023160195-A1

Title: Collapsable living compartment

Description:
The present invention relates to a living compartment, for example particularly, but not exclusively, a collapsible living compartment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A foldable modular home is known and has been put forward as a quick fix for urgent need of temporary living space. The modular home can be collapsed or folded into a compact configuration for ease of storage and transport. Such a modular home is reusable by expanding it to create a closed space of reasonable size sufficient as a sheltered living area. 
     They are temporary measures. Building cost is a great concern. Weight is another important consideration, as it is intended to be portable. Quality is sacrificed for economic efficiency. These houses have poor insulation against external environment resulting in common problems such as leakage and overheating. Wiring and powering is another issue. As such foldable house is not common for human habitation but animals. 
     The invention seeks to eliminate or at least to mitigate such shortcomings by providing a modular living compartment that is well equipped for human habitation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible living compartment comprising a frame supporting and a floor which is connected to a sidewall formed from two or more panels, wherein at least one of panels includes a supporting member and a passage embedded within a space defined between two outer skins, and at least part of the space is filled with insulating material. 
     Preferably, the panel includes at least two passages provided adjacent to respective supporting members. 
     More preferably, the passages and the respective supporting members are provided at respective opposite end portions of the panel thereby defining the part of the space being filled with insulating material. 
     Yet more preferably, the opposite end portions are different in at least one dimension, such that when two panels are connected to one another, the opposite end portion of a smaller dimension in one panel is received by the opposite end portion of a larger dimension in another panel. 
     It is preferable that the passage and the supporting member at one opposite end portion are different in at least one dimension when comparing to that of the passage and the supporting member at the other opposite end portion. 
     Advantageously, the two panels are inter-engaged to form the sidewall via a coupler. 
     More advantageously, the coupler includes first and second coupling members provided with respective opposite end portions of the panel. 
     Yet more advantageously, the first and second coupling members are complementarily shaped. 
     It is advantageous that the coupling members are part of the respective supporting members. 
     Preferably, the outer skins are configured to form the coupling members at opposite ends of the panel. 
     More preferably, the passage and the outer skins define a subsidiary space filled with the insulating material. 
     It is preferable that the sidewall is connected to a ceiling. 
     More preferably, at least one of the floor, the ceiling, the sidewall includes two or more members foldable relative to one another. 
     Advantageously, the ceiling includes a first ceiling member movably connected to a second ceiling member, relative movement between the first and second ceiling member allow the ceiling to change between expanded and retracted states. 
     More advantageously, the first and second ceiling members are pivotally connected to each other. 
     Yet more advantageously, the floor includes a first floor member movably connected to a second floor member, relative movement between the first and second floor member allow the floor to change between expanded and retracted states. 
     Preferably, the first and second floor members are pivotally connected. 
     More preferably, the sidewall includes four sidewall members, two of the sidewall members are movably connected to at least one of the two other sidewall members such that relative movement between the sidewall members allows the sidewall to change between expanded and retracted states. 
     It is preferably that the frame includes frame members that are removably connected to each other for offering mechanical reinforcement. 
     Advantageously, the frame includes upper frame members and lower frame members connected by inter-connecting frame members. 
     More advantageously, the ceiling member is supported by the upper frame members, the floor members are supported by the lower frame members and the sidewall is supported by the inter-connecting frame members. 
     Yet more advantageously, any one of the frame members is movably connected with another frame member so as to allow relative movement between these frame members when the compartment changes between the collapsed and expanded states. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a collapsible living compartment according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top plan view of a panel of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible living compartment taken along line XI-XI in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged view of portion XII of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged view of portion XIII of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    is an enlarged view of portion XIV of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible living compartment taken along line XV-XV in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a top plan view of two panels of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  1   , showing a first embodiment of a coupler coupling the two panels; 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged view of portion XVII of the collapsible living compartment in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded view of the portion XVII in  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIGS.  12  and  13    are top plan view of a portion of two panels showing a second embodiment of a coupler coupling the two panels; 
         FIGS.  14  and  15    are top plan view of a portion of two panels showing a third embodiment of a coupler coupling the two panels; 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a collapsible living compartment in an expanded state according to the invention; 
         FIG.  17    is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  16    in a collapsed state; 
         FIG.  18    is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  16    in a collapsed state; 
         FIG.  19    is the rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  17    with a ceiling members in expanding state; 
         FIG.  20    is the rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  17    with a ceiling members in fully expanded state and floor members in expanding state; 
         FIG.  21    is the rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  17    with a ceiling members and the floor members in fully expanded state; 
         FIG.  22    is the rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  17    with left and right sidewalls in expanding state. 
         FIG.  23    is a top plan view of a portion of two panels showing a fourth embodiment of a coupler coupling the two panels; 
         FIG.  24 A  is a side view of a movable support; and 
         FIG.  24 B  is a side view of the collapsible living compartment of  FIG.  17    with the movable support in  FIG.  24 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , there is shown a first embodiment of a collapsible living compartment  100  for human habitation. The collapsible living compartment  100  is preferably collapsible to a compact state for transportation and can be assembled or expanded to create a closed space of reasonable size sufficient as a sheltered living area. 
     The collapsible living compartment A includes a main frame  1  supporting a ceiling panel  3 , a plurality of panels  4 , a door  5 , a window  6 , a solar electric system  7  and an energy storage  8 . In a different embodiment, the collapsible living compartment  100  may not include a ceiling  3 . 
     The frame  1  is mainly to support the collapsible living compartment A. The main frame  1  may be secured to a plurality of base seats on the surface on which the collapsible living compartment A is placed. The main frame includes a plurality of upper frame members  11 , a plurality of lower frame members  12  and a plurality of inter-connecting frame members  13 . The upper frame members  11  are interconnected to form the upper frame  14 . The plurality of lower frame members are interconnected to form the lower frame  15 . The plurality of inter-connecting frame members  13  are vertically displayed and each has two opposite ends for connecting with the upper and lower frames  14  and  15  respectively. In an embodiment of the invention, the upper frame  11 , the lower frame  12  and the interconnecting frame members  13  are made of steel and they are connecting via welding and/or fastener, coupler such as a rivet. 
     The ceiling panel  3  is connected to the main frame  1  via light weight steel frames. The frame  1  and the plurality of ceiling panel  3  are secured to one another via conventional means. 
     A space SP 1  and a space SP 2  are defined by the ceiling panels  3  and the main frame  1 . Together with the floor A 3  and the sidewalls A 1 , the ceiling defines a living space SP 2 . Space SP 1  accommodates a portion of a lighting system, a part of the air conditioning device, all types of pipelines and tubing (e.g. electric and water) and wirings. SP 2  is the space for habitation. The Space SP 2  is connected with the external environment via SP 1 . The air conditioning system, wiring and pipes supply SP 2  by running through SP 1 . 
     A plurality of panels  4  are fixed to the main frame  1 . The ceiling A 2 , the floor A 3  and each sidewall A 1  are collections of inter-connected panels  4 . A door  5  is provided with one of the panels  4  and a window  6  is provided with another panel  4 . The number of doors  5  and windows  6  applied will depend on needs. The gap between the door  5  or the window  6  and the respective panel  4  is filled by waterproof material. The door  5  and the window  6  are preferably made of Glass fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic sheet molding material (SMC, Sheet molding compound), Window  6  may include metal parts for mechanical reinforcement. 
     The solar electric system  7  includes at least one solar panel  71  electrically connected to a circuit  72  both located at the ceiling A 2 . The circuit  72  includes an energy storage, a variable frequency drive and any other electric component as required. The circuit  72  is connected to an energy storage device  8  which is useful in storing energy collected by the solar electric system  7 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3  to  8   , each panel  4  includes two supporting members  41 , two outer skins  42  formed from glass fiber reinforced thermosetting plastic sheet molding material (SMC Sheet molding compound) two passages  43  and a foam body  44  made of PU foam. The two supporting members  41  is the main mechanical support of the panel  4 . In more detail, the two support members  41  are provided at respective opposite end portions of the panel  4  to offer mechanical support. These support members  41  are elongated members that runs along height of the panel  4  with a quadrilateral cross-sectional shape when taken across its length. To offer mechanical support these support members are made from relatively hard materials such as wood and metal (steel) etc. The two outer skins  42  are affixed to opposite sides of the two supporting members  41 . Such that the two supporting members  41  are sandwiched between the two outer skins  42 . Each outer skin  42  is affixed to the same sides of two supporting member  41 . The sides to which the outer skins  42  are attached are opposite one another. In the preferred embodiment, the two outer skins  42  along with an inner side of each passages  43  define a subsidiary space in the space  45  which is filled with PU foam to form the foam body  44 . The outer skins  42  are held in position with the supporting members  41  by the PU foam  44 . 
     In a preferred embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  3  to  8   , the passages  43  are provided on an interior side of each supporting members  41 . These passages  43  are provided external of the subsidiary space but within the space  45  and sandwiched by the two outer skins  42 . The passages  43  are elongated hollow tubing and may be with circular or quadrilateral cross-sectional shape when take across their length. These tubing  43  may be made of plastic or steel and adhesively affixed to the respective supporting members  41 . The foam  44  in the subsidiary space  46  when solidified offers mechanical support and assists in fixing the relative positions of the outer skins  42 , the passages  43  and the support members  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the passage  43  includes a hollow interior  431  that is in fluid communication with those of other passages  43  and/or the external environment via opening  432  and opening  421 . The opening  432  is provided on the passage  43  while the opening  421  is provided on one of the two skins  42 . In this embodiment, the openings  432  and  421  overlap with each other and in alignment. The degree of overlapping may be adjusted to control the degree of communication between the passages and the external environment. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the passage  43  of the panel  4  in the ceiling A 2  and that in the panel  4  on the sidewall A 1  are in fluid communication via the SP 1 . Electric wire E and pipelines enters the SP 1  via the openings  432  and  421  on the panel  4  of the ceiling A 2  and leaves the SP 1  via the openings  432  and  421  of the panel  4  of the sidewall A 1 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  4  and  6   , the hollow interior  431  of the passage  43  is in fluid communication with the energy storage  8  via a further opening  432  on the hollow interior  431  and a further opening  421  on another one of the two outer skins  42  which overlap with the further opening  432 . The electric wire E exits the sidewall A 1  to connect with the energy storage  8  via the further openings  432  and  421 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  4  and  7   , the hollow interior  431  of the passage  43  in the panel  4  of the ceiling A 2  is in fluid communication with the circuit  72  of the solar energy system  7  via further openings  432  and  421  of the passage  43  and the skin  42 . The electric wire E is in connection with the circuit  72  via these further openings  432  and  421 . The electric wire E runs through the SP 1  to enter the hollow interior  431  of  5  the passage  43  in one of the panels  4  of the sidewall A 1  via the openings  432  and  421  as shown in  FIG.  7   . The electric wire E is in connection with a socket F affixed to a further opening  432  and  421  of the relevant passage  43  and skin  42 . This further openings  432  and  421  on the outer skin  42  are open to the space SP 2 . 
     The solar energy system  7  is in connection with the socket F and the energy storage  8  via the hollow interior  43 , the space SP 1 , the various openings and further openings  432  and  421  on the passages  43  and the outer skins  42  of the panels  4 . They avoid the exposure of the wiring and pipelines by allowing them to run inside the panels  4 . This is a safety measure as well as a substantial improvement on the esthetic appearance of the collapsible living compartment comparing to what is available in the market. 
     Conventional collapsible living compartments are built from metal plates without heat or sound insulation. Also the same metal plates are not intended for reassembling after being disassembled. The compartments  100  are not intended for transportation. Wirings and pipes are exposed which causes safety concerns. The collapsible living compartment A of the invention have strong heat and sound insulation attributable to the foam  44  and the use of sheet molding components. The light weighted metal door and windows lowers the overall weight of the compartment A for easy transportation. The wirings and pipes run in designated and enclosed space for protection. The reversible couplings that link all the panels  4  offer flexibility. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the upper frame member  11  is coupled to an upper end of the panel  4  via a first coupler and the lower frame member  12  is coupled to the lower end of the panel  4  via a second coupler. The first coupler requires each of the upper frame members  11  to include a retainer  111  which can be in the form of a groove for accommodating an upper end of each of the panels  4  connected thereto. Inner wall of retainer  111  is in mechanical connection with the upper end of the panels  4  via a pair of locking members  112 / 424 . In an embodiment as shown in  FIG.  5   , the pair of locking members  112 / 424  includes a pair of projections or bumps  112  on at least two sides of an inner wall of the retainer  111 , which can be fitted into respective receiving dents or grooves or depressions  424  on the skins  42  of the upper end of each panel  4 . Plastic or adhesive may be applied to the dent  424  before the fitting of the projection or bump  112 . Also waterproof plastic structure B 2  is inserted between the dent  424  and the projection  112  to form a waterproof connection. The second coupler requires the lower frame members  12  to include a retainer  121  which can be in the form of a protrusion  121  to be accommodated in a groove or dent  46  on the lower end of the panel  4 . The protrusion  121  may include a dent or a depression or groove  122  for holding adhesive of molten plastic for gluing the lower end of the panel  4  to the lower frame member  12 . Waterproof structure B 1  is inserted into the dent  122  to form a waterproof connection. 
     The dimension of the groove  111  may be slightly smaller than that of the upper end of the panel  4  while the groove  46  on the lower end of the panel  4  may be dimensioned slightly smaller than the protrusion  121  so as to ensure a tight fit in the first and second couplers. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  8   , the passage  43  of one or more of the panels  4  in the sidewall A 1  includes a slanted end wall  434  leading to a lower opening  435  at the lower end portion. The slanted end wall  434  is tilted towards an outlet tube G that leads to outside of the collapsible living compartment  100 . The outlet tube G is connected to the passage  43  via an opening  422  on the skin  42  of the panel  4  and the opening  435  on the passage  43 . These openings  422  and  435  are aligned to define an aperture through which liquid that travels through the passage  43  can be lead out of the collapsible living compartment  100  via the outlet tube G. 
     The ceiling A 2  is slightly titled towards a guide surface  113  and a water outlet  114  of the frame  11 . The outlet  114  cuts through the frame  11 . The ceiling A 2  along with the guide surface  113  leads any fluid such as rain deposited on the ceiling A 2  towards the water outlet  114 . The water is guided by the slightly tilted ceiling A 2  and the guide surface  13  towards the outlet  114  then down a designated passage  43  towards the outlet tube G via the slanted end wall  434 . 
     The passages  43  of the panels  4  in the sidewalls A 1  through which the wire run are different from the passages  43  for directing fluid or water from the ceiling A 2  away from the collapsible living compartment A. 
     Now turning to  FIGS.  3 ,  9  to  11   . As mentioned, each panel  4  has two end portions. With reference to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the first end portion includes a first support member  41   a  partially sandwiched by the outer skins  42 . The outer skins  42  each includes a main body  421  and an extension  422  arranged transversely thereto. These extensions  422  are accommodated by the first support member  41   a  which may include two retainers in the form of grooves  411  one on each of two opposite sides for insertion of the respective extensions  422 . Adhesive may be applied between the extension  422  and the grooves  411  for reinforcement. More specifically, the first support member  41   a  includes a main portion  412  and an auxiliary portion  413  connected by a connector portion  414 . The thickness of the main portion  412  and the auxiliary portion  413  is greater than that of the connector portion  414 . The two grooves  411  are provided at the connector portion  414 . The width of the auxiliary portion  413  is dimensioned so-as-to flush with outer skin  42  that covers the main portion  412  and the connector portion  414 . The second end portion includes a second support member  41   b  positioned next to the relevant passage  43 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  9  to  11   , the second support member  41   b  is completely sandwiched between the outer skins  42  and includes a retaining member  415  in the form of a groove or a slot. 
     As can be seen from the drawings, the width of the second end portion D 1  is greater than that of the first end portion D 2 . The connection between two consecutive panels  4  is an end-to-end connection. As D 1  is larger than D 2 , the first end portion can be inserted into the second end portion and to be retained by the retaining member  415 . The first support member  41   a  and the second support member  41   b  collectively form the support structure  41  of the panels  4 . With reference to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the passage  43  at the first end portion is smaller in dimension than the passage  43  in the second end portion. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , when connecting two panels  4 , a layer of adhesive C is applied to the first end portion of the first panel  4 A and water-proof material B 3  is injected into two inner corners of the retaining member  415  of the second end portion of the second panel  4 B. The first end portion is then inserted into the retaining member  415  with the layer of adhesive C engaging the water-proof material B 3 . The connection of the two panels  4 A and  4 B is completed when the water-proof material B 3  dries off. The water-proof material B 3  prevents water from entering the space SP 2  via the connection between the panels  4 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , the two outer skins  42  of a panel  4  has corresponding and evenly spaced decorative portions  423 . External appearance of the second end of the panel  4  resembles the part of the panel  4  with decorative portions  423 . The decorative portions on each outer skin  42  is evenly spaced at a distance of L 2  while the second end portion is separated from its adjacent decorative portions  423  by a distance of L 1 . The sidewall A 1  has a wavy external appearance. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12  and  13   , there is shown a second embodiment of the panel  4  where the second end portion includes a specifically shaped protrusion  92  extending from second support member  41   b  and the first end portion includes a retainer with a complementary shaped recess  91  provided adjacent the first support member  41   a . The protrusion  92  of a first panel  4 A is fitted with the recess  91  of a second panel  4 B so-as-to form a lock for securing the two panels  4 A and  4 B in place as shown in  FIG.  13   . The shape of the protrusion  92  and the recess  91  may be of any shape that is useful in securing the two panels  4 A and  4 B together. Water-proof material may be applied at the junction where the protrusion  92  and the recess  91  connects to form a waterproof connection. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  14  and  15   , there is shown a third embodiment of the panels  4 , the first and second end portions have the same width. The outer skin  42  of the first end portion extends to form a retainer  42 B in the form of a shaped recess positioned adjacent to the support member  41 . In other words, the retainer  42 B is integrally formed with the skin  42  as one piece. In the second end portion, the outer skin  42  extends to form a complementarily shaped projection  42 A for fitting into a corresponding retainer  42 B of a different panel  4 . The retainer  42 B and the projection  42 A are both located next to corresponding support member  41 . Waterproof material may be applied at the junction where the projection  42 A and the retainer  42 B are connected to form a waterproof connection. The retainer  42 B and the projection  42 A forms complementary coupling members of a coupler that couples adjacent panels  4 A and  4 B. The shape of the complementary coupling members can be adjusted according to needs and are formed with the outer skin  42  in a same molding step. In the third embodiments of the panel  4 , the width of the first and second end portions are generally the same. 
       FIGS.  16  to  22    show a second embodiment of the invention The collapsible living compartment A 100  in the second embodiment includes foldable ceiling A 2  and floor A 3 . the sidewall A 1  may be configured to be foldable if needed. The collapsible living compartment A 100  includes sidewalls A 1  connecting a ceiling A 2  and a floor A 3 . There are a number of doors  5  and windows  6 . The sidewall A 1  includes four wall structures, front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12  connected by left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14 . The front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12 ; and the left and right sidewalls are arranged opposite to each other. The left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  are movably connected to any one of the front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  16  to  23   , the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  are pivotally connected to one of the front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12 . In an alternative embodiment, the left and right sidewalls may be pivotally or slidably connected to any of the front sidewall A 11 , rear sidewall A 12 , the ceiling A 2  or the floor A 3 . The sidewalls A 11 , A 12 , A 13 , A 14  together with the ceiling A 2  and the floor A 3  define a living space SP 2 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  16  to  22   , the front, rear, left and right sidewalls A 11 , A 12 , A 13  and A 14  are each provided with a frame member A 111 , A 121 , A 131  and A 141  that collectively form a lower frame member  12  of the main frame  1 . These frame members A 111 , A 121 , A 131  and A 141  may be made of metal to offer mechanical support and strength to the respective sidewalls A 11 , A 12 , A 13  and A 14 . In more detail, the frame member A 131  and the frame member A 141  are pivotally connected to the adjacent frame member A 121 . The left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  are connected to the rear sidewall A 12  via one or more pivotable connectors such that both left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  can rotate 270 degrees relative to the rear sidewall A 12 . When the collapsible living compartment  100  is at a collapsed state, the outer side A 133  of left sidewall A 13  and the outer side A 144  of the right sidewall A 14  are placed in close proximity to and overlap with an outer side A 123  of the front sidewall A 12 . The left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  are rotated or pivoted 270 degrees with respect to the rear sidewall A 12 , the inner sides A 132  and A 142  of the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  lie parallel over the outer wall A 123  of the front sidewall and be fully exposed. 
     The ceiling A 2  includes a first ceiling member A 21  and a second ceiling member A 22 . At least one dimension of the first ceiling member A 21  is smaller than that of the second ceiling member A 22 . The length of the first ceiling members A 21  and A 22  are the same while the width of the ceiling member A 22  is wider than that of the ceiling member A 21 . 
     The first ceiling member A 21  is pivotally connected to the front sidewall A 11 . More specifically, frame member A 211  of the first ceiling member A 21  is fixedly connected to frame member A 111  of the front sidewall A 11 . The first ceiling member A 21  and the second ceiling member A 22  are pivotally or rotatably connected such that the second ceiling member A 22  is rotatable or pivotable relative to the ceiling member A 21 . Other than the side for connecting with the second ceiling member A 22 , the remaining three sides are enclosed by frame member A 211 . The same applies to the second ceiling member A 22 , other than the side which connects with the first ceiling member, the rest of the sides are enclosed by frame member A 221 . 
     The first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22  are pivotally connected by a number of pivotable connectors such that when the collapsible living compartment  100  is at its collapsed state, the second ceiling member A 22  is capable of rotating 90 degrees relative to the first ceiling A 21  towards the living space SP 2  and to be placed on the outer side A 132  and A 142  of the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  after they have rotated 270 degrees relative to the rear sidewall A 12 . 
     The floor A 3  includes first and second floor members A 31  and A 32  which are pivotally or rotatably connected. The other sides of the first and second floor members A 31  and A 32  are pivotally or rotatably connected to the front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12  respectively. The first and second floor members A 31  and A 32  has three sides being provided with frame members A 311 , A 321  that may be made of metal. The frame member A 311  is pivotally or rotatably connected to the frame member A 111  and the frame member A 321  is pivotally or rotatably connected to the frame member A 121 . Through these pivotal connections, the first and second floor members A 31  and A 32  can pivot relative to each other and relative to the front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 12 . 
     The door  5  and the window  6  are provided on one of the sidewalls A 11 , A 12 , A 13  and A 14 . The door  5  and window  6  are made of Fiber Reinforced Plastics FRP. In this embodiment, the door  5  and window  6  are fixedly connected to the sidewall A 11 , A 12 , A 13  or A 14 . In another embodiment, these may be removably connected thereto with interchangeable dimension such that the position of the door  5  and window  6  may be changeable according to needs. 
     When the collapsible living compartment  100  is in the assembled form, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the front and rear sidewalls A 11  and A 11 , the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14 , the first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22 , the floor A 3  together forms the living space SP 2 . The living space SP 2  includes inner side A 112  of the front sidewall A 11 , inner side A 122  of the rear sidewall A 12 , inner side A 132  of the left sidewall A 13  and inner side A 142  of the right sidewall A 14  as well as inner side A 212  and A 222  of the first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22  and inner side A 312  and A 322  of the floor members A 31  and A 32 . outer sides A 133 , A 143  of the front and rear sidewalls A 13  and A 14 , outer sides A 213  and A 223  of the first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22  and the outer side A 313  and A 323  of the floor members A 31  and A 32  collectively defines the exterior of the assembled collapsible living compartment  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  16  to  22   , this embodiment of the collapsible living compartment  100  can be operated to change between a collapsed state as shown in  FIGS.  16  and  17    and an expanded state as shown in  FIG.  16   . When collapsed, the collapsible living compartment  100  has an overall dimension and space occupancy much smaller than the collapsible living compartment  100  in its expanded state. In the collapsed state, it is most convenient for transportation. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  16  and  17   , when the collapsible living compartment  100  is in the collapsed state, the outer surfaces A 313  and A 323  of the two floor members A 31  and A 32  are faced towards or arranged against one another. The inner surface A 312  of the floor member A 31  faces or is arranged against the inner surface A 112  of the front sidewall A 11 . The inner surface A 322  of the floor member A 32  faces or is arranged against the inner surface A 122  of the rear sidewall A 12 . The outer surface A 133  and A 143  of the left and right side surfaces A 13  and A 14  faces or are arranged against the outer surface A 123  of the rear sidewall A 12 . The inner surface A 222  of the second ceiling member A 22  faces or is arranged against the inner surfaces A 132  and A 142  of the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  18 ,  19  and  20   , when the collapsible living compartment  100  is in the collapsed state, one way to expand it would be to first rotate the second ceiling member A 22  upwards to flush with the first ceiling member A 21  and until the outer side A 223  of the second ceiling member A 22  is aligned with the outer side A 213  of the first ceiling member A 21 . The relative positions of the first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22  can be fixed by way of conventional couplers. Thereafter, with reference to  FIGS.  22  and  23   , the rear sidewall A 12  under the second ceiling member A 22  can be moved or pulled away from the front sidewall A 11  up and until free side A of the rear sidewall A 12  is in contact with free side A′ of the second ceiling member A 22 . At the same time, the inner side A 312  and A 322  of the floor members A 31  and A 32  will no longer be folded towards one another but gradually move into a flat expanded position. For safety reasons, the second ceiling member A 22  can be supported by a crane until the floor members A 31  and A 32  are in their fully expanded positions. Couplers may be used to secure the frame member A 221  of the ceiling member A 22  to the frame member A 121  of the rear sidewall A 12  and to fix the relative positions of the frame members A 311  and A 321  of the floor members A 31  and A 32 . To assist movements of the various parts, in a preferred embodiment, guides in the form of tracks may be provided on the inner side A 222  of the second ceiling member A 22  and the free side A of the rear sidewall A 12  is connected thereto with or without wheels. 
     In  FIG.  22   , when the relative positions of the first and second ceiling members A 21  and A 22  are fixed, the free side of the second ceiling member A 22  is fixed to the rear sidewall A 12 , and the relative positions of the floor members A 31  and A 32  are fixed, the first ceiling member A 21 , the second ceiling member A 22 , front and rear side walls A 11  and  12  as well as the floor members A 31  and A 32  together form and define a space SP 2 . As shown in  FIGS.  21  and  22   , the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  can be rotated such that they close off open ends of the space SP 2 . Free sides of the left and right sidewalls A 13  and A 14  are then coupled to the front sidewall A 11 . The collapsible living compartment  100  is now in the fully expanded state. 
     The connections between the panels  4  as detailed in the first, second and third embodiments of the panel  4  in collapsible living compartment A is applicable in the second embodiment of the collapsible living compartment A 100 . A fourth embodiment is described herein and is also applicable to the collapsible living compartment A. With reference to  FIG.  23   , the panel  4  has two end portions. The first end portion includes a first support member  41   a  sandwiched by the outer skins  42 . The outer skins  42  each includes a main body  421  and an extension  422  arranged transversely thereto. The extension  422  forms rounded end corners of the first end portion. The shape of the first support member  41  closely resembles that of the outer skin  42 . The first end portion also includes a passage  43  and a further support member  41   c . The passage  43  is sandwiched between the two support members  41  and  41   a . The second end portion includes a second support member  42  sandwiched by the outer skins  42 . The outer skins  42  each includes a main body  421  and an extension  422  arranged transversely thereto. The extension  422  forms rounded end corners of the second end portion. Again, the shape of the second support member  41   b  closely resembles that of the outer skin  42 . The second end portion also includes a passage  43  and a further support member  41   c . The passage  43  is sandwiched between the two support members  41  and  41   a . In the second support member  42  there is provided a retainer  415  in the form of a slot or a groove configured to receive the first end portion. The second end portion is larger than the first end portion in at least on dimension, here, the width such that the first end portion of a first panel  4  can be accommodated in the retainer  415  of a second panel  4  when assembled. In a fifth embodiment, the width along the entire first panel  4  is smaller than that of the second panel  4 . In other words, the difference in width is across the entire panels  4  and not just the end portions. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  24 A and  24 B , a movable support A  300  may be provided with the collapsible living compartment A 100  for easy transportation. The movable support has a triangular frame with wheels attached to its lower side. 
     Water-proof measures and mechanical reinforcement can be done after the full expansion or during the expansion process. The collapsible living compartment  100  may be connected to securing features provided on the surface to which is it placed. Further mechanical reinforcement such as steel beams may be added to the compartment  100 . Water-proof material may be added to all joints. The pivotal connection between all frame members and the panels are made possible by way of conventional means. 
     The invention has been given by way of example only, and various other modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.