Angled Folded Egress Ladder for Cab Access and Road Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural vehicle ladders often obstruct cab visibility and create inconvenient entry and exit points, while also contributing to the vehicle's width, making it difficult to navigate narrow roadways.
Innovation Solution
A ladder design for agricultural vehicles featuring a first and second frame member with upper and lower portions, operably connected to the vehicle's frame, allowing for a deployed position and an angled stowed position that does not impede cab access or visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the ladder is positioned vertically relative to the frame in a deployed state, then the ladder provides structural stability, but it causes an inconvenient way for an operator to reach the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is configured to deploy at an angle rather than vertically, changing the spatial dimension of deployment. The first and second ladders extend downward and outward from the vehicle frame, creating an angled configuration that simultaneously provides structural stability through the A-frame geometry and enables convenient ground access by positioning the ladder feet within natural operator reach when dismounted
2Volume of moving object
If the ladder is positioned in a vertical stowed position, then the ladder maintains a compact profile, but it covers the cab door and impedes visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder transitions from a vertical stowed position to an angled deployed position, utilizing angular deployment to achieve both compact storage and unobstructed visibility. When deployed, the ladder extends downward and outward at an angle, positioning it clear of the cab door and operator line of sight while maintaining structural stability through the angled configuration
3Ease of operation
If the ladder is positioned to provide convenient ingress and egress, then operator access is improved, but it increases the vehicle width making it difficult to navigate narrow roadways
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is designed as a dynamic, movable structure that transitions between stowed and deployed positions. The linkage mechanism allows the ladder to be positioned outward and downward at an angle when deployed, providing convenient operator access to the ground, and to be retracted to a compact stowed position when not in use, minimizing the vehicle's effective width for navigating narrow roadways
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder for an agricultural vehicle may comprises a first frame member and a second frame member. Each frame member may have an upper portion and a lower portion. At least one foot support body may be operably connected to each of the frame members. The upper portion of each frame member may be operably connected to a frame of the agricultural vehicle. The frame of the agricultural vehicle may comprise a fore and an aft. The ladder may comprise a deployed position and an angled stowed position. The angled stowed position may comprise the first frame member and the second frame member being upward and rearward towards the aft of the agricultural vehicle frame.