Automatic Hatch Opening Mechanism for Construction Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction workers face difficulties in opening hatches on platforms due to the need to manually lift heavy hatch covers, which increases physical effort and risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Innovation Solution
An automatic opening/closing device for hatches on construction platforms, utilizing a return spring and connecting elements like cables and pulleys, or scissor mechanisms to facilitate easy operation without manual effort, ensuring secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid hatch made of wood, resin, or polyurethane is used to cover the passage, then the safety of the platform is improved by preventing operators from falling, but the physical effort required to open the hatch increases due to its mass reaching around ten kilograms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterweight mechanism that balances the weight of the hatch, reducing the physical effort required to open it. The counterweight system compensates for the hatch's mass (around ten kilograms), allowing operators to open the hatch easily even when carrying materials or tools, while maintaining the safety function of preventing falls through the solid hatch material.
2Reliability
If a 'door closer' type system is added to the hatch, then the safety is improved by ensuring the hatch closes automatically after access, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-closing mechanism that automatically closes the hatch after an operator has accessed the platform. This self-service system ensures the hatch returns to its closed position without requiring manual intervention, maintaining safety by preventing open hatches while minimizing additional complexity through automated operation.
3Productivity
If operators climb the ladder with hands loaded with materials and tools, then the productivity is improved by enabling continuous work, but the ease of operation deteriorates as operators must push the hatch with their head wearing a construction helmet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of pushing the hatch with a mechanical assistance system. Instead of operators using their heads to push the hatch (awkward posture), the system provides mechanical assistance through the counterweight and self-closing mechanisms, allowing operators to open the hatch easily even when hands are occupied with materials and tools, thus maintaining productivity without awkward postures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces physical strain on workers, minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and ensures safe and automatic operation of hatches, preventing accidents from open hatches.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring configured to exert a return force on the ladder
Implementation Method 2
the device comprises a shock absorber provided with the return spring and configured to be arranged at a lower end of the ladder intended to be arranged at a support plane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The opening/closing device (10) of a hatch (11) comprises: - a movement guide (17) of a ladder (16) configured to guide a movement of the ladder (16) from top to bottom and vice versa. The guide (17) is fixed on a platform (13) so as to arrange the ladder (16) under a passage (12) crossing the circulation platform (13) on which the hatch (11) is articulated to cover said passage (12); - a return spring (18) configured to bring the ladder (16) back towards the platform (13); - a joint (19) intended to be mounted under the platform (13) and to be assembled in a solid manner with the hatch (11); - a connecting element (20) configured to be fixed at one of its ends to the ladder (16), and to cooperate with the articulation (19) so that when the ladder (16) moves away from the platform (13), the connecting element (20) actuates the articulation (19) to open the hatch (11).