Automatic Railing for Retractable Stairway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable stairway railings require manual installation, which can be challenging due to variances in vertical and receptacle spacing, and when collapsed, the mechanism is too tall for efficient packaging, particularly in over-the-road applications where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
An automatic railing system for retractable stairways that includes an upper rail assembly, an actuator, and a drive chain mechanism to move the rail assemblies between retracted and extended positions, utilizing telescoping tubes and sprockets to ensure smooth operation and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a vertical cylinder actuator is used to raise the railing to the specified height, then the railing can be automatically actuated, but the mechanism becomes too tall when collapsed, making it difficult to package
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the railing assembly inside a housing structure when retracted. The upper rail assembly and lower rail assembly are contained within the housing, with the rails able to extend outward when needed. This nested configuration reduces the overall height of the mechanism when collapsed, solving the packaging problem while maintaining automatic actuation capability through the cylinder positioned within the housing.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual installation of railings is performed after the stairway is extended, then the railing can be installed, but the process becomes difficult due to variances in rail vertical spacing and receptacle spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the railing assembly with the cylinder and drive mechanism before deployment. The upper rail assembly and lower rail assembly are pre-assembled with the actuation mechanism, so that when the stairway is extended, the railing is already prepared and can be automatically deployed without requiring manual measurement or adjustment for spacing variances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through the automatic actuation system where the cylinder-driven mechanism automatically extends and positions the railing assemblies without human intervention. The system self-adjusts to the required positions, eliminating the need for manual installation and the associated difficulties with spacing variances.
3Volume of moving object
If the railing mechanism is designed to be compact for over-the-road applications, then packaging efficiency is improved, but the mechanism must be extremely space-constrained in both height and extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the railing system into separate upper and lower rail assemblies, each with its own vertical tubes and handrail components. This segmentation allows each module to be independently compact when retracted while maintaining the ability to extend to the required lengths when deployed, optimizing both packaging efficiency and extension capability for over-the-road applications.
Data Source
AI summary
An upper rail assembly, an actuator that actuates between a retracted position and an extended position based on a signal that the platform is in one of a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the recreational vehicle, and a first drive chain combined to the actuator and connected to the upper rail assembly for moving the upper rail assembly between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the platform is disclosed.