Auxiliary Side Ramp Disconnect Tool for Cable Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disassembling modular cable protectors and auxiliary side ramps is labor-intensive, especially when large numbers are used, due to the need for manual lifting and potential binding of edge connectors, which complicates vertical disengagement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating tool engagement features such as slots with undercuts on the auxiliary side ramps allows for easy disassembly using a hand tool, enabling upward disengagement of edge connectors and minimizing binding by facilitating a vertical lifting motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If auxiliary side ramps are designed with low angle of inclination to facilitate wheelchair access, then accessibility is improved, but the ramps become larger and more awkward to lift and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
A disconnection tool acts as an intermediary between the worker and the auxiliary side ramp. The tool engages with tool engagement features on the ramp to facilitate vertical lifting motion, enabling easy disassembly despite the ramp's large size and awkward shape that would otherwise make manual disassembly difficult
Solution Approach 2:
The tool engagement features (slots with undercuts) are extracted from the auxiliary side ramp structure. These features can be selectively engaged by the disconnection tool to provide mechanical advantage for disassembly, separating the disassembly function from the ramp's primary accessibility function
2Ease of operation
If multiple auxiliary side ramps are used to provide broader cross-over paths, then wheelchair accessibility is improved, but the labor required for disassembly increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnection tool serves as a mechanical intermediary that reduces the effort required per ramp. When multiple ramps are deployed, this tool can be systematically applied to each ramp, transforming a labor-intensive manual process into an efficient systematic operation that scales well with the number of ramps
Solution Approach 2:
The disassembly process is segmented into discrete steps where the tool engages with specific tool engagement features on each auxiliary side ramp. This segmentation allows workers to efficiently process multiple ramps in sequence, with each ramp disassembly being a standardized, repeatable action rather than a complex manual maneuver
3Stability of the object's composition
If edge connectors are designed for secure connection between auxiliary side ramps, then structural stability is improved, but binding occurs during vertical disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnection tool acts as a mediator that intervenes between the bound edge connectors during disengagement. By engaging the tool with the ramp's tool engagement features, the binding effect of the edge connectors is overcome through the mechanical advantage provided by the tool, allowing clean separation without damage
Solution Approach 2:
The tool engagement features are designed to be engaged by the disconnection tool before the actual disengagement action occurs. This preliminary engagement positions the tool to apply the necessary vertical lifting force, preventing the edge connectors from binding during the disengagement process
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary side ramp for use with modular cable protectors includes a number of tool engagement features. A tool can be used to removably engage these tool engagement features and allows a user to exert an upward force to disengage the edge connectors on adjacent auxiliary side ramps, and also disengage the auxiliary side ramp from the underlying cable protector. For example, the tool engagement features can be slots in the top surface of the auxiliary side ramp with undercuts adjacent to the lower ends of the slots. A tool with vertical rods is manually inserted into the slots to disengage the cable protectors. Horizontal projections at the bottom of the vertical rods engage the undercuts in the slots, and allow the user to disengage adjacent auxiliary side ramps by lifting upward on the tool.