Collapsible Access Tower Coaxial Ladder Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible access towers, such as those described in US-4619346, require complex connections and powered winches due to their weight, necessitating disconnection and reconnection of components for folding, which complicates safety and increases costs, and lack integrated ladders, requiring personnel to be raised and lowered with the platform, prolonging work times.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible access tower with connected extensible members that pivot coaxially with the platform, allowing for simultaneous sliding sections using a winch or tension members, and an integrated ladder with automatic lock mechanisms for enhanced safety and ease of use, eliminating the need for powered winches and separate ladder operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex connection with releasable mechanisms is used to allow folding of columns, then the platform can be disconnected and reconnected for transit, but the safety requirements increase and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the releasable connection mechanism entirely from the system. The ladder is made permanently connected to the platform, eliminating the need for complex latch mechanisms while still allowing the platform to be lowered for transit. This extracts the problematic disconnection/reconnection function from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ladder dynamically movable relative to the platform through a lowering mechanism. The ladder can be lowered to a stowed position alongside the platform during transit and raised to a usable position during operation, providing adaptability without requiring disconnection and reconnection.
2Weight of moving object
If the platform weight is reduced to eliminate powered winch, then the structure must be lighter, but safety requirements increase due to manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded latch mechanism that automatically engages and locks the ladder sections in their extended positions. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for powered winches while maintaining safety through automatic engagement, allowing manual operation without compromising reliability.
3Device complexity
If no ladder is provided with the platform, then the structure can be simpler, but work personnel must be raised and lowered with the platform, extending work time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ladder function directly into the platform structure. The ladder is permanently connected to the platform and can be lowered together with the platform, combining two functions (platform elevation and personnel access) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate ladder operations and reduces total work time.
4Reliability
If the ladder is permanently connected to the platform, then safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex releasable connection mechanisms entirely and replaces them with a permanent, simple mechanical connection between the ladder and platform. This extraction of the disconnection function simplifies the overall device while maintaining safety through the permanent connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch mechanism automatically engages to lock the ladder sections and maintains their position during use. This self-locking feature provides reliable safety without requiring complex manual intervention or additional connection mechanisms.
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
This design ensures greater reliability and safety at lower costs by maintaining connected components during use and folding, providing integrated ladder access, and simplifying the extension and contraction process, reducing the time and cost associated with repeated platform raisings and lowerings.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for simultaneous sliding sections using a winch or tension members
Implementation Method 2
using a winch or tension members
Implementation Method 3
automatic lock mechanisms for enhanced safety
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A collapsible access tower has a chassis (10) supporting a pair of road wheels (11) and outriggers (16,17) to impart stability when in use, and a pair of extensible multi-section columns (26,50) carrying a platform (35). A section (27) of one column (26) is rigidly connected to the chassis and another section (33) of that column to the platform (35). The other column is configured as an extendible ladder (50) one section (51) of which is hinged to the chassis (10) and another section (52) of which is hinged to the platform (35). When the platform is in its lowermost setting, the hinged connections of the two sections (51,52) of the ladder (50) are co-axial so that the ladder may be pivoted to a transit setting. A winch arrangement (39) is associated with column (26) to allow raising and lowering of the platform (35).