Collapsible Ladder Transport Frame for Compact Fire Truck Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service and construction personnel face difficulties in transporting long, heavy objects like ladders, which can lead to injuries and space constraints on emergency vehicles, particularly for fire trucks that need to carry various equipment.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible transporting device with pivotable frame members and wheels, featuring U-shaped hooks for securing ladder rungs and a longitudinally collapsible connector to minimize space, allowing for easy transportation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional transporting device is used, then the structure is simple, but it occupies too much space on emergency vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed to be longitudinally collapsible, allowing the device to transition between an extended configuration for transporting ladders and a collapsed configuration for compact storage on emergency vehicles. This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction between maintaining transportation capability and reducing storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members can be collapsed and nested within each other, with the second frame member fitting inside the first frame member when not in use. This nesting approach minimizes the overall volume occupied by the transporting device while preserving its full transportation capability when deployed.
2Reliability
If heavy protective clothing is worn, then safety is improved, but the difficulty of transporting equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transporting device uses wheels mounted on an axle to bear the weight of the ladder, eliminating the need for firefighters to manually carry heavy equipment. The wheel-and-axle mechanism counteracts the weight burden, allowing firefighters to transport equipment more easily while wearing full protective gear.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting device acts as an intermediary between the firefighter and the heavy ladder, providing a mechanical interface that reduces the physical effort required. The device mediates the interaction by transferring the load from the firefighter to the ground through the wheels, making transportation feasible while wearing heavy protective clothing.
3Reliability
If every piece of equipment is carried on the fire truck, then readiness is improved, but the available space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible frame members can be nested within each other when not in use, significantly reducing the volume required for storage on the fire truck. This allows the device to be stored alongside other essential equipment without compromising available space, while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic collapse capability allows the device to occupy minimal space during storage but provide full transportation capability when deployed. This dynamic volume adjustment enables the fire truck to carry the equipment without permanently reducing available storage space, maintaining both readiness and space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transporting a ladder has first and second frame positions, the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted on an axle that also mounts a wheel for rolling along the ground. The upper ends of the frame portions are moveable toward and away from each other allowing the device to collapse for storage. A hook is mounted on the upper end of each of the frame portions for attachment to adjacent rungs of the ladder. A strap connects the upper ends of the frame portion to prevent them from separating from each other beyond a given distance.