Compactable Walkway Steps for Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compactable walkways and folding stairs are often cumbersome, obstructive, and prone to binding or being overly complex, failing to adequately retract and adapt for use along the sides of structures or vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compactable walkway system for vehicles and structures featuring pivotally coupled steps that transition between deployed and retracted positions, with a support member ensuring consistency, a motivator for easy deployment, and a railing for user safety, along with a shell for reduced profile and potential access restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fixed stairs are used to provide access to elevated areas, then user safety and accessibility are improved, but the structure becomes obstructive and cumbersome when access is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing stairs that can transition between fixed and movable states. The stairs are pivotally coupled to the supporting surface, allowing them to rotate between a deployed position (providing access) and a retracted position (minimizing obstruction). This dynamic configuration enables the structure to adapt to different operational requirements, eliminating the need for permanent fixed stairs while maintaining safety and accessibility when needed.
2Volume of moving object
If retractable stairs are implemented to reduce obstruction, then space utilization is improved, but the mechanism becomes overly complicated and prone to binding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the stair structure into discrete, independently pivotally coupled steps. Each step is connected to the supporting surface through pivotal couplings, allowing individual steps to move smoothly during retraction and deployment. This segmented approach simplifies the overall mechanism compared to monolithic retractable structures, as each step can move independently through a simple rotational motion, reducing the risk of binding and mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nesting principle by configuring the stairs to fold compactly against the supporting surface when retracted. The steps are arranged and dimensioned to nest within the profile of the supporting structure, minimizing the retracted volume. This nesting arrangement allows the stairs to be stored in a compact configuration without requiring complex mechanical systems, achieving space efficiency through intelligent geometric design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moving parts are added to enable retraction, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using simple pivotal couplings that enable smooth rotational movement between deployed and retracted states. These pivotal connections provide inherent mechanical advantage and stability, allowing the stairs to transition reliably with minimal friction and wear. The dynamic design ensures that the stairs can be easily deployed and retracted while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the risk of mechanical failure compared to more complex retractable mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If steps are spaced to provide a graduated walkway when deployed, then user safety is improved, but the retracted profile increases due to vertical overlap requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by orienting the steps horizontally when retracted rather than vertically overlapping. The steps are configured to lie substantially parallel to the supporting surface in the retracted position, utilizing the horizontal dimension for storage instead of occupying vertical space. This dimensional reconfiguration maintains the graduated spacing needed for safe user interaction during deployment while minimizing the retracted profile to a fraction of what would be required with vertical stacking.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a compactable walkway, including a supporting surface and a plurality of steps, pivotally coupled to the supporting surface, oriented, spaced, and positioned to provide a graduated walkway when in a deployed position and to lie substantially parallel to the supporting surface when in a retracted position. There is also a support member coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of steps to enforce consistency of position of the plurality of steps between the deployed and retracted positions; a railing coupled to the support member; a motivator coupled to one of the plurality of steps and configured to direct the plurality of steps from the retracted position to the deployed position; a vertical support coupled to the vehicle for bracing; and a shell coupled to the railing for covering when plurality of steps are in the retracted position.