Extendable Ladder for Watercraft with Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine ladders for boats are often too short, impractically compact, and difficult to maneuver, posing challenges for users due to design constraints that hinder ease of use and stability, especially for elderly or physically unfit individuals, and are cumbersome to deploy and stow.
Innovation Solution
A folding ladder with a stabilizing portion and pivotably connected stair portions, along with a tensioning system, allowing the ladder to selectively fold and unfold, providing ease of operation and efficient mounting to a watercraft while maintaining sufficient length and reducing profile in the stowed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ladder is made longer to improve ease of use, then the ladder becomes too long for limited space on the boat, but if it is made shorter to fit space constraints, then it becomes too short with too few steps to climb easily
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be extended or retracted independently. Each section contains steps that remain functional even when the ladder is partially extended, allowing the ladder to provide adequate climbing length while maintaining a compact stowed size on the boat.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder transitions from a static fixed length to a dynamic adjustable length. The telescoping mechanism allows the ladder to extend to a longer functional length when needed for easy climbing, then retract to a shorter compact length for storage, adapting to the space constraints on the boat.
2Ease of operation
If the ladder is made compact to minimize stored volume, then the ladder becomes impractically compact and arduous to climb, but if it is made larger to improve climbing ease, then it occupies too much space on the boat
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping ladder sections are nested within each other in a concentric arrangement, similar to nested dolls. When stowed, the smaller sections are contained within larger sections, minimizing the overall volume occupied on the boat. When deployed, the sections extend outward to provide a longer, easier-to-climb ladder.
3Volume of moving object
If the connection point is moved closer to the boat to minimize ladder profile, then the ladder becomes more compact, but the user experiences uneasiness due to excessive swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning system is pre-configured with cables and springs that are tensioned before the ladder is deployed. This preliminary tensioning counteracts the swinging forces that would otherwise occur when the ladder is connected close to the boat, providing stability to the user without requiring the connection point to be moved farther away.
4Productivity
If the ladder is manually pulled up out of the water for stowing, then the ladder can be stored, but it becomes especially difficult and strenuous due to the weight of water within the ladder
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism allows the ladder sections to be easily separated and extracted from the water one at a time. As each section is pulled out, the internal channels drain water efficiently, and the lightweight aluminum construction reduces the overall weight being lifted, making the stowing process less strenuous.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder uses lightweight aluminum material instead of traditional heavy materials, changing the density parameter of the ladder structure. This reduces the base weight of the ladder, and when combined with the telescoping design that allows controlled water drainage, significantly reduces the effort required to pull the ladder from the water for stowing.
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
The folding mechanism and tensioning system enhance the ease of use and maneuverability of the ladder, allowing it to be efficiently mounted and stowed, addressing the issues of compactness and stability, and reducing the effort required for deployment and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The tensioning system includes a pre-tensioner and a cable internally disposed within the ladder
Implementation Method 2
a first stair portion pivotably connected to the stabilizing portion. The first stair portion pivots relative to the stabilizing portion in a first direction of rotation. The ladder further includes a second stair portion pivotably connected to the first stair portion
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft including a frame and a folding ladder coupled to the frame. The folding ladder is configured for moving in between a folded position and an unfolded position. The ladder includes a stabilizing portion connected to the frame and defining a stabilizing plane and a first stair portion pivotably connected to the stabilizing portion. The first stair portion pivots relative to the stabilizing portion in a first direction of rotation. The ladder further includes a second stair portion pivotably connected to the first stair portion. The second stair portion pivots relative to the first stair portion in a second direction of rotation which is opposite to the first direction of rotation of the first stair portion such that the ladder selectively folds between the folded position and the unfolded position.