Foldable Stairs Spring Mechanism in Handrail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable ladder-like stairs lack assistance for folding the intermediate and bottom segments, making them inconvenient to use, especially for metal stairs which are heavier and require more force to unfold due to the absence of a supporting mechanism.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a telescopic handrail with a spring mechanism that supports lifting the segments other than the uppermost segment during folding and counterbalances their weight during opening, allowing for easier unfolding and stabilization of the stairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring mechanism is added to assist folding and counterbalance weight, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is nested inside the handrail structure, with the spring housed within the hollow interior of the handrail tube. This allows the spring to be integrated into the existing handrail without adding external components, thus improving ease of folding while minimizing increases in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The handrail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, serves as a grip for users, and houses the spring mechanism. By making the handrail multi-functional, the spring is integrated into an existing structure rather than requiring a separate housing, thereby improving ease of operation with minimal impact on device complexity
2Strength
If metal stairs are used instead of wooden stairs, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases making them harder to unfold
Solution Approach 1:
A spring mechanism is integrated into the handrail that provides counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the metal stair segments. The spring is positioned and tensioned to assist in lifting and unfolding the heavy metal stairs, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the increased weight and strength of metal construction
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and positioned within the handrail to automatically engage when unfolding begins. This preliminary preparation of the spring ensures that the counterbalancing force is immediately available to assist with unfolding the heavy metal segments, eliminating the need for manual effort to overcome the full weight of the metal construction
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 spring mechanism significantly reduces the force required to unfold the stairs and provides stability, making the foldable stairs more convenient and aesthetically pleasing, particularly for metal stairs which are heavier than wooden ones.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that supports lifting the stairs segments other than the uppermost segment up during folding these segments on the uppermost segment and at least partially counterbalances the weight of these segments during opening the stairs
Data Source
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AI summary
Foldable ladder- like stairs, comprising stairs segments (2, 3, 4) moveable with relation to each other, wherein the uppermost segment (2) is rotationally connected with a frame mounted in a ceiling and the stairs segments are positioned within the frame in the stairs closed state, where the stairs are preferably provided with a mechanism, preferably a spring mechanism, that supports lifting folded stairs up to the stairs closed state and at least partially counterbalances the weight of the stairs during opening thereof. The stairs comprise a spring that supports lifting up of the stairs segments (3, 4, 7) other than the uppermost segment (2) during folding these segments with the uppermost segment and at least partially counterbalances the weight of these segments during unfolding the stairs, wherein the spring is arranged inside the handrail (5).