Folding Ladder Armrest with Adjustable Height for User Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing herringbone ladders lack a secure handhold for users at the top, leading to instability and a risk of falling when climbing to higher positions.
Innovation Solution
A folding ladder with an armrest featuring movable bars and an adjustable mechanism, allowing users to securely grasp the armrest for balance, which can be adjusted in height to accommodate different users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed armrest is added to the ladder, then user stability and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with movable bars that can stretch out and draw back relative to the front legs through an adjustable switch mechanism. This dynamic design allows the armrest to adapt to different user needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between providing stability and avoiding excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable armrest mechanism is added, then adaptability to different users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable switch mechanism uses an elastic element that automatically returns the position pin to its original position after being pressed. This self-service design simplifies the adjustment mechanism by eliminating the need for complex locking or resetting systems, allowing users to easily adjust the armrest height while keeping the overall device complexity low.
3Ease of manufacture
If the armrest is made fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates movable bars with a simple stretchable connection to the front legs, allowing the structure to transition from a static fixed design to a dynamic adjustable design. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving ease of operation for users of different heights.
4Device complexity
If no armrest is provided, then device complexity remains low, but user security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest acts as an intermediary safety element between the user and the ladder structure. By providing a handhold at the top portion of the ladder, it enhances user security without requiring fundamental changes to the ladder's core structure, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving safety.
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 armrest provides enhanced stability and security for users by allowing them to hold onto it while climbing, reducing the risk of falling and ensuring balance, and is adjustable to fit various user heights.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element disposed at the other end of the handle, the central portion of the handle is rotatably pivoted to the shaft sleeve, the front leg is disposed with a through hole corresponding to the position pin, the movable bar is disposed with a plurality of position holes corresponding to the position pin along the length direction; in normal state, the elastic element applies an elastic force on the handle to make the position pin inserted in the position hole through the through hole
Implementation Method 2
the central portion of the handle is rotatably pivoted to the shaft sleeve, the position pin draws out of the position hole by overcoming the elastic force and pressing down the handle to stretch the movable bar out or draw the movable bar back
Implementation Method 3
two shaft sleeves are respectively sleeved on the top portion of the two front legs, the top portion of the two rear legs are respectively rotatably pivoted to the two shaft sleeves, the front leg and the rear leg form a foldable herringbone structure through the shaft sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A folding ladder with an armrest, has two front legs, two rear legs, two shaft sleeves and at least a footboard, two shaft sleeves are respectively sleeved on the top portion of the two front legs, the top portion of the two rear legs are respectively rotatably pivoted to the two shaft sleeves; further comprising an armrest, the armrest comprises two movable bars and a link bar, two movable bars are respectively connected to the two front legs in stretchable way, the link bar is connected between the two movable bars; the shaft sleeve is disposed with an adjustable switch to control the movable bar to stretch out and draw back. The adjustable switch has a handle, a position pin disposed at one end of the handle and an elastic element disposed at the other end of the handle.