Folding Ladder With Triangulated Steps And Prop Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding ladders for road vehicles face challenges in providing stability, safety, and convenience while being lightweight and versatile, with existing solutions either being uncomfortable to use due to vertical arrangement or prone to stress and malfunction due to complex, heavy designs.
Innovation Solution
A folding ladder design featuring triangulated foot support elements with prop elements that distribute forces, allowing for a lightweight yet stable structure that can be easily repositioned, with a quick coupling system to the vehicle chassis, and a locking assembly for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a folding ladder uses a vertical suspended arrangement with overlapping steps, then the ladder structure can be slender and lightweight, but the ladder becomes uncomfortable to use and obstructs the operator's view
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder employs a telescopic mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment between extended and retracted positions. The steps can be positioned at different heights and angles along the support structure, enabling the ladder to adapt its configuration for optimal ergonomics and visibility while maintaining a lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder transitions from a vertical suspended arrangement to an inclined configuration by utilizing the third dimension (angle of inclination). This allows the steps to be positioned at an ergonomic angle rather than vertically overlapping, improving comfort and visibility while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a folding ladder uses an inclined configuration with deep tread steps, then the ladder is comfortable to use and stable, but the structure becomes heavier and more complex due to double support chassis and reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder is divided into modular components: individual steps, support structure, and telescopic mechanism. Each step is a separate element that can be independently positioned along the support structure, allowing the ladder to achieve stability through proper geometry rather than through complex reinforcement of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder achieves stability by optimizing geometric parameters (step depth, width, inclination angle, spacing) rather than increasing structural mass. The telescopic mechanism allows these parameters to be adjusted to achieve the desired balance between comfort and structural simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a folding ladder uses permanent fastening to the chassis, then the ladder is stable, but it cannot be repositioned or moved to alternative locations
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder employs a telescopic mechanism with movable steps that can be dynamically adjusted between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic capability allows the ladder to be quickly deployed and repositioned while maintaining stability when in use, eliminating the need for permanent fastening to the chassis.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic support structure acts as an intermediary between the ladder steps and the vehicle chassis. This intermediary mechanism provides both stability during use and flexibility for repositioning, replacing the need for direct permanent fastening while maintaining structural integrity.
4Volume of moving object
If a folding ladder uses manual extraction from storage structure, then the ladder can be stored compactly, but the operation becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic mechanism enables dynamic extension and retraction of the ladder steps along the support structure. This allows the ladder to be quickly extracted from its storage position by simply extending the telescopic elements, eliminating the need for manual assembly or complex extraction procedures while maintaining compact storage.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a folding ladder (10) for road vehicles, in particular industrial vehicles and commercial vehicles, comprising a plurality of foot support elements (13,14,15), the plurality of foot support elements (13,14,15) comprising at least one substantially flat upper support platform (13) and a support frame (14) of at least one step (15), the support platform (13) and the support frame (14) being movable with respect to each other between a folded configuration, in which the support platform (13) and the frame (14) are arranged substantially coplanar, and an extended configuration, in which the support platform (13) and the support frame (14) are comprised in respective inclined planes with respect to each other, and a containment structure (11,12',12") configured to be constrained below to a support chassis (52) of a bed (51) of a road vehicle (50) and to house the plurality of foot support elements (13,14,15), when these are in the folded configuration, and is characterised in that it comprises at least one prop element (18) constrained to at least a first foot support element (13,14,15) and at least a second foot support element (13,14,15), such that the at least one prop element (18) is configured to assume a first arrangement substantially coplanar to the foot support elements (13,14,15), when the support platform (13) and the support frame (14) are in the folded configuration, and an arrangement inclined and/or incident with respect to both planes in which the support platform (13) and the support frame (14) are respectively comprised, when the support platform (13) and the support frame (14) are in the extended configuration.