Compact Folding Work Platform Guardrail Nesting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing work platforms with foldable guardrails are too bulky in their folded position, making them difficult to transport in compact commercial vehicles without compromising their deployment, stability, or resistance.
Innovation Solution
The work platform features secondary uprights that pivot around a common axis with the primary uprights, allowing the guardrail and control rods to fold against the ascent plane, reducing size while maintaining stability and resistance, and includes telescopic support legs and a second ascent plane for increased height and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the guardrail and control rods are folded against the ascent plane, then the folded size is reduced for compact transport, but the structural complexity increases due to the need for secondary uprights and pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The guardrail and control rods are nested against the secondary uprights, which themselves fold against the primary uprights of the ascent plane. This nested folding arrangement minimizes the overall folded volume while organizing multiple components in a compact hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control rods are articulated on collars that slide on the guardrail, merging the control mechanism with the guardrail structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall folding mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If secondary uprights are added to support the guardrail, then the folded size is reduced, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary uprights serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the guardrail in the deployed position, and they act as folding supports that enable the guardrail and control rods to collapse against the primary ascent plane. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
3Reliability
If the control rods are articulated on collars sliding on the guardrail, then the guardrail becomes independent of the work surface and more resistant to excessive forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod articulation is extracted from the work surface connection and relocated to the guardrail structure itself. The control rods are now articulated on collars that slide directly on the guardrail, separating the control function from the work surface and making the guardrail independent of work surface movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The collars act as intermediary elements between the control rods and the guardrail. These sliding collars provide the articulation point while allowing the control rods to move independently, mediating the interaction between the control mechanism and the guardrail structure.
4Volume of moving object
If the work platform is designed to be compact for transport, then the folded size is reduced, but the deployment speed and ease of operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The platform employs dynamic folding mechanisms where the support legs, secondary uprights, guardrail, and control rods can be sequentially deployed and folded. The articulated connections allow smooth transitions between folded and deployed states, maintaining ease of operation despite the compact folding requirement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a safety work platform (1) comprising: - two parallel uprights (4a) joined by crossbars (4b) to define a climbing plane (4); - two support legs (5), each articulated at the top of one of the uprights (4a) to occupy a storage position against the uprights (4a), or a stabilizing position away from the uprights (4a); - a work platform (2) articulated between the two uprights (4a) and the two support legs (5) and foldable between a horizontal operating position when the legs (5) are in the stabilizing position, and a folded position against the climbing plane (4) when the legs (5) are in the storage position; - a guardrail (3) disposed at the top of the climbing plane (4) and capable of adopting, under the action of control rods (12), a folded position aligned with the climbing plane (4) or a horizontal safety position.According to the invention, the guardrail (3) is articulated with respect to two parallel secondary posts (10), mounted pivotally about an articulation axis (11) with respect to the posts (4a) of the climbing plane (4) to tilt from a deployed position in line with said posts (4a) to a folded position against the climbing plane (4), the guardrail (3) and the control rods (12) being, in the folded position, folded against the secondary posts (10), the control rods (12) are, on the one hand, mounted pivotally with respect to the posts (4a) of the climbing plane (4) about an articulation axis (11) common with that of the secondary posts (10) and, on the other hand, articulated on collars (13) mounted sliding on the guardrail (3).