Folding Scaffold Hinge Segmentation for Compact Collapsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding utility scaffolds face interference issues between hinge assembly components and ladder frame components, limiting their collapsibility and increasing shipping costs due to larger storage and shipment sizes.
Innovation Solution
The design of the folding utility scaffold avoids interference between the hinge assembly and ladder frame components by using offset tongues on the ladder rungs and angling cross braces, allowing the ladder frames to fold side by side, reducing the overall length and enabling more compact packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the scaffold uses a conventional hinge assembly design, then the hinge assembly can connect the ladder frames, but interference between hinge components and ladder frame components limits the degree of collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is segmented into multiple independent components: a first hinge component connected to the first ladder frame, a second hinge component connected to the second ladder frame, and a connector component joining the two hinge components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently to avoid interference during collapse, enabling the ladder frames to fold side by side into a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly utilizes multi-dimensional movement capabilities, allowing rotation about multiple axes. The connector component enables relative movement between the first and second ladder frames in directions that avoid component interference, transforming a single-axis rotation problem into a multi-dimensional movement solution that achieves compact folding.
2Volume of stationary object
If the ladder frames are designed to fold side by side, then shipping space is reduced, but component interference prevents achieving this configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The connector component acts as an intermediary element between the first and second hinge components. It mediates the interaction between the two ladder frames during folding, enabling smooth relative movement that avoids direct interference between hinge components and ladder frame components, thus facilitating side-by-side folding into compact packaging.
3Length of moving object
If the hinge assembly components are positioned to avoid interference, then collapse is enabled, but the hinge assembly design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector component performs multiple functions: it connects the first and second hinge components, enables relative movement between ladder frames, and positions components to avoid interference during collapse. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, achieving compact folded length without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The claimed invention relates to a folding utility scaffold that greatly reduces the space requirement for shipment when the utility scaffold is in the folded configuration while maintaining or increasing stability. The scaffold includes first and second ladder frames and a hinge assembly interconnecting the ladder frames. The scaffold comprises first and second ladder frames and a hinge assembly interconnecting the ladder frames. The hinge assembly enables movement of the scaffold between an unfolded configuration in which the ladder frames are spaced apart and a folded configuration in which the ladder frames are disposed side by side, i.e., with the ladder frames touching. The ladder frame and hinge assembly are designed to avoid interference between components of the hinge assembly and components of the ladder frame in the folded configuration so that the ladder frames can be disposed in side-by-side relation in the folded configuration.