Remote-Locking Foot Platform for Hands-Free Pivot Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ergonomic foot platforms for workstations, particularly in vehicles, require manual adjustment of pivotable foot rest plates, which can be cumbersome and distracting, especially when operators need to find an optimal position quickly without interrupting their tasks.
Innovation Solution
A foot platform with a pivotable foot rest plate supported by a spring and equipped with mechanical detent means for locking, along with a remote-controlled locking facility, allowing for convenient adjustment without auxiliary energy or significant distraction, using a gas spring and a Bowden cable or spring-loaded friction element for locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of the foot rest plate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as operators must stop work to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically pivot the foot rest plate into the optimal position when the locking facility is released, eliminating the need for manual positioning and allowing operators to adjust without stopping work
Solution Approach 2:
A Bowden cable or spring-loaded friction element acts as an intermediary between the locking facility and the foot rest plate, transmitting the locking/unlocking action remotely while maintaining mechanical simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the foot rest plate is made pivotable for individual adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to the need to experiment for optimal position
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides tactile feedback and automatic positioning that guides the operator to the optimal foot rest position, eliminating the trial-and-error process while maintaining adaptability to different operators
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-configured to automatically pivot the foot rest plate to the correct position based on the operator's foot placement, providing immediate adaptability without requiring the operator to experiment with different positions
3Ease of operation
If a remote-controlled locking facility is added, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Bowden cable serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that transmits the locking/unlocking force from a remote location to the foot rest plate mechanism, enabling remote control without complex actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism automatically performs the positioning function when released, making the system self-adjusting and eliminating the need for complex motorized or electronically controlled actuation systems
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
Enables easy and efficient adjustment of the foot rest plate to an optimal position using simple actuation, allowing operators to adjust the platform without stopping work, suitable for various workstations and vehicles, including rail vehicle operating consoles.
Implementation Method 1
the spring to be a gas spring
Implementation Method 2
The locking facility also has a spring-loaded latching element in such an arrangement on the foot rest plate
Implementation Method 3
for the detent means to have a friction lining which is fastened to the housing in the pivot direction of the foot rest plate and for the locking facility to be a spring-loaded friction element
Data Source
AI summary
A foot support platform has a foot rest plate mounted pivotably on a housing of the foot platform. The lower face of the foot rest plate is supported by a spring. A mechanical detent device locks the foot rest plate in a pivot position. The foot platform is further provided with a remote-controlled mechanical locking device for engagement with the mechanical detent device. There is also described a desk having a foot platform.