Gas-Spring Folding Staircase for Stable RV Ground Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding staircases for recreational vehicles (RVs) are unwieldy, often fail to provide a sturdy and consistent path to the ground, and require significant user effort to deploy.
Innovation Solution
A folding staircase with a pair of stringers and a threshold plate that spans from the RV's indoor space to the outdoor space, featuring a hinge mounted within the indoor space and a lifting mechanism with gas springs to assist in transitioning between use and stowed positions, without requiring external attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If folding staircases are designed to be compact and stowable, then they save space and can be stored within the RV, but they become unwieldy and require significant user effort to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gas spring actuators that provide counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the staircase during deployment and operation. The gas springs are positioned to exert upward force on the staircase structure, reducing the manual effort required by users to unfold and position the stairs, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact stowage and ease of deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If folding staircases use multiple linkages and moving parts to achieve compact folding, then they can be stowed within the RV, but they become complex and require great effort to unfold
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring actuators provide mechanical advantage that simplifies the operation of the linkage system. By counterbalancing the weight and providing controlled force throughout the range of motion, the gas springs reduce the complexity of user interaction with multiple linkages and moving parts, making the deployment process easier despite the presence of numerous components.
3Volume of moving object
If steps remain suspended above the ground, then they can be compact, but they fail to provide a sturdy and consistent path to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the staircase with dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the steps to adapt to different ground conditions and slopes. The staircase structure can be positioned and angled to maintain contact with the ground surface, ensuring a sturdy and consistent path. This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction between compact stowage and providing reliable ground contact during use.
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 staircase provides a stable, effortless transition from the RV to the ground, with minimal user effort and no obstruction to the door opening, ensuring a consistent path and easy storage within the RV.
Implementation Method 1
The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that assists moving the staircase from its use to its stowed position. The lifting mechanism provides a biasing rotational force upon the threshold plate and staircase toward the stowed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.