Ladder Climbing Assistance Device Traction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder climbing assistance devices face challenges in safely starting and stopping the motor, as they require significant force, risking injury and accidental activation, especially when using a separate start/stop rope, and struggle to manage traction during rest periods.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that sense line movement to adjust traction levels over time, increasing traction when movement is detected for a predetermined period, maintaining it during use, and decreasing it when no movement is sensed for a set time, using an inductive sensor and controlling means to manage motor power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the motor is started by pulling the line with significant force, then the motor can be activated, but the risk of injury and accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from force-based (pulling the line) to movement-based (sensing line displacement). The sensing means detects when the line moves by a predetermined distance, which triggers motor activation. This eliminates the need for significant pulling force while maintaining reliable activation, as the system responds to gentle line movement rather than requiring strong pulls that could cause injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical force-based activation system with an electronic sensing system. Instead of using mechanical switches or force-sensitive mechanisms that require significant pulling force, the invention uses sensing means (such as displacement sensors) to detect line movement and trigger electronic control of the motor. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical force requirement while achieving reliable motor activation.
2Speed
If the motor is started immediately when force is applied to the line, then rapid response is achieved, but accidental activation during rest periods occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary detection phase where the sensing means first detects line movement before triggering motor activation. The system monitors for predetermined movement of the line, and only after confirming this movement does it activate the motor. This preliminary action filters out minor vibrations or unintentional contacts during rest periods, ensuring that only deliberate line movements trigger motor activation while maintaining rapid response to valid activation signals.
3Ease of operation
If a separate start/stop rope is used, then motor control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the start/stop control function with the existing line that is already part of the ladder climbing assistance device. The same line that provides mechanical assistance for climbing also serves as the activation trigger. When the user pulls or moves the line during normal operation, this movement is detected by the sensing means and triggers motor activation or deactivation. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate control ropes or switches, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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
This approach prevents accidental motor activation and reduces the risk of injury by ensuring traction is only applied when intended, allowing for safe and controlled weight reduction during use and minimizing weight reduction during rest periods.
Implementation Method 1
A method and device that sense line movement to adjust traction levels over time, increasing traction when movement is detected for a predetermined period
Data Source
AI summary
A method for regulating the traction in a line (13) of a ladder climbing assistance device, in which method any movement of the line (13) is sensed and in dependence of the sensed movement either increasing the traction in the line to a predetermined high level (L1), maintaining the traction at a predetermined high level (L1), or decreasing the traction to a predetermined low level (L0). Furthermore, a ladder climbing assistance device comprising a line (13) that is movable along the ladder (1) and a motor (8) with a power outlet arranged to provide an essentially constant traction in the line (13). The ladder climbing assistance device comprises sensing means (25) for sensing any movement of the line (13), which sensing means is connected to controlling means (26) for controlling the power outlet from the motor (8) in response to signals from the sensing means in the above-described manner.