Asymmetric Ladder Damping Block for Adjustable Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping solutions for collapsible ladders are limited by poor adaptability, difficulty in adjusting damping effects, complex and expensive constructions, and ungainly designs.
Innovation Solution
A damping device featuring an asymmetric damping block and a mounting means, which allows for adjustable damping behaviors by varying the orientation, position, and size of the damping block within the mounting means, providing a robust and adaptable solution for different types of ladder tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art damping solutions are used, then damping effect is provided, but adaptability to different ladder types is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The damping block is designed with a universal geometry that allows it to be used across different ladder types and tube configurations. The asymmetric shape with multiple surfaces can adapt to various tube inner walls, making a single damping block design suitable for multiple applications without requiring custom designs for each ladder type.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping block features an asymmetric geometry with multiple surfaces of different orientations. This asymmetric design allows the block to be inserted in different orientations to achieve different damping behaviors, providing adaptability without increasing construction complexity. The asymmetric shape enables the same block to work with different tube geometries by simply changing its insertion orientation.
2Ease of operation
If prior art damping solutions are used, then damping effect is provided, but difficulty in adjusting damping effect exists
Solution Approach 1:
The damping block is designed to be adjustable in orientation and position within the damping device. By changing the orientation of the asymmetric damping block, different surfaces contact the tube inner wall, providing different damping effects. This dynamic adjustability allows users to optimize damping performance for different applications without complex construction changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping effect can be adjusted by changing the orientation parameter of the asymmetric damping block. Different orientations expose different surfaces to the tube inner wall, effectively changing the damping parameters. This simple parameter change approach enables easy adjustment of damping effect without adding construction complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If prior art damping solutions are used, then damping effect is provided, but mounting requires additional fastening components
Solution Approach 1:
The damping block is integrated directly into the damping device body without requiring separate fastening components. The asymmetric shape of the damping block allows it to be retained in the device through its geometry alone, merging the damping function with the mounting structure. This eliminates the need for additional fastening components while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the design by using the asymmetric geometry of the damping block itself to provide retention. Instead of adding separate fastening components, the damping block's shape alone ensures it remains in place during operation. This extraction of the fastening requirement reduces the total number of components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If damping block is made asymmetric for adjustable behavior, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping block features an asymmetric geometry with multiple surfaces designed at standard manufacturing tolerances. The asymmetric shape provides distinct orientations that can be easily identified and installed, reducing the need for high precision during assembly. The geometric features are designed to be robust against normal manufacturing variations while still providing the desired damping behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the asymmetric damping block are designed with local quality variations optimized for specific damping scenarios. Each surface can be manufactured with appropriate local tolerances based on its intended function, rather than requiring uniform high precision across the entire block. This allows manufacturing at standard precision levels while maintaining adjustable damping capabilities.
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 damping device effectively manages the extension and collapse of collapsible ladders, providing safety by reducing the risk of injury or damage, while being cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and adaptable to various ladder types.
Implementation Method 1
an asymmetric damping block adapted to be arranged in the at least one mounting means, wherein the asymmetric damping block comprises at least one surface slidably abutting the inner side wall of the outer ladder tube section
Data Source
AI summary
A damping device (120; 220; 320; 420) for a collapsible ladder (1) is provided. The collapsible ladder is comprising an inner ladder tube section (40a) and an outer ladder tube section (40b) having an inner side wall (44b), the inner ladder tube section (40a) being slidably arranged with the outer ladder tube section (40b). The damping device (120; 220; 320; 420) is comprising a main body (121) having a top portion adapted to be arranged at least partly in the inner ladder tube section (40a), and at least one mounting means (122; 422), and an asymmetric damping block (140; 550; 550′; 550″) adapted to be arranged in the mounting means (122; 422), wherein the asymmetric damping block (140; 550; 5501; 550″) comprises at least one surface (142) slidably abutting the inner side wall (44b) of the outer ladder tube section (40b) when arranged in the collapsible ladder.