Ladder Support Leg Angle Limiting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art harvesting ladders suffer from instability and safety issues due to excessive oscillation at the hinged joint, which can lead to accidents, and existing solutions add weight and complexity, while static safety systems fail to address dynamic slipping events.
Innovation Solution
A ladder design featuring a tube-shaped support leg with a slot on the rear face of the upper platform and a cylinder pin connection, along with plates for stability, and a gripping element at the lower end to prevent excessive opening and improve ground traction, enhancing structural strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hinged joint is made free to allow full oscillation range, then the ladder can be folded completely flat for storage, but the support leg can open beyond 90 degrees causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic constraint mechanism where the support leg is prevented from exceeding 90 degrees opening angle through a mechanical stop formed by the platform's rear face and the support leg's end. This allows full folding capability when needed while dynamically preventing unsafe positions during use, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
2Reliability
If arms and mechanisms are added to limit the opening angle of the support leg, then safety is improved, but the ladder becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the angle-limiting function from complex mechanical arms and mechanisms, implementing it instead through the simple geometric configuration of the platform's rear face and the support leg's end position. This removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining the safety function of limiting the opening angle to 90 degrees
3Ease of manufacture
If the support leg is made cylindrical for simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but the leg slips easily on the ground due to small contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the cylindrical shape of the support leg for most of its length (ease of manufacture) but applies a localized modification at the lower end by providing a gripping element with increased surface area and improved traction characteristics. This local quality change enhances ground adherence without compromising the overall simplicity of manufacturing
4Length of moving object
If the support leg is allowed to open beyond 90 degrees, then the ladder can achieve greater height, but the user is at risk of falling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the platform's rear face and support leg end position to preemptively prevent the support leg from opening beyond 90 degrees. This mechanical stop is built into the structure before use, automatically counteracting any tendency toward excessive opening that would create fall risk, while still allowing sufficient height adjustment within the safe range
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder that enables unwanted accidents to be avoided by means of a simplified structure and mechanism, said ladder comprising: a main structure (10) comprising stringers (11), rungs (12) and an upper platform (13); and a support leg (20) in the shape of a tube (22) pivotally connected to the upper platform (13). The upper platform comprises a top face, two side faces, a front face, and a rear face, wherein said side faces have connection means to a connector of the support leg (20). In addition, the rear face has a slot (24) whose height is less than the diameter of the tube (22).