Modular Ramp System with Collapsible Handrails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ramp systems are bulky, costly, and cumbersome, with limited height adjustment and stability issues, making them difficult to transport and assemble efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A modular ramp system with collapsible handrail assemblies that fold inwardly for compact storage and transportation, featuring a folding mechanism with a bracket and pivot pin, allowing for reversible collapse from an erect to a compact position, enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If support stands are made height-adjustable to support ramp surfaces at different positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase making transport difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support stand employs a telescopic leg mechanism with multiple segments that can extend and retract, allowing the height to be dynamically adjusted. The leg includes nested tubular sections that slide relative to each other, providing continuous height variation while maintaining a compact retracted profile for easy transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic leg structure utilizes nested tubular sections where smaller diameter tubes are inserted within larger diameter tubes. This nesting arrangement allows the leg to achieve extended height for ramp support while collapsing to a minimal profile when retracted, effectively resolving the contradiction between height adjustability and transportability.
2Manufacturing precision
If support stands include multiple holes and locating bolts for height adjustment, then height precision is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism uses a dynamic telescopic system where segments can be quickly extended to the required height and locked into position using simple locking features or friction-based retention, eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment of multiple holes and insertion of locating bolts.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic leg incorporates self-locking features such as friction-fit interfaces or spring-loaded locking mechanisms that automatically maintain the selected height position without requiring additional fastening operations, allowing for rapid adjustment and eliminating the need for separate locating bolts.
3Ease of operation
If ramp systems are made modular for easy assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp system is divided into modular components including interchangeable ramp surfaces, adjustable support stands with telescopic legs, and standardized connection interfaces. These segmented modules can be quickly assembled and disassembled while maintaining structural integrity through precision-machined mating surfaces and secure connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interfaces between modular components incorporate localized reinforcement features such as gusset plates, strengthening ribs, or oversized connection areas that concentrate structural strength at critical joint locations. This allows the overall system to remain modular and easy to assemble while ensuring stability and load-bearing capacity at the connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
A ramp system has a plurality of modular components adapted to be interconnected in a desired configuration. The modular components include an entry ramp module (10, 80), an exit ramp module (80) and a landing module (100, 180) therebetween. Each modular component has a flow assembly (12), handrail assemblies (14, 16) and leg assemblies (18). Each of the handrail assemblies have posts (22, 24) which are adapted to support a handrail (26). The posts are collapsible by folding inwardly towards a deck (28) of the floor assembly through operation of a folding means (30) interconnecting the floor assembly and each post of the handrail assembly. The posts of the handrail assemblies are reversibly collapsible from an erect position, where the ramp system can be used and the handrail assemblies can support users of the ramp system, to a compact position where the ramp system can be stored, packaged and transported until required for assembly on site.