Recessed Vehicle Access Ladder With Visible Step Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access ladders for vehicles with elevated driving positions pose a risk to drivers as they obscure lower steps, making it difficult for drivers to safely climb down due to lack of visibility.
Innovation Solution
The access ladder design features steps that are positioned inside a recess on the vehicle's side, with each step's main surface protruding only partially over the one below, allowing all steps to be visible from above, and is integrated into the vehicle's chassis to maintain compact dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If steps are superposed vertically to limit ladder dimensions, then the overall size of the ladder is reduced, but the lower steps become hidden from view, creating safety risks for drivers climbing down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning steps within a recessed structure on the vehicle side. Each step is nested within the vertical profile of the ladder assembly, allowing the steps to be contained within a compact volume while their front edges protrude sufficiently to maintain visibility. This nested arrangement resolves the contradiction by keeping the ladder's overall dimensions small while ensuring safety through visible step edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a purely vertical stacking arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration by recessing steps into the vehicle side structure. This dimensional change allows steps to be positioned in depth rather than only in vertical height, enabling the ladder to fit within compact spatial envelopes while maintaining visible step edges that protrude forward, thus resolving the safety-visibility issue.
2Reliability
If steps are positioned to be visible from above, then driver visibility and safety are improved, but the ladder's overall dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the necessary portions of each step visible - specifically the front edges that protrude from the recess. The main body of each step is positioned within the recessed area, while the critical safety feature (the front edge) extends outward. This selective visibility approach ensures driver safety without requiring the entire step structure to be externally visible, thus maintaining compact ladder dimensions.
3Loss of information
If steps protrude significantly from the vehicle side, then visibility of lower steps is improved, but the ladder occupies more space and increases overall dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the step structures within a recessed portion of the vehicle side, allowing the steps to be contained within the vehicle's overall profile. Only the essential front edges of the steps protrude outward, providing sufficient visibility for safe climbing while minimizing the ladder's external footprint. This nested configuration reduces the area occupied by the ladder while maintaining adequate step visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an access ladder for a vehicle, comprising two or more steps (1, 2, 3, 4), vertically superposed on each other, each of which comprises a main surface (10, 20, 30, 40). The projection on a horizontal plane of the main surface of each step (1, 2, 3, 4) protrudes at least partly from the projection on a horizontal plane of the main surface of a step above.