Reversible Arched Climbing Panel for Variable Platform Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing children's playground equipment lacks a versatile and adjustable climbing panel that can accommodate elevated platforms of varying heights, limiting its adaptability to different playstations and locations.
Innovation Solution
A reversible arched climbing panel with a body curved at a non-constant radius, allowing it to extend to two different mounting heights by reversing its orientation, with end portions featuring recessed areas for fastening and staking, and apertures with raised ridges for user grip, facilitating secure attachment and comfortable climbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height climbing panel is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate elevated platforms of varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The climbing panel employs a non-constant radius of curvature along its arch, creating variable geometry that enables adaptation to different mounting heights. The arch profile is specifically designed with changing curvature radii that allow the panel to function at multiple heights while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The panel utilizes geometric parameter variation through its non-constant radius of curvature design. By carefully selecting and varying the radius parameters along the arch, the panel achieves multiple functional configurations for different platform heights without requiring multiple separate panels
2Adaptability or versatility
If a non-constant radius arch is used, then the panel can extend to different mounting heights, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panel employs a carefully designed non-constant radius of curvature profile that balances geometric complexity with manufacturability. The curvature variation is optimized to achieve multiple mounting heights while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes for molded or fabricated panels
3Adaptability or versatility
If the climbing panel is made reversible, then it can be used with various playstations of different heights, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The climbing panel is designed with symmetric mounting features at both ends, including recessed portions and apertures that function identically regardless of orientation. This universal design allows the same panel to be installed in multiple orientations to accommodate different platform heights and locations
Data Source
AI summary
A climbing panel includes a body that is curved about an axis at a non-constant radius of curvature. The body has first and second end portions and is configured for use such that one of the first and second end portions is supported by a support surface and the other of the first and second end portions is coupled to an elevated support structure. The body is reversible between a first orientation, where the first end is adjacent the support surface and the second end is coupled to the elevated support structure and extends to a first mounting height, and a second orientation, where the second end is adjacent the support surface and the first end is coupled to the elevated support structure and extends to a second mounting height that is different from the first mounting height.