Smart Ladder with Outrigger Legs and Sensor Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ladders are prone to tipping and collapse due to excessive load or improper use, leading to potential injuries and accidents, as users often exceed load limits unknowingly while reaching over the side or carrying tools.

Innovation Solution

The development of a smart ladder with modular mechanical and electronic components, including outrigger leg units, brace units, and an integrated sensor network, which provides lateral support, stability, and a warning system to alert users of potential hazards such as excessive load or inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional ladders are used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is low, but the stability and safety are insufficient leading to tipping and collapse hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder stabilityVSAvoidladder structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is divided into modular components including outrigger leg units that can be independently deployed and positioned. Each outrigger leg unit functions as a separate stabilizing element that can be adjusted and locked into place, providing segmented stability rather than a monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Outrigger leg units extend the ladder's support base laterally beyond the traditional four-point contact. By adding support elements in the lateral dimension perpendicular to the ladder's main plane, the system creates a wider stability envelope that prevents tipping without requiring complex multi-layer structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If outrigger leg units are added to provide lateral support, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional deployment steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral support stabilityVSAvoidladder deployment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outrigger leg units incorporate movable and adjustable components that can be dynamically deployed and repositioned during ladder setup. The legs can be extended, retracted, and locked at various positions, allowing the operator to adapt the stability configuration to different ground conditions while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The outrigger leg units are designed with self-locking mechanisms and automatic positioning features that reduce the operator's burden. Once deployed, the legs automatically lock into place and maintain their position without requiring continuous manual adjustment, making the additional stability feature as easy to operate as the basic ladder structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If brace units are added to guide folding and unfolding, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brace units are pre-positioned and pre-configured to guide the folding and unfolding movements of the outrigger leg units. By establishing the correct geometric constraints beforehand through the brace unit geometry, the system ensures reliable folding paths without requiring complex active control mechanisms or multiple sensing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular mechanical and electronic components are integrated, then the adaptability and safety monitoring are improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to integration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidassembly integration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modular components are designed with standardized interfaces and universal mounting mechanisms that allow the same basic outrigger leg unit and brace unit assemblies to be configured for different ladder types and applications. This universality enables adaptability across multiple product variants while maintaining consistent manufacturing processes and assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10378278B2Smart ladder

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 SENTRON ENG S PTE LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a smart ladder. The smart ladder may be A-frame type of ladders, such as A-frame ladders and A-frame platform ladders. The smart ladder includes right and left outrigger leg units which are swiveled coupled to the right and left sides of the ladder to provide side support. The ladder includes brace units facilitate in folding and unfolding of the ladder as well as the outrigger legs. An electronic system, which includes a sensor network, a processor and a warning system, is provided. The sensor network senses side inclination angle of the ladder and side force on the outriggers and predict potential hazards from exceeding load and angle thresholds. This enhances safe operation of the ladder and avoids injuries to the user and others in the vicinity.