Tiltable Ladder Rack Slide and Tilt Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladder rack systems for commercial vans and work vehicles rely on rotational mechanisms that complicate the loading and unloading of ladders, requiring workers to manually rotate ladders from the vehicle roof to a side position, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A slide arrangement mechanism that allows ladders to be horizontally moved along the vehicle's roof and then vertically tilted, enabling easy access and removal from the ground level, with an optional motor drive for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotational lever mechanism is used to transfer ladders from the vehicle roof to the side position, then the ladder can be transferred to a accessible location, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient requiring manual rotation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the ladder from a horizontal roof position to a side position (conventional approach), the patent inverts the sequence by first sliding the ladder horizontally along the roof and then tilting it vertically at the rear. This reversal of the operational sequence eliminates the need for cumbersome manual rotation and enables workers to easily access ladders from ground level at the vehicle rear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic mechanisms including a slide arrangement with rollers that move along rails, and a tilt mechanism with cam followers that convert horizontal motion into vertical tilting. These dynamic components automatically guide the ladder through the required motion paths, reducing manual effort and operational time compared to static rotational lever systems.
2Ease of operation
If a rotational mechanism is used to position ladders along the vehicle side, then ladders can be accessed, but the device complexity increases with multiple linkages and levers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ladder positioning function into two distinct stages: (1) horizontal sliding along the roof using a slide arrangement with rollers on rails, and (2) vertical tilting at the rear using a separate tilt mechanism with control arms and cam followers. This segmentation simplifies each individual mechanism compared to a complex rotational linkage system while achieving the same accessibility goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as the slide arrangement with rollers and the tilt mechanism with cam followers that mediate between the fixed roof mount and the movable ladder. These intermediaries guide the ladder through controlled motion paths, providing accessibility without requiring a complex direct rotational mechanism between the roof and side positions.
3Device complexity
If manual rotation of ladders is required from roof to side position, then the mechanism can be simple, but manual effort and ergonomic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mechanisms including a slide arrangement with rollers that move along rails, and a tilt mechanism with cam followers that convert horizontal motion into vertical tilting. These dynamic components automatically guide the ladder through the required motion paths, reducing manual effort and operational time compared to static rotational lever systems.
4Ease of operation
If ladders are positioned at the vehicle side, then they are accessible to workers, but the mechanism requires contact with the vehicle body which complicates installation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the ladder from a horizontal roof position to a side position (conventional approach), the patent inverts the sequence by first sliding the ladder horizontally along the roof and then tilting it vertically at the rear. This reversal of the operational sequence eliminates the need for cumbersome manual rotation and enables workers to easily access ladders from ground level at the vehicle rear.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient and ergonomic loading and unloading of ladders by allowing horizontal movement and vertical tilting, improving accessibility and reducing manual effort, while the motor drive enhances automation and speed.
Implementation Method 1
as the load support member moves to a point where the guide rollers leave the guide sleeves, the cam follower roller enters a cam track on a first cam member affixed to the stationary bed. With rearward movement of the load support member, the cam follower roller elevates and thereby lifts the control arm
Implementation Method 2
a second cam member actuates a spring-loaded, cam-actuated locking pin that acts to latch the control arm to a latch bracket affixed to the underside of the load support member
Implementation Method 3
the control arm causes the load support member to pivot about the support arm with continued movement of the slide member causing it to ultimately tilt to a somewhat vertical disposition
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder rack assembly for a work vehicle has a stationary bed for attachment to the roof thereof. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails has guides thereon that extend from the rails' first ends toward, but short their second ends. Rollers on side edges of a load support member ride on the bed rails. When the rollers are constrained by the guides, only translation of the load support member takes place. Upon exit of the rollers from the rear ends of the guides, both translation and rotation of the load support member can occur. A control arm is pivotally joined at one end to the stationary bed. Its free end has cam actuated latch pin assemblies attached to it that co-act with cams on the stationary bed during rearward displacement of the load support member to latch the load support member to the control arm whereby further rearward movement of the load support member causes it to tilt to a somewhat vertical position.