Variable Rotational Coupling for Marine Boarding Ladder Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Boarding ladders on water vessels require significant effort to deploy and stow due to their weight and awkward placement, leading to user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A water vessel boarding ladder device with a unique configuration that provides a variable rotational relationship between the handle and ladder portions, allowing for easier deployment and stowage through a mechanism where the handle rotates relatively more than the ladder during initial displacement, reducing effort and preventing unwanted closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ladder is made sturdy and integrated into the vessel hull, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the weight and difficulty of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic rotational coupling mechanism that allows the handle portion and ladder portion to rotate relative to each other during deployment. This dynamic adjustment enables the ladder to transition from a heavy integrated state to a deployable working state, reducing the effective weight burden during operation while maintaining structural integrity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The boarding ladder is divided into distinct segments: a handle portion and a ladder portion connected by a rotational coupling. This segmentation allows independent rotation of each part, enabling the heavy ladder portion to be deployed independently from the handle, thereby reducing the overall deployment weight requirement while maintaining safety through proper structural connections.
2Ease of operation
If the ladder is placed on the outer hull for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability and control during deployment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational coupling mechanism provides dynamic control over the deployment process, allowing the handle and ladder portions to rotate at different rates and directions. This dynamic control maintains stability during deployment by enabling controlled motion even when the ladder is positioned on the outer hull, preventing uncontrolled swinging or instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational coupling acts as an intermediary mechanism between the handle portion and ladder portion. This intermediary allows for controlled force transmission and motion coordination, maintaining stability during deployment by mediating the interaction between the user-applied forces and the ladder's movement, even when positioned on the outer hull.
3Ease of operation
If the handle rotates significantly during deployment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unwanted closure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable rotational relationship creates a dynamic control system where the rotation of the handle and ladder portions are coordinated but not directly proportional. This dynamic relationship allows for significant handle rotation to achieve deployment while incorporating control mechanisms that prevent the reverse motion that would cause unwanted closure, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
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
The device facilitates safe and user-friendly operation by reducing the effort required for deployment and stowage, while preventing accidental closure, thus enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling portion may be configured to provide a variable rotational relationship between the handle portion and the ladder portion during the simultaneous rotation
Implementation Method 2
when rotating from the deployed position, the handle portion's rotational advantage may increase through an initial displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A water vessel boarding ladder device and method of manufacture are described herein. The boarding ladder device may include one or more of a ladder portion, a handle portion, a coupling portion, and/or other components. The coupling portion may be configured to provide a variable rotational relationship between the handle portion and the ladder portion during simultaneous rotation of the handle portion and the ladder portion.