Vehicle Access Device with Triangular Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access devices for vehicles like mining, earthmoving, or railway vehicles face challenges in providing easy access between substrate and elevated surfaces without interfering with normal vehicle operation, particularly in stowed positions, and must conform to specific angular ranges for user safety and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An access device with pivotally attached ladder members and a drive mechanism, including a rotatable member with pivotal connectors, allows the ladder members to extend angularly for access and retract vertically for storage, guided by guide arms and powered by hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric cylinders, ensuring compatibility with vehicle operations and safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the access device is made outwardly extending from the vehicle extremities to provide access, then access between substrate and elevated surfaces is improved, but it interferes with normal vehicle operation in stowed position
Solution Approach 1:
The access device is designed with movable ladder members that can dynamically change position between an extended access configuration and a retracted storage configuration. The ladder members are pivotally attached and can be moved by drive means, allowing the device to adapt its shape and position based on operational requirements, thus providing access when needed and avoiding interference during normal vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device transitions from a two-dimensional extended structure to a three-dimensional compact form by folding the ladder members upward and inward toward the vehicle body. This dimensional transformation allows the device to occupy minimal space in its stowed position while maintaining full access functionality when deployed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the access device is retracted vertically atop the mounting to avoid interference, then vehicle operation is improved, but access functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device maintains dynamic capability to transition between compact storage and functional access states. The ladder members can be rapidly deployed from the vertical retracted position to the angled access position using the drive means, ensuring that access functionality is fully restored when needed despite the compact stowed configuration.
3Reliability
If the ladder members are made coaligned and extend at specific angles for safety, then user safety and ease of use are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive means provides dynamic control of the ladder members, enabling them to be positioned at the optimal safety angle (60-75 degrees) automatically. This mechanical system ensures consistent safe positioning without requiring manual adjustment by the user, maintaining safety while managing complexity through automated mechanical control.
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 provides secure, user-friendly access at optimal angles while fully retracting to avoid interference, ensuring safe and efficient operation of the vehicle by allowing easy movement between access and storage positions.
Implementation Method 1
drive means, operatively connected between said mounting and said first ladder member, to control the movement of said first ladder member
Implementation Method 2
drive means, operatively connected between said mounting and said first ladder member, to control the movement of said first ladder member
Implementation Method 3
drive means, operatively connected between said mounting and said first ladder member, to control the movement of said first ladder member
Implementation Method 4
a rotatable member having three pivotal connectors spaced apart in a triangular arrangement
Implementation Method 5
a first ladder member, a first end of which is pivotally attached to said mounting
Implementation Method 6
at least one guide arm, operatively connected between said mounting and said articulation joint, to guide the movement of said second ladder member
Data Source
AI summary
An access device that provides access between a substrate surface and an elevated surface includes a first ladder member that is operatively attached to a mounting via a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable member having three pivotal connectors spaced apart in a triangular arrangement. A first of the connectors is pivotally attached to the mounting. A second of the connectors is pivotally attached to the first ladder member via a control arm. A third of the connectors is pivotally attached to an extremity of the mounting via an extendible arm. The extendible arm causes the rotatable member to rotate about the first connector, and consequently effect movement of the access device. The access device further includes a second ladder member, a first end of which is pivotally attached to a second end of the first ladder member.