Vehicle Ladder Synchronization with Outriggers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility vehicle ladders often strike obstructions in rough terrain, causing damage, and existing solutions like shorter or manually actuated ladders are inconvenient and prone to neglectful extension.

Innovation Solution

An automatic deploying ladder assembly associated with an outrigger, which moves from a stowed upward position to a deployed downward position as the outrigger deploys, ensuring convenience and safety for operators by synchronizing with the outrigger's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ladder is extended downward to provide convenient access for the operator, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ladder may strike ground or obstructions causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder accessibilityVSAvoidladder damage from obstruction contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder is made dynamically adjustable in length, transitioning between extended and retracted positions. The ladder length is not fixed but can change based on operational conditions, allowing it to extend for operator convenience and retract to avoid obstructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder system automatically responds to outrigger deployment status without requiring manual intervention. When the outrigger deploys, the ladder automatically extends; when the outrigger retracts, the ladder automatically retracts, making the system self-regulating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If shorter ladders are used to prevent damage from obstruction contact, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as operators must carry heavy equipment up the ladder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder damage preventionVSAvoidoperator convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder length is dynamically adjustable rather than fixed at a shorter safe length. The ladder can extend to provide operator convenience when needed and retract to a shorter safe position when obstruction contact risk exists, combining both reliability and ease of operation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder length parameter is changed based on operational context. The system transitions between different length states (extended for access, retracted for safety) depending on outrigger deployment status and terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manually actuated ladders are used to provide convenient access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as ladders are often neglectfully left extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveladder accessibilityVSAvoidladder position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder system is self-actuating through its connection to the outrigger mechanism. The ladder automatically extends and retracts based on outrigger position, eliminating the need for manual operation and preventing the ladder from being left in incorrect positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The ladder position is automatically controlled based on feedback from the outrigger deployment status. The system monitors outrigger position and相应 adjusts ladder extension, ensuring the ladder is only extended when the outrigger is deployed and terrain contact is prevented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the ladder is automatically deployed with the outrigger, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic ladder deploymentVSAvoidladder actuation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ladder actuation mechanism is merged with the existing outrigger system. The ladder is mechanically coupled to the outrigger structure and uses the outrigger's movement to drive ladder extension and retraction, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The outrigger system serves dual functions: providing structural support/stability and simultaneously actuating the ladder mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating dedicated ladder actuation components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10112542B2Deploying vehicle ladder

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 ALTEC INDS

AI summary

A deploying ladder assembly configured to be associated with a vehicle and configured to be selectively placed into a deployed position and a stowed position, the deploying ladder assembly comprising an outrigger, an actuator, a ladder support, and a ladder. The actuator is associated with the outrigger, and is configured to selectively move the outrigger between the deployed position and the stowed position. The ladder support apparatus configured to be secured to the utility vehicle. The ladder is secured to the outrigger and moveably secured to the ladder support apparatus. The actuator imparts a force on the ladder through the outrigger, such that the ladder is in the deployed position while the outrigger is in the deployed position and the ladder is in the stowed position while the outrigger is in the stowed position.