Vehicular Ladder Composite Teeth Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular ladders lack durability and sufficient traction, leading to wheel spin and reduced product life when used on slippery or soft terrain, as they fail to effectively distribute stress and provide adequate grip.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular ladder with a body made of a flexible, impact-resistant plastic (Ultramid B3S) and second teeth made of a more temperature and abrasion-resistant plastic (Ryton PPS), featuring a unique tooth profile and design that includes elongate, concave, and transverse protrusions for enhanced traction and stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single plastic material is used for the entire ladder including teeth, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the teeth lack sufficient durability and abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two different plastics: a first plastic (e.g., polyamide) for the ladder body providing flexibility and impact resistance, and a second plastic (e.g., PPS with glass fiber) for the teeth providing superior temperature and abrasion resistance. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by enabling the teeth to have enhanced durability while the body maintains its structural properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving different parts of the ladder different material properties. The teeth are made from a second plastic specifically selected for high abrasion and temperature resistance where contact with terrain occurs, while the body is made from a first plastic providing overall structural integrity and flexibility. This localized material differentiation optimizes performance at each location without requiring the entire structure to be made of the most resistant material.
2Strength
If the ladder body is made from a hard, abrasion-resistant plastic, then the structure is durable, but impact resistance and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to combine the benefits of both soft and hard plastics. The first plastic (body) provides flexibility and impact resistance, while the second plastic (teeth) provides hardness and abrasion resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by distributing different functional requirements to different material components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the body from a flexible, impact-resistant first plastic while making only the teeth from a harder, more durable second plastic. This localized differentiation allows the body to absorb impacts flexibly while the teeth provide durable contact surfaces, resolving the contradiction between overall flexibility and localized durability.
3Reliability
If the teeth have a simple profile design, then manufacturing is easier, but traction and grip on slippery terrain are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing teeth with specific profile characteristics (concave surfaces, transverse protrusions, elongate shapes) that create multiple contact points and increased surface area for traction. These localized geometric features enhance grip on slippery terrain without requiring complex overall tooth structures, balancing manufacturability with improved traction capability.
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 combination of plastics and tooth design enhances traction, reduces wheel spin, and improves the likelihood of vehicle recovery by providing a durable and effective gripping surface, while the flexible first plastic absorbs impact and the second plastic maintains resistance to heat and abrasion.
Implementation Method 1
the first plastic has a higher impact resistance compared to the second plastic
Implementation Method 2
When the vehicle ladder grips the terrain and provides sufficient traction between the one or more wheels
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vehicular ladder including: a body comprising a first plastic; and one or more first teeth arranged on the body, wherein the one or more first teeth include a second plastic that is different to the first plastic.