Vertical Axis Gate for Height Access Workstations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height access devices, such as mobile ladders and rolling platforms, face issues with access closure mechanisms that are either hindered by debris, require manual operation, or provide insufficient user safety, particularly when the gate opens inwardly or is not ergonomically designed.
Innovation Solution
A platform design featuring a guardrail with an upper and lower rail, where the gate leaf is pivotally mounted to rotate around a vertical axis, utilizing a cam mechanism for automatic closure and an ergonomic design allowing the gate to open outwardly, enhancing user safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gate opens inwardly towards the workstation, then the gate can automatically close behind the user, but the user's exit may be obstructed and the gate may hit the user's back or head
Solution Approach 1:
The gate opening direction is inverted from the conventional inward-opening design to an outward-opening design. The gate leaf pivots on a vertical axis and opens outward away from the workstation, allowing the user to exit without obstruction while maintaining automatic closure functionality. This inversion resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful effects of obstruction and collision while preserving the automatic closure benefit.
2Device complexity
If the gate extends parallel to the stairway plane, then the structure is simple, but the user's foot may be caught and stuck in the gate creating a fall risk
Solution Approach 1:
The gate's orientation is changed from being parallel to the stairway plane to being perpendicular to it. The gate leaf pivots on a vertical axis and opens outward, creating a motion path that is orthogonal to the user's descent direction. This dimensional change eliminates the risk of foot entrapment while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a straightforward pivotal mounting system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connecting rods are used for guardrail articulation, then the guardrail can be folded, but plaster or product deposits can hinder or prevent the sliding movement of the collars
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding collar mechanism is extracted and replaced with a pivot-based articulation system. The guardrail components are mounted on vertical pivots that allow folding motion without requiring sliding collars along the guardrail length. This elimination of the sliding collar component removes the vulnerability to plaster and product deposits, maintaining reliability while preserving the folding capability.
4Ease of operation
If telescopic connecting rods are used for gate mounting, then the gate can be mounted on the guardrail, but plaster or product deposits can hinder or prevent the telescopic sliding movement
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic sliding mechanism is extracted and replaced with a pivot-based mounting system. The gate leaf is mounted on a vertical pivot axis that is fixed to the guardrail, eliminating the need for telescopic rods that are susceptible to contamination. This replacement maintains the gate's mounting flexibility while ensuring reliable operation free from plaster and product deposit interference.
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 solution provides improved user safety and ease of access by ensuring the gate automatically closes without obstructing the user's exit and reduces the risk of accidental opening, while also allowing for ergonomic operation and reduced manual effort during use.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cam mechanism for automatic closure
Implementation Method 2
the gate leaf is pivotally mounted to rotate around a vertical axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A work-at-height device comprising a workstation, a first base forming a platform (2) for access to the workstation and a second support base (3), the platform comprising two longitudinal members (4, 5) and at least one step (6, 7), the workstation being provided with a floor (19), a guardrail, and a means for closing access to the workstation, the guardrail comprising an upper rail (24) and a lower rail (23), the upper rail being pivotally mounted relative to the longitudinal members of the platform, the guardrail and the means for closing access to the workstation being movable between a folded position in which the upper rail is substantially parallel to the platform, and an extended position in which the upper rail is substantially horizontal, the means for closing access to the workstation comprising a hinged door (27, 28), characterized in that in the extended position,The leaf pivots relative to the upper and lower rails around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (43), the pivot axis of the leaf being mounted articulated to the upper rail by a first articulation means (31), the pivot axis of the leaf being mounted articulated to the lower rail by a second articulation means (32).