Abseiling device and rescue system for self-rescue

Abstract

Abseiling device (1), comprising a housing (2), a guide arrangement (11) arranged in the housing (2) for guiding a traction element (12), wherein the guide arrangement (11) comprises at least one guide disk (13) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (D1) with a guide groove (14), and a first brake arrangement (23) designed as a centrifugal brake, wherein the first brake arrangement (23) is coupled to the guide disc (13) via a transmission gear (19), characterized in that that a second brake arrangement (25) is provided, which is intended for the direct braking of the guide disc (13), wherein the second brake arrangement (25) comprises a brake element (26) with a brake surface (26a) facing the guide disc (13), and wherein the brake element (26) is axially displaceable relative to the guide disc (13) by rotation about a second axis of rotation (D2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a descender device comprising a housing, a guide assembly arranged in the housing for guiding a traction device with a guide disk rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a first brake assembly designed as a centrifugal brake, wherein the first brake assembly is coupled to the guide disk via a transmission gear. The invention further relates to a rescue system with a descender device.

[0002] In practice, abseiling devices are used to transport a person from an elevated position to the ground. For this purpose, a traction device, usually made of a plastic or textile rope, is permanently connected to the person being abseiled. This traction device is guided through the abseiling device. The abseiling device generally creates a braking effect, caused by direct or indirect friction, on the speed at which the traction device is guided through the abseiling device. The abseiling device can either be permanently installed at the elevated location or carried along by the person abseiling or being abseiled.

[0003] The present invention relates in particular to a descender device which is designed for self-rescue and which is carried by the person abseiling themselves. In particular, the descender device should be designed to rescue only one person at a time, whereby, for example, a rescue from the engine room of a wind turbine at sea should be possible. In these situations in particular, it may be necessary for the person to remove themselves from the danger zone as quickly as possible, for example if a fire breaks out in the engine room, while at the same time ensuring that the person has the option of stopping the abseiling process as easily, quickly and in a controlled manner as possible, for example in order to wait for the arrival of rescue boats which still need to position themselves below the person to be rescued.In addition, the descender is intended for single use only in order to keep the costs of manufacturing the descender low.

[0004] DE 198 18 688 C1 shows a descender device comprising a housing which includes a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein a guide element designed as a cable pulley for guiding a traction means designed as a cable is rotatably mounted in the first housing part. The descender device further comprises a brake arrangement designed as a centrifugal brake, which is coupled to the guide element via a transmission gear arranged in the first housing part. The brake arrangement is arranged substantially in the second housing part, wherein a transmission section formed with an external gear and a bearing section of the brake arrangement protrudes into the first housing part. The first housing part is connected to the second housing part via fastening elements designed as screws, wherein the first housing part is closed via a first cover and the second housing part is closed via a second cover.The first cover and the second cover are screwed to the respective housing part and can thus be removed for maintenance purposes of the guide arrangement or the brake arrangement.

[0005] DE 10 2007 002 435 A1 shows a descender device comprising a housing, a guide arrangement for a traction means designed as a rope, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a guide element designed as a rope pulley, which is rotatable in both directions. Furthermore, the descender device comprises a brake arrangement designed as a disc brake for braking the rotation of the rope pulley about a rotation axis. The brake arrangement comprises an actuating element designed as a hand lever, which has an eccentric on a side associated with the brake discs, which serves to adjust the braking force exerted by the brake arrangement on the rope pulley. Disadvantages of the brake arrangement are complex and have a relatively large number of components; in particular, two separate brake discs are used, which are preloaded towards the rope pulley with the aid of disc springs.

[0006] DE 11 2006 001 931 B4 shows a descender comprising a housing and a guide assembly arranged in the housing for guiding a traction device. The guide assembly comprises at least one guide disk rotatable about a first axis of rotation and having a guide groove. Furthermore, the descender comprises a first brake assembly configured as a centrifugal brake, the first brake assembly being coupled to the guide disk via a transmission gear.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a descender device and a rescue system with a descender device that enables the self-rescue of a person and is designed to be as cost-effective and easy to operate as possible.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a descender device having the features of independent claim 1.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a descender device is provided, comprising a housing, a guide arrangement arranged in the housing for guiding a traction means, wherein the guide arrangement comprises at least one guide disk rotatable about a first axis of rotation and having a guide groove. Furthermore, the descender device comprises a first brake arrangement designed as a centrifugal brake, wherein the first brake arrangement is coupled to the guide disk via a transmission gear. The descender device according to the invention is characterized in that a second brake arrangement is provided, which is intended for the direct braking of the guide disk, wherein the second brake arrangement comprises a brake element with a braking surface facing the guide disk, wherein the brake element is displaceable axially relative to the guide disk by rotation about a second axis of rotation.Advantageously, the second braking arrangement can further decelerate the person descending, with the possibility of even completely stopping the guide pulley and thus halting the descent at any time. This is sometimes necessary in situations where the underlying surface at the lower point is generally unsuitable for safely supporting the self-rescuing person. This can particularly apply to rescues from offshore wind turbines, where the underlying surface consists of deep water, making it impossible to stay in it for at least a longer period.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the second axis of rotation runs parallel to the first axis of rotation and is also radially spaced from it. Advantageously, the braking surface of the braking element can be brought into contact with an outer surface of the guide disc that is radially spaced from the first axis of rotation by the rotation of the braking element about the second axis of rotation. Accordingly, a sufficient braking torque can be exerted on the guide disc, which also enables rapid stopping of the guide disc.

[0011] In a practical embodiment, the braking surface of the braking element is substantially circular, with the second axis of rotation forming the center of the braking surface. This advantageously defines a defined annular region on the outer surface of the guide disc opposite the braking surface, which is intended for contact with the braking element. In a practical embodiment, the outer surface of the guide disc and the braking surface are arranged plane-parallel to one another. This advantageously ensures that the contact surface between the braking element and the guide disc is as large as possible, thus achieving a correspondingly rapid deceleration of the guide disc.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the braking element has an external thread that engages with an internal thread fixedly arranged on the housing. Advantageously, a translational displacement of the braking element toward the outer surface of the guide disc can be easily achieved by rotating the braking element about the second rotational axis.

[0013] Advantageously, the housing comprises a first housing part in which the guide arrangement is arranged. In a preferred development, it is further provided that the housing comprises a first housing cover for covering a lateral opening of the first housing part. Further preferably, the braking element is coupled to the first housing cover, wherein the braking element has an external thread which is in threaded engagement with an internal thread passing through the first housing cover. Advantageously, the housing cover is removable and can be connected to the first housing part via fastening means. Further advantageously, the braking element can thus be removed from the abseiling device together with the housing cover for maintenance purposes.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the second brake arrangement comprises an actuating element arranged outside the housing, which is provided for rotating the brake element about the second axis of rotation. Preferably, the actuating element is rotatable about the second axis of rotation. Particularly preferably, the actuating element is formed integrally with the brake element. In an alternative embodiment, the actuating element is expediently coupled to the brake element via a gear. Advantageously, the actuating element is easily accessible for the self-rescuing person and is also easy to operate. In an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a handwheel, which is advantageously formed integrally with the brake element. Advantageously, the second brake arrangement is thereby formed extremely cost-effectively and yet is sufficient for stopping the guide disc.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the guide arrangement comprises a guide adapter which adapts an access opening and an exit opening of the housing for the traction device to the diameter of the traction device, preferably in the form of a rope. The guide adapter is expediently detachably insertable into the housing. The guide adapter can advantageously be manufactured in several variants, each adapted to a corresponding diameter of the traction device, whereby the guide adapter can be easily inserted into the housing of the abseiling device in all cases. For this purpose, the guide adapter expediently comprises corresponding recesses provided for fastening the guide adapter to the housing.

[0016] Particularly advantageously, the guide groove is laterally delimited by a first guide wall and a second guide wall. Preferably, the first guide wall and the second guide wall are arranged so as to converge towards one another with respect to a base of the guide groove. Advantageously, the guide groove is V-shaped, wherein the traction means guided in the guide groove is pressed into the guide groove by the force exerted on the traction means by the person. Further preferably, first clamping projections are provided on an inner side of the first guide wall and are separated from one another by first intermediate spaces. Further preferably, second clamping projections are provided on an inner side of the second guide wall and are separated from one another by second intermediate spaces. Particularly preferably, the first clamping projections are arranged opposite the second intermediate spaces and the second clamping projections are arranged opposite the first intermediate spaces.Advantageously, the traction device is guided in a zigzag shape in the guide groove, which leads to a significant improvement in the slip resistance of the traction device.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the invention, a rescue system for self-rescue is provided, comprising a descender device which is designed as described above and a container for receiving the traction means, wherein the container is designed to be carried along with the self-rescuing person.

[0018] In a further development, the container has at least one upper opening for leading out the traction device. In a preferred embodiment, the container is designed as a bag. The container ensures that in particular the long end of the traction device, which still has to be passed through the abseiling device, does not hang freely. Otherwise, there is sometimes a risk that the free, long end of the traction device, which is not yet under tension from the weight of the self-rescuing person, could become entangled with components of the environment or even with the self-rescuing person and, in the worst case, could thus prevent the abseiling process or even lead to the traction device breaking.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the container is connected to the abseiling device. Further preferably, a connecting means, such as an elastic rope or similar, is connected between the container and the abseiling device. Advantageously, the abseiling person only needs to connect the abseiling device to a fastened rescue harness, with the container being automatically carried along. Particularly preferably, the connecting means is detachably connected between the abseiling device and the container via one or two connecting elements.

[0020] Further advantages, features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the dependent claims.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a descender 1 in a cross-sectional view. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the guide disc 13 in the removed state in a cross-sectional view. Fig. 3 shows the guide disc 13 from a bird's eye view. Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the guide disc 13 cut along a center plane M running perpendicular to the first axis of rotation D1. Fig. 5 shows the guide adapter 50 from Fig. 1 in a disassembled state in a front view. Fig. 6 shows the guide adapter 50 from Fig. 5 from a bird's eye view. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a rescue system.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a descender device 1 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. The descender device 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein the housing 2 comprises a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4, which are firmly connected to one another via fastening means 5 in the form of screws. The first housing part 3 is closed on a side facing away from the second housing part 4 via a first cover 6, wherein the first cover 6 is detachably fastened to the first housing part 3 via fastening means 7 in the form of screws. Furthermore, the second housing part 4 is closed on the side facing away from the first housing part 3 via a second cover 8, wherein the second cover 8 is detachably fastened to the second housing part 4 via fastening means 9 in the form of screws.

[0023] The first housing part 3 has a first cavity 10, wherein a guide arrangement 11 for guiding a traction means 12 is arranged in the first cavity 10. The guide arrangement 11 comprises a guide disk 13 arranged in the first housing part 3 so as to be rotatable in both directions and having a radially circumferential guide groove 14 for guiding the traction means 12 in a slip-proof manner. The guide groove 14 has a substantially V-shaped cross-section, so that the traction means 12 inserted in the guide groove 14 is automatically pressed into the guide groove 14 by the tensile load occurring during use and is guided accordingly in a slip-proof manner.

[0024] The guide assembly 11 further comprises a guide adapter 50 arranged on the underside of the first housing part 3, which is provided for adaptation to the diameter of the traction device 12. In particular, the guide adapter 50 narrows an access or exit opening of the housing 2 through which the traction device 12 is guided into or out of the abseiling device 1. This advantageously also allows the use of a traction device 12 designed as a rope, which has a significantly smaller diameter, since it only needs to be designed for one person and is used only once.

[0025] The guide disk 13 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a first shaft 15 which is rotatable about a first axis of rotation D1, wherein a first end 15a of the first shaft 15 is axially supported in a recess provided in the first cover 6. A second end 15b opposite the first end 15a projects into the second housing part 4 and is axially supported there. A bearing sleeve 16 is arranged between the first end 15a and the recess in the first cover 6 so that the frictional resistance to a rotational movement of the first shaft 15 is as low as possible. The first shaft 15 passes through an intermediate wall 17 provided in the first housing part 3, which intermediate wall separates a second hollow chamber 18 provided in the first housing part 3 and the first hollow chamber 10 from one another.A transmission gear 19 is arranged in the second hollow chamber 18. The transmission gear 19 comprises an external gear 20, which is non-rotatably connected to the first shaft 5 and meshes with an external pinion 21a of a second shaft 21. The external pinion 21a has a significantly smaller outer diameter than the external gear 20, so that the second shaft 21 rotates several times with each complete revolution of the guide disk 13, which is non-rotatably connected to the first shaft 5.

[0026] A first brake arrangement 23, designed as a centrifugal brake, is arranged in a third hollow chamber 22 provided in the second housing part 4. When a certain rotational speed is exceeded, the centrifugal bodies 24, which are non-rotatably coupled to the second shaft 21, are forced radially outward by the centrifugal force, so that they come into contact with a radially encircling inner wall 22a of the third hollow chamber 22 and thus brake the rotation of the second shaft 21. Since the second shaft 21 is coupled to the first shaft 15 via the transmission gear 19, this causes the rotation of the guide disk 13, which is non-rotatably coupled to the first shaft 15, to be decelerated below a predetermined speed value. This speed value is set such that the descent speed at which the person abseils downwards does not exceed a predetermined limit.

[0027] The abseiling device 1 further comprises a second braking arrangement 25, which comprises a braking element 26, wherein the braking element 26 can be brought into direct contact with a first outer surface 13a of the guide disk 13 manually by actuating an actuating element 27 designed as a handwheel, and can thus effect additional braking or stopping of the rotational movement of the guide disk 13. The braking element 26 has a braking surface 26a facing the first outer surface 13a of the guide disk 13, which can be displaced together with the braking element 26 by rotating the handwheel 27 in a first direction of rotation towards the outer surface 13a of the guide disk 13 and, upon rotation of the actuating element 27, in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, away from the first outer surface 13a of the guide disk 13.In the embodiment shown here, the braking element 26 and the actuating element 27 are formed in one piece, so that when the actuating element 27 is rotated, the braking element 26 simultaneously rotates about a common second axis of rotation D2.

[0028] Advantageously, the braking force acting on the guide disc 13 can be adjusted quickly and safely by rotating the actuating element accordingly, allowing the abseiling process to be stopped at any time. This is particularly advantageous in situations where it is necessary to wait until an emergency vehicle arrives that can safely pick up the person to be rescued.

[0029] In order to convert the rotational movement of the braking element 26 about the second rotation axis D2 into a translational displacement of the braking element 26 in the direction of the first outer surface 13a of the guide disk 13, the braking element 26 has an external thread 28 arranged between the actuating element 27 and the braking surface 26a, which meshes with an internal thread 6a provided in the first cover 6. Furthermore, the second braking arrangement 25 can be removed or easily replaced by simply removing the first cover 6. Advantageously, the second braking arrangement 25 is designed to be cost-effective and yet expands the functionality of the abseiling device 1 by a reliable braking and stopping function.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the guide disc 13 in the disassembled state in a cross-sectional view. The guide disc 13 has a base body 30, which is penetrated by a central bore 31 through which the first shaft 15 (see Fig. 1) and can be connected to the base body 30 in a rotationally fixed manner. The first outer surface 13a of the guide disc 13 simultaneously forms an outer side of a first guide wall 32 laterally delimiting the guide groove 14. The first guide wall 32 has a first inner side 32a, which is delimited at the bottom by a bottom 33 of the guide groove 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the bottom 33 is flat.

[0031] Opposite the first guide wall 32, the guide disk 13 has a second guide wall 34, which forms a second inner side 34a of the guide groove 14. The second inner side 34a, like the first inner side 32a, is delimited at the bottom by the base 33. The first inner wall 32a and the second inner wall 34a of the guide groove 14 converge towards the base 33, so that the guide groove 14 tapers from above towards the base 33. The guide groove 14 is accordingly advantageously V-shaped. It can also be seen that the first inner wall 32a has first clamping projections 35, which protrude inwards. Furthermore, the second inner wall 34a has second clamping projections 36, which also protrude inwards.The clamping projections 35, 36 are arranged in such a way that a traction means is guided in the guide groove 14 in a slip-proof manner, whereby it is particularly ensured that the traction means does not slip out of the guide groove 14 even when the guide disk 13 is stationary.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first clamping projections 35 are arranged offset from the second clamping projections 36, so that the first clamping projections 35 are arranged opposite a space provided between the second clamping projections 36, and the second clamping projections 36 are arranged opposite a space provided between the first clamping projections 35. Advantageously, the traction means is guided in a zigzag shape in the guide groove 14, so that the mutual friction surface available between the guide groove 14 and the traction means is maximized, and, in addition, a lateral clamping of the traction means is achieved, at least within the guide groove 14.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the guide disk 13 from a bird's eye view. In this view, it can be seen that the first clamping projections 35 provided on the first inner side 32a of the first guide wall 32 are separated from one another by first spaces 37. The adjacent first clamping projections 35 are arranged equidistant from one another. The second clamping projections 36 provided on the second inner side 34a of the second guide wall 34 are separated from one another by second spaces 38. The second clamping projections 36 are arranged opposite the first spaces 37 and the first clamping projections 35 are arranged opposite the second spaces 38. This advantageously results in a zigzag-shaped guide groove 14 through which the traction means is guided.The structure of the guide disc 13 can also be described by the fact that the guide disc 13 consists of two partial discs connected via the base 33, which are separated by a center plane M, which runs perpendicular to the first axis of rotation D1. Both partial discs are essentially identical in design, but they are rotated about the first axis of rotation D1, so that the first clamping projections 35 and the second spaces 38, and the second clamping projections 36 and the first spaces 37, are opposite each other.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the guide disk 13, sectioned along a center plane M running perpendicular to the first axis of rotation D1. This view shows that the adjacent first clamping projections 35 are arranged equidistant from one another and regularly around the entire radial circumference of the first guide wall 32. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the first guide wall 32 has ten first clamping projections 35, wherein the angle α enclosed between two adjacent first clamping projections 35 is 36°. Likewise, the adjacent first spaces 37 between the first clamping projections 35 enclose the same angle α.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows the guide adapter 50 from Fig. 1 in a disassembled state in a front view. The guide adapter 50 has a central recess 51, which is provided for receiving a guide projection arranged on the first housing part 3. Furthermore, the guide adapter 50 has curved recesses 52 on each of its sides, which are provided for receiving two further guide projections (not shown here) on the first housing part 3. The guide adapter 50 narrows the outlet through which the traction means is guided out of the housing 2, so that, in particular, significantly thinner traction means can be used, while still ensuring sufficient guidance of the traction means.

[0036] Fig. Figure 6 shows the guide adapter 50 from a bird's eye view. This view shows an opening 53 on the top side extending along the longitudinal extent of the guide adapter, through which opening the traction means 12 is guided into and out of the housing 2. The traction means 12 is limited or guided with respect to the outer sides of the traction means 12 by the two opposite ends 53a, 53b of the opening 53, and with respect to the inner sides of the traction means 12 by the guide projection 54 shown here, which is arranged in the center of the opening 53 when the guide adapter 50 is inserted into the housing 2.

[0037] Fig.7 shows a preferred embodiment of a rescue system 70 which carries a self-rescuing person P. In addition to the abseiling device 1 according to the invention and the traction means 12 guided through the abseiling device 1, the rescue system 70 comprises a container 71 in which the traction means 12 is arranged with its free end 12a. Advantageously, the free end 12a, which may have a length of over 100 m, particularly at the beginning of the abseiling process from a wind turbine platform, does not hang freely. In particular, this advantageously prevents the free end from becoming caught on an external object or the person to be rescued, thus preventing or at least complicating safe abseiling. The upper end 12b of the traction means 12, which is attached to an upper fixed point, is under tension during the abseiling process and is located far enough away from external objects.The actuating element 27 of the second brake arrangement 25 is directed towards the person P abseiling during the abseiling process, so that the person P can independently brake or stop the abseiling process at any time.

[0038] The self-rescuing person P wears a rescue harness 72, to which the abseiling device 1 is connected via a first connecting element 73 designed as a snap hook, which is attached to an underside of the abseiling device 1, and a fall arrest eyelet 74 attached to the rescue harness 72. The container 71 is connected to the abseiling device 1 via a connecting means 75 designed as a textile strap. The connecting means 75 is connected to the container 71 at a first end 75a via a first connecting element 76 designed as a snap hook. A second end 75b of the connecting means 75, opposite the first end 75a, is firmly connected to the abseiling device 1 via a second connecting element 77.Advantageously, the abseiling device 1 and the container 71 with the traction means 12 located therein are firmly connected to one another, so that the abseiling person P only has to connect to the abseiling device 1 by means of the first connecting element 73 and the container 71 is thus automatically carried along.

Claims

[1] Descender (1), comprising a housing (2), a guide arrangement (11) arranged in the housing (2) for guiding a traction means (12), wherein the guide arrangement (11) comprises at least one guide disc (13) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (D1) with a guide groove (14), and a first brake arrangement (23) designed as a centrifugal brake, wherein the first brake arrangement (23) is coupled to the guide disc (13) via a transmission gear (19), characterized by , that a second brake arrangement (25) is provided which is provided for the direct braking of the guide disc (13), wherein the second brake arrangement (25) comprises a brake element (26) with a braking surface (26a) facing the guide disc (13), and wherein the brake element (26) is displaceable axially relative to the guide disc (13) by rotation about a second axis of rotation (D2). [2] Abseiling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the second axis of rotation (D2) runs parallel to the first axis of rotation (D1) and is spaced therefrom. [3] Abseiling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the braking surface (26a) is circular, wherein the second axis of rotation (D2) forms the center of the braking surface (26a). [4] Abseiling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the braking element (26) has an external thread (28) which is in threaded engagement with an internal thread (6a) arranged stationary on the housing (2). [5] Abseiling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second brake arrangement (25) comprises an actuating element (27) arranged outside the housing (2), which is provided for rotating the brake element (26). [6] Abseiling device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the actuating element (27) is rotatable about the second axis of rotation (D2). [7] Abseiling device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the actuating element (27) is formed in one piece with the braking element (26). [8] Abseiling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide arrangement (11) has a guide adapter (50) which adapts an access opening and an exit opening of the housing (2) for the traction means (12) to the diameter of the traction means (12) designed as a rope. [9] Abseiling device (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the guide adapter (50) can be removably inserted into the housing (2). [10] Rescue system (70) for self-rescue, comprising a descender (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a container (71) for receiving the traction means (12), wherein the container (71) is designed to be carried along with the self-rescuing person (P).

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