Abseiling device with double cable guidance

Abstract

The invention relates to an abseiling device (1), comprising a housing (2), a guide arrangement (11) arranged in the housing (2) for guiding at least one first traction mechanism (14), wherein the guide arrangement (11) comprises a first guide disc (12) which can be rotated about a first rotational axis (D1) and which has a radially circumferential first guide channel (13) for guiding the first traction mechanism (14), and a first brake arrangement (23) coupled to the guide arrangement (11). An abseiling device which enables a person to be rescued from great height and which is designed in the most cost-effective, space-saving and lightweight manner possible is created in that the guide arrangement (11) comprises a second guide disc (24) which can be rotated about the first rotational axis (D1) and has a second guide channel (26) for guiding a second traction mechanism (25).

Description

[0001] descender with double rope guide

[0002] The invention relates to a descender device comprising a housing, a guide arrangement arranged in the housing for guiding at least one first traction means with a first guide disc rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a brake arrangement.

[0003] In practice, abseiling devices are used to transport a person from an elevated position to a lower position. For this purpose, a first traction device, which is usually made of a plastic or textile rope and is firmly connected to a fixed point provided near the elevated position, is passed through the abseiling device. The abseiling device uses a braking arrangement to decelerate the speed at which the traction device is passed through the abseiling device, usually through direct or indirect friction. The abseiling device can either be permanently installed at the elevated position or carried along by the person abseiling or being abseiled. In the latter case, the abseiling device is usually connected to a rescue harness which is put on by the person.

[0004] The present invention relates in particular to a descender device which is designed to lower a person to be rescued and which is coupled to the person who is abseiling themselves or to the person to be rescued and is simultaneously designed for use as a lifting device to lift the person to be rescued. This is particularly necessary in rescue situations in which the person to be rescued is hanging helplessly from a safety rope which is detachably connected to the rescue harness of the person to be rescued. In order to lower the possibly even unconscious person from the elevated point, for example from the platform of a wind turbine, it is accordingly necessary to remove the safety rope beforehand. The safety rope is usually connected to a fall arrest eyelet of the rescue harness by means of a carabiner.However, since the person to be rescued pre-tensions the snap hook and the fall arrest loop against each other due to their own weight, the snap hook must first be relieved of tension to enable manual uncoupling. This is achieved by first slightly lifting the person to be rescued using the lifting function integrated into the descender device, so that the snap hook of the safety rope and the fall arrest loop of the rescue harness are relieved of tension and can thus be easily separated.

[0005] State-of-the-art descender devices with a lifting function use a rope with a large diameter as the traction device, as this is necessary for the high tensile forces that occur during the lifting process and due to standard requirements. For pure abseiling, however, a much thinner rope is sufficient. The disadvantage of this is that the total weight and pack size of the descender device, including the rope, are correspondingly large if the descender is also to be used as a rescue hoist. This is a particular obstacle in the very confined spaces of a wind turbine. It also makes daily transport of the descender to different locations more difficult. It should also be considered that the rope length required for lowering from a wind turbine platform, for example, can be more than 100 meters.Accordingly, the weight of the rope with a large diameter at such a length is significantly increased in relation to the rope with a smaller diameter required for abseiling.

[0006] DE 10 2005 010 767 A1 shows a descender device with a lifting function, comprising a housing, a guide disk mounted on a first shaft for rotation in both directions, having a guide groove for slip-proof guidance of a traction device, and a second rotatable shaft arranged parallel to the first shaft, on which a brake arrangement designed as a centrifugal brake is arranged. The first shaft and the second shaft are coupled to one another via a transmission gear. DE 20 2022 101 467 U1 shows a descender device, comprising a housing, a guide arrangement arranged in the housing for guiding at least one first traction device, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a first guide disk rotatable about a first axis of rotation, having a radially extending first guide groove for guiding the first traction device. The descender device further comprises a centrifugal brake coupled to the guide disk.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a descender device which enables the rescue of a person from a great height and which is as cost-effective, space-saving and lightweight 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 at least one first traction means, wherein the guide arrangement comprises a first guide disk rotatable about a first axis of rotation and having a first guide groove for guiding the first traction means. The descender device further comprises a first brake arrangement coupled to the guide arrangement. This advantageously ensures that the descent speed does not exceed a predetermined limit value. The descender device according to the invention is characterized in that the guide arrangement comprises a second guide disk rotatable about the first axis of rotation and having a second guide groove for guiding a second traction means.The abseiling device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to use two traction devices simultaneously, particularly providing the possibility of simultaneously guiding two ropes of different diameters in their respective guide pulleys without slipping. In particular, the first traction device can then be used for the abseiling process and the second traction device for the hoisting process.

[0010] The second guide disk is preferably arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on a first shaft which is mounted so as to be rotatable about the first axis of rotation. This advantageously ensures that the second guide disk is rotated synchronously with the first guide disk at all times about the first axis of rotation, so that both the first traction means and the second traction means can be guided parallel to one another through the guide arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, however, it can also be provided that the second guide disk is connected to the first guide disk in a rotationally fixed manner. Finally, it is fundamentally also conceivable to form the first guide disk and the second guide disk in one piece as a wide guide disk, which then has a first guide groove and a second guide groove running parallel to the first guide groove, in which the first traction means and the second traction means can be guided separately from one another.However, it is particularly preferred that the first guide disc and the second guide disc be designed as separate components which are arranged side by side on the first shaft.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first shaft has, at least in one coupling section, a shape which brings about a rotationally positive connection with the second guide disk, in particular a polygonal cross-section. The coupling section is provided for the rotationally fixed coupling of the first guide disk and the second guide disk to the first shaft. In one embodiment, the first guide disk and the second guide disk each expediently have a central recess which corresponds to the first shaft and is in particular polygonal. The first shaft expediently passes through the central recesses of the first guide disk and the second guide disk, so that a rotationally positive connection between the first guide disk and the second guide disk and the first shaft is established. This advantageously results in a reliable and easily removable rotational fixing of the first guide disk and the second guide disk.the second guide disc on the first shaft.

[0012] In a first preferred development, at least the coupling section of the first shaft, in which the first guide disc and the second guide disc are arranged, is designed as a square. In a second preferred development, the coupling section of the first shaft, in which the first guide disc and the second guide disc are arranged, is designed as an octagon. Advantageously, the first guide disc and the second guide disc can be installed by simply sliding them onto the first shaft and can also be removed and replaced again by simply pulling them off. Alternatively, the rotational fixing of the first guide disc and the second guide disc on the first shaft can also be achieved using other suitable measures, for example a tongue and groove connection.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the abseiling device, the first guide disc and the second guide disc are arranged directly adjacent to one another on the first shaft. This advantageously minimizes the additional axial space required for the second guide disc along the axial extent of the first shaft. Further preferably, the first guide disc and the second guide disc are arranged together in a first hollow chamber of the housing. Advantageously, the first hollow chamber is enlarged by only the width of the second guide disc compared to abseiling devices known from the prior art with only one guide disc.

[0014] The first guide disk and the second guide disk are expediently fixed axially relative to the first shaft. This advantageously prevents the first guide disk and the second guide disk from experiencing an axial displacement in the first hollow chamber during operation, which would not only hinder the precise guidance of the first traction means or second traction means but would also lead to undesirable noise and additional stress on the material of the guide disk. The axial guidance of the first guide disk and the second guide disk is preferably achieved by fitting the guide disks in the first hollow chamber. In a preferred development, a second hollow chamber is provided in the housing, which is separated from the first hollow chamber by an intermediate wall. A transmission gear for coupling the guide arrangement to the first brake arrangement is preferably arranged in the second hollow chamber.Particularly preferably, the brake assembly is designed as a centrifugal brake. The transmission gear advantageously ensures that the high speeds required for activating the centrifugal brake are achieved. The centrifugal brake is arranged on a second shaft, which is threadedly engaged with an external gear fixedly mounted on the first shaft. Advantageously, both the first guide disc and the second guide disc are braked to a maximum speed by the first brake assembly.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the first guide disc and the second guide disc are arranged between the intermediate wall and a first cover, with the first cover laterally delimiting the first hollow chamber. The first cover is advantageously detachably attached to the housing. Accordingly, the first guide disc and the second guide disc are accessible for maintenance purposes after the first cover has been removed. In particular, this makes it easier to replace the guide discs.

[0016] The first traction means is designed as a rope with a first diameter and the second traction means as a rope with a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. Expediently, the first guide groove has a first average width and the second guide groove has a second average width, wherein the first average width is smaller than the second average width. Advantageously, the first traction means is inserted into the first guide groove of the first guide pulley and guided therein, wherein the first traction means is provided for abseiling and has a first length which is sufficient to abseil the person from the elevated point to the low-lying rescue location or handover point. The length of the first traction means is typically 100 m or more.

[0017] Accordingly, the second traction device, which has a larger diameter, is inserted into the second guide groove of the second guide pulley and guided, wherein the second traction device is intended for lifting the person to be rescued and has a second length that is significantly shorter than the first length of the first traction device, since it is usually sufficient to lift the person to be rescued by 1 m or even less. Accordingly, the length of the second traction device with the significantly larger diameter is only a few meters. Advantageously, for abseiling with the abseiling device according to the invention, a rope with a small diameter is required for abseiling in its full length, and a second rope with a thicker diameter and a shorter length is required for the short lifting path for releasing the safety rope. Accordingly, the overall weight and pack size of the abseiling device with two ropes is significantly reduced.

[0018] Further advantages, features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the dependent claims.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a descender 1 in a cross-sectional view.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a descender 101 in a cross-sectional view.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a first 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 connecting means 5 designed as screws. The housing 2 is closed on a side facing away from the second housing part 4 by a first cover 6, wherein the first cover 6 is detachably fastened to the housing 2 via fastening means 7 designed as screws. Furthermore, the housing 2 is closed on the side facing away from the first housing part 3 by a second cover 8, wherein the second cover 8 is detachably fastened to the second housing part 4 via fastening means 9 designed as screws.

[0023] The first housing part 3 has a first hollow chamber 10, wherein a guide arrangement 11 is arranged in the first hollow chamber 10. The guide arrangement 11 comprises a first guide disk 12 arranged in the first housing part 3 so as to be rotatable in both directions and having a radially circumferential first guide groove 13 for the slip-proof guidance of a first traction means 14. The first traction means 14 is designed as a rope with a diameter of approximately 4-7 mm and is intended for abseiling the person to be rescued. The first guide groove 13 has a substantially V-shaped cross-section, so that the first traction means 14 inserted in the first guide groove 13 is automatically pressed into the first guide groove 13 by the tensile load occurring during use and is guided accordingly in a slip-proof manner.

[0024] The first guide disk 12 is coupled 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. The first shaft 15 is designed as a square in a coupling section in which the first guide disk 12 is arranged, wherein the first guide disk 12 has a central recess 12a through which the first shaft 15 passes. The central recess 12a is square-shaped in the coupling section, corresponding to the cross-section of the first shaft 15, so that a rotationally positive connection exists between the first shaft 15 and the first guide disk 12. A second end 15b of the first shaft 15, 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 there is as little frictional resistance as possible against a rotational movement of the first shaft 15.

[0025] The first shaft 15 further passes through an intermediate wall 17 provided in the first housing part 3, which separates a second hollow chamber 18 provided in the first housing part 3 and the first hollow chamber 10 from one another. The first guide disk 12 is supported axially against an annular collar 17a of the intermediate wall 17. The first guide disk 12 is thus advantageously secured against axial displacement along the first shaft 15 in the direction of the first intermediate wall 17. A transmission gear 19 is arranged in the second hollow chamber 18, the transmission gear 19 comprising an external gear 20 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft 15 or is formed integrally therewith and meshes with an external pinion 21a of a second shaft 21 rotatable about a second axis of rotation D2.The outer pinion 21a has a significantly smaller outer diameter than the outer gear 20, so that the second shaft 21 rotates several times with each complete revolution of the first guide disk 12, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft 15.

[0026] A first brake assembly 23, designed as a centrifugal brake, is arranged in a third hollow chamber 22 provided in the second housing part 4. Since the second shaft 21 is coupled to the first shaft 15 via the transmission gear 19, this slows down the rotation of the first guide disc 12, which is non-rotatably coupled to the first shaft 15, to below a specified speed. This speed is set so that the descent speed at which the person abseils downwards does not exceed a prescribed limit.

[0027] The guide arrangement 11 further comprises a second guide disk 24, which is arranged on the first shaft 15 in a rotationally fixed manner for guiding a second traction means 25. The second guide disk 24 has a second guide groove 26, in which the second traction means 25 is guided in a slip-proof manner. The second guide groove 26 has a larger average width than the first guide groove 13, wherein the second guide groove 26 is V-shaped analogously to the first guide groove 13. Furthermore, the second guide groove 13 has a slightly smaller depth than the first guide groove 13. The second guide disk 24 is arranged axially directly adjacent to the first guide disk 12, so that the additional space required in the housing 2 is as small as possible. In order to provide the additional space required, an adapter plate 3a is arranged between the first cover 6 and the second housing part 3.Alternatively, however, the second housing part 3 can simply be designed to be extended in the axial direction of the first shaft 5.

[0028] Analogous to the first guide disc 12, the second guide disc 24 has a central recess 24a through which the first shaft 15 passes. The central recess 24a is square in shape in this section, corresponding to the cross-section of the first shaft 15, so that a rotationally positive connection exists between the first shaft 15 and the second guide disc 24. The second guide disc 24 is supported axially against the first guide disc 12 and is arranged axially between the first cover 6 and the first guide disc 12, thus securing it against axial displacement relative to the first shaft 15.

[0029] The second traction means 25 is designed as a rope and has a diameter of approximately 8-12 mm and is thus considerably thicker than the first traction means 14. The second traction means 25 is provided for carrying out a lifting process in which the first shaft 15 or the second guide disk 24 rotates about the first axis of rotation D1 relative to a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation provided for abseiling.

[0030] To drive the lifting process or rotation of the first shaft 15 in the second direction of rotation, a handwheel 27 is connected to the second shaft 21. This handwheel 27 can optionally and preferably be connected to a drive means, in particular a cordless screwdriver or other electrically operated drive, via a recess 28 provided on the end face. Advantageously, the lifting process can be carried out quickly and with minimal effort. When the handwheel 27 is rotated, the rotation of the second guide disk 24 about the first axis of rotation D1 can be driven in the second direction of rotation due to the coupling of the second shaft 21 to the first shaft 15 via the transmission gear 19.

[0031] The abseiling device 1 further comprises a second braking arrangement 29, which comprises a braking element 30. The braking element 30 can be brought into direct contact with a first outer surface of the second guide disc 24 manually by actuating an actuating element 31, thus effecting additional braking or stopping the rotational movement of the second guide disc 24 and, simultaneously, of the first guide disc 12. Advantageously, the braking force acting on the guide discs 12, 24 can be adjusted quickly and safely by appropriately rotating the actuating element 31, whereby, in particular, stopping the abseiling process is possible at any time. This is particularly advantageous in situations where it is necessary to wait until a rescue vehicle or rescue boat arrives that can safely accommodate the person to be rescued.

[0032] The advantage of the abseiling device according to the invention is that a thicker traction device 25, only 1 to 2 meters long, is required for the lifting process, allowing the load relief required to decouple the person to be rescued from the safety rope to be achieved over a short lifting distance. After the safety rope has been decoupled, the abseiling process can be initiated, for which the thinner first traction device 14 is sufficient.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of a descender 101 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. The descender 101 has essentially the same structure as the first embodiment of the descender 1 from Fig. 1. The descender 101 comprises a housing 2 with a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 4, wherein an adapter plate 3a is arranged between the first cover 6 and the second housing part 3 in order to provide the additional space required for the first guide disk 12, which is each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the first shaft 15 rotatable about the first axis of rotation D1, and the second guide disk 24 of the guide arrangement 11 for guiding the first traction means 14 and the second traction means 25, respectively. Just like the first embodiment, this descender 101 has a transmission gear 19, which is arranged between the brake arrangement 23, designed as a centrifugal brake, and the first shaft 15.The centrifugal brake is arranged on a second shaft 21 rotatable about a second axis of rotation D2. Furthermore, the abseiling device 101 comprises a handwheel 27 connected to the second shaft 21, which can optionally and preferably be connected via a recess 28 provided on the front side to a drive means, in particular a cordless screwdriver or other electrically operated drive, in order to enable the person to be rescued to be lifted via the transmission gear 19.

[0034] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the abseiling device 101 does not have a second braking arrangement, but rather a backstop 150 coupled to the first shaft 15. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the backstop 150 is designed as a ratchet that can be switched in both directions of rotation of the first shaft 15 about the first rotation axis D1. The backstop 150 has a central tool holder 151 that can be connected to a corresponding lever tool, in particular a ratchet. This advantageously ensures, particularly during the lifting process, that the person to be rescued is initially lifted upwards in only one direction and is not inadvertently lowered.

[0035] The invention was explained above using an exemplary embodiment in which the second guide pulley for guiding the second traction device, which is intended for lifting the person to be rescued, is arranged axially between the first guide pulley for guiding the first traction device intended for abseiling. It is understood that the order of the cable pulleys in the first hollow chamber can be chosen arbitrarily, as long as there is a rotationally fixed coupling of the cable pulleys to the brake assembly, so that a maximum abseiling speed can be maintained.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Abseiling device (1), comprising a housing (2), a guide arrangement (11) arranged in the housing (2) for guiding at least one first traction means (14), wherein the guide arrangement (11) comprises a first guide disc (12) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (D1) with a radially circumferential first guide groove (13) for guiding the first traction means (14), and a first brake arrangement (23) coupled to the guide arrangement (11), characterized in that the guide arrangement (11) comprises a second guide disc (24) rotatable about the first axis of rotation (D1) with a second guide groove (26) for guiding a second traction means (25).

2. Abseiling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second guide disc (24) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on a first shaft (15) rotatable about the first axis of rotation (D1).

3. Abseiling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second guide disc (24) is connected to the first guide disc (12) in a rotationally fixed manner.

4. Abseiling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first shaft (15) has, at least in one coupling section, a shape which effects a rotationally positive connection with the second guide disc (24), in particular that the coupling section has a polygonal cross-section.

5. Abseiling device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first guide disc (12) has a central polygonal recess (12a) and the second guide disc (24) has a central polygonal recess (24a), wherein the coupling section of the first shaft (15) passes through the polygonal recesses (12a, 24a).

6. Abseiling device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that at least the coupling section of the first shaft (15), in which the first guide disc (12) and the second guide disc (24) are arranged, is designed as a square.

7. Abseiling device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the coupling section of the first shaft (15), in which the first guide disc (12) and the second guide disc (24) are arranged, is designed as an octagon.

8. Abseiling device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the first guide disc (12) and the second guide disc (24) are arranged directly next to one another on the first shaft (15).

9. Abseiling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide disc (12) and the second guide disc (24) are arranged together in a first hollow chamber (10) of the housing (2).

10. Abseiling device according to claim 9, characterized in that a second hollow chamber (18) is provided in the housing (2), which is separated from the first hollow chamber (10) by an intermediate wall (17).

11. Abseiling device according to claim 10, characterized in that a transmission gear (19) for coupling the guide arrangement (11) to the first brake arrangement (23) is arranged in the second hollow chamber (18).

12. Abseiling device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the first guide disc (12) and the second guide disc (24) are arranged between the intermediate wall (17) and a first cover (6), wherein the first cover (6) laterally delimits the first hollow chamber (10).

13. Descending device according to claim 12, characterized in that the first cover (6) is detachably attached to the housing (2).

14. Descending device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide groove (13) has a first average width and the second guide groove (26) has a second average width, wherein the first average width is smaller than the second average width.

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