Abseiling Device with Adjustable Friction Brake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing abseiling devices used in pendulum operation often face challenges in attaching the device close to the abseiling point, leading to friction losses when guiding the rope, and lack a mechanism to deactivate the braking mechanism selectively.
Innovation Solution
The abseiling device incorporates adjustable elements allowing manual override of the frictional effect, enabling the rope to be quickly guided to the abseiling location without friction losses, and features a centrifugal brake with a handwheel for controlled braking, allowing the load to be stopped at any height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the abseiling device is attached away from the abseiling point to facilitate rope guidance, then the ease of operation is improved, but friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The abseiling device incorporates a movable part that can dynamically change its position and the frictional characteristics of the friction-guided path. This allows the device to adapt between different operational modes: when the movable part is in one position, it enables easy rope guidance with minimal friction; when shifted to another position, it activates the braking mechanism for controlled descent.
2Reliability
If the braking mechanism is always active to ensure safe descent, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to quickly guide the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a dynamically adjustable frictional effect in the friction-guided path. The movable part can be shifted between positions to either minimize friction for quick rope guidance or maximize friction for controlled braking during descent. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to switch between prioritizing ease of operation and reliability based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the friction parameter of the friction-guided path by altering the position of the movable part. When the movable part is positioned to reduce contact or pressure, the friction parameter decreases, allowing quick rope guidance. When repositioned to increase contact or pressure, the friction parameter increases, providing reliable braking control during descent.
3Productivity
If the frictional effect is minimized for quick rope guidance, then the productivity is improved, but the braking control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the frictional characteristics through the movable part's position. During the rope guidance phase, the movable part is positioned to minimize friction, maximizing productivity. During the descent phase, the movable part is repositioned to activate the braking mechanism, ensuring reliability. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between speed and control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the abseiling device is symmetrically designed for pendulum operation, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric design of the abseiling device enables it to perform multiple functions: it can operate in standard abseiling mode and also in pendulum operation mode where loads can be abseiled from both sides. The symmetric structure with opposing adjustment elements allows the same device to handle loads attached to either rope end, providing universal applicability across different operational scenarios.
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
Enables efficient and controlled descent of loads by minimizing friction during initial rope guidance and allowing manual control over the braking mechanism, ensuring safe and precise abseiling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal brake with centrifugal weights (53) which can be pressed outwards by further screwing in the handwheel (50) against a friction lining (54) on the brake drum (52}
Implementation Method 2
the friction lining (54) on the brake drum (52}
Implementation Method 3
The movable part (25) can exert a force on the rope (14) by pressing the rope (14) against a non-moving surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to an abseiling device for braking a load (16, 34) guided on a rope (14), the rope (14) running through the abseiling device (10) over a distance (22) in a friction guided manner, at least one section of the distance (22) being guided via a part (25) which can be moved from a load free starting position relative to a housing of the abseiling device (10), said part creating a force on the rope (14) dependent on the weight of the load (16) when a load is suspended, characterized in that a manually actuable adjustment unit (29) is provided, with which the moveable part (25) can be moved into the starting position in which the movable part (25) can apply no or only a small force from the moveable part (25) to the rope (14).