Fall-Protection Anchor Ring With Visual Overload Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices, such as anchor points, suffer from low damping of dynamic loads and lack a clear indication of operational readiness, with plastic deformation being unnoticed and potentially leading to structural failure under high forces.
Innovation Solution
A safety device with a guide element featuring a recess and a movably mounted ring, designed with a material-free space for plastic deformation and visual indicators, allowing for easy verification of operational readiness and enhanced energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the ring is designed as the only component to plastically deform under high force, then the structure remains simple, but the damping of dynamic loads is very low and high forces act on the secured object
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is divided into a solid outer shell and an inner core structure with a material-free space. This segmentation allows the inner core to deform plastically and absorb energy while the outer shell maintains structural integrity, thereby increasing damping without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The material-free space is created only in the inner core region where plastic deformation is needed for energy absorption, while the outer shell remains solid to maintain structural strength. This localized modification increases damping capacity without requiring the entire structure to be complex.
2Reliability
If the guide element is designed as a solid structure, then manufacturing is simple, but plastic deformation under high force is limited and cannot provide visible indication of operational readiness
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is segmented into an outer shell and an inner core with material-free space. This allows the inner core to deform visibly under load, providing reliability verification, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple by using standard casting or additive manufacturing techniques that can create internal cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The material-free space creates visible deformation patterns when the guide element is loaded, allowing users to verify operational readiness by observing changes in the structure's appearance or deformation characteristics.
3Ease of repair
If the ring is replaced after plastic deformation, then the device can be reused, but the metallic structure of the guide element may have changed and could fail under renewed dynamic load
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element's inner core is designed to deform plastically while the outer shell remains intact. This segmentation allows the inner core to serve as a sacrificial element that absorbs energy and provides visible indication of overload, while the outer shell maintains structural integrity for continued use or safe disposal of the entire unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The material-free space is pre-designed to allow controlled plastic deformation under excessive loads. This beforehand cushioning protects the outer shell and connected components from damage by allowing the inner core to yield first, providing a safety mechanism that prevents catastrophic failure.
4Volume of stationary object
If the safety device is designed to be space-saving and unobtrusive, then it is ideal for construction-phase installation, but the guide element may lack sufficient space for controlled plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The inner core with material-free space is nested within the outer shell of the guide element. This nested structure allows the damping-capable inner core to be contained within the compact outer dimensions, maintaining a space-saving overall size while providing sufficient volume for energy absorption through plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The material-free space is arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the guide element's volume, optimizing the use of available space. By utilizing the internal volume efficiently rather than increasing external dimensions, the device maintains a compact form factor while providing adequate space for controlled plastic deformation and energy dissipation.
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 effective damping of dynamic loads and visible indicators of structural integrity, ensuring safe operation and easy maintenance, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
the guide element is designed with a material-free space for plastic deformation and visual indicators, allowing for easy verification of operational readiness and enhanced energy absorption
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a securing device, preferably a fastening point, for an abseiling or fall-protection system, comprising: - a guide part (1) which has an aperture (4), - a connection plate (2) which can be connected to an underlying surface and is connected to the guide part (1) via at least two connecting means (5), and - a ring (3) for attaching securing means, wherein the ring (3) is guided through the aperture (4) and is mounted movably therein. In order to be able to use the guide part as an optical fall indicator, there is provision according to the invention that the guide part (1) comprises a cover plate (10) and wall elements (11, 12), wherein the wall elements (11, 12) extend at an angle, preferably at a right angle, from the cover plate (10) in the direction of the connection plate (2) and form a material-free space (13) delimited by the cover plate (10) and wall elements (11, 12) in order to allow a plastic deformation of the guide part (1) in the region of the aperture (4) if a force introduced via the ring (3) exceeds an upper threshold value.