Fall Protection Anchoring Device with Deformation Notch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection anchoring devices for building roofs are prone to breaking or releasing from the structure due to high impulsive stress during a fall, causing potential harm to workers and requiring large, bulky designs for increased resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fall protection anchoring device with a main body featuring a notch at the anchoring portion that allows deformation under stress, distributing the force across integral fastening portions to absorb energy and prevent sudden breaks, using less material and smaller fastening means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the structural elements are made large in size and thickness to increase resistance to impulsive stress, then the strength and reliability of the device improve, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional portions: a plate portion for structural support, a protruding portion for anchoring, and a deformation portion with a notch for energy absorption. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently, achieving high strength where needed while minimizing material usage in the deformation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the anchoring device by introducing a notch that creates a controlled deformation zone. This allows the device to transition from a rigid structure to one that can undergo controlled plastic deformation, absorbing impulsive energy without requiring increased overall size or thickness.
2Reliability
If the device is made with high structural stiffness to prevent breaking under stress, then the reliability improves, but the harmful impulsive stress transmitted to the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful impulsive stress into beneficial energy absorption through controlled deformation. The notch in the anchoring portion creates a designated zone that undergoes plastic deformation during a fall, absorbing the kinetic energy that would otherwise be transmitted as harmful impulsive stress to the operator, while still preventing device failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation portion with the notch acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that activates during falls. This portion is specifically designed to absorb energy through controlled deformation, providing beforehand cushioning that protects both the operator from excessive force and the device from catastrophic failure.
3Strength
If mechanical anchorings are made large in size to prevent failure under stress, then the strength improves, but the ease of installation and material usage worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device is segmented into a plate portion that provides structural strength for fastening to the roof structure, and a protruding portion with a notch that provides the anchoring function. This segmentation allows the fastening portion to be optimized for strong mechanical attachment while the protruding portion with the notch provides the deformable anchoring function, eliminating the need for oversized fastening means.
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 device effectively absorbs impulsive stress during a fall, reducing the risk of breakage and release from the structure, ensuring operator safety while minimizing material usage and fastening requirements, and providing a more reliable and safer solution.
Implementation Method 1
said main body can undergo a deformation at least in correspondence of at least one of said two sub-portions of the second end of the anchoring portion and/or in correspondence of the second end of at least one of the first and second fastening portion, when the device is subjected to a force having a component parallel to the reference plane with such an intensity as to cause said deformation
Implementation Method 2
The device effectively absorbs impulsive stress during a fall, reducing the risk of breakage and release from the structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fall protection anchoring device (1) comprising a main body (2) having an anchoring portion (3) having a thickness (4) and developing, along a direction of development (6), at least partially in a reference plane and intended to be anchored, on a first end (3a) thereof, to a personal protection device worn by an operator, the main body (2) further having at least a first and a second fastening portion (7, 8) intended to be fastened to the fixed structure of the building and arranged in two opposed half-spaces with respect to the reference plane, the anchoring portion (3) comprising in correspondence of a second end (3b) thereof a notch (11) through the thickness (4) and apt to divide, along a separation line corresponding to the notch itself, the second end (3b) into two sub-portions (70, 80), the first and second fastening portion (7, 8) being integral with the two sub-portions (70, 80), respectively, and developing from a respective end segment (97, 98) of the two sub-portions.