Breakaway Coil Shock Absorber for Variable Fall Arrest Loads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fall protection devices face limitations in weight capacity and efficiency, particularly in withstanding user weight during falls, with existing systems requiring multiple unique designs to accommodate different loads and lacking effective shock absorption mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A locking system with a shock absorber featuring a plurality of coils and breakaway interfaces, including a clipping mechanism that increases deformation force, allowing for variable weight capacity without additional components, and a method of manufacturing that includes creating coils and coupling them with breakaway interfaces to decouple at different forces, enhancing shock absorption and weight-bearing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique shock absorber designs are used to accommodate different weight loads, then weight capacity adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single shock absorber design is made universally applicable to multiple weight capacity requirements (50lb, 100lb, 150lb, 200lb, 250lb, 300lb, 350lb, 400lb, 450lb, 500lb) through the use of interchangeable breakaway interfaces. The shock absorber body remains the same, but different breakaway interface components can be attached to modify the decoupling force characteristics, allowing one base design to serve multiple weight capacity functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber is divided into modular components: a universal shock absorber body and separate breakaway interface assemblies. The breakaway interfaces are segmented into different force levels (first, second, third breakaway interfaces) that can be selectively engaged. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple weight capacities by combining the universal body with different interface configurations rather than designing entirely separate shock absorbers for each weight class.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique shock absorber designs are used for different weight loads, then weight capacity coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber body is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple weight capacity applications. By standardizing the main shock absorber structure and only varying the breakaway interface attachments, manufacturing costs are reduced through economies of scale in producing the common body component, while still achieving coverage across multiple weight classes (50lb to 500lb ranges).
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway interfaces are designed to be replaceable and recoverable components. When a breakaway interface reaches its decoupling force limit, it can be replaced with a different breakaway interface assembly rather than discarding the entire shock absorber. This allows recovery and reuse of the expensive shock absorber body while only replacing the relatively inexpensive breakaway interface attachments.
3Reliability
If breakaway interfaces decouple at different forces, then shock absorption effectiveness is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different local regions of the shock absorber system have different mechanical properties through the use of multiple breakaway interfaces with distinct decoupling forces. The first breakaway interface is designed for lower force decoupling, the second for medium force, and the third for high force. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the system to provide effective shock absorption across a range of impact forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular interface attachments.
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 system provides improved weight capacity, streamlined manufacturing, and cost reduction by using the same shock absorber for various weight ranges, ensuring effective fall protection with increased force absorption and adjustable configurations for different user weights.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a plurality of coils. The shock absorber also includes a plurality of breakaway interfaces coupling the plurality of coils together
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of breakaway interfaces are configured to decouple two of the plurality of coils at a different force
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the breakaway interfaces defines at least one deformable finger defined on one of the plurality of coils of the shock absorber interfacing with another coil of the shock absorber
Implementation Method 4
at least one breakaway interface includes a clipping mechanism configured to increase the force at which the shock absorber deforms. In some embodiments, the clipping mechanism is configured to fit around at least one coil of the shock absorber, such that the clipping mechanism resists the opening force of the shock absorber
Data Source
AI summary
Locking systems and method of manufacturing the same are provided. A locking system for fall protection includes a braking lever. The braking includes a shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a plurality of coils. The shock absorber also includes a plurality of breakaway interfaces coupling the plurality of coils together. Each of the plurality of breakaway interfaces are configured to decouple two of the plurality of coils at a different force. At least one of the breakaway interfaces defines at least one deformable finger defined on one of the plurality of coils of the shock absorber interfacing with another coil of the shock absorber.