Quick Release Buckle Locking Wheel Prevents Accidental Pawl Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fall protection buckles with manually released pawls are susceptible to accidental release due to worker movements and contact with environmental objects, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A quick release buckle system featuring a main body with a top and bottom housing, a t-bar element, and locking pawls that are locked and unlocked by a rotating device, preventing unintentional release through a locking wheel mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manually released pawls are used in fall protection buckles, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
A rotating locking wheel is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the pawls and the release action. The locking wheel must be deliberately rotated to unlock the pawls, serving as a mediator that prevents direct accidental release while maintaining manual release capability through intentional rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking wheel applies preliminary anti-action by defaulting to a locked position that prevents pawl movement. The system is designed so that the pawls are automatically engaged and held in place unless the locking wheel is intentionally rotated to disengage them, creating a preliminary protective action against accidental release
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent accidental release, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking wheel serves multiple functions: it acts as both a locking mechanism and a release mechanism. By rotating the wheel, the user both engages and disengages the pawls, eliminating the need for separate locking and releasing components and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and releasing functions are merged into a single rotating wheel operation. The same component that locks the pawls in place also serves as the release mechanism when rotated, combining multiple functions into one element to minimize structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release buckle includes a main body portion including a top housing portion and a bottom housing portion. A t-bar element removably connects within the main body portion. A pair of locking pawls removably connect with an extension portion of the t-bar element. A locking wheel device is configured for locking and unlocking the pair of pawls based on contact of pawl extensions with one or more portions of the locking wheel device.