Cable Brake Friction Element for Impact Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy absorption devices for safety net constructions, such as those used in rockfall protection barriers, are inefficient in absorbing impact energy and can cause damage to cables, leading to a risk of system breakdown and fire due to sparking.

Innovation Solution

A cable guiding unit with an energy absorption element that features a friction surface for guided cables, allowing selective absorption of impact energy through deformation and abrasion of the friction surface, using materials with lower Mohs hardness than steel to prevent sparking and cable damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional energy absorption devices are used in safety net constructions, then impact energy absorption is provided, but cable damage occurs and sparking risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidcable damage and sparking

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorption element is designed as a consumable component that undergoes substantial deformation and abrasion during impact events. It is intended to be replaced after significant use or damage, while the expensive cable and other system components are preserved. The element absorbs energy through controlled material degradation, functioning as a disposable protective component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorption element acts as an intermediary between the cable and the impact force. It is positioned in the cable receiving region where it intercepts and absorbs impact energy through friction and deformation, protecting the cable from direct contact with impactors and preventing both cable damage and sparking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If hard materials are used for energy absorption, then energy absorption capacity increases, but cable damage and sparking increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorption capacityVSAvoidsparking and cable damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter (Mohs hardness) of the energy absorption element to be softer than the cable material. This parameter change allows the element to absorb impact energy through deformation and abrasion while being gentler on the cable, reducing both mechanical damage and sparking. The softer material deforms preferentially during impact, protecting the harder cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of repair

If energy absorption elements are made replaceable, then maintenance simplicity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption element replacementVSAvoidcable guiding unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guiding unit is segmented into a permanent structural component (the guiding unit itself) and a replaceable energy absorption element. This segmentation allows the element to be independently replaced without replacing the entire cable guiding unit. The element can be inserted into and removed from the guiding unit, providing modular replacement capability that simplifies maintenance while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 energy absorption, reduces cable damage, and minimizes the risk of fire, ensuring high safety and simplicity of installation and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one energy absorption element (20, 30, 40), which forms at least one friction surface (22, 32, 50) for the at least one guided cable (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

to selectively absorb at least a portion of an energy created by the force via a substantial deformation of the friction surface (22, 32, 50)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

via a substantial abrasion, in particular substantial milling, substantial material relocation, substantial deformation and/or substantial transformation of the friction surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS12379013B2Energy-absorption device, support, cable brake, safety net construction and method

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 GEOBRUGG AG

AI summary

An energy absorption device for absorbing at least a portion of impact energy occurring in an impact of an impact body in a safety net construction includes at least one cable guiding unit forming at least one cable receiving region for receiving and/or guiding at least one cable, and further includes at least one energy absorption element, arranged in the cable receiving region and forming at least one friction surface for the guided cable, the energy absorption element being configured, if a force inducing movement of the cable across the friction surface is exerted on the cable, to selectively absorb at least a portion of energy the force created via substantial deformation and/or abrasion of the friction surface. A cable brake, particularly a block-and-tackle cable brake, includes an energy absorption element of the energy absorption device, which is arranged at the deflection element on a side facing toward the cable.