Cable Sleeve Dual Locking Mechanism Against Fall Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection equipment lacks a reliable supplemental locking mechanism to prevent users from interfering with the locking mechanism during a fall, which can prevent the system from engaging properly and arresting the fall effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cable sleeve with a housing, locking cam, and locking pawl that moves from a first to a second position to engage the cable upon a fall event, featuring a passive locking mechanism with a weighted side to maintain the pawl in a normal use position and an active locking mechanism with a locking arm that engages the cam to secure the cable, ensuring engagement regardless of user interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of fall protection is insufficient due to potential user interference
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: a passive locking mechanism that operates automatically during falls, and an active locking mechanism that prevents user interference. Each subsystem has its own locking cam and pawl arrangement, ensuring that if one mechanism is interfered with or fails, the other remains functional to provide fall protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive locking mechanism utilizes a change in the rate of movement parameter to trigger locking. During normal use, the sleeve moves along the cable at a slow rate allowing the weighted pawl to remain in the unlocked position. During a fall, the rapid movement rate causes the weighted pawl to swing and engage the locking cam, automatically arresting the fall.
2Extent of automation
If a passive locking mechanism with weighted pawl is used, then automatic locking during falls is achieved, but the device cannot prevent user interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two distinct locking mechanisms into a single integrated device: the passive locking mechanism (locking pawl 292 and locking cam 274) that provides automatic locking during falls, and the active locking mechanism (locking arm 315 and locking cam 304) that prevents user interference. Both mechanisms operate independently but are combined in the same cable sleeve housing, providing comprehensive protection.
3Reliability
If an active locking mechanism with locking arm is added, then user interference is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the user's own actions. When the user grabs or pulls on the cable sleeve during a fall, this action automatically triggers the locking arm to engage the locking cam, preventing the user from interfering with the passive locking mechanism. The mechanism uses the user's interference attempt itself as the triggering force for locking.
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 a reliable and automatic locking mechanism that engages the cable to arrest a fall, even if the user tries to grab the sleeve, ensuring effective fall protection by utilizing both passive and active locking mechanisms to secure the cable sleeve during a fall event.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pawl has a weighted side configured and arranged to keep the locking pawl in the first pawl position during normal use
Implementation Method 2
The locking cam is configured and arranged to engage the elongate member received in the elongate member passage with the radial edge
Data Source
AI summary
A cable sleeve comprises a housing, a locking cam, and a locking pawl. The housing has an elongate member passage configured to slidably receive an elongate member and has a cavity. The locking cam and the locking pawl are pivotally connected to the housing within the cavity. The locking cam has a radial edge with a constant radius relative to a pivot connection between the locking cam and the housing and is configured to move from a first cam position to a second cam position configured to engage the elongate member in the elongate member passage with the radial edge. The locking pawl is configured to move from a first pawl position to a second pawl position configured to move the locking cam into the second cam position to engage the elongate member.