Carabiner Internal Stop Structure to Prevent Belay Device Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carabiners used in climbing and work at height often malfunction due to self-rotation during belaying, leading to improper positioning of safety devices, which affects the belay system's functionality, and existing solutions like bars for separation or locking are bulky, impractical, or weaken the carabiner.
Innovation Solution
A carabiner design featuring a removable delimiting member with two distinct abutments and a connecting member that defines a working area without creating separate internal spaces, allowing greater freedom of movement for safety devices and preventing unwanted opening, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed bar is used to divide the internal space of the carabiner, then the safety device is prevented from moving beyond a predefined area, but the carabiner structure becomes more complex and the internal space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting member is divided into two separate abutments (first abutment and second abutment) that define the working zone boundaries, rather than using a single continuous bar. This segmentation reduces structural complexity while maintaining the function of preventing safety device movement beyond the predefined area.
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting member is made removable from the carabiner body, allowing it to be taken out when not needed. This extraction approach eliminates the permanent structural complexity of a fixed bar while preserving the reliability function when the delimiting member is installed.
2Reliability
If a rotating bar is used as a locking mechanism, then the gate is prevented from opening unintentionally, but the internal space separation is eliminated and the carabiner becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from a rotating bar mechanism and replaced by a simpler system using the finger's rotation capability combined with the removable delimiting member. This eliminates the bulky rotating bar structure while maintaining gate security through proper finger positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger serves multiple functions: it acts as both the gate closing mechanism and the locking mechanism, while also providing a means to install/remove the delimiting member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking components, maintaining compactness.
3Ease of operation
If the bar is attached to the carabiner body by inserting into a hole, then connecting a device is made easier, but the carabiner is weakened and requires special manufacturing precautions
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting member is designed to be installed before finalizing the carabiner assembly, with the abutments positioned to define the working zone. This preliminary positioning allows for proper structural reinforcement around the mounting areas without compromising overall carabiner strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting member uses localized attachment points (first and second mounting areas) with specific geometric features (complementary shapes) that concentrate reinforcement only where needed, rather than requiring overall structural modifications. This local quality approach maintains general carabiner strength while enabling easy device connection.
4Ease of operation
If a removable delimiting member with two abutments is used, then greater freedom of movement is provided for mounting safety devices, but the delimiting member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting member is segmented into two functional abutments (first abutment and second abutment) that independently define the working zone boundaries. This segmentation provides mounting freedom at both ends while keeping each individual abutment structurally simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting member is designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the working zone definition. This dynamic capability provides mounting freedom without requiring a complex fixed structure, as the simple two-abutment design can be easily installed or removed based on operational needs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
The carabiner (1) consists of a body (2) associated with a gate (3) that rotates freely at a first end (2a) of the body (2) between a closed and an open position of the carabiner (1). A delimiting element (4) is configured to form a first stop (4c) and a second stop (4d) projecting from the body (2). The delimiting element (4) is mounted to be removable from the body (2). The delimiting element (4) is fixed to the body (2) by a first attachment element (4a) and a second attachment element (4b). A connecting element (5) links the first attachment element (4a) to the second attachment element (4b) to define the spacing between the first stop (4c) and the second stop (4d). The connecting element (5) is pressed against the body (2). The body (2), the finger (3) and the connecting element (5) define a carabiner with a single central ring.