Compact Energy Absorber Assembly for Tangle-Free Fall Arrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy absorbers can interfere with fall arrest equipment, particularly if they are large or become tangled with lifelines and safety harnesses, posing a risk of injury during falls.

Innovation Solution

A compact energy absorber assembly with a connector, bracket assembly, and fastener that securely connects to safety harnesses, featuring an upside-down V-shaped energy absorber configuration that separates to absorb shock upon a predetermined load, reducing the risk of interference with other equipment components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If energy absorbers are made larger to improve energy absorption capacity, then energy absorption effectiveness is improved, but interference with fall arrest equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption capacityVSAvoidinterference with fall arrest equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorber is nested within the connector housing, with the energy absorbing section contained inside the housing cavity. This nesting arrangement allows the energy absorber to achieve adequate energy absorption capacity while maintaining a compact external profile that does not interfere with fall arrest equipment operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorber is positioned in a retracted state within the housing during normal operation, then deployed along the longitudinal axis of the connector during fall arrest. This dimensional transformation allows the energy absorber to transition from a compact non-interfering state to an extended energy-absorbing state only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If energy absorbers are positioned to improve accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of tangling with lifelines increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidtangling with lifelines

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorber assembly is merged with the connector as an integrated unit, with the energy absorber contained within the connector housing. This integration ensures the energy absorber is always positioned at the optimal location on the safety harness without risk of displacement or tangling, while maintaining ease of operation through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If energy absorbers are made compact to reduce interference, then interference with equipment is reduced, but energy absorption capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with fall arrest equipmentVSAvoidenergy absorption capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorber is designed with dynamic deployment capability, transitioning from a compact retracted position within the housing to an extended configuration during fall arrest. This dynamic transformation allows the system to maintain a compact profile during normal use while achieving adequate energy absorption capacity when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorber is pre-positioned within the connector housing in a ready state, with the webbing coiled and prepared for deployment. This preliminary positioning ensures the energy absorber can be quickly deployed when needed without requiring additional space during normal operation, effectively resolving the contradiction between compactness and energy absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces the risk of injury by providing a compact and secure energy absorption mechanism that minimizes interference with fall arrest equipment, allowing for a more gradual deceleration during falls and reducing the force exerted on the user.

Implementation Method 1

energy absorbers absorb some of the kinetic energy of the falling body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the energy absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that separate to absorb shock after the bracket assembly is released from the connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2953690B1Energy absorber assembly and components thereof

Publication Date: 2023.06.28 D B INDUSTRIES LLC

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AI summary

An energy absorber assembly for use with a safety harness comprises a connector, a bracket assembly, a fastener, and an energy absorber. The connector is configured and arranged to operatively connect to the safety harness. The fastener operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the fastener releases the bracket assembly from the connector when subjected to a predetermined load. The energy absorber operatively connects the bracket assembly and the connector, and the energy absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that separate to absorb shock after the bracket assembly is released from the connector.