Connecting Element for Fall Protection Securing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for fall protection require complex handling and additional release levers, which can lead to operational errors and increased wear, reducing functional reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
Integration of the contact element into a triggering device that automatically adjusts the locking device from an unlocked to a locked state when the stop element is attached, eliminating the need for a separate release lever and enhancing operational simplicity and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate release lever is added to the stop element to enable automatic locking when attached to the securing element, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the release lever is exposed to wear and damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the release lever function with the contact element by integrating the triggering device directly into the contact element structure. The contact element itself becomes the triggering mechanism that automatically actuates the locking device when the stop element is attached to the securing element, eliminating the need for a separate release lever and reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The contact element is given multiple functions: it serves both as the physical contact point for the securing element and as the triggering mechanism for the locking device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate release lever, reducing the number of components exposed to wear and damage while maintaining automatic locking capability
2Ease of operation
If a separate release lever protrudes into the insertion opening to trigger automatic locking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to wear and damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the release lever function with the contact element, eliminating the separate moving component that protrudes into the insertion opening. The contact element itself triggers the locking device through its inherent structure, removing the wear-prone release lever while maintaining automatic locking functionality, thus improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the release lever from the system by eliminating it entirely. The triggering function is integrated directly into the contact element structure, removing the component that was exposed to wear and damage risk while preserving the automatic locking capability that improves ease of operation
3Device complexity
If the contact element is integrated into the triggering device to automatically activate the locking device, then the device complexity is reduced and reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the contact element with the triggering device structure, creating an integrated component that automatically activates the locking device. This integration reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the mechanism, though it requires precise manufacturing of the integrated component to ensure reliable triggering
Solution Approach 2:
The triggering device is segmented into functional zones within the contact element structure, with specific geometric features designed to trigger the locking device at precise moments during attachment. This segmentation allows the complex triggering function to be distributed across manageable geometric features that can be manufactured with controlled precision
Data Source
AI summary
The element (2) has a locking device (9) comprising an actuating device (35) that is movable between an active position and a passive position. The actuating device blocks the locking device in unlocked state in the active position and transferred into the passive position when the element is attached to a securing element (3) e.g. rope. A contact element i.e. roll (11), forms part of the actuating device such that the actuating device is shifted into the passive position when the securing element contacts the contact element. An independent claim is also included for a securing device for preventing persons from falling.