Damping Element for Glass Panel Fall Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection systems for glass panels attached to masonry are prone to failure due to undamped transmission of vibrations and horizontal forces, leading to potential glass panel detachment and injury, as well as disruption of enclosed spaces, which can result in further fall hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a damping element between U-profile rails and receiving bodies attached to the masonry, which converts horizontal forces into vertical forces, thereby dissipating energy and reducing the risk of glass panel detachment by allowing the glass panel to rise parallel to the masonry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the glass plate is rigidly attached to the masonry using fastening screws, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the transmission of vibrations and horizontal forces to the masonry increases, leading to potential fastening device failure
Solution Approach 1:
A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the fastening device and the glass plate. This damping element absorbs and dissipates vibration energy and horizontal forces, preventing their direct transmission to the masonry while maintaining the attachment reliability of the glass plate to the masonry structure.
2Strength
If the fastening device is designed to absorb horizontal forces, then the resistance to force is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional damping components
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device utilizes the elastic and damping properties of the damping element to absorb horizontal forces. By selecting materials and geometries with appropriate damping characteristics, the device can resist horizontal forces effectively without requiring complex mechanical structures, thus balancing strength enhancement with structural simplicity.
3Reliability
If the glass plate is securely fixed to prevent detachment, then the safety is improved, but the ability to absorb impact energy through movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping element is designed to convert harmful horizontal forces and impact energies into beneficial vertical forces that press the glass plate against the masonry. This conversion mechanism allows the system to absorb impact energy through controlled movement while maintaining secure attachment, transforming potential detachment risks into enhanced bonding forces.
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 damping element effectively absorbs and converts forces acting on the glass panel, ensuring reliable attachment and reducing the risk of glass panel detachment, thereby enhancing safety and preventing injuries from falling glass.
Implementation Method 1
a damping element (11) arranged between the U-profile rails (4, 5) supporting the plate (3) and the four receiving bodies (8), which are held on the masonry (2) by means of fastening screws (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The guardrail (1) has a corner area of a plate (3), which is assigned to a receiving body (8) fitted at a masonry (2). A damping element is relatively movably supported to the receiving body and the U-shaped profile rails (4,5). The receiving body has a U-shaped profile (10) that is turned with the masonry. The receiving body holds a base plate (15) over a fastening bolt (7) and is formed at blades (14,16).