Personal Descent System with Self-Deploying Brake for Fall Rescue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety systems for workers at heights are inadequate in efficiently and safely delivering workers who have experienced a fall to a safe location for rescue, particularly in situations where the worker is unconscious or unable to activate the rescue system.
Innovation Solution
A personal descent system comprising a support structure coupling assembly, a control descent device, and a self-deployment system that allows controlled payout of a descent lifeline, including a brake assembly and a self-deployment mechanism to detach from the support structure, enabling safe and efficient lowering of the worker to a rescue location, with optional buddy deployment for unconscious workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-retracting lifeline system is used to stop falls, then fall arrest capability is improved, but the ability to deliver the worker to a safe location is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fall arrest function (self-retracting lifeline) with the worker delivery function (descent device) into a single integrated system. The self-retracting lifeline connects to the descent device, allowing the same system to both arrest falls and control the descent of the worker to a safe location, eliminating the need for separate equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The descent device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be activated automatically after a fall arrest to deliver the worker to safety, and it can also be manually operated by rescue workers for controlled descent. This multi-functionality addresses both the fall arrest capability and the worker delivery capability within a single device.
2Device complexity
If the worker must activate the rescue system manually, then system simplicity is improved, but effectiveness for unconscious workers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with both automatic and manual activation capabilities. The automatic activation mechanism is prepared in advance to detect fall conditions and trigger descent without worker intervention. The manual override mechanism is also pre-positioned for rescue workers to activate if needed, ensuring the system works regardless of worker consciousness.
Solution Approach 2:
The descent device incorporates automatic activation functionality that allows the system to serve itself by detecting fall conditions and initiating the descent sequence without requiring worker action. This self-service capability ensures unconscious workers are still rescued, while the manual override provides backup activation if needed.
3Reliability
If a controlled descent mechanism is added to deliver workers to safety, then rescue effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the controlled descent mechanism within the existing self-retracting lifeline system structure. The descent device utilizes components and mounting points from the original fall arrest system, combining multiple functions (fall arrest, descent control, worker delivery) into a unified device rather than adding completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The descent device is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs fall arrest, controlled descent, and worker delivery functions. By consolidating these functions into a single device rather than separate systems, the patent improves rescue effectiveness while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
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 personal descent system effectively and efficiently delivers workers to a safe location after a fall, ensuring quick and safe rescue by controlling the descent and providing a backup mechanism for unconscious workers, enhancing safety and rescue efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The brake assembly is engaged with the descent lifeline to control a payout of the descent lifeline
Data Source
AI summary
A personal descent system is provided. The personal descent system includes a support structure coupling assembly and a control descent device. The support structure coupling assembly is configured and arranged to be coupled to a descent lifeline. The support structure coupling assembly includes an adaptor connection member. The adaptor connection member is configured and arranged to couple different types of lifelines and lanyards to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is selectively coupled to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is configured and arranged to be coupled to a safety harness donned by a user. The control descent device is further configured to detach from the support structure coupling assembly during a descent operation while controlling a payout of the descent lifeline.