Drone-Driven Rope Lashing Diagnostics With Passive Sensor Rollers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing rope lashings in building structures are time-consuming and pose safety risks due to the need for climbers to create additional rigging for diagnostic devices, especially in challenging environments.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic module with passive sensors and a travelling module equipped with rollers, driven by a drone, that adjusts to rope inclination and diameter, using a ratchet mechanism and encoder for precise measurement, independent of rope diameter and drone speed, to perform diagnostics efficiently and safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If climbers are used to create additional rigging for diagnostic devices, then the diagnostic tests can be performed on rope lashings, but the execution becomes time-consuming and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidexecution time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of climbers creating rigging with an aerial work platform that positions the diagnostic device directly. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming rigging creation process while maintaining safe access to the rope lashing for diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an aerial work platform as an intermediary between the ground and the rope lashing. This intermediary device provides direct positioning capability for the diagnostic device, eliminating the need for climbers to create intermediate rigging structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If additional rigging is created for diagnostic devices, then diagnostics can be performed, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of diagnosticsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The aerial work platform serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system by providing direct positioning capability, thereby reducing the need for additional rigging and lowering system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for rapid and safe testing of rope lashings along their entire length without additional rigging, reducing activation time and enhancing safety by eliminating the need for climbers, while providing accurate results through signal filtration and analysis.

Implementation Method 1

the upper roller of which has an in-built encoder for measuring the travelled distance and the travel speed of movement of the travelling module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEncoder:

Implementation Method 2

an arrangement of passive sensors positioned around the rope lashing under test on elastic sliding elements elastically fixed to the ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

there is a ratchet mechanism limiting the movement of the tension member in its extreme positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRatchet: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP4682500A1Method and device for passive diagnosis of rope lashings of building structures
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ACAD GORNICZO HUTNICZA IM STANISLAWA STASZICA
  • EP4682500A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4682500A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4682500A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Device for passive diagnostics of rope lashings (1) of building structures comprising a diagnostic module (13), which includes an arrangement of passive sensors (7) positioned around the rope lashing (1) under test on elastic sliding elements (2) elastically fixed to a ring (10) with the possibility of its opening thanks to a hinge (12), and comprising a travelling module (14) with an arrangement of two rollers (4), according to the invention is characterised in that the ring (10) of the diagnostic module (13) is rigidly connected by means of a connector (3) to the arrangement of rollers (4) of the travelling module (14) driven via a tension member (5) by a drone (6) constituting the drive of the travelling module (14) and moving along the rope lashing (1), the upper roller (4) of which has an in-built encoder (15) for measuring the travelled distance and the travel speed of movement of the travelling module (14). Method for passive diagnostics of rope lashings (1) of building structures by means of a diagnostic module (13) comprising an arrangement of passive sensors (7) positioned around the rope lashing (1) under test on elastic sliding elements (2) elastically fixed to a ring (10), this ring (10) opening thanks to a hinge (12), and comprising a travelling module (14) with an arrangement of two rollers (4), according to the invention is characterised in that the arrangement of rollers (4) of the travelling module (14), which is rigidly connected to the ring (10) of the diagnostic module by means of a connector (3), is driven by a drone (6) via a tension member (5), whereby the drone (6) moving along the rope lashing (1) is used as the drive of the travelling module (14) and, moreover, an encoder (15) integrated in the upper roller (4) is used to measure the travelled distance and the travel speed of the travelling module (14).