Dual-Cam Tool Transfer for Continuous Drop Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a risk of accidental dropping of tools and objects when working above ground, which can lead to injury or property damage, as existing solutions fail to provide a secure and reliable method for transferring these items safely.
Innovation Solution
A tool transfer system with rotatable cams and a spring assembly that ensures continuous safety connection by alternately locking and releasing the cams, allowing secure attachment and detachment of tools between various anchor points, such as a user's wrist, tool pouch, or fixed structures, using a lanyard or other means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tool is held by a single mount during transfer, then the transfer operation is simple, but the risk of accidental dropping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tool retention function into two separate mounts (first mount and second mount), each capable of independently securing the tool. This segmentation allows the tool to be held by one mount while being transferred to another, maintaining safety throughout the transfer operation without requiring complex single-mount mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a dual-mount system is used to prevent drops during transfer, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both mounts are designed with identical cam-based locking mechanisms that can function independently. Each mount serves as both a retention device and a transfer interface, allowing either mount to secure the tool at any time. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having specialized primary and secondary mounting systems.
3Device complexity
If the cam locking mechanism requires manual operation, then the mechanism is simple, but the speed of transfer operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism operates through periodic rotational motion where the cam rotates into the locked position and then rotates out to release. This periodic action allows for rapid, rhythmic transfer operations where the tool can be quickly secured to one mount and released to another in a repeating cycle, increasing transfer speed while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
4Reliability
If the spring assembly is always under tension to maintain locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is pre-loaded and stored in a compressed state within the housing before the cam needs to be locked. This preliminary action of pre-compressing the spring allows the cam to be rapidly locked into position without requiring continuous energy input, as the stored spring energy automatically maintains the locking force once engaged.
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 system significantly reduces the risk of unintentional drops by maintaining a continuous safety connection during tool transfer, ensuring secure retention and transfer between different anchor points, thereby preventing accidents and damage.
Implementation Method 1
The spring assembly consists of a slidable enclosure that contains a spring. The spring enclosure maintains its full length because of the force of the spring. When the slideable enclosure is subject to axial compression, the enclosure is reduced in axial length. When the axial compression force is no longer applied, the force of the spring urges the slideable enclosure to its original length.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transferring an object from one user to another user that is useful to prevent unintentional dropping of the object is disclosed. A cam is rotatably connected to a structure that is configured to be attached to a first user. A central housing with two ports is configured to allow for the attachment of a tool by lanyard or other means. When the first cam is locked into the one of the housing ports, it cannot be released from the housing unless a second cam is inserted into the second housing port and captured. Once the second cam is captured the first cam is released, thus safely passing the tool from the first user to the second user while minimizing the chance of dropping the tool.