Fall Arrest Device Rotating Securing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for securing individuals on higher structures, such as ladders, often require complex mechanisms and may fail to effectively arrest falls due to jamming issues when subjected to significant forces, and lack user control over the clamping effect.
Innovation Solution
A safety device featuring a base body with a guide element and a receiving body, where a securing element can rotate about an axis to clamp the securing means, allowing for user-controlled jamming through a housing that moves relative to the base body, incorporating a spring element and additional locking bolts for redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex brake actuator mechanism is used to secure the person, then the braking function is improved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex brake actuator mechanism from the safety device. Instead of using a multi-component braking system, the invention employs a simple friction-based clamping mechanism where the securing element directly contacts the securing means through a friction surface, removing unnecessary intermediate components and reducing failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element is designed to automatically clamp the securing means through its own weight and the friction force generated during movement. The spring element provides continuous pressure without requiring external actuation, allowing the device to maintain its braking function passively without complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If a simple securing mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control the clamping effect and arrest falls is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is designed to move between a release position and a clamped position dynamically. The element can be easily displaced by the user to initiate clamping or release, providing intuitive control. During a fall, the element automatically transitions to the clamped position due to the force of gravity and spring pressure, ensuring reliable fall arrest without requiring complex control mechanisms.
3Force
If the securing element is positioned far from the rotation axis, then the clamping force is improved, but the securing element requires larger displacement to achieve the same rotational effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring element that acts in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, providing a continuous clamping force without requiring the securing element to be positioned far from the axis. The spring force is transmitted through a lever arm to the friction surface, generating sufficient clamping force while keeping the securing element's displacement minimal during actuation.
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 device provides a robust, user-controllable safety mechanism that effectively arrests falls by allowing flexible exertion of force to achieve targeted jamming, reducing the risk of defects and enhancing safety with a simpler component design.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a spring element
Implementation Method 2
the securing means can be clamped between the receiving body and the securing element
Data Source
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AI summary
A fall arrest device for securing a climber to a cable in a manner that prevents the climber from falling. The device can run along an elongate securing cable as the climber ascends and descends during use. The device has a base body having a guide element and a receiving body having longitudinal axis designed to receive the cable therebetween, a housing fastened movably on the base body, and a securing element having a first securing bolt. The securing element is fastened rotatably on the base body and the housing in order to clamp the cable against the receiving body to arrest the climber during a fall.