Fall Arrest Indicator Actuator and Alarm Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall arrest harness inspection methods, such as stitch pattern damage detection, can incorrectly identify damage from environmental exposure as damage from a fall event, leading to premature removal of harnesses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A fall arrest indicator featuring a reconfigurable actuator that changes configuration upon exposure to fall forces, activating an electronic alarm circuit to clearly indicate a fall event, including a switch mechanism and a hidden label revealed by broken stitching, and optional RFID tag interrogation for confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stitch pattern damage detection is used to identify fall events, then fall arrest indication is provided, but environmental damage is mistakenly identified as fall damage leading to premature harness removal
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is segmented into distinct functional components: an actuator that experiences fall forces, a switching mechanism that detects actuator configuration changes, and an alarm circuit that provides the indication. This segmentation isolates the fall detection function from environmental exposure, as the electronic components remain protected while the actuator is positioned to experience fall forces specifically.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary element between the fall force and the electronic alarm system. The actuator converts mechanical fall forces into a configuration change that triggers the switching mechanism, which then activates the alarm. This intermediary protects the electronic components from direct environmental exposure while accurately transmitting fall event information.
2Ease of manufacture
If hidden label with broken stitching is used to indicate fall events, then fall arrest indication becomes more apparent, but the label can be easily missed by inexperienced inspectors
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stitching-based indication system is replaced with an electronic alarm circuit that provides active notification. Instead of relying on visual inspection of broken stitching or exposed labels, the system uses electrical switching and electronic alarming to automatically indicate fall events, eliminating the need for manual inspection interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-indication through the automatic activation of the alarm circuit when the switching mechanism detects actuator configuration changes. The fall indication is generated automatically without requiring human inspection or interpretation, making the system self-explanatory and eliminating inspection difficulty.
3Reliability
If electronic alarm circuit with actuator is used, then reliable fall event indication is provided, but device complexity increases compared to simple stitch patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The complex electronic components (alarm circuit, switching mechanism, power source) are extracted and housed within a separate protective casing, separating them from the harness structure. This extraction consolidates the complexity into a discrete, manageable unit that can be independently maintained and replaced without affecting the harness itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it experiences fall forces, converts mechanical force to configuration change, and triggers the switching mechanism. The casing provides both structural support and environmental protection for the electronic components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fall arrest indicator is disclosed for indicating whether a fall arrest event has occurred, the fall arrest indicator includes an actuator, the actuator being reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration; an electronic alarm circuit comprising an alarm for indicating a fall arrest event; and, activating means, wherein the activating means is arranged to reconfigure the alarm circuit between an inactive state in which the alarm is inactive and an operative state in which the alarm is activated, in dependence of a reconfiguration of the actuator between the first and second configurations.