Fall Arrest Brake Plate With Ratchet Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fall arrest systems, particularly Self-Retracting Lanyard (SRL) systems, are inefficient in protecting users during falls due to mechanical locks and energy absorption failures under the force exerted by downward lanyard movement, leading to ineffective restriction of lanyard motion.

Innovation Solution

A brake assembly featuring a brake plate with ratchet gear teeth, a deformable body, and a pawl and spring assembly, where the brake plate rotates with respect to a back plate, applying force to the deformable body to enhance energy absorption and restrict lanyard motion during a fall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical locks are used to restrict lanyard movement during a fall, then the fall arrest system can provide basic protection, but the mechanical locks fail under the force exerted by downward lanyard movement, leading to ineffective restriction of motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of mechanical lockVSAvoidforce exerted on mechanical lock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The brake assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a brake plate with circumferential slots, deformable bodies positioned in the slots, and a pawl-ratchet mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of the fall arrest function, distributing the force loads and improving overall reliability compared to a single mechanical lock design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Deformable bodies are pre-positioned within the circumferential slots of the brake plate before a fall occurs. These deformable bodies act as cushioning elements that engage with the slots during a fall, absorbing energy through controlled deformation and providing gradual resistance to the downward motion, preventing sudden failure of the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Loss of energy

If traditional energy absorption mechanisms are used, then some energy dissipation occurs, but the energy absorption is not efficient due to the force exerted on the locks by downward movement of the lanyard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption efficiencyVSAvoidreliability under fall force

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The downward motion of the lanyard during a fall, which previously caused harmful forces on the mechanical lock, is converted into a beneficial force that drives the brake plate to rotate. This rotation engages the deformable bodies with the circumferential slots, transforming the harmful kinetic energy into useful energy absorption through controlled deformation and friction, while the pawl-ratchet mechanism ensures unidirectional rotation for consistent energy dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of energy

If a brake plate with circumferential slots and deformable bodies is implemented, then energy absorption is enhanced and lanyard motion is restricted, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorptionVSAvoidcomplexity of brake assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake plate, deformable bodies, and pawl-ratchet mechanism are merged into a single integrated brake assembly unit. The brake plate with its circumferential slots directly houses the deformable bodies, and the pawl-ratchet mechanism is mounted on the same assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining the enhanced energy absorption functionality through the coordinated interaction of all elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 brake assembly provides an efficient mechanism to apply brakes on the lanyard, effectively protecting users by absorbing energy through the deformation of the deformable body, thereby enhancing the safety of fall arrest systems.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing energy through the deformation of the deformable body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a pawl engages with the plurality of ratchet gear teeth of the brake plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 3

a spring is released, and a pawl engages with the plurality of ratchet gear teeth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11534634B2Brake assembly for fall arrest system

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA INC

AI summary

A brake plate of a fall arrest system is provided for protecting users during a fall. The brake plate comprises a body having a central opening. The central opening defines an inner circumference of the body. The brake plate comprises a plurality of ratchet gear teeth disposed along the inner circumference of the body. Further, the brake plate comprises at least two slots on the body, wherein the at least two slots are disposed diametrically opposite to each other. Each of the at least two slots is curved and extends along a portion of an outer circumference of the body.