Fall Arrest Apparatus with Shear Pin Trigger and Torsion Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall arrest systems for roofing workers rely solely on the weight of the falling worker for actuation, which can be inefficient and costly, and do not effectively balance safety and cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
A fall arrest apparatus featuring a force damping subsystem, a brake release mechanism, and a brake mechanism with an energy storage device, which decelerates a falling object by deploying anchors upon triggering, utilizing a shear pin to initiate the brake release mechanism and an energy storage device to deploy anchors, thereby absorbing the falling object's force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the fall arrest system relies solely on the weight of the falling worker for actuation, then the system structure can be simpler, but the safety effectiveness and operational reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device (torsion spring) is pre-loaded before the fall event occurs, storing potential energy in advance. When the shear pin fractures due to excessive force, this pre-stored energy is immediately released to deploy the anchors, ensuring rapid and reliable arrest without depending on the worker's weight alone for actuation speed and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The shear pin acts as an intermediary element that translates the force from the falling worker into a triggering mechanism for the brake release. When the shear pin fractures under excessive force, it releases the brake mechanism, which then activates the energy storage device to deploy anchors. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the system responds reliably to fall events regardless of the worker's weight
2Ease of manufacture
If the fall arrest system uses only the worker's weight for actuation, then the cost can be reduced, but the operational reliability and safety performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is pre-loaded during normal operation, storing energy in advance rather than relying on the worker's weight to provide all the necessary force during the fall. This preliminary action ensures that the system has sufficient energy reserves to reliably deploy anchors and arrest the fall, improving operational reliability without requiring overly complex or expensive real-time energy generation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the force from the falling worker to fracture the shear pin and trigger the brake release mechanism, which then automatically activates the pre-loaded energy storage device to deploy anchors. The system serves itself by using the fall event to trigger its own rescue mechanism, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems while maintaining high operational reliability
3Reliability
If the system uses an energy storage device to deploy anchors, then the safety and operational reliability improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device (torsion spring) serves multiple functions: it stores potential energy during normal operation, provides the force to deploy anchors during a fall event, and can be re-loaded after each use. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high operational reliability with a relatively simple and compact mechanism, avoiding the need for separate power sources, motors, or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fall event itself triggers the release mechanism that activates the energy storage device. The force from the falling worker fractures the shear pin, which releases the brake mechanism and allows the pre-loaded torsion spring to deploy the anchors. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external power sources, sensors, or control electronics, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable operation
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 apparatus efficiently decelerates falling objects by deploying anchors, providing enhanced safety and cost-effectiveness by using an energy storage device to actuate the brake mechanism, reducing the reliance on the worker's weight for actuation and improving the system's operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a force damping subsystem having a damper
Implementation Method 2
The force damping subsystem is arranged to decelerate the falling object
Implementation Method 3
a brake mechanism with an energy storage device arranged to deploy at least one anchor
Implementation Method 4
actuated by an energy storage device, e.g., a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
A fall arrest apparatus including a force damping subsystem having a damper, a brake release mechanism connected to the force damping subsystem and arranged to trigger when a force having a sufficient magnitude is transmitted to the brake release mechanism, and a brake mechanism including an energy storage device arranged to deploy at least one anchor when the brake release mechanism is triggered. The force is provided by a falling object to the force damping subsystem and the force damping subsystem is arranged to decelerate the falling object after the brake release mechanism is triggered.