Fall Protection Connector With Wireless Fall Alert Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fall protection systems do not provide an immediate and automatic notification of a fall event to responders, leading to delayed rescue and potential injury or death for suspended workers.
Innovation Solution
A weight-bearing fall protection connector with a shear pin mechanism and wireless fall indicator that automatically activates a wireless signal when a fall occurs, allowing for immediate notification of responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual fall indicators (sliding bar with metal pin) are used to indicate fall damage, then fall detection is provided, but immediate automatic notification to responders is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical visual indicator system (sliding bar with metal pin) with an electronic notification system using a load cell, signal conditionor, and wireless transmitter. This substitution enables automatic electronic notification to responders, eliminating the delay inherent in visual-only indicators that require manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fall protection system automatically detects the fall event through the load cell and autonomously transmits notification signals to responders without requiring manual activation or inspection. The system serves itself by converting mechanical load changes into electronic signals and automatically communicating the fall event.
2Reliability
If wireless transmitters are added to provide automatic fall notification, then immediate responder alert is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fall detection function and notification function into a single integrated connector system. The load cell serves both as a structural load-bearing component and as the sensing element, while the wireless transmitter is integrated into the connector housing, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate detection and notification devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector performs multiple functions: it mechanically connects the fall protection equipment, bears the worker's weight, detects fall events through the load cell, and transmits notification signals wirelessly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If load monitoring means (electrical load cell) are used to detect fall events, then automatic detection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load cell is integrated directly into the connector's load-bearing structure, serving dual purposes as both a structural component and a sensing element. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reduces the overall complexity of the system while maintaining precise fall detection capability.
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
Enables rapid response and reduces the time a worker is suspended by automatically alerting others of a fall event through a wireless signal, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
a shear pin that is received in a bore formed in the bar and in a pair of spaced bores formed in the second collar, the shear pin having a retaining condition and a broken condition, wherein in the retaining condition the shear pin retains the second collar fixed relative to the bar
Implementation Method 2
a wireless fall indicator comprising: a wireless transmitter, and a switch including a pair of electrical contacts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
A weight bearing fall protection connector (10) includes a first connection member (20) configured to attach the connector to a piece of fall protection equipment, and a second connection member (22) configured to attach the connector (10) to another piece of all equipment, with the connection members (20,22) fixed to each other to transfer the weight of a worker in a fall event and for movement relative to each other between a ready position and a fall position. The connector (10) further includes a breakable component (24) having a retaining condition wherein the component (24) maintains the members (20,22) in a ready position and broken condition wherein the component (24) allows the members (20,22) to move to their fall position. The connector (10) further includes a wireless fall indicator (26) including a wireless transmitter (28) and a switch (30) configured to activate the wireless transmitter (28) in response to movement of the members (20,22) from the ready position to the fall position.