Fall Protection Connector With Flexible Strength Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors used in the fall protection industry are susceptible to fracture under high flexural loads during fall arrest situations, particularly when they are large in size, leading to a need for a connector that can withstand transverse body loads and plastic deformations without separating from a support structure.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a body with a mid portion that deforms under force, incorporating a flexible strength member with stops and an elongate member, and a gate that can selectively lock to form a closed loop arrangement with the nose and connecting portions, ensuring the connector remains secure even under deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connectors are made large in size to accommodate fall protection requirements, then they can provide sufficient strength for support structures, but they become susceptible to fracture under high flexural loads during fall arrest situations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is divided into multiple segments: a rigid body portion providing structural support, and a flexible strength member (such as a spring or elastomeric element) that can deform independently. This segmentation allows the rigid portions to maintain strength while the flexible portion absorbs flexural loads through deformation, preventing fracture under high impact forces during fall arrest.
2Force
If the body size increases to provide adequate support structure, then the connector can handle larger loads, but the susceptibility to fracture under transverse body loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the strength member from rigid to flexible. The flexible strength member can undergo large deformations and plastic deformations without fracturing, allowing the connector to maintain connection integrity under high transverse loads while accommodating the increased size requirements for support structures.
3Strength
If a rigid steel or aluminum body is used to provide structural strength, then the connector can support heavy loads, but it is susceptible to fracture under high flexural loads
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a composite structure combining rigid materials (steel or aluminum body) with flexible strength members (springs, elastomeric elements, or shape memory alloys). This composite design allows the rigid body to provide structural strength and support, while the flexible elements absorb flexural energy through deformation, preventing fracture under high impact loads during fall arrest situations.
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 connector effectively prevents unintentional opening during use, maintaining connection integrity under high loads and deformation, thereby enhancing safety by preventing accidental separation from the support structure.
Implementation Method 1
The mid portion is configured and arranged to deform when subjected to a force
Implementation Method 2
capable of withstanding large transverse body loads and plastic deformations without separating
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A connector includes a body and a gate. The body has a mid portion positioned between a nose portion and a connecting portion. The nose portion terminates in a nose end. The body also has an opening positioned between the nose end and the connecting portion. The mid portion has a flexible strength member extending therethrough interconnecting the nose portion and the connecting portion. The gate has a first end coupled proximate the connection portion of the body and a second end configured and arranged to engage the nose portion of the body to selectively close the opening. The gate has a closed position when positioned across the opening and an open position when the opening is at least partially unobstructed by the gate.