Fall Protection Mast Energy Absorbing Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection systems for workers at heights often cause damage to support structures when arresting a fall, as they exert excessive forces on the structures where the mast is fastened.
Innovation Solution
A fall protection system with a vertically mounted mast featuring an energy-absorbing deformation portion closer to the top end, which deforms under bending forces from a falling user, reducing the force exerted on the support structure by absorbing energy and distributing it through a multi-segment deformation mechanism with varying bending strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid mast structure is used to provide strong support, then the strength and stability of the support structure is improved, but the force exerted on the support structure during fall arrest increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mast incorporates a deformation portion with controlled geometric parameters (reduced wall thickness, specific cross-sectional shape) that changes the structural characteristics locally. This allows the mast to deform in a controlled manner during fall arrest, absorbing energy while maintaining overall structural integrity and reducing peak forces on the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast is constructed as a composite structure with different sections having different structural properties. The deformation portion acts as a sacrificial element with controlled weakness, while the rest of the mast maintains full strength. This composite approach allows energy absorption through controlled deformation without compromising the overall strength of the support structure.
2Reliability
If the mast structure is made more robust to withstand fall forces, then the reliability of fall protection is improved, but the weight of the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
By carefully controlling the geometric parameters of the deformation portion (wall thickness, cross-sectional dimensions), the system achieves reliable fall protection through controlled energy absorption rather than requiring excessive structural mass. This parameter optimization allows weight reduction while maintaining or improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful uncontrolled deformation and energy transfer to the support structure into a beneficial controlled deformation process. The deformation portion is designed to yield in a predictable manner, absorbing fall energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the support structure and user, thereby improving reliability without adding weight.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If energy absorption capacity is increased to reduce support structure damage, then the protection of support structure is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire mast complex and over-engineered for energy absorption, the invention applies local quality changes only to the deformation portion. This localized approach with modified wall thickness and cross-sectional geometry provides the necessary energy absorption capacity while keeping the rest of the system simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption capacity is achieved through careful parameter selection in the deformation portion geometry rather than through complex mechanisms or additional components. This parameter-driven approach simplifies the overall device design while effectively reducing damage to the support structure during fall arrest.
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 energy-absorbing deformation portion effectively reduces the risk of damaging the support structure by distributing the fall force, making the system more portable and reducing the weight of the equipment while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The energy absorbing deformation portion is arranged to deform when exerted to a bending force caused by a falling user tethered to the tether connector, the energy absorbing deformation portion thereby absorbing energy and reducing the force exerted to the mast at its structure connection portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A fall protection system (1) for securely coupling a user (11) to a support structure (5). The fall protection system comprises a mast (2) arranged to be vertically mounted in a state of use, having a top end (6) and a base end (7); a user connection assembly (3); and a tether connector (10); wherein the mast comprises a structure connection portion, at which the mast is arranged to be removably connected to the support structure, and an energy absorbing deformation portion (15) positioned closer to the top end than the structure connection portion, wherein the fall protection system is rearrangeable between an inactive state and a ready-to-use state. In the ready-to-use state: - the user connection assembly protrudes from the mast substantially radially of the mast, and has a proximal end (8), connected with the mast at the top end, and a distal end (9); - the tether connector is arranged at the user connection assembly, and - the energy absorbing deformation portion is arranged to deform when exerted to a bending force caused by a falling user tethered to the tether connector. Thereby, the energy absorbing deformation portion absorbs energy and reduces the force exerted to the mast at its structure connection portion.