Inductive Connection Sensing for Fall Protection Anchors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection equipment lacks effective means to ensure workers are properly anchored to support structures, as conventional sensors may fail to detect non-ferrous metals and are prone to errors due to external magnetic fields and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating inductive sensors with electronic circuits that detect changes in resonant frequency to determine if a metal support structure is within the area of attachment, capable of detecting all metals and immune to external magnetic fields, and using a combination of mechanical and inductive sensors for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sensors are used to detect support structures, then the device can detect ferrous metals, but it fails to detect non-ferrous metals and is prone to errors due to external magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional magnetic sensors with inductive sensors that use electromagnetic induction principles. The inductive sensor includes a coil that generates an electromagnetic field, and when a metal support structure (ferrous or non-ferrous) enters the field, it induces eddy currents in the metal, which changes the electrical characteristics (impedance, resonant frequency) of the coil circuit. This substitution enables detection of all metal types while being immune to external magnetic field interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in electrical parameters (impedance, resonant frequency, Q-factor) of the inductive sensor circuit to detect the presence of metal support structures. By measuring these parameter changes and comparing them against threshold values or calibration data, the system can reliably identify both ferrous and non-ferrous metals regardless of external magnetic conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inductive sensors are used to detect all metals, then detection versatility improves, but sensor complexity and susceptibility to environmental conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive sensor design uses a single multi-functional sensor that can detect all metal types (ferrous and non-ferrous) through electromagnetic induction. The sensor circuit is designed to measure multiple electrical parameters (impedance, resonant frequency, Q-factor) simultaneously, providing universal metal detection capability without requiring separate sensors for different metal types, thus managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If mechanical sensors are used for connection detection, then the system is simple, but it cannot reliably detect proper anchoring to metal structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connection detection methods with an electromagnetic-based inductive sensing system. The inductive sensor detects the presence of metal support structures through electromagnetic field interaction, providing reliable anchoring detection without the limitations of mechanical sensors. The system monitors electrical circuit parameters that change when metal structures are properly connected to the fall protection device.
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
Ensures reliable detection of proper anchoring to metal support structures, reducing errors and improving safety by accurately identifying metal types and ignoring external magnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
inductive sensing techniques, such as detecting changes to a resonant frequency of electronic circuits of one or more inductive sensors within the fall protection device, to determine whether a support structure is within an area of attachment
Implementation Method 2
detecting changes to a resonant frequency of electronic circuits of one or more inductive sensors
Implementation Method 3
The inductive sensor includes an electrical circuit arranged within the body so that a resonant frequency of the electrical circuit changes when the support structure is within the area of attachment
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for monitoring and controlling fall protection equipment. For example, the techniques of this disclosure may be used to monitor the connection status of fall protection equipment, e.g., whether or not the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure. The techniques described in the disclosure may determine whether the fall protection equipment is connected to a support structure based on changes in a resonant frequency of an electronic circuit of an inductive sensor within the fall protection equipment. The inductive sensor may be formed from sets of one or more coils, where a first set of one or more coils and a second set of one or more coils are wound in opposite directions.