Portable Fall Restraint Frame for Grid Track Rescue Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated service vehicles for grid framework structures require permanent operation or hoisting, leading to increased downtime and delays in accessing and responding to incidents, and there is a risk of personal injury from falls due to the height of the grid structure.
Innovation Solution
A portable, manually operated fall restraint apparatus with a lightweight frame and rolling assembly that allows manual maneuvering on the grid structure, featuring a frame with a weight less than 100 kg, and a rolling assembly that contacts different tracks to prevent falling into grid openings, equipped with a winch and tow member for rescuing personnel or malfunctioned load handling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If automated service vehicles are permanently operated on the grid structure, then response time to incidents is improved, but device complexity and operational restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service vehicle transitions from a static permanently-operated system to a dynamic portable system that can be manually repositioned. The vehicle includes a moving assembly with rollers that can contact different tracks, enabling it to be manually moved to various locations on the grid structure while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A fall restraint apparatus acts as an intermediary safety system between the operator and the grid openings. This apparatus includes a restraint mechanism that prevents the operator from falling through grid openings while enabling manual movement of the vehicle to incident locations.
2Ease of operation
If the frame weight is reduced to enable manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame weight is controlled within a specific parameter range (less than 100 kg) to enable manual operation by one or more persons. This parameter optimization balances the competing requirements of ease of manual operation and sufficient structural strength to support the vehicle and its functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame may utilize composite or optimized materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the structure to be lightweight enough for manual operation while maintaining the necessary structural integrity to support the vehicle's functions and withstand operational loads.
3Reliability
If the moving assembly is designed to contact different tracks, then stability and fall prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving assembly is segmented into multiple rollers that can independently contact different tracks. This segmentation allows the assembly to distribute contact points across multiple tracks, preventing the vehicle from falling through grid openings while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving assembly with rollers is designed to contact different tracks and serve multiple functions: providing stable support, preventing falls through grid openings, and enabling manual repositioning of the vehicle to various locations on the grid structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fall restraint device for moving on a grid structure including a plurality of grid cells each having a length in a range 600-800 mm and a width in a range 400-600 mm, so defining a grid opening defined by a pair of adjacent tracks of a first set of parallel tracks and a pair of adjacent tracks of a second set of parallel tracks. The fall restraint device includes a frame having an upper portion configured for restraining at least one operative, a moving assembly mounted to a lower portion of the frame, the moving assembly being configured for moving the frame on the grid structure; wherein the frame has a weight less than 100 kg such that the moving assembly will be manually lifted clear of the grid structure by the at least one operative restrained to the upper portion of the frame.