Guide Rail Trolley Fall Control With Progressive Speed Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall control systems either completely stop a person from falling, which can lead to injury upon impact, or fail to effectively control the fall distance, as they rely on friction or ratchet-like braking systems that may not adequately manage the fall speed.
Innovation Solution
A fall control system comprising an elongate guide rail and a trolley with a speed control system that allows users to ascend and descend stairs or level surfaces independently, featuring a tether attached to the trolley, which transitions from a walking speed to a controlled fall speed using eddy current brakes, pre-tensioned gears, or onset wheels to manage the descent speed without complete stoppage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction engagement systems or ratchet-like engagement braking systems are used to stop the trolley during a fall, then the person is completely arrested from further movement, but the person may impact the ground with high force causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies prior cushioning by introducing a compliant element (spring or damper) between the trolley and the braking system. During a fall, this compliant element compresses to absorb impact energy, cushioning the deceleration process and preventing direct transmission of high impact forces to the user's body, thereby reducing ground impact injury risk while maintaining fall arrest effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of braking force application from instantaneous complete stop to controlled progressive deceleration. By using a compliant element that progressively engages during fall, the system transforms the abrupt high-force stopping into a controlled deceleration process, changing the force-time profile to reduce peak impact forces on the user
2Speed
If friction engagement systems are used for speed control, then the trolley can be slowed during fall, but the system becomes complex and may not adequately control fall speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speed control function from a complex active control system and implements it through a passive compliant element (spring or damper). This compliant element inherently provides speed control during fall through its mechanical properties, eliminating the need for complex friction engagement systems or active braking mechanisms while maintaining adequate fall speed control
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant element performs speed control self-service during fall events. Through its elastic or damping properties, it automatically regulates the deceleration rate without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active actuation, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective fall speed control
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 system reduces the user's fall distance and ground impact speed, allowing controlled movement post-fall, enabling users to crawl along surfaces while attached, thereby minimizing injuries and maintaining mobility post-fall.
Implementation Method 1
speed controller selected from the group of one or more than one eddy current brake
Implementation Method 2
background speed controller selected from the group of one or more than one background pre-tensioned gear
Implementation Method 3
background speed controller selected from the group of one or more than one background onset wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A fall control system is described. The fall control system comprises an elongate guide rail extending along an axis, one or more than one trolley for moving along the elongate guide rail, a tether attached to the trolley at a first end, a second end of the tether for attaching to a user, and a speed control system for controlling a speed of the trolley along the elongate guide rail. The speed control system comprises one or more than one speed control track attached to the elongate guide rail and extending along the axis, a background speed controller coupled to the trolley and engaged with the one or more speed control track when the speed control system or the trolley is in a travelling orientation and controlling the speed of the trolley along the elongate guide rail to not exceeded a maximum walking speed.