Harness Belt with Removable Comfort Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harnesses for climbing, mountaineering, and ski touring face a trade-off between user comfort, weight, and compactness, often compromising on comfort to reduce weight and increase versatility.
Innovation Solution
A harness design featuring a belt formed by two separate bands creating a housing cavity for removable comfort foams, allowing for adjustable weight and comfort based on the intended use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the belt and leg loops are made thicker to ensure user comfort, then comfort is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The belt is segmented into two separate bands (first band and second band) that are fixed to each other by resistance straps, creating a housing cavity between them. This segmentation allows the comfort foam to be positioned within the cavity while maintaining a lighter overall structure compared to a solid thick belt.
Solution Approach 2:
A comfort foam is introduced as an intermediary element between the first band and second band of the belt. The foam provides the cushioning and comfort function, allowing the bands themselves to be thinner and lighter while still achieving the desired comfort level.
2Weight of moving object
If the belt and leg loops are made thinner to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The comfort foam acts as an intermediary that provides the necessary cushioning function, allowing the belt bands to be thinner and lighter while maintaining comfort. The foam compensates for the reduced thickness of the bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt system combines multiple materials with different properties: the bands (which can be thin and lightweight), the resistance straps (which provide mechanical strength), and the comfort foam (which provides cushioning). This composite structure achieves both weight reduction and comfort.
3Ease of operation
If a single thick harness is designed for maximum comfort, then comfort is improved, but versatility across different activities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance straps are made elastically deformable, allowing the belt structure to dynamically adapt to different usage conditions. The straps can stretch and flex to accommodate various body positions and activity requirements, making the harness suitable for multiple disciplines.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt design with separable bands and resistance straps creates a multi-functional structure that can serve different purposes. The same harness can be used for climbing, mountaineering, and ski touring by adjusting the resistance straps and comfort foam configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple harnesses are carried for different activities, then versatility is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harness is designed as a universal piece of equipment that can be used for multiple activities (climbing, mountaineering, ski touring) through its adjustable resistance straps and comfort foam system, eliminating the need to carry multiple specialized harnesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable resistance straps allow the single harness to adapt its characteristics for different activities, providing the necessary versatility without requiring multiple separate harnesses.
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The rope harness (1) comprises a waist belt and leg loops (4). The waist belt (2) is formed by a first band and a second band separated to define a cavity for at least one comfort pad (9). The first band is an inner band intended to come into contact with the user's back, while the second band is an outer band of the waist belt. The first and second bands are fastened to each other by at least one strength strap mechanically attached to a suspension point. The cavity has at least one opening so that the comfort pad (9) can be removed from the cavity.