Fall Protection Harness Connector Web Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety harnesses for fall protection often result in injury or anxiety due to deformation of the back plate during a fall event, leading to an undesirable gap and angle between the user's body and the harness, and may not effectively secure safety devices.

Innovation Solution

A safety harness design featuring a connector with X-shaped straps and a web positioned between the body and the connector, which reduces the likelihood of injury and anxiety by distributing fall forces and preventing connector slippage, while allowing safety devices to be coupled to the connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional back plate connector is used, then the connector can be securely attached to the harness, but the back plate deforms during a fall event causing injury and anxiety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector securityVSAvoidback plate deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can move relative to each other. The first portion remains attached to the harness while the second portion can shift position during a fall, preventing deformation of the back plate and reducing injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is designed with dynamic movement capability between its first and second portions. During normal use, the connector maintains a fixed position for security. During a fall event, the second portion can move dynamically to absorb impact and prevent back plate deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the web is positioned behind the connector, then the gap and angle between the user and harness are reduced, but the connector structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap and angle reductionVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web is integrated with the connector structure, combining the web portion and connector into a unified assembly. This merging allows the web to be positioned behind the connector to reduce gap and angle while avoiding the need for separate complex attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the web distributes forces away from the back plate, then injury risk is reduced, but the web attachment points must be stronger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury risk reductionVSAvoidweb attachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The web attachment points are designed with enhanced local strength and rigidity to handle the forces transmitted during a fall. The attachment points are strategically positioned to distribute loads away from the back plate while maintaining sufficient strength at the connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240342520A1Harness for fall protection

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA INC

AI summary

In various aspects, a harness includes a connector, a first strap coupled to the connector, a second strap coupled to the connector, and a web that is coupled to the first strap and the second strap. The web is positioned at least partially behind the connector.