Harness Tensioning Mechanism for D-Ring Positioning and Webbing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection equipment, such as safety harnesses, often have difficult-to-adjust mechanisms and dangling webbing that can lead to improper fitting, increased risk of injury, and snag hazards, particularly when the D-ring is in an awkward position, discouraging users from correctly adjusting the harness.
Innovation Solution
A tensioning device comprising a housing, engaging assembly, rotating member, and elongate member, which allows for adjustable length of the intermediate portion between the tensioning device and the connector, enabling easier adjustment and positioning of the D-ring, and preventing rotation to maintain engagement, thus facilitating secure and intuitive harness adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional safety harness adjustment mechanism is used, then the harness can be adjusted, but the adjustment mechanism is difficult to operate and may allow excess webbing to dangle freely creating snag hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into discrete engagement positions with corresponding receivers, allowing the rotating member to be selectively positioned and locked at specific intervals. This segmentation enables precise control of webbing length while preventing excessive dangling that could create snag hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism transitions from a static fixed-position system to a dynamic rotating member that can be rotated to different positions and then locked. The rotating member with multiple engagement positions allows the user to dynamically adjust the harness fit and then secure the position to prevent unintended movement or dangling webbing.
2Ease of operation
If the D-ring is positioned in an awkward location on the safety harness, then the harness structure is simplified, but it becomes difficult to connect and disconnect the lifeline or lanyard
Solution Approach 1:
The D-ring is made movable relative to the safety harness through the tensioning device, allowing it to be positioned in different locations as needed. This dynamic positioning capability enables the D-ring to be moved to more accessible positions for easier connection and disconnection of the lifeline or lanyard, while the tensioning device maintains structural integrity.
3Reliability
If a tensioning device with rotating member and engaging assembly is used, then precise adjustment and secure engagement are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging member with biasing member automatically engages with the receiver when the rotating member is rotated to the correct position, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex fastening procedures. The biasing member provides automatic engagement force, ensuring secure attachment while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary that provides the necessary engagement force between the rotating member and the receiver. This intermediary component ensures reliable engagement without requiring complex mechanical linkages or high-force actuators, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving secure engagement.
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 tensioning device enhances user safety by allowing for precise adjustment of the safety harness, reducing the risk of improper fitting and snag hazards, while providing a more intuitive and secure method for positioning the D-ring, thereby improving user willingness to correctly adjust the harness and ensuring safer operations.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member urges the engaging member into the engaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A tensioning device could be used in many different applications such as but not limited to a combination safety harness and tensioning device. The tensioning device could be a positioning device and a strap tensioner for the safety harness. The combination safety harness and tensioning device could be used with any suitable tensioning device.