Personal Height Rescue Apparatus with Controlled Descent Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for rescuing individuals suspended at height after a fall are inadequate, as they often rely on external services with delayed response times, require specialized training, and involve complex equipment setups, posing risks to rescuers and delays in reaching the fall location.
Innovation Solution
A personal height rescue apparatus integrated with the faller's equipment, featuring a load element, harness attachment, and a releasable connector with speed control, allowing for controlled descent to safety without external assistance, designed to withstand dynamic fall arrest loads and be compact and lightweight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external rescue services are used to rescue individuals suspended at height, then rescue capability is provided, but response time is delayed and complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The faller equips themselves with a personal height rescue apparatus that enables autonomous rescue operations. The device includes a releasable connector that transfers load from the fall arrest lanyard to a rescue line, allowing the faller to lower themselves to safety without external assistance. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on external rescue services and dramatically reduces response time.
2Reliability
If external rescue services are used, then rescue capability is provided, but device complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The personal height rescue apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single compact device. It combines a releasable connector for load transfer, a drum mechanism for line deployment, and speed control capabilities. The same device structure serves both fall arrest and rescue functions, eliminating the need for separate complex rescue equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rescue apparatus merges the fall arrest system with the rescue system. The releasable connector integrates both fall arrest lanyard attachment and rescue line attachment functions. The drum mechanism serves dual purposes of line storage and controlled deployment. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies operation.
3Ease of operation
If a releasable connector is used to transfer load during rescue, then controlled descent is enabled, but strength requirements increase to withstand dynamic fall arrest loads
Solution Approach 1:
The releasable connector is designed to dynamically transfer load between the fall arrest lanyard and the rescue line. During fall arrest, the connector withstands dynamic loads through its robust mechanical design. During rescue operations, the connector enables controlled descent by allowing the faller to release and re-engage the connection as needed. The dynamic nature of the connector allows it to adapt to different operational phases while maintaining strength requirements.
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
Enables rapid and safe lowering of the individual to the ground or a safe level, reducing the risk of prolonged suspension and unconsciousness, while being compact, lightweight, and economically viable, with options for manual or automatic operation.
Implementation Method 1
The threshold load is often mechanically determined by friction applied between the drum and it's housing whereby the drum can rotate if, and as long as, the load on the line is sufficient to overcome the resisting load due to the friction.
Implementation Method 2
If the line is extracted from the drum quickly, as would be the condition in a fall event, pawls within the housing engage on the drum and stop the drum from any further rotation until the load on the line due to the pulling action is removed.
Implementation Method 3
the energy absorber is incorporated by folding and then stitching together a part of the length of the lanyard such that when the lanyard is subjected to a sufficient tensile loading between either end, the stitching progressively breaks causing the effective length of the lanyard to extend whilst such tensile loading is sustained thereby absorbing energy.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided height rescue apparatus comprising a casing which incorporates a bracket for attachment to a harness. The bracket can be releasably attached to a load element which is attached to a safety line which in turn can be attached to a secure anchorage. There is also a release means in the form of a pull cord for releasing the load element from the bracket after a fall and speed control means for controlling the rate of deployment of an elongate element stored within the casing and thus controlling the descent of a user.