Holonomic Fall Arrest Platform with Sensor-Driven Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personnel fall arresting systems restrict movement and require frequent reconnection or relocation, leading to increased fall distances and operational inefficiencies, especially when working outside the designated area.
Innovation Solution
An automated human personnel fall arresting system featuring a holonomic base platform with a movable boom arm and sensors, allowing for automatic adjustment and tracking of the operator's movement in two orthogonal translational directions and one rotation direction, enabling unrestricted movement while maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fall arresting systems use fixed structures with limited coverage area, then safety control is simplified, but operator movement is restricted and frequent reconnection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The fall arresting system transitions from fixed static structures to a mobile robotic platform that can dynamically reposition itself. The holonomic base platform with omnidirectional movement capabilities allows the system to actively track and follow the operator, providing continuous safety coverage without requiring the operator to reconnect or the system to be relocated manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated sensors and control mechanisms that enable it to autonomously detect operator position and adjust its own positioning. The robotic platform self-manages the safety coverage area by autonomously navigating to maintain optimal positioning relative to the operator, eliminating the need for manual intervention or system relocation.
2Reliability
If conventional systems require predetermined cable payout for operator movement, then fall arrest capability is maintained, but operator can swing or fall further than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors that continuously monitor operator position and system state, providing real-time feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback loop enables the robotic platform to dynamically adjust tether length and positioning, maintaining precise fall arrest control while allowing operators to move freely within safety parameters without excessive cable payout or swinging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable fall arresting systems are used for transport between job sites, then system mobility is improved, but setup and dismantling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic fall arresting system autonomously navigates and positions itself at each work location without requiring manual setup or dismantling. The system's self-propelled capabilities allow it to transport itself between job sites and automatically deploy safety coverage, eliminating the time-consuming processes of assembly and disassembly associated with traditional portable systems.
4Area of stationary object
If unportable fall arresting systems cover large areas with horizontal rails, then coverage area is increased, but system size and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed extensive horizontal rail structures with a mobile robotic platform that achieves large area coverage through autonomous movement. Instead of building permanent infrastructure spanning the entire work area, the compact robotic system dynamically extends its coverage by navigating to different positions, providing equivalent protection with significantly reduced structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated human personnel fall arresting system including a holonomic base platform, a boom arm movably mounted to and depending from the base platform, at least a portion of the arm being movable in three degrees-of-freedom relative to the base platform, a tether supported by the arm, an operator harness coupled to the tether so as to be dependent from the arm, at least one sensor disposed on the arm and configured to sense movement of the portion of the arm in two degrees-of-freedom of the three degrees-of-freedom, and a controller mounted to the base platform and communicably coupled to the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to automatically control position of the base platform in two orthogonal translational directions and one rotation direction controlled independently from translation, relative to the operator harness, based on signals from the at least one sensor.