Self-Retracting Lifeline Extension Limiting Brake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) lack a feature to limit the extension of the lanyard, which is crucial for defining a specific working distance to mitigate fall risks in elevated tasks, despite integrating sensors for safety event prediction and maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A self-retracting lifeline system equipped with sensors to measure distance parameters, a processor to determine a lifeline extension limit, and mechanisms to apply a brake or trigger an alarm when the limit is reached, ensuring safety by locking the lifeline cable or alerting the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are integrated into the SRL to measure lifeline speed, length, and acceleration for predicting safety events, then the ability to detect and predict safety events is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety event prediction capabilityVSAvoidsensor integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the safety monitoring function into separate sensor modules, each responsible for specific parameters (speed, length, acceleration). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each sensor while maintaining overall system reliability for predicting safety events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The SRL device is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors lifeline parameters, predicts safety events, and now also limits lifeline extension through the drum stopper mechanism. This multi-functionality consolidates several safety features into a single device, managing complexity while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the SRL allows unlimited lifeline extension to maximize working distance, then the working flexibility is improved, but the fall risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking distance flexibilityVSAvoidfall risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drum stopper is pre-positioned on the drum to automatically engage when the lifeline reaches a predetermined extension limit. This preliminary positioning of the braking mechanism ensures that before a fall can occur, the system proactively intervenes by applying the brake, thus preventing the harmful effect while maintaining working flexibility within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors lifeline extension through sensors and provides feedback to the control system. When the extension reaches the predetermined limit, the feedback triggers the drum stopper to engage, dynamically adjusting the lifeline length to prevent falls while allowing maximum safe extension during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the SRL continuously monitors safety distances to prevent falls, then the safety is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefall prevention capabilityVSAvoidsensor and monitoring energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous active monitoring, the system uses periodic sampling of lifeline parameters through the integrated sensors. The monitoring occurs at discrete intervals or when threshold conditions are approached, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate safety surveillance to detect falls and trigger the drum stopper mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively limits lifeline extension to prevent falls by automatically locking the cable or alerting the user, enhancing safety and working conditions without continuous monitoring of safety distances.

Implementation Method 1

a laser measurement unit configured to determine the distance parameter having a fall clearance distance and a safety working distance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser measurement: LIDAR

Implementation Method 2

an odometer configured to determine extension of a lifeline cable from the self-retracting lifeline based on the distance parameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational measurement:

Implementation Method 3

applying a brake to the self-retracting lifeline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250090878A1Lifeline deployment limiter for self-retracting lifeline

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS USA INC

AI summary

A system is disclosed. The system comprises a self-retracting lifeline having at least one sensor configured to measure distance parameter with respect to a position of the self-retracting lifeline. A device coupled operationally with the self-retracting lifeline, having a processor and a memory configured to store instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to receive the distance parameter with respect to the position of the self-retracting lifeline; determine a lifeline extension limit based on the distance parameter; and execute one or more operations upon reaching the lifeline extension limit, for a safety event. The one or more operations comprise at least one of applying a brake to the self-retracting lifeline and/or triggering an alarm.