Horizontal Lifeline Shuttle With S-Shaped Pin Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal lifeline systems face challenges in user comfort, cost, and production variability, which affect the secure connection and smooth movement of workers along elevated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal lifeline shuttle apparatus with a fixed jaw and moveable jaw, featuring dual 'S-shaped' moveable pin grooves and a rotatable attachment portion, which mitigates production variability and eliminates the need for external locking mechanisms, allowing for secure cable retention and seamless movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional horizontal lifeline shuttles are used, then basic cable connection is achieved, but production variability affects connection reliability and user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle apparatus is designed to self-align and self-adjust through the interaction between the moveable pin and the S-shaped grooves. The vertical portion of the grooves provides a nominal position where the moveable pin naturally settles, automatically compensating for production variability without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The S-shaped groove profile changes the geometric parameters of the pin-groove interaction. By introducing curvature and varying the groove orientation along its length, the design accommodates a range of pin positions while maintaining reliable cable connection, effectively transforming rigid dimensional requirements into a more tolerant geometric relationship.
2Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are added to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retention mechanism is self-actuating through the mechanical interaction between the moveable pin and the S-shaped grooves. When cable tension is applied, the pin naturally moves along the groove path and engages the vertical portion, creating a self-locking effect that secures the cable without requiring separate locking components or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts and eliminates traditional locking mechanisms from the system. By using the S-shaped groove geometry to provide inherent cable retention, the patent removes the need for separate locks, clips, or fastening devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining secure connection.
3Reliability
If bulky locking mechanisms are used to ensure secure attachment, then connection reliability improves, but user comfort and ease of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By removing traditional bulky locking mechanisms and replacing them with the integrated S-shaped groove system, the design eliminates protruding components and complex hardware that would interfere with user movement and comfort. The compact groove-based mechanism provides secure attachment without physical bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable retention and movement guidance functions are merged into the single S-shaped groove structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate locking components and movement guides, creating a streamlined apparatus that maintains secure attachment while minimizing interference with user comfort.
4Reliability
If multiple moveable pin grooves are used to control pin range of motion, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but production variability effects are mitigated
Solution Approach 1:
The S-shaped groove profile transforms rigid positional requirements into a flexible geometric constraint system. The curved path allows the moveable pin to accommodate variations in groove positioning and dimensions while maintaining stable operation, effectively decoupling pin position stability from high-precision manufacturing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontal lifeline shuttle apparatus is provided. The horizontal lifeline shuttle apparatus includes an attachment portion, a body portion, and a cable channel. The body portion is configured to at least partially surround a portion of a cable so as to retain the portion of the cable within a cable channel The attachment portion is configured to move relative to the body portion based at least in part on the motion of the moveable pin fixedly secured thereto. At least a portion of the moveable pin is disposed within each of a plurality of moveable pin guide grooves positioned within the body portion such that a range of motion of the moveable pin is defined at least in part by the plurality of moveable pin grooves. At least one of the plurality of moveable pin grooves comprises a vertical portion.