Nested Tubular Webbing Lanyard for Compact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbing lanyards used in personal fall protection systems face challenges such as abrasion resistance, ease of inspection for compromises, and the difficulty of maintaining compactness while increasing energy absorption capacity.
Innovation Solution
The energy absorbing lanyard features a compact design with an energy absorbing section comprising a first tubular webbing, a second tubular webbing, and an elastic webbing, where the inner tubular webbing is of a bright or contrasting color to visually indicate any abrasions or deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the webbing is made wider or larger to increase energy absorption capacity, then the energy absorption and strength are improved, but the lanyard becomes difficult to work with due to length or bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The lanyard employs nested tubular webbings where an inner tubular webbing is positioned within an outer tubular webbing. This nesting configuration allows multiple layers of energy-absorbing material to be compacted into a space-efficient structure that maintains high strength while remaining manageable in size and easy to handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-layer flat webbing to a three-dimensional tubular webbing structure. By forming the webbing into tubes and nesting them, the design utilizes spatial dimensionality to pack more energy-absorbing material into a compact form factor, improving strength without proportionally increasing bulkiness.
2Volume of moving object
If a single-layer webbing is used, then the lanyard remains compact, but it lacks sufficient abrasion resistance and visual indicators for inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tubular webbing structure provides multiple protective layers within a compact volume. The outer tubular webbing serves as the primary abrasion-resistant layer, while the inner tubular webbing provides backup protection and visual inspection capability, achieving both compactness and enhanced reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tubular webbing is provided in a bright or contrasting color compared to the outer tubular webbing. This color differentiation enables easy visual inspection to detect abrasions or compromises in the outer layer, as any wear would expose the contrasting inner color, thereby maintaining reliability without increasing volume.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer webbing is used, then the lanyard structure is simple, but it lacks visual indicators for easy inspection of compromises
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure adds only one more layer of complexity while providing dual benefits: enhanced protection and visual inspection capability. The inner tubular webbing in contrasting color serves as a built-in inspection indicator, making it easy to detect compromises without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By providing the inner tubular webbing in a bright or contrasting color, the design creates a built-in visual inspection system. Any abrasion or compromise in the outer webbing immediately reveals the contrasting inner color, making defects easily detectable during routine inspections while maintaining relatively simple structure.
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
This configuration enhances the lanyard's abrasion resistance, allows for easy visual inspection for signs of compromise, and maintains a compact form while significantly increasing its energy absorption and strength capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic webbing
Implementation Method 2
resistant to abrasion
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorbing lanyard having a first end couplable to a harness connector, a second end couplable to an anchorage end connector, and an energy absorbing section positioned between the first end and the second end. The energy absorbing section includes a first tubular webbing encasing a second tubular webbing and an elastic webbing.