Parachute Riser Cradle for Force Damping and Operator Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parachutes lack effective mechanisms to prevent injuries to the parachute operator during deployment, particularly due to the transfer of large forces to the neck and head.
Innovation Solution
A parachute assembly featuring a suspension line assembly with a cradle positioned between the risers, which is designed to dampen the forces applied during deployment, and includes horizontal straps for steering and injury prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional parachute suspension lines are used without a cradle, then the parachute structure remains simple, but large forces are transferred to the operator's neck and head during deployment causing injuries
Solution Approach 1:
A cradle structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the suspension lines and the operator's head/neck area. The cradle includes a first cradle portion and a second cradle portion that work together to distribute deployment forces away from vulnerable body parts, thereby protecting the operator without significantly complicating the overall parachute structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle is divided into separate portions (first cradle portion and second cradle portion) that are positioned at different locations relative to the suspension lines. This segmentation allows each portion to independently manage specific force vectors during deployment, improving safety while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If horizontal straps are added for steering control, then navigational capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal straps serve multiple functions: they provide steering control for navigational maneuvering and also act as structural components that help distribute loads within the suspension line assembly. This multi-functionality allows steering capability to be added without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
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 cradle effectively reduces the impact of deployment forces on the parachute operator's neck and head, while the horizontal straps provide navigational control and prevent entrapment injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a cradle disposed between the risers and configured to dampen forces applied to a parachute operator's neck and head during deployment of the parachute assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A suspension line assembly for a parachute assembly, comprising a plurality of suspension lines bound together at a confluence, a first riser (120) extending between the confluence and a first attachment location disposed on a first strap, a second riser (124) extending between the confluence and a second attachment location disposed on a second strap and a cradle (150) disposed between the first riser and the second riser.