Reversible Anti-Fall Safety Grid for Transport Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The permanent location of the fall arrest safety grid on one side of the support frame in existing road systems causes discomfort during interventions in underground networks, particularly when passing cables, as the grid occupies an upright position that obstructs access.
Innovation Solution
The safety grid can be hinged to either of the two opposite sides of the support frame, allowing reversible mounting, with articulation means such as clevises and lugs that enable self-locking in the upright position and facilitate easy folding, ensuring the grid does not obstruct access when in the standing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the safety grid is permanently mounted on one side of the support frame, then the grid can provide fall protection, but it causes discomfort and obstruction during underground interventions such as cable passing
Solution Approach 1:
The safety grid is designed with a hinge connection that allows it to pivot between a vertical protective position and a horizontal folded position. This dynamic configuration enables the grid to adapt between providing fall protection and clearing the opening for underground interventions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The grid can be temporarily discarded from its protective position by folding it horizontal during interventions, then recovered back to its protective position when interventions are complete. This temporary discarding and recovering allows the system to alternate between protection and accessibility functions
2Ease of operation
If the grid is positioned to clear the opening for access, then intervention is facilitated, but the grid may tip over and fail to prevent falls
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is designed with features that prevent the grid from accidentally tipping over into the opening. This preliminary anti-action measure ensures that when the grid is positioned horizontally for interventions, it remains stable and does not pose a fall hazard, thus maintaining reliability while enabling ease of operation
3Device complexity
If the grid is hinged to one side only, then the structure is simple, but the grid cannot be repositioned to avoid obstruction during interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is designed with universal characteristics, incorporating articulation means on both sides of the support frame. This allows the grid to be mounted on either side depending on the specific intervention requirements, providing versatility while maintaining relatively simple structure through standardized hinge components
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly comprising a supporting frame and a reversible anti-fall safety grid that can be mounted on either of the two opposing sides of the frame in an articulated manner. According to the invention, the safety grid (7) is characterised in that it can be mounted on either of the two opposing sides (2b, 2c) of the frame (2). The invention is applicable in the field of transport infrastructure.