Rope Anchoring Device Uniform Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rope anchoring devices face issues with criticalities from casting or welding processes, leading to the need for expensive non-destructive checks and non-uniform contact pressures that increase the risk of rope strand breakage under load.
Innovation Solution
A rope anchoring device comprising sheet metal plates assembled with movable connections and jaws that distribute contact pressure uniformly, eliminating the need for non-destructive checks and enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If casting or welding processes are used to manufacture anchoring device elements, then structural integrity is achieved, but criticalities such as inclusions and cracks are introduced requiring expensive non-destructive checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive casting and welding processes with cold-forming sheet metal processes. This eliminates the risk of inclusions and cracks associated with thermal processes, making non-destructive checks unnecessary. The sheet metal components are formed at room temperature, ensuring material integrity without the defects inherent in casting or welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameters from high-temperature casting/welding to room-temperature cold-forming. This parameter change eliminates the formation of criticalities while maintaining structural integrity, thereby removing the need for expensive radiographic or magnetoscopic inspections.
2Strength
If casting or welding processes are used, then structural integrity is achieved, but expensive non-destructive checks such as radiographic or magnetoscopic surveys are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts cold-formed sheet metal components instead of cast or welded elements. This eliminates the need for expensive non-destructive testing equipment and procedures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining structural integrity through the inherent quality of cold-forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the problematic casting and welding steps from the manufacturing process. By eliminating these thermal processes entirely and replacing them with cold-forming, the patent removes the source of criticalities and the associated expensive inspection requirements.
3Force
If conventional anchoring device elements are used, then connection to fixed point is achieved, but localized contact between rope and elements generates non-uniform specific pressures very high at contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lateral plates with specifically designed contact surfaces that distribute the load uniformly across the rope circumference. The local geometry of these plates is optimized to create evenly distributed pressure zones, preventing the formation of high-stress concentration points that would compromise rope strand integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point or line contact to surface contact by introducing lateral plates with extended contact surfaces. This dimensional change from localized contact to distributed surface contact effectively reduces the specific pressure at any given point, preventing rope strand failure.
4Device complexity
If lateral plates are used in anchoring devices, then connection structure is provided, but resistance to high stresses from rope under load is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining sheet metal lateral plates with cuneiform holding elements. This composite arrangement creates a synergistic system where the lateral plates provide structural framework and the cuneiform elements provide mechanical interlocking and stress distribution, together achieving high stress resistance that neither component could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates movable connections between lateral plates, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to load conditions. This dynamic capability enables the anchoring device to redistribute stresses efficiently under various loading scenarios, significantly enhancing stress resistance while maintaining structural integrity.
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 solution provides a robust, cost-effective anchoring system with uniform pressure distribution, reducing the risk of rope failure and eliminating the need for expensive integrity checks, ensuring longer rope life and improved safety.
Implementation Method 1
The shape of the holding elements is usually cuneiform and is such that, once the rope is interposed, the traction transmitted by the latter provokes a reciprocal reaction of compression, which determines the fact that the end of the rope is tightly hold by the device
Implementation Method 2
containment elements comprise plates or brackets made of appropriately shaped sheet metal and assembled by means of spacing elements and preferably by means of movable connections
Implementation Method 3
The shape of the holding elements is usually cuneiform and is such that, once the rope is interposed, the traction transmitted by the latter provokes a reciprocal reaction of compression
Data Source
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AI summary
Rope anchoring device, comprising a pair of plates (1a), facing parallelly to each other, a cuneiform holding body (2) adapted to be inserted between the pair of plates (1a) and comprising a shaped edge suitable to house a rope (3) wound on it, at least a pair of retaining elements (1d) inserted between the plates (1a) and arranged so as to allow the insertion of the cuneiform holding body (2) between them, to exert a retaining force on a rope interposed between the shaped edge and the retaining elements (1d); the anchoring device comprises two respective pairs of elongated slits (1f) each one of the retaining elements (1d) being inserted in a respective of the pairs of elongated slits (1f) that are configured to constrain the retaining elements (1d) to exert the gripping force; the coupling, between the retaining elements (1d) and the pair of elongated slits (1f), is adapted to allow movements at least in a longitudinal direction of the retaining element (1d), to exert the gripping force on the rope in a uniform manner.