Rope Descent Brake with Progressive Friction Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing descent control devices are prone to sudden and hard stops, which can damage the rope and potentially harm the person or parcel being lowered, especially if the controller is not alert or attentive.
Innovation Solution
A descent control device with a housing that includes a channel with a curvature of at least 180 degrees, featuring a non-concentrically rotatable element that increases friction as it moves from a free position to a stop position, automatically decelerating and stopping the rope without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a descent control device automatically stops the rope when the rate passes a given limit, then the safety is improved, but the rope may be substantially weakened or damaged and the stop may hurt the person or parcel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a deceleration phase before the final stop. The friction element first increases friction to decelerate the rope gradually, then engages the locking mechanism to stop the rope. This two-stage process cushions the impact and avoids sudden hard stops that would damage the rope or injure the person/parcel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the friction element engage first to decelerate the rope before the locking mechanism activates to stop it. This preliminary deceleration action prepares the system for the final stop, reducing the harmful effects of the stopping force on the rope and the person/parcel.
2Ease of operation
If the controller manually controls the descent rate, then the operation flexibility is improved, but the safety is reduced if the controller is terrified or not alert
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the descent control device to automatically monitor its own operation and activate the stopping mechanism when the descent rate exceeds the predetermined limit. The device serves itself by detecting abnormal conditions and taking corrective action without requiring continuous human intervention, thus maintaining safety even when the controller is not alert.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating a sensor or detection mechanism that monitors the descent rate and provides feedback to the control system. When the rate exceeds the predetermined limit, the feedback triggers the locking mechanism to stop the rope, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures safety automatically.
3Speed
If the rope is decelerated and stopped due to pressure acting on a given position of the rope, then the stopping function is achieved, but the rope may be seriously harmed and break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using a friction element to gradually decelerate the rope before the locking mechanism engages. This distributed friction force along the rope prevents concentrated pressure at a single point, avoiding rope damage while achieving the stopping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing a friction element as a mediator between the moving rope and the locking mechanism. The friction element gradually increases friction to decelerate the rope, acting as an intermediary that transfers energy smoothly and prevents sudden pressure spikes that would harm the rope.
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 device effectively decelerates and stops the rope without causing damage, ensuring safety by automatically engaging the stop position if the user is not actively controlling the device, and allowing for one-handed operation.
Implementation Method 1
an element is arranged in the centre of the curvature, limiting the inner radius of the channel through the curvature. The element is non-concentrically rotatable between a free position and a stop position... The width of the channel accommodating the rope is narrower along substantially its whole length through the curvature when the element is in stop position, than it is when the element is in free position
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a descent control device comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises a rope entrance and a rope exit located at opposite sides of the housing, a channel having at least one curvature of at least 180 degrees, for accommodating the rope internally in the housing, and an element arranged in the center of the curvature, limiting the inner radius of the channel. The element is non-concentrically rotatable between a free position and a stop position, and provided with an arm protruding out through the housing for controlling the rotating between free and stop position. The channel in the curvature is narrower along substantially its whole length when the element is in stop position than in free position.