Roping Harness Woven Layer Segmentation for Comfort and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roping harnesses face challenges in achieving a balance between comfort and mechanical strength, often requiring bulky adjustment systems and complex manufacturing processes to distribute forces effectively during falls, while also being comfortable for prolonged use at heights.
Innovation Solution
A roping harness featuring a woven layer with a broad and narrow portion, where the woven layer is folded to create a support and overlap portion with common yarns, providing mechanical strength and comfort through a seamless weave and adjustable closure system, allowing for better distribution of forces and ease of implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single webbing of large constant width is used to reduce pressure and improve comfort, then the pressure between webbing and user is reduced, but the stiffness of the webbing limits user comfort and the size becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The single webbing is divided into multiple webbing elements (first webbing element and second webbing element) of smaller widths. This segmentation allows the forces to be distributed across multiple elements while reducing the stiffness and impractical size associated with a single large webbing, thereby improving user comfort without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the harness are designed with different webbing configurations. The webbing elements are positioned and dimensioned to provide appropriate pressure distribution in different areas of contact with the user's body, allowing localized optimization of comfort while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If webbing width is reduced to improve comfort and reduce size, then the size and stiffness are improved, but the mechanical strength to withstand fall forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single narrow webbing, the invention uses multiple webbing elements (first and second webbing elements) that work together to provide the necessary mechanical strength. The segmented structure distributes the fall forces across multiple elements, compensating for the reduced width of individual elements while maintaining overall strength and improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness employs a composite structure combining multiple webbing elements with different characteristics. The first and second webbing elements are positioned and configured to work together, creating a composite system that achieves both the mechanical strength required for safety and the comfort required for prolonged wear.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple straps or cords are arranged over comfort foam to distribute forces homogeneously, then force distribution is improved, but the implementation becomes lengthy and onerous
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing is segmented into specific elements (first and second webbing elements) with defined positions and functions, rather than using numerous cords or straps. This controlled segmentation achieves homogeneous force distribution through a manageable number of elements, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective force distribution during falls.
4Volume of moving object
If the webbing width is varied along the circumference to reduce size in the front part, then the size is reduced, but the manufacturing becomes difficult due to symmetrical width modifications
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than varying the width of a single continuous webbing (which creates manufacturing difficulties), the invention segments the webbing into multiple discrete elements of smaller, uniform widths. This segmentation achieves the size reduction goal while avoiding the complex symmetrical width modifications that complicate manufacturing, as each element can be produced independently with standard widths.
Data Source
AI summary
A harness comprises a woven layer shaped as a ring to form a belt or a leg loop. The woven layer comprises first and second yarns woven to form a weave extending from one longitudinal end to the other. The first and second yarns respectively join the two ends and the two transverse edges. The woven layer presents a longitudinally offset broad portion and narrow portion. The woven layer has at least one fold defining a fold line extending mainly in the first direction to form the narrow portion, with a support portion and an overlap portion folded onto the support portion. The overlap portion and support portion have common first yarns and second yarns.