Rotatable Gas Container Mounting for Vacuum Anchor Tangling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum anchor systems used in fall protection systems can experience tangling and accidental disconnection issues due to the pressurized gas bottle interfering with the lanyard, leading to potential vacuum release during worker movement.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum anchor design where the gas container is rotatably mounted with the attachment means, ensuring the gas inlet is coaxial with the rotational axis, preventing interference and allowing free movement without tangling, and featuring a quick connection mechanism for the gas container to the anchor body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gas container is rigidly fixed to the anchor body, then the connection is stable and secure, but the lanyard becomes tangled with the gas container during worker movement
Solution Approach 1:
The gas container is mounted on a rotatable support structure that allows it to rotate freely about a vertical axis. This dynamic mounting enables the container to move with the lanyard during worker movement, preventing tangling while maintaining secure connection through rotational freedom rather than rigid fixation.
2Productivity
If the gas inlet is positioned away from the rotational axis, then the gas flow path is optimized, but the attachment means cannot rotate freely without causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
A rotatable support structure acts as an intermediary between the gas inlet and the gas container. This intermediary component rotates with the container, maintaining continuous alignment of the gas inlet with the container's gas outlet port throughout the rotation range, thereby enabling both free rotation and uninterrupted gas flow.
3Volume of moving object
If the gas container is mounted close to the attachment means, then the structure is compact, but the gas container interferes with the lanyard during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The gas container is mounted on a rotatable support that allows it to dynamically adjust its position during worker movement. The container can rotate to follow the lanyard's movement path, maintaining a compact overall structure while eliminating interference through rotational adaptability.
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
Prevents tangling and accidental disconnection of the gas container, ensuring continuous vacuum application and secure attachment to the surface during worker movement, enhancing safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum source commonly utilises a pressurised gas supply connected to a venturi, which creates a suction force to draw the base against the surface to which it is mounted.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum anchor for securing a fall protection system to a surface has a gas inlet to receive pressurized gas from a gas container and generates a vacuum to secure the anchor to a surface. An attachment enables a fall protection system to be connected to the anchor, the attachment being rotatably mounted to the anchor. A container mounting device is provided for mounting the gas container to the anchor in connection with the gas inlet, the container mounting means being rotatable with the rotatable. Alternatively or additionally, the gas inlet is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the attachment means.