Serpentine Anchor Structure for Fall Load Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing static line systems for height safety in construction industries face challenges in managing dynamic loads during falls, which can cause injuries to workers and weaken the system over time, requiring periodic maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
The anchor system incorporates a shock absorbing portion made from sheet metal with serpentine shaped members and a curved profile, designed to progressively distort under sudden loading, providing two levels of shock absorption to dissipate energy from falls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static line system is used to protect workers at heights, then worker safety is improved, but significant dynamic loads during falls can cause injuries to workers and weaken the system over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a shock absorbing portion with serpentine shaped members into the anchor design before any fall occurs. These members are pre-configured to deform and absorb impact energy when a fall happens, cushioning the blow before it reaches the worker and system components. This eliminates the need for separate shock absorbers while providing built-in protection against dynamic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the shock absorption function with the anchor structure by integrating serpentine shaped members directly into the anchor body. This merging of functions means the anchor simultaneously provides both anchoring and shock absorption capabilities, eliminating the need for separate shock absorber components and simplifying the overall system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shock absorbers are added to reduce impact forces, then worker injury is reduced, but the system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shock absorption function into the anchor structure itself through integrated serpentine shaped members. This eliminates the need for separate shock absorber components, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to absorb impact forces and protect workers during falls.
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine shaped members are self-contained within the anchor structure and automatically activate during a fall without requiring external shock absorber components. The anchor serves its own shock absorption needs through its integrated design, eliminating maintenance requirements associated with separate shock absorber systems.
3Reliability
If the anchor structure is made more robust to withstand falls, then system reliability is improved, but the weight and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic serpentine shaped members that remain flexible and lightweight during normal use but automatically engage to absorb impact energy during falls. This dynamic behavior allows the anchor to provide robust fall protection without requiring excessive weight or rigid structural reinforcement that would make installation difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine shaped members change their mechanical properties during a fall, transitioning from a flexible, lightweight state during normal use to a rigid, energy-absorbing state during impact. This parameter change allows the anchor to achieve high reliability during falls without permanently increasing its weight or installation complexity.
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
This design reduces the impact on workers and the anchor system, minimizing injuries and extending the system's lifespan by distributing the force more effectively and preventing concentration of forces at a single point.
Implementation Method 1
the shock absorbing portion is configured to progressively distort under sudden loading
Implementation Method 2
provide a first level of shock absorption in dissipating energy from the sudden loading
Implementation Method 3
the shock absorbing portion is configured to extend under sudden loading in a direction of the sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption in dissipating energy from the sudden loading
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an anchor for anchoring to an elevated worksite. The anchor includes a shock absorbing portion configured to progressively distort under sudden loading, the shock absorbing portion having one or more serpentine shaped members each defining one or more serpentine shaped curves visible from a front view of the shock absorbing portion, the shock absorbing portion having a curved profile defining one or more curves visible from a side view of the shock absorbing portion. The curved profile is configured to progressively distort under sudden loading so as to provide a first level of shock absorption, and the serpentine shaped curves are configured to progressively distort under sudden loading to provide a second level of shock absorption.