Shock Absorbing Anchor Arm Assembly for Fall Arrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection and fall-arresting safety apparatuses for workers at heights lack an effective shock absorbing mechanism in their anchor arm assemblies, which results in inadequate force distribution during falls, potentially causing excessive stress on the user.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorbing anchor arm assembly comprising an arm, connectors, an elongate member, and a shock absorber that elongates to absorb energy, allowing the elongate member to be paid out and reducing the fall distance, thereby minimizing the forces exerted on the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid anchor arm assembly is used, then the support structure reliability is improved, but the arresting force on the user increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a shock absorber that elongates before the fall arrest occurs, creating a cushioning effect that reduces the peak arresting force. The shock absorber is pre-positioned in the anchor arm assembly to absorb impact energy during fall events, thereby reducing the force transmitted to the user while maintaining support structure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the anchor arm assembly from rigid to flexible by incorporating an elongating shock absorber. This parameter change allows the system to dynamically adjust its stiffness, providing rigidity during normal operation but flexibility during fall arrest to reduce peak forces on the user.
2Reliability
If a shock absorber is added to reduce arresting force, then the user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shock absorber component with the existing anchor arm assembly structure, integrating multiple functions (support, elongation, shock absorption) into a unified system. This consolidation reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate components, while still providing the safety benefits of shock absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor arm assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support during normal operation, elongating during fall events, and absorbing shock energy. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated shock absorption devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving user safety.
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 significantly reduces the arresting force on the user by approximately 50%, from 900 pounds to 450 pounds, and allows for flexibility in fall angles up to 90 degrees without interference, providing enhanced safety and comfort during falls.
Implementation Method 1
The shock absorber is configured and arranged to elongate thereby allowing the elongate member to be paid out from proximate the second arm end
Implementation Method 2
a shock absorber that elongates to absorb energy, allowing the elongate member to be paid out and reducing the fall distance, thereby minimizing the forces exerted on the user
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprises an arm, a first connector, a second connector, an elongate member, and a shock absorber. The arm has a first arm end, a second arm end, a bore extending longitudinally through the arm, and an opening proximate the second arm end providing access to the bore. The first connector is connected to the arm proximate the first arm end, and the second connector is connected to the arm proximate the second arm end. The elongate member has an intermediate portion interconnecting a first connecting end and a second connecting end. The first connecting end is connected to the second connector, the intermediate portion extends toward the first arm end and back toward the second arm end, and the second connecting end extends through the opening. The shock absorber has a first portion connected to the first connector and a second portion connected to the intermediate portion.