Shuttle Clamping Mechanism for Cable Guide Over Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shuttles for climbing protection systems are not suitable for use with cables secured to structures via intermediate supports or brackets, as they cannot be easily moved over these supports, requiring manual passage.
Innovation Solution
The shuttle design includes a frame with a guide structure, clamping member, blocking member, and locking member, allowing the shuttle to be guided along a cable, gripping it upon a user's fall, and featuring a clamping mechanism that can move from a free position to a clamping position, with a blocking member that can transition from a closed to an open position to facilitate removal, and a locking mechanism to prevent unintended opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shuttle uses a traditional clamping mechanism with a closing lever and clamping lever, then the shuttle can securely grip the cable during a fall, but the shuttle cannot be moved over intermediate supports or brackets on the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to be movable between a first position (blocking cable removal) and a second position (allowing cable removal), rather than being fixed. This dynamic element allows the shuttle to transition between different operational states, enabling it to be moved over intermediate supports when needed while maintaining security during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the shuttle body. It mediates the interaction by selectively blocking or allowing cable movement through the guide structure, enabling the shuttle to be detached and moved over intermediate supports when the blocking member is in its second position.
2Reliability
If the blocking member is always in the first position to prevent cable removal, then the shuttle remains securely attached to the cable, but the shuttle cannot be detached or moved along the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member transitions between two distinct positions: a first position where it blocks the cable from being removed from the guide structure, and a second position where it allows cable removal. This dynamic switching capability provides both security during attachment and flexibility for detachment and relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member serves multiple functions: it prevents unintended cable removal during normal operation, allows intentional detachment when moved to the second position, and enables the shuttle to be reattached to the cable after movement. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between security and adaptability.
3Extent of automation
If the clamping lever is rotatably mounted to engage the cable during a fall, then the shuttle can automatically grip the cable, but additional mechanisms are required to control the opening and closing of the clamping lever
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is integrated with the guide structure, merging two functions into a single component. The guide structure guides the cable during normal operation, and the blocking member selectively blocks or allows cable removal by moving relative to the guide structure. This integration reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping lever is designed to automatically engage the cable during a fall through its rotational movement, without requiring external actuation. The blocking member's position controls whether the cable can be removed, but the actual clamping action during a fall occurs automatically through the lever's mechanical response to fall forces.
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
Enables the shuttle to securely grip the cable during a fall and allows for easy attachment and detachment from the cable, including passage over intermediate supports, enhancing user safety and system usability.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping member engages against the elongate support member in the guide structure to resist movement of the shuttle relative to the elongate support member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A rope grab or shuttle (20) is provided for a climbing protection system (10) and includes a frame (22), a guide structure (24), a clamping member (26), a blocking member (28), and a locking member (30). The guide structure (24) is configured to receive a cable (12) and to guide the shuttle (20) along the cable (12). The clamping member (26) is mounted for movement between a free position wherein the shuttle (20) can move freely along the cable (12) and a clamping position wherein the clamping member (26) engages against the cable (12) to resist movement of the shuttle (20) relative to the cable (12). The blocking member (28) is mounted for movement between a closed position blocking removal of the cable (12) from the guide structure (24) and an open position where the blocking member (28) does not block removal of the cable (12) from the guide structure (24). The locking member (30) is mounted for movement between a locked position and an unlocked position. The clamping member (26) is also movable to an opening position from the free position. The locking member (30) in the locked position prevents movement of the clamping member (26) to the opening position. The clamping member (26) is operably engaged with the blocking member (28) to move the blocking member (28) from the closed position to the open position as the clamping member (26) is moved from the free position to the opening position.