Single-Use Force Damper With Plastic Deformation Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall mitigation force dampers are not designed for single-use safety, as their integrity cannot be verified after initial use, leading to potential ineffective performance when arresting different masses, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A force damper with a housing, driving member, and resilient members made from materials that undergo plastic deformation upon force arrest, ensuring single-use functionality and safety by imparting a second force on a stop, with components like compression springs and Belleville washers providing damping and visible deformation indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a force damper is designed for reuse, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but safety reliability deteriorates because integrity cannot be verified after initial use
Solution Approach 1:
The force damper is designed as a single-use disposable device that is discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for complex integrity verification systems while ensuring safety reliability, as the device cannot be reused after its energy-absorbing components are depleted.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates visual indicators (such as color changes or visible deformation markers) that clearly show whether the force damper has been used. This simple indication mechanism allows users to verify device status without adding complex monitoring systems.
2Reliability
If a force damper uses elastic deformation only, then the device can be reused, but safety reliability worsens because the same damper may not perform effectively for different falling masses
Solution Approach 1:
The force damper incorporates resilient members that undergo plastic deformation at specific force thresholds. This allows the device to adapt to different falling masses by permanently changing its mechanical properties after use, ensuring that each device is optimized for its specific application rather than attempting universal reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
By designing the force damper as a single-use device with plastic deformation characteristics, the system ensures reliable performance for each specific falling mass without requiring complex adaptation mechanisms for different weights.
3Reliability
If a force damper is designed for single-use with plastic deformation, then safety reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force damper uses simple plastic deformation mechanisms in resilient members that are inexpensive to manufacture. The device is designed to be discarded after one use, eliminating the need for complex recovery or resetting systems while maintaining high safety reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Visual indicators using simple color-change materials or deformation markers provide clear usage status indication without adding complex manufacturing steps or expensive components.
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 force damper effectively arrests falling forces over a reduced range, ensuring safety by ensuring single-use functionality and allowing users to verify if the device has been previously used, thus addressing regulatory and worker safety concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient member is formed from a material that at least partially undergoes plastic deformation when the first force is arrested
Implementation Method 2
The resilient member is disposed between the stop and the third surface and imparts a second force on the stop toward the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
A force damper arranged to progressively arrest a first force imparted by an object moving in a first direction is disclosed. The force damper includes a housing enclosure having a first housing end and a second housing end. The first housing end includes a first connection point, and the second housing end includes an opening. A driving member is disposed within the housing enclosure and includes a first shaft end, a second shaft end, and a shaft therebetween. The first shaft end includes a stop and the second shaft end includes a second connection point. A compressible member is disposed within the housing enclosure between the stop and the opening. The compressible member is formed from a material that at least partially undergoes plastic deformation when the first force is arrested and imparts a second force on the stop toward first housing end.