Snap Hook Linkage for Fall-Load Stress Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snap hooks used for fall protection lack effective mechanisms to redirect bending stress during a fall event and provide adequate protection against accidental activation, leading to potential failure in critical situations.
Innovation Solution
A snap hook design featuring a pivoting connection link that redirects forces to a central pivot point, incorporating a deformable material to absorb energy and indicate usage, and an interlocking gate-nose geometry for increased strength, along with a trigger guard to prevent accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional snap hook design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it lacks effective mechanisms to redirect bending stress during a fall event, leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection link is designed to pivot about a central portion of the body, allowing the structure to dynamically redirect bending stresses during a fall event. This dynamic movement enables stress redistribution from the lower portion to the central portion, improving strength without requiring complex static structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The body is divided into distinct portions (upper, lower, and central) with the connection link as a separate movable component. This segmentation allows the central portion to serve as a dedicated stress redistribution point while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If no trigger guard is provided, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but accidental activation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connection link serves as an intermediary trigger guard that physically protects the trigger mechanism. By positioning the connection link to guard the trigger, accidental activation is prevented without requiring a separate dedicated guard component, thus maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
3Strength
If the connection link is rigidly fixed, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but bending stress during fall cannot be redirected, potentially causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection link is pivotally coupled rather than rigidly fixed, enabling it to rotate and redirect forces during a fall. This pivotal connection provides the necessary dynamic stress redirection capability while maintaining relatively simple assembly processes.
4Ease of operation
If the gate and body form a permanently closed configuration, then the hook connection passage is always protected, but access for connection and release is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is designed to pivot between closed and open configurations, allowing dynamic access control. When closed, the gate protects the hook connection passage; when opened, it provides access for connection and release operations. The locking member ensures the gate remains securely closed during normal operation.
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 design reduces bending stress on the snap hook during a fall, ensures safe and ergonomic operation, and prevents accidental triggering, enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the fall protection system.
Implementation Method 1
The upper end of the connection link is pivotally coupled proximate the central portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a deformable material to absorb energy and indicate usage
Implementation Method 3
a spring activated trigger and latch mechanism
Implementation Method 4
a trigger latch mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A snap hook (100) that includes a body, a gate (180), a connection link (200) and a breakable fastener (220) is provided. A central portion of the body is positioned between an upper portion and a lower portion. The gate is pivotally coupled proximate the central portion of the body. The gate and the body selectively forming a closed configuration that defines a hook connection passage and an open configuration that provides access to the hook connection passage. An upper end of the connection link is pivotally coupled proximate the central portion of the body. A lower end of the connection link includes a body connection aperture (203). The breakable fastener couples the lower end of the connection link proximate the lower portion of the body. The breakable fastener is configured to break when a select amount of force is applied to the lower end of the connection link to transfer the force from the lower portion of the body to the central portion of the body.