Tolerance Ring Energy Absorber for Resettable Fall Arrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external energy absorbers in fall protection devices, such as those used in industrial environments, are non-resettable, prone to weather degradation, and limited to fabric materials, which are not as durable as metal or composite counterparts, and often positioned away from the user, increasing the risk of high stopping forces during falls.
Innovation Solution
An external energy absorber featuring a hub with an energy absorbing arrangement including an outer and inner ring, where at least one tolerance ring made of spring steel generates friction between the rings upon rotation, allowing for controlled energy absorption and user resettable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fabric energy absorbing devices are used, then energy absorption is achieved, but durability and weather resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from fabric to metal (specifically aluminum or aluminum alloy), fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve superior durability and weather resistance while maintaining energy absorption functionality through controlled deformation of the metal ring
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorber utilizes composite construction with an inner ring and outer ring that can be made of different materials (e.g., aluminum inner ring with steel outer ring), combining the benefits of lightweight material with high-strength material to optimize both durability and energy absorption characteristics
2Ease of operation
If non-resettable energy absorbers are used, then energy absorption is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic, resettable mechanism where the metal ring can deform during fall arrest and then be manually reset to its original position, transforming the energy absorber from a single-use component to a reusable device that maintains operational reliability through multiple cycles
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the energy absorber after single use, the invention enables recovery and resetting of the metal ring component, allowing it to be reused multiple times while maintaining energy absorption performance, thereby improving ease of operation and reducing replacement frequency
3Force
If energy absorber is positioned away from user, then device complexity is reduced, but force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the energy absorber with the hub assembly by integrating the metal ring directly into the hub structure, eliminating the need for separate positioning arrangements and reducing device complexity while simultaneously reducing stopping force by positioning the energy absorption point closer to the user
4Loss of energy
If friction-based energy absorption is used, then energy absorption efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex friction mechanism from the design and replaces it with a simpler metal ring deformation mechanism, achieving energy absorption through controlled plastic deformation of the metal rather than through complex friction-based systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining energy absorption efficiency
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 provides a durable, resettable, and efficient energy absorption mechanism that reduces the impact of falls by generating controlled friction, improving user safety and reducing the risk of equipment snagging or failure, while being resistant to weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one energy absorbing member is configured to generate friction between the outer ring and the inner ring upon rotation of the hub
Data Source
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AI summary
An external energy absorber may include a hub having a line associated therewith, the line including a first end directly or indirectly attached to the hub and a second end opposite the first end attached to a user, an energy absorbing arrangement directly or indirectly attached to the hub, the energy absorbing arrangement comprising an outer ring directly or indirectly attached to the hub, an inner ring directly or indirectly attached to a housing, and at least one energy absorbing member positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the at least one energy absorbing member is configured to generate friction between the outer ring and the inner ring upon rotation of the hub, and the housing configured to hold the hub and energy absorbing arrangement.