Fall Arrest Traveller Actuating Lever Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for preventing falls, such as those used in ladders on high-rising structures, often experience jamming issues with the braking device after activation, making it difficult to release the brake bodies from the guide rail, which complicates handling and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The safety system incorporates a runner with a housing, brake body, and actuating lever that allows manual release of jammed brake bodies by moving the actuating lever in the opposite direction of the fall, featuring a bolt-guided actuating mechanism and a centrifugal clutch for independent activation, along with a locking element to prevent unintended release, ensuring the brake body can be moved from the braking to the release position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake body is pressed against the guide rail by the actuating lever to prevent relative movement, then the safety system effectively stops the fall, but the brake body becomes jammed in the guide rail and difficult to release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by enabling the actuating lever to be moved in the opposite direction (upward beyond the first position) to release the brake body from the guide rail. The elongated hole in the actuating lever allows the bolt to strike the opposite end, reversing the braking action and pulling the brake body away from the guide rail surfaces that caused jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the actuating lever to move between multiple positions (first position for normal operation, second position for braking, and third position for release). The elongated hole enables the lever to dynamically adjust its position and the brake body to be moved in and out of contact with the guide rail surfaces, transforming a static jammed state into a dynamic release mechanism.
2Productivity
If the actuating lever is moved to activate the brake body, then the braking function is engaged, but unintended activation can occur without proper control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action through the locking element that prevents the actuating lever from moving beyond the first position under normal conditions. This preliminary restriction counteracts any unintended forces or movements that might accidentally trigger the brake, ensuring that only deliberate actions can activate the braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves as an intermediary between the actuating lever and the brake body activation. It mediates the movement of the actuating lever by blocking unintended motion paths while allowing controlled movement to the second position for intentional braking, thus preventing accidental activation while maintaining rapid response capability.
3Force
If the brake body is designed to firmly engage with the guide rail surfaces, then braking effectiveness is improved, but release and repositioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by using the same actuating lever mechanism to both engage and disengage the brake body from the guide rail. By moving the actuating lever to the third position (upward beyond the first position), the bolt strikes the opposite end of the elongated hole, reversing the engagement action and pulling the brake body away from the guide rail surfaces, thus enabling easy release after firm engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the brake body to transition between static engagement states (firmly pressed against guide rail surfaces during braking) and dynamic release states (moved away from surfaces by upward lever movement). The elongated hole in the actuating lever provides the mechanical range for this dynamic transition, allowing the brake body to be repositioned easily after engagement.
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
This configuration allows for reliable and efficient release of jammed brake bodies, ensuring the safety system can return to a fully functional state after a fall, preventing unintentional releases and maintaining operational readiness.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel that permanently rolls on the guide rail and is connected to a centrifugal clutch. When a limit angular speed of the wheel is exceeded, the centrifugal clutch engages and transmits the rotational movement of the wheel to the brake body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a traveller for a safety system comprising a guide element, said traveller having a housing which guides the guide element, a brake body and an actuating lever that is connected to the brake body and that has a stop element for securing a safety element connected to the person to be secured. By moving the actuating lever from a first position into a second position, the brake body can be moved from a release position, in which the traveller can be moved along the guide element, into a braking position, in which the brake body prevents or decelerates a relative movement between the traveller and the guide element by being in contact with the guide element. The brake body can be transferred from the braking position into the release position by moving the actuating lever back from the second position towards the first position.