Zip Line Trolley Anchor Point for Impact Braking Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing zip line rider trolley designs face issues with stability and safety during impact braking, leading to unintended movements, increased drag, and potential injuries due to the unequal loading of sheaves and lack of constraints on the trolley and rider during deceleration.

Innovation Solution

The design of improved rider trolleys with adjustable anchor points, swinging load arms, and opposition devices that redistribute the load and prevent sheave lifting, ensuring the trolley remains aligned with the zip line during braking, thereby reducing uplift forces and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If impact braking is applied to stop a high-velocity rider, then braking effectiveness is improved, but the trolley tends to swing upward and shift causing injuries and equipment damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking effectivenessVSAvoidtrolley swing and shift

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the anchor point above the zip line to create a counterbalancing effect that prevents the trolley from swinging upward during impact braking. The anchor point's elevated position generates a downward restraining force that counteracts the upward swing tendency, thereby eliminating the harmful effect before it can cause injury or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the anchor point from a traditional lateral position to a vertical dimension above the zip line. This dimensional change transforms the braking geometry, allowing the anchor point to exert both horizontal braking force and vertical stabilizing force, thereby preventing trolley swing while maintaining braking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Speed

If braking force is applied to decelerate the trolley, then stopping capability is improved, but the front sheave can lift off the line causing trolley displacement and component damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeceleration capabilityVSAvoidtrolley alignment with zip line

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the anchor point above the zip line to create a counterbalancing effect that prevents the trolley from swinging upward during impact braking. The anchor point's elevated position generates a downward restraining force that counteracts the upward swing tendency, thereby eliminating the harmful effect before it can cause injury or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the anchor point above the zip line before braking occurs. This advance configuration ensures that when braking force is applied, the stabilizing geometric relationship is already in place, preventing sheave lift-off and maintaining trolley alignment throughout the deceleration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the anchor point is positioned to distribute load equally between sheaves, then normal operation stability is improved, but during braking the unequal loading causes sheave lift-off and trolley rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload distributionVSAvoidbraking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately positioning the anchor point above the zip line rather than symmetrically between the sheaves. This asymmetric configuration creates unequal load distribution during normal operation but generates the necessary downward force component during braking to prevent sheave lift-off and maintain braking stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the anchor point from a traditional lateral position to a vertical dimension above the zip line. This dimensional change transforms the braking geometry, allowing the anchor point to exert both horizontal braking force and vertical stabilizing force, thereby preventing trolley swing while maintaining braking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10046745B2Cable-traversing trolley adapted for use with impact braking

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 TRUBLUE LLC

AI summary

A trolley for traversing a zip line includes a first load-bearing sheave rotatably mounted to one or more side plates, and a second load-bearing sheave rotatably mounted to the one or more side plates and rearward of the first sheave. The trolley also includes an anchor point on the trolley for attaching a payload. When the trolley decelerates, forces acting on the payload create a downward load on the first sheave and the second sheave.