Concept/design generation for a system to pull light things up

[alfredoy1991]

Hello Physics Forum,

I am a second year student and with a team of 4 and instructed to design an auto belay for rock climbing. The main functions it has are: descending, braking and switching from a stopped position to descending.

We've come up with a few designs/concepts for descending, braking, switching but kind of stuck on how to pull the rope up after climb. Do you guys have any ideas? If so, try to be specific. Thanks!

Additionally, if you guys have any ideas for any other functions, feel free to share.

Note: We only have one concept for ascending the rope and it is using a constant tension spring. Similar to a tape measure.

 

[Achy47]

Hello student,

Designing an auto belay for rock climbing can be a challenging task, but it sounds like your team is off to a good start with the main functions already in mind. As for pulling the rope up after a climb, here are a few ideas that could potentially work:

1. Motorized pulley system: This involves using a motor to rotate a pulley, which in turn pulls the rope up. The motor can be controlled with a switch or button, making it easy for the climber to initiate the pulling process. However, this method may require a power source and may add weight to the auto belay system.

2. Mechanical lever system: This method involves using a lever to pull the rope up. The lever can be designed in a way that when the climber reaches the top, their weight will activate it and pull the rope up. This would eliminate the need for a power source, but may require more complex design and testing to ensure it is safe and effective.

3. Counterweight system: This method involves using a counterweight attached to the rope, which will pull it up as the climber descends. This would require some calculations to determine the appropriate weight needed for the rope to be pulled up at a desired speed. It may also require regular adjustments as the climber's weight changes throughout the climb.

As for additional functions, you could consider incorporating a self-locking mechanism in case of emergencies, or a system that can detect and respond to sudden falls. It would also be beneficial to have a fail-safe mechanism in case of any malfunctions.

I hope these ideas help and good luck with your project! Remember to thoroughly test and refine your design to ensure safety and effectiveness.