Suicide proof ceiling fan

Kaustubh Katdare · 2013-06-18T18:45:48+00:00

Here's a project idea for mechanical engineering students. How about designing a ceiling fan that is suicide proof but will offer exceptional level of reliability during day-to-day operations? The ceiling fan was invented by Philip H Diehl, a German engineer in 1892 and I'm sure he had no idea that people would find out other, unintended uses of it - to hang themselves to death. In the meanwhile, a doctor from MP, India has invented such a fan; but I'm still looking forward to some innovative designs that improve the reliability. Would appreciate if someone can post actual CAD. What say?

Suicide proof ceiling fan

Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator

Updated: Oct 18, 2024

Views: 1.1K

Here's a project idea for mechanical engineering students. How about designing a ceiling fan that is suicide proof but will offer exceptional level of reliability during day-to-day operations? The ceiling fan was invented by Philip H Diehl, a German engineer in 1892 and I'm sure he had no idea that people would find out other, unintended uses of it - to hang themselves to death.

In the meanwhile, a doctor from MP, India has invented such a fan; but I'm still looking forward to some innovative designs that improve the reliability. Would appreciate if someone can post actual CAD.

What say?

0

Replies

Howdy guest!

Dear guest, you must be logged-in to participate on CrazyEngineers. We would love to have you as a member of our community. Consider creating an account or login.

Replies

Anoop Kumar

Member • Jun 18, 2013

A suicide proof fan😨,
Well it will definetly cost more than regular fans and if any one going to pay more for Suicide Proof Fan, what should it mean😲
By the way I saw a very unusual video today😘

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Ramani Aswath

Member • Jun 19, 2013

How about this?

#-Link-Snipped-#

Bladeless, light weight plastic device. Shape unsuitable to attach a rope. Even if someone contrived to attach one and hang from it, all that will happen is a fall from the traditional stool, a possible sprained ankle and a whack on the head from the falling plastic pieces for the attempted misdemeanour.
A real innovation.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Jun 20, 2013

A.V.Ramani
How about this?

#-Link-Snipped-#

Bladeless, light weight plastic device. Shape unsuitable to attach a rope. Even if someone contrived to attach one and hang from it, all that will happen is a fall from the traditional stool, a possible sprained ankle and a whack on the head from the falling plastic pieces for the attempted misdemeanour.
A real innovation.
That's definitely an interesting concept. Assuming that the life of an average ceiling fan about 15 years (?), I'd definitely want something that can fit with existing ceiling fans so that people don't commit suicides with it.

Looking forward to more comments.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Hamlet

Member • Jul 11, 2013

Very creative idea. But if anyone wants to die, its very difficult to restrain him from that.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
zaveri

Member • Jul 19, 2013

some kind of a strain gauge and a sensor, can be attached at the shackle assembly of the fan to gauge the overall weight of the fan.

when a person hangs, the overall weight may increase ten fold, and this will open all the joints causing the fan to fall from the ceiling.

but then that again may hurt the user, fatally.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
zaveri

Member • Jul 19, 2013

to be honest, i think this is not feasible nor practical in the first place.

no offense meant, but i think this idea has generated more from a philantropic point of view rather than, an engineering point of view.

the ceiling fan is not the only tool for committing suicide. if a person cannot hang himself from a fan, then he will try some other means of ending his life.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
zaveri

Member • Jul 19, 2013

what
Kaustubh Katdare
Here's a project idea for mechanical engineering students. How about designing a ceiling fan that is suicide proof but will offer exceptional level of reliability during day-to-day operations? The ceiling fan was invented by Philip H Diehl, a German engineer in 1892 and I'm sure he had no idea that people would find out other, unintended uses of it - to hang themselves to death.

In the meanwhile, a doctor from MP, India has invented such a fan; but I'm still looking forward to some innovative designs that improve the reliability. Would appreciate if someone can post actual CAD.

What say?
what is the mp doctor's innovation.?

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Ramani Aswath

Member • Jul 20, 2013

#-Link-Snipped-#

Simplest option is to change the bolt that is used to suspend the fan from the hook to a shear bolt. This is standard mechanical engineering practice as a safety feature to protect machinery from damage in case of excess torque or tension. The bolt is stable for the weight of the fan at full load and when off. It shears when an extra weight (of the potential suicide) comes on it.
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shear_pin" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Shear Pin</a>

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
zaveri

Member • Jul 20, 2013

A.V.Ramani
#-Link-Snipped-#

the most absurd thing i have ever come across !

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Nayan Goenka

Member • Aug 11, 2013

But who will even expect that some one staying in that room is going to commit suicide by hanging from a fan. And why will anyone buy such a device to lower your morale. Plus you know that we have tendency to function in opposite direction. If you know you cannot suicide makes you crazy to do it. 😛

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Shah Sharath

Member • Sep 20, 2013

ITS BEST IDEA to be in all school/college hostel and in hotels too

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Shah Sharath

Member • Sep 20, 2013

if we make a idea to make the fan's rod to heat automatically when tha fan's head load increase it cut the rope

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Nayan Goenka

Member • Sep 20, 2013

@#-Link-Snipped-# . I like the innovation you are putting in this project but why do you think my friend that any one would want to buy such fans under the name "Suicide-proof". The name itself is discouraging and provoking. It can be deployed as rather under some other concept which would make it a more useful product. I m sure you can come up with something.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Ramani Aswath

Member • Sep 20, 2013

Looks as though even some of the existing fans are suicide proof:
<a href="https://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1662328" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Clipping of The New Indian Express Group - The New Indian Express-Bengaluru</a>

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Sep 20, 2013

Gravity kills everyone.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel
Sarathkumar Chandrasekaran

Member • Sep 21, 2013

Yes no one ever want a ceiling fan with the name of suicidep proof fan.If they want to build it, They had to make it mandatory.
If a person decidea to die, I think there are many ways to do it so it is better to induce positiveness in people.

Are you sure? This action cannot be undone.
Cancel