I'm still working on this! I came up with a couple of ideas; I finally figured out where to put the V grooves (like those on a modern BD ATC) so that they're out of the way usually, but engage when needed to serve as a fall backup device. The other idea, I figured out how to put a kink in the rope path that doesn't affect normal cache management functions, but ensures the rope always engages the backup, even in a worst case "free-fall and main device has completely exploded" scenario.
Mr. Rogers' method of using a redirect pulley on his leg that ensures the rope always comes into the cache management/backup device always comes from the same direction is what helped me figure out the rope path kink that solved my "device in a complete free fall" scenario. Thanks Mr. Rogers!
I'll be posting some images later once the 3d print finishes and I get to test the V grooves idea.