Lightweight, stiffness-adjustable guardrail posts

Abstract

This utility model discloses a lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post, relating to the field of highway guardrail technology. It includes a post body, limiting blocks, guide components, and ribs. The post body is a steel pipe, and the guide components are annular structures, encircling the inner wall of the post body. Several guide components are fixed parallel to each other and spaced apart on the inner wall of the post body from top to bottom. The guide components have sliding grooves, and the limiting blocks slidably engage with the sliding grooves. The ribs are located inside the post body, with limiting blocks at both the bottom and top of the ribs. The bottom and top of the ribs contact the side surfaces of the guide components, and the limiting blocks and guide components fix the ribs. The ribs have rectangular holes. This invention allows adjustment of the stiffness of the post at the target position according to actual conditions, reducing the amount of structural material used in non-critical locations, achieving the goal of lightweighting the post, and simultaneously reducing the long-term operating costs of the guardrail structure during operation and maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of highway guardrail technology, and more specifically, it relates to lightweight guardrail posts with adjustable rigidity. Background Technology

[0002] During highway operation, to reduce the accident consequences of vehicles veering off the road and to maximize the safety of vehicles and passengers, guardrails are typically installed on sections of the road with higher risk levels to prevent vehicles from veering off the road and thus provide safety protection. Highway guardrails consist of posts and beams. Currently, the posts in highway guardrails are usually made of round or square tubing, with standardized cross-sectional dimensions. During construction, they need to be driven into the ground on-site. Later, during operation and maintenance, the existing structure is usually dismantled and replaced with new guardrail post structures.

[0003] Chinese Patent 202021775405.X discloses an adjustable guardrail, including a handrail, a connecting rod, a guardrail structure, and a support rod structure. The support rod structure includes a ground support rod, a spiral rod, and a rotating block. A connecting rod is provided between two ground support rods. Both the ground support rod and the handrail are hollow. The lower surface of the handrail has a through hole, and the upper end of the ground support rod has a spiral channel block. One end of the spiral rod is screwed into the spiral channel block, and the other end of the spiral rod passes through the through hole of the handrail and is connected to the rotating block. The rotating block is located inside the handrail, and the thickness of the rotating block is equal to the hollow thickness of the handrail. The guardrail structure includes a lower guardrail and an upper guardrail. Users can adjust the guardrail up and down according to their height requirements without having to replace the guardrail due to height issues, saving costs and manpower, increasing the user experience, and enhancing the safety of the guardrail.

[0004] Chinese Patent 202222580782.3 discloses an adjustable road warning guardrail, including a support frame, with fixed tubes fixedly installed on both sides of the support frame, and a support plate fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the fixed tubes. An adjustment component is disposed inside the fixed tubes and used to adjust the height of the road warning guardrail. The adjustment component includes a movable plate movably fitted inside the support plate, a first limiting hole on one side of the support plate, an L-shaped plate fixedly installed on one side of the support plate, and a U-shaped plate fixedly installed on the inner side of the L-shaped plate. A limiting post is movably fitted onto the inner wall of the first limiting hole. Through the coordinated use of the support frame, movable plate, connecting plate, support plate, and fixed tubes, the space occupied during the transportation of the road warning guardrail is reduced, and the number of transportation trips is reduced when transporting road warning guardrails in large quantities.

[0005] When designing guardrail structures based on existing technology, the dimensions of the posts need to be determined based on actual vehicle crash tests. During the tests, due to the bending moment generated by the collision load, the posts typically bend at or below the ground level. This location experiences greater stress and requires higher structural stiffness, thus increasing the post wall thickness accordingly. At other locations on the post, the structural dimensions are the same as at the bending point, but the effect is less significant, resulting in low material utilization. This problem can be addressed by using a variable cross-section design, which increases the structural wall thickness at a fixed location to improve stiffness. However, this method only improves stiffness at fixed locations; if the bending position of the post changes due to road paving or other reasons, the location for stiffness improvement cannot be adjusted.

[0006] With changes in road traffic conditions and an increased proportion of large vehicles, the protective objectives of guardrails have changed, often necessitating upgrades and modifications. Since the post structure has fixed dimensions, the existing posts no longer meet the required rigidity and must be replaced with more rigid posts, increasing the operating cost of the guardrail structure. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a lightweight, stiffness-adjustable guardrail post, which can adjust the stiffness of the post at the target position according to the actual situation, reducing the amount of structural material used in non-critical positions, achieving the goal of lightweighting the post, and reducing the long-term use cost of the guardrail structure during operation and maintenance.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a lightweight, rigid, and directional adjustable guardrail post, including a post body, limiting blocks, guide members, and ribs. The post body is a hollow steel pipe structure, and the guide members are annular structures. Several guide members are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the post body from top to bottom in parallel and at intervals. Each guide member is arranged around the inner wall of the post body. The side surface of the guide member is provided with a groove. The limiting block is engaged with the groove and slides horizontally along the groove. The ribs are vertically arranged inside the post body. Limiting blocks are provided on the bottom and top surfaces of the ribs. The bottom side surface of the ribs is in contact with the side surface of the guide members, and the top side surface of the ribs is in contact with the side surface of the guide members. The limiting blocks and guide members fix the ribs. The ribs are provided with rectangular holes.

[0009] Preferably, the top and bottom surfaces of the limiting block are symmetrically provided with protrusions to form a horizontally placed T-shaped structure, and the protrusions are engaged in the sliding groove and slide horizontally along the sliding groove.

[0010] Preferably, the top surface of the limiting block is provided with an upward-facing slot, and the bottom end of the rib plate is engaged in the slot.

[0011] Preferably, a positioning element is provided above the rib plate, and the bottom surface of the positioning element is provided with a snap-fit ​​part. The snap-fit ​​part is snapped into the slot to limit the horizontal direction of the limiting block, and the four sides of the positioning element are attached to the four inner vertical surfaces of the guide element.

[0012] Preferably, bolt holes are provided on the side face of the limiting block, and the bolts pass through the limiting block and are screwed onto the guide.

[0013] Preferably, the rib is an integral structure composed of one or more X-direction steel plates, one or more Y-direction steel plates, or one or more X-direction steel plates welded together with one or more Y-direction steel plates, with both sides of the X-direction steel plate and both sides of the Y-direction steel plate in contact with the side facade of the guide member.

[0014] Preferably, a snap-fit ​​connector is fixedly connected to the side of the limiting block by bolts. The bottom of the snap-fit ​​connector is provided with a positioning groove, which snaps into the end of the rib plate to limit the rib plate.

[0015] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows:

[0016] 1. This utility model strengthens the guardrail by setting several guides and limiting blocks inside the guardrail post, and setting holes in the ribs. The ribs can be fixed at different heights of the post by the limiting blocks and guides according to the actual situation, thereby locally strengthening the post. The stiffness of the post can be dynamically adjusted by changing the thickness of the ribs, the height of the ribs, the size of the holes in the ribs, and the height of the ribs in the post. This solves the problem that the guardrail post cannot be used due to the fixed size during the upgrading and renovation, and reduces the long-term use cost of the guardrail structure during operation and maintenance.

[0017] 2. This utility model strengthens the local rigidity of the guardrail post by using guide components, limiting blocks, and ribs. It can increase the local rigidity of the post in areas with large stress deformation and easy bending, while reducing the structural thickness in areas with small stress and deformation. This avoids increasing the rigidity of the post along its entire length, thus reducing the overall material usage and weight of the guardrail structure. It strengthens key areas while improving material utilization, achieving a lightweight design for the post. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional front view of the column in Embodiment 1;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of one structural form of the rib plate in Embodiment 1;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another structural form of the rib plate in Embodiment 1;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the positioning component in Embodiment 1;

[0022] Figure 5 These are the three views of the limiting block in Embodiment 1;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional front view of the column in Embodiment 2;

[0024] Figure 7 These are the three views of the limiting block in Embodiment 2;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation status of the column;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the card connector;

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Column body; 2. Limiting block; 21. Protrusion; 22. Slot; 3. Guide component; 31. Slide groove; 4. Rib plate; 41. Hole; 5. Positioning component; 51. Snap-fit ​​part; 52. Handle; 6. Bolt; 7. Snap-fit ​​part; 71. Positioning groove; 8. Ground. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, to more clearly illustrate the connection structure between the limiting block 2 and the rib plate 4, the steel plate in the other direction is not drawn. The lightweight, stiffness-adjustable guardrail post includes the post body 1, the limiting block 2, the guide component 3, and the rib plate 4. The post body 1 is a rectangular tube. (The text repeats itself here.) Figure 2-3 As shown, the guide member 3 is annular and runs along the inner wall of the column body 1. Several guide members 3 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the column body 1 from top to bottom in parallel and at intervals. The side surface of the guide member 3 is provided with a sliding groove 31, which is a C-shaped groove. The side surface of the limiting block 2 is fixedly connected to the snap-fit ​​member 7 by bolts. The positioning groove 71 below the snap-fit ​​member 7 precisely holds the top of the rib plate 4, thus limiting the position of the rib plate 4.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, the top surface of the limiting block 2 is provided with a slot 22. The bottom end of the rib plate 4 is engaged in the slot 22, and the top end rests on the bottom surface of the limiting block 2. The bottom surface of the limiting block 2 is flat. The top and bottom surfaces of the limiting block 2 are symmetrically provided with protrusions 21, which are engaged in the sliding groove 31 and slide horizontally along the sliding groove 31.

[0032] Rib 4 is vertically installed inside the column body 1. In this embodiment, rib 4 can be a single or multiple X-axis steel plates, a single or multiple Y-axis steel plates, or an integral structure welded together with a single or multiple X-axis steel plates and a single or multiple Y-axis steel plates. The top of each steel plate is pressed down by two limiting blocks 2, and the bottom is supported by two limiting blocks 2. Rib 4 is vertically limited by the limiting blocks 2 at the top and bottom. When rib 4 is an integral structure of X-axis and Y-axis steel plates, rib 4 is horizontally limited by the guide members 3 at the top and bottom. When rib 4 has only X-axis steel plates or only Y-axis steel plates, a snap-fit ​​member 7 is required to limit the top of rib 4.

[0033] To prevent the limiting block 2 at the top of the rib plate 4 from shifting during use, a positioning element 5 is placed above the limiting block 2. The four sides of the positioning element 5 fit precisely against the four side surfaces of the guide element 3, thus the guide element 3 horizontally limits the positioning element 5. The bottom surface of the positioning element 5 has a locking part 51. The size of the locking part 51 fits precisely within the slot 22, thereby horizontally limiting the limiting block 2 at the top of the rib plate 4. The number and arrangement of the locking parts 51 are designed according to the number and arrangement of the rib plates 4. It should be noted that to maintain the stability of the positioning element 5, based on the principle of three points determining one surface, there should be at least three locking parts 51. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows two structural arrangements of rib 4. Among them... Figure 4 Positioning component 5 in the middle is with Figure 3 The rib 4 is compatible with the positioning piece 5. For ease of installation and disassembly, a handle 52 can be provided on the positioning piece 5. When the rib 4 has only an X-axis steel plate or only a Y-axis steel plate, the bottom limiting block 2 of the rib 4 needs to be fixed with bolts 6. Regardless of the structural form of the rib 4, the top limiting block 2 can be fixed with bolts 6 instead of the positioning piece 5.

[0034] The dimensions of the holes 41 on the rib plate 4, as well as the rib plate height and thickness, are determined based on simulation technology and experiments. At the construction site, lines are laid out according to the column spacing, and the columns are driven into the subgrade soil according to the laid-out positions. The specific height position of the rib plate 4 within the column body 1 is determined based on structural calculations and experiments. Then, the bottom limiting block 4 is slid along the sliding groove 31 to the corresponding position. If the rib plate 4 only has X-direction steel plates or only Y-direction steel plates, the bottom limiting block 4 needs to be fixed with bolts 6, and then the bottom end of the rib plate 4 is inserted into the slot 22 of the bottom limiting block 2. Finally, the top limiting block 2 is moved to the top of the rib plate 4 to block it. Finally, the snap-fit ​​part 51 on the bottom surface of the positioning piece 5 is inserted into the slot 22 of the top limiting block 2, ensuring that the top limiting block 2 does not shift. Alternatively, bolts 6 can be used to fix the top limiting block 2. The top and bottom limiting blocks 2 vertically limit the rib plate 4. If rib 4 is an X-axis or Y-axis steel plate, the top of rib 4 is secured with snap-fit ​​fitting 7. This achieves localized stiffness enhancement of the column. Later, the height of rib 4 within the column body 1 can be adjusted as needed to achieve positional adjustment of the column's localized stiffness enhancement. If necessary, the size of the hole 41 and the thickness and height of rib 4 can be changed to adjust the stiffness of rib 4 itself, thereby achieving directional dynamic adjustment of the column's stiffness.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the structure of the limiting block 2 and the structure of the rib plate 4. For example... Figure 6 As shown, to more clearly illustrate the connection structure between the limiting block 2 and the rib plate 4, the steel plate in the other direction is not drawn. The top surface of the limiting block 2 has the slot 22 removed, forming a T-shaped structure. The upper and lower ends of the rib plate 4 directly abut against the planes of the upper and lower limiting blocks 2. In this embodiment, the positioning component 5 is no longer needed to limit the horizontal direction of the top limiting block 2; each limiting block 2 is fixedly connected to the guide component 3 by a bolt 6 to achieve horizontal limitation. The rib plate 4 is vertically limited by the top and bottom limiting blocks 2. In this embodiment, the rib plate 4 cannot be only a single or multiple X-direction steel plates, nor can it be only a single or multiple Y-direction steel plates; it must be formed by welding X-direction steel plates and Y-direction steel plates to form a cross structure. It can also be a grid structure. There can be two or more X-direction steel plates and two or more Y-direction steel plates. The number of X-direction steel plates and Y-direction steel plates is determined according to actual needs. Since the four edges of the rib plate 4 abut against the four side surfaces of the guide member 3, the rib plate 4 will not move or rotate horizontally within the column body 1. In this embodiment, during installation, the bottom limiting blocks 2 at the corresponding positions of the X-direction and Y-direction steel plates in the rib plate 4 are first slid into place and then fixed with bolts 6. Then, the rib plate 4 is inserted into the column body 1 from top to bottom, and the corresponding top limiting blocks 2 are slid into place and fixed with bolts 6. Installation is very convenient.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, the structure of the limiting block 2 is the same as that in Embodiment 2. Compared with Embodiment 2, the limiting block 2 only adds two threaded holes, which are used to connect the snap-fit ​​component 7. The hole in the middle of the limiting block 2 is used to connect the guide component 3 to fix the limiting block 2. In this embodiment, the rib plate 4 has only X-direction steel plate or only Y-direction steel plate, and snap-fit ​​components 7 are installed on the limiting blocks 2 at the top and bottom of the rib plate 4. The snap-fit ​​component 7 and the guide component 3 together restrict the horizontal movement of the rib plate 4, and the limiting block 2 restricts the vertical movement of the rib plate 4, thereby achieving local stiffness enhancement of the column.

[0039] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this utility model, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of this utility model, should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lightweight, stiffness directionally adjustable guardrail post, characterized by, The system includes a column body (1), a limiting block (2), a guide (3), and a rib plate (4). The column body (1) is a hollow steel pipe structure. The guide (3) is a ring structure. Several guides (3) are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the column body (1) from top to bottom in parallel and at intervals. Each guide (3) is arranged around the inner wall of the column body (1). The side surface of the guide (3) is provided with a groove (31). The limiting block (2) is engaged with the groove (31) and slides horizontally along the groove (31). The rib plate (4) is vertically set inside the column body (1). A limiting block (2) is provided on the bottom surface of the rib (4) and the top surface of the rib (4). The bottom side surface of the rib (4) is attached to the side surface of the guide (3), and the top side surface of the rib (4) is attached to the side surface of the guide (3). The limiting block (2) and the guide (3) fix the rib (4). A rectangular hole (41) is provided on the rib (4). The top and bottom surfaces of the limiting block (2) are symmetrically provided with protrusions (21) to form a horizontally placed T-shaped structure. The top surface of the limiting block (2) is provided with an upward-opening slot (22).

2. The lightweight, stiffness directionally adjustable guardrail post of claim 1, wherein, The protrusion (21) is engaged in the groove (31) and slides horizontally along the groove (31).

3. The lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom end of the rib (4) is engaged in the slot (22).

4. The lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post according to claim 1, characterized in that, A positioning element (5) is provided above the rib plate (4). The bottom surface of the positioning element (5) is provided with a snap-fit ​​part (51). The snap-fit ​​part (51) is snapped in the slot (22) to limit the horizontal direction of the limiting block (2). The four sides of the positioning element (5) are attached to the four sides of the guide element (3).

5. The lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Bolt holes are provided on the side of the limiting block (2), and the bolt (6) passes through the limiting block (2) and is screwed to the guide (3).

6. The lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rib (4) is an integral structure composed of one or more X-direction steel plates, one or more Y-direction steel plates, or one or more X-direction steel plates welded together with one or more Y-direction steel plates. Both sides of the X-direction steel plate and both sides of the Y-direction steel plate are in contact with the side facade of the guide (3).

7. The lightweight, rigidity-adjustable guardrail post according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​component (7) is fixedly connected to the side of the limiting block (2) by bolts. The bottom of the snap-fit ​​component (7) is provided with a positioning groove (71). The positioning groove (71) is snapped onto the end of the rib plate (4) to limit the rib plate (4).

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