Guardrail system to protect against hazards caused by objects at the edge of the road

Abstract

The protective plank system (1) comprises a safety device (3) which is sectionally arranged in an area of a dangerous place of a formed object (4) for lane-lateral protective plank arrangement (2). The safety device is arranged on the side of the protective plank arrangement which is turned away from the lane edge.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a guardrail system for securing hazardous areas caused by objects at the edge of the roadway, such as trees, masts or the like, with a roadway-side guardrail arrangement comprising a plurality of posts that can be fixed on the ground and at least one guardrail connecting the posts.

[0002] These types of guardrail systems serve to secure roadways, primarily to prevent vehicles from leaving the roadway and, for example, plunging down an embankment or over a bridge. These systems are particularly important when there are hazardous areas at the roadside that pose an increased risk of accidents and frequently result in especially serious ones. This is particularly true for trees or similar obstacles such as poles along the roadside. Since such objects are often located directly at the edge of the road and cannot be removed for various reasons, such as environmental and nature conservation concerns (in the case of plants), achieving adequate protection is a particular challenge.

[0003] Conventional solutions primarily involve locally reinforcing the guardrail, as can be seen, for example, in EP 0 148 689 A1, DE 201 06 675 U1, and especially DE 10 2004 039 792 B4. However, this results in these known guardrail systems having a relatively high resistance to deformation at this point of danger, which in turn makes the impact on vehicle occupants particularly severe.

[0004] On the other hand, the scope for design in these areas is often very limited, as the hazardous objects are usually located close to the edge of the road, leaving no room for complex systems. Furthermore, landscaping regulations stipulate that no posts may be driven into the ground on either side of a tree to avoid damaging the tree roots. This further restricts the construction options.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved guardrail system for securing such hazardous areas caused by objects at the edge of the roadway, with which, in particular, the impact on vehicle occupants is lower than in the prior art when the objects are very close to the edge of the roadway.

[0006] This problem is solved by a guardrail system with the features of claim 1. This system is characterized in particular by the fact that the guardrail system further comprises at least one safety device which, in addition to the guardrail arrangement on the roadway side, is arranged sectionally in the area of ​​the object constituting a hazard, wherein the safety device is located on the side of the guardrail arrangement facing away from the edge of the roadway, that the safety device and the guardrail arrangement are not connected to each other, and that the safety device has a greater resistance to deformation than the guardrail arrangement.

[0007] The present invention thus provides, for the first time, for the arrangement of two unconnected restraint systems at such a hazardous location. These systems therefore initially operate independently of each other, which is why their behavior in absorbing impact energies can be adjusted particularly well.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous that the guardrail system has a higher resistance to deformation than the guardrail assembly. Due to the comparatively low resistance to deformation of the guardrail assembly on the road side, the impact on vehicle occupants is relatively low. Furthermore, the guardrail typically diverts the impact away from the hazard. In many accident scenarios, this helps to minimize personal injuries.

[0009] Only in the event of a more severe impact does the greater deformation resistance of the safety device come into play, ultimately preventing the even more unfavorable accident scenario of a direct impact with a tree, etc. This results in even better protection for the vehicle occupants.

[0010] Since the guardrail arrangement on the road side is thus supported against the safety device in sections within the area of ​​the hazard in the event of a collision, posts for the guardrail can be omitted or a greater distance between them can be implemented. This makes it possible, for example, to protect the root system of a tree.

[0011] Furthermore, the guardrail system according to the invention allows the additional safety device to be locally limited to a specific danger point, so that the occupant load for impacting vehicles is also only increased locally at the danger point compared to a continuous guardrail, and the effort required for provision and installation can be kept low. It can also be positioned with relative flexibility, for example, when obstacles such as roots or the like are present. In addition, in curves, the less rigid guardrail arrangement on the road side can be adapted to the curve radius, while the rigid safety device can be installed straight due to the separation of the systems.

[0012] Another advantage is that, in the case of multiple obstacles in succession, the safety device can be variably dimensioned and positioned, and is not bound to the usual grid of the staggered guardrail system. Conversely, the guardrail arrangement on the road side can also be designed independently of the safety device and constructed in a continuous, conventional manner.

[0013] The guardrail system according to the invention thus enables improved protection for occupants of vehicles involved in accidents, particularly in areas with hazards caused by trees, poles, or the like, while requiring comparatively little in terms of design, assembly, and cost. Furthermore, it functions fully even in confined spaces and, in particular, allows for the achievement of impact severity level A between the hazards and level B directly in the area of ​​the hazard.

[0014] Advantageous further developments of the guardrail system according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] If deformation elements are arranged on the side of the guardrail assembly facing the safety device, and these elements are pressed against the safety device and supported there in the event of a collision, a particularly favorable impact absorption behavior of the guardrail system according to the invention can be achieved. In this case, these deformation elements are supported against the safety device in the event of a collision, so that after the elastic and plastic deformation work in the deformation elements, the effect of the safety device itself comes into play. This enables a relatively soft absorption of the forces in a kind of first stage of the impact, while in a second stage of the impact a greater supporting effect is achieved, so that the tree, pole, or the like is reliably covered and the vehicle is generally guided away from such an obstacle.

[0016] Furthermore, the deformation elements can have a substantially annular cross-section. Such deformation elements are known, for example, from DE 196 01 377 A1 and have proven their worth in practice. They are particularly suitable for absorbing impact energies, as they initially absorb and then plastically dissipate these energies. It has proven especially effective to install these deformation elements with an upright axis, as this prevents the guardrail from deflecting upwards or downwards, regardless of the direction of impact.

[0017] If the safety device has a profile beam that points towards the guardrail of the guardrail arrangement and is attached at the rear to posts that can be fixed on the ground, it can be provided with particularly little structural effort and yet with the desired stability.

[0018] The posts of the safety device can be arranged at a predetermined lateral distance from the object constituting the hazard. This serves in particular to protect tree roots. According to the invention, it is quite possible to select a lateral distance greater than 1.5 m to the tree, since a reliable support effect in this area can still be achieved through a sufficiently stable design of the profile beam.

[0019] The guardrail system according to the invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures in the drawing. It shows:

[0020] Fig. 1 a perspective view of a guardrail system according to the invention on an object acting as a hazard point;

[0021] Fig. 1. A top view of the guardrail system according to Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 3 a sectional view through the arrangement in the area of ​​the object according to the section line AA in Fig. 2;

[0023] Fig. 4 a sectional view of the guardrail system according to the invention along section line BB in Fig. 2; and

[0024] Fig. 5 a sectional view of the guardrail system according to the invention along section line CC in Fig. 2.

[0025] According to the presentation in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 features a guardrail system 1 a roadside guardrail arrangement 2 as well as a safety device 3 on which is on the side of the guardrail arrangement facing away from the roadway 2 is arranged. The safety device 3 is arranged section by section in the area in which an object 4It is located close to the edge of the road, which constitutes a hazard. In the example shown, this object is... 4 the lower part of two adjacent masts that are fixed in a concrete foundation on the ground side (see Fig. 3).

[0026] The guardrail arrangement 2 has a majority of posts 21 which are fixed on the ground side. They are located in a ground for this purpose. 5 driven in. The posts 21 carry a guardrail 22 , which runs along the edge of the road. The posts are 21 in the area of ​​the safety device 3 omitted; instead, several deformation elements are located here. 23 , which have an essentially circular cross-section and are installed with an upright axis.

[0027] The safety device 3 features a profiled spar 31on, which in the example shown runs parallel to the guardrail 22 a running middle section and two beveled end pieces at the opposite ends, which lead to the guardrail 22 are unwound. Through these unwound end pieces of the profile beam. 31 In the event of a collision, a vehicle will be even more reliably able to avoid the object 4 guided past. The profile spar 31 is with several posts 32 fixed on the ground side.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows the situation directly at the object on average. 4 . This is how it runs here in front of the object 4 the profile spar 31 parallel to the guardrail 22 , wherein between the profile spar 31 and the guardrail 22 a deformation element 23 is arranged. The deformation element 23 is directly against the guardrail 22 coupled. The profile beam 31However, it is not related to the deformation element 23 connected. These two elements are either directly adjacent to each other, or there is a small gap between them.

[0029] In the event of a collision, the guardrail arrangement will be checked first. 2 with the impact energy, whereby this is carried by the guardrail 22 and the deformation element 23 The deformation is absorbed as far as possible through elastic and plastic deformation. The deformation elements are supported by each other. 23 However, as the deformation progresses, it increasingly affects the profile spar. 31 away.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the guardrail system 1 in the area next to an object 4 From this, the profile spar is formed. 31 visible which one is attached to a post 32 is attached. Furthermore, the guardrail is again 22 with a deformation element attached around it23 visible. As already explained, the deformation elements are 23 not with the profile spar 31 connected, but are only adjacent to it.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a cross-section through the guardrail system 1 outside the area of ​​the safety device 3 This shows that the guardrail 22 in this section directly next to a post 21 is attached.

[0032] In the example shown, the profile spar 31 It has a rectangular cross-section and is made of solid steel. It is supported here by four posts. 32 fixed on the ground side, at a clear distance of more than 1.5 m from the object 4 are positioned at a distance. Such a distance is particularly advantageous when the object 4 a tree whose roots, when the posts are driven in 32could be damaged.

[0033] Similarly, the guardrail arrangement 2 in the area of ​​the object 4 no posts 21 so that no damage to the root system may occur as a result.

[0034] The invention allows for further embodiments in addition to the embodiment described.

[0035] This allows the degree of deformation resistance of the safety device to be determined. 3 compared to that of the guardrail arrangement 2 The system can be configured to ensure targeted and appropriate coordination of the individual components, thereby achieving excellent protection. Suitable system settings can be established depending on the application and specific traffic situation.

[0036] The object described 4The hazard may also be a tree, a boulder, or another obstacle. In particular, it is also possible that several such obstacles are located close to each other and are protected by a common safety device. 3 be covered.

[0037] Furthermore, several such safety devices can also be used. 3 along the guardrail arrangement 2 They occur at regular and irregular intervals. This is appropriate, for example, in tree-lined avenues, where trees are located at predetermined intervals along the edge of the road.

[0038] The safety device can also be designed in a different way than shown, as long as it provides reliable support for the guardrail arrangement. 2 at the point of danger, but remains unconnected to it. Thus, the profile spar can 31For example, it may have a different cross-section and / or not contain beveled ends. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the safety device 3 has a profiled spar; alternatively, a solid material can be used.

[0039] Provided that the object in question is a hazard 4 Since it is not a tree or there is no risk of damage to the root system, the posts can be used. 32 the safety device 3 also closer to the object 4 approach. For example, these could also be fixed to a mast's concrete foundation.

[0040] Instead of the deformation elements shown 23Deformation elements with a polygonal cross-section and / or other axial orientation can also be used with annular cross-sections. This is particularly useful when, in the event of a collision, the guardrail needs to deflect upwards, for example, to more reliably prevent a vehicle from sliding over it. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0041] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0042] EP 0148689 A1

[0003] DE 20106675 U1

[0003] DE 102004039792 B4

[0003] DE 19601377 A1

[0016]

Claims

[1] Crash barrier system ( 1 ) to secure danger spots by objects ( 4 ) at the edge of the road, such as trees, masts or the like, with a protective barrier arrangement on the roadway side ( 2 ), which has a plurality of posts ( 21 ) and at least one of the posts ( 21 ) interconnecting crash barrier ( 22 ) having, characterized , that the crash barrier system ( 1 ) furthermore at least one protection device ( 3 ) which, in addition to the roadside crash barrier arrangement ( 2 ) in sections in the area of ​​the object ( 4 ) is arranged, wherein the safety device ( 3 ) on the side of the protective barrier arrangement ( 2 ) exists, that the safeguarding device ( 3 ) and the crash barrier arrangement ( 2 ) are not connected to each other, and that the safeguarding device ( 3 ) a greater resistance to deformation than the crash barrier arrangement ( 2 ) having. [2] crash barrier system according to claim 1, characterized in that on the safety device ( 3 ) assigning side of the crash barrier arrangement ( 2 ) deformation elements ( 23 ) are arranged, which in the event of a collision against the safety device ( 3 ) must be pressed and supported there. [3] crash barrier system according to claim 2, characterized in that the deformation elements ( 23 ) have a substantially annular cross-section and are preferably installed with the axis upright. [4] Protective barrier system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the safety device ( 3 ) a profile spar ( 31 ) has, which on the crash barrier ( 22 ) of the crash barrier arrangement ( 2 ) assigns and on the back to posts that can be fixed on the ground ( 32 ) is attached. [5] crash barrier system according to claim 4, characterized in that the posts ( 32 ) of the protection scheme ( 3 ) at a predetermined lateral distance from the object forming the danger point ( 4 ) are arranged.