Anchorless Crash Cushion Stabilizing Structure for Impact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based non-anchored crash cushions inefficiently absorb energy during vehicle impacts, as they rely heavily on frangible plastic formulations that fracture early, limiting compressive force absorption and pressure buildup.
Innovation Solution
The anchorless crash cushion apparatus employs interconnected water-filled elements with stabilizing metal straps and a metal midnose structure to resist rotation and vertical movement, allowing for increased compressive resistance and efficient energy absorption by maintaining element alignment and distributing compressive forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional crash cushions are anchored to rigid structures, then stability is improved, but installation flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The crash cushion employs a dynamic stabilization system where stabilizing legs can be positioned and adjusted based on terrain conditions. The legs transition from a stored position during transport to an extended position during deployment, adapting to different installation environments while maintaining stability without requiring permanent anchoring structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing legs act as intermediary elements between the crash cushion and the ground surface. These legs provide a stable base by distributing the load across multiple contact points with the terrain, eliminating the need for direct anchoring to rigid structures while maintaining operational stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If crash cushions require complex anchoring systems, then stability is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing system is segmented into multiple independent legs that can be individually deployed and positioned. Each leg functions as an independent stabilizing element, allowing the system to achieve stability through distributed support rather than a single complex anchoring mechanism. The legs can be stored compactly during transport and quickly deployed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing legs are self-deploying structures that utilize the crash cushion's own weight and the natural terrain to achieve stabilization. The system does not require external anchoring structures or complex installation equipment - the legs automatically provide stable support when extended and positioned on the ground surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If crash cushions are designed for permanent installation, then stability is improved, but mobility and repositionability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing legs provide dynamic stability that can be quickly deployed and just as quickly retracted. This allows the crash cushion to be repositioned or relocated without permanent installation, maintaining stability during operation while enabling mobility when needed. The system transitions between mobile and stable states as required.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing legs are designed as temporary, non-permanent support structures that fulfill their stabilizing function during the operational period and then can be easily retracted and relocated. Rather than permanent anchoring structures, the legs provide sufficient stability for the duration of use and can be moved with the crash cushion to new locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances energy absorption by maintaining element alignment under high pressure, allowing for more efficient absorption of vehicle impact energy, reducing debris and hazards, and bringing vehicles to a controlled stop in a shorter distance with improved occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
stabilizing legs (324) that contact the ground (304) at multiple spaced apart locations
Implementation Method 2
stabilizing legs (324) that contact the ground (304)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An anchorless crash cushion apparatus having a plurality of interconnected water-filled crash cushion elements and a non-water filled forward-most cushion element includes vehicle capture structure resisting upward tilting of a frontally impacting vehicle and ramping of the frontally impacting vehicle and stabilizing structure resisting relative rotation between the crash cushion elements in both vertical and lateral planes during vehicle impact, External elongated deformable structural members extend along the sides of the crash cushion elements and bend outwardly away from the crash cushion elements during frontal vehicle impact.