Asymmetric Hook Coupling for Vehicle Barrier Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barrier wall elements for vehicle restraint systems are cumbersome to handle and require high-quality, complex materials for their coupling parts, which are disadvantageous in terms of simplicity and material efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A barrier wall element with a coupling part featuring a first leg with a hook extension and a second leg with a hook extension, allowing for interlocking connection without intermediate pieces, enabling easy handling and even distribution of tensile forces, thus forming a tension-resistant and material-saving design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coupling parts with two different diametrically opposed profiles are used, then interlocking connection is achieved, but handling becomes cumbersome and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part uses two identical asymmetric profiles instead of two different symmetric profiles. Each profile has a hook extension that can engage with the other, allowing the coupling part to be inserted in only one orientation. This asymmetric design ensures reliable interlocking while simplifying handling because the operator only needs to identify the correct insertion direction rather than manipulating complex different profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part is designed to be universal by using identical profiles on both ends. This means the same coupling part can connect to any other coupling part of the same type, regardless of orientation or position in the barrier wall element. This universality simplifies handling and assembly while maintaining reliable interlocking through the hook extension mechanism.
2Strength
If high-quality materials and complex configuration are used for coupling parts, then tensile force resistance is improved, but device complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling part is segmented into two distinct functional elements: the leg that provides structural strength and the hook extension that provides the interlocking mechanism. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently - the leg can be designed for tensile strength while the hook extension is designed for engagement. The identical profile design on both ends further segments the complexity, making the overall configuration simpler while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex different profiles, the invention uses a copied identical profile on both ends of the coupling part. This copying approach simplifies the configuration by reducing the number of unique design elements while maintaining the interlocking function through the hook extension. The identical profiles reduce manufacturing complexity and material requirements compared to conventional different profiles.
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier wall element of a vehicle restraint system includes a coupling part having a first leg which has a free end forming a first hook extension and a sliding surface arranged on a side of the first leg. The side faces away from the first hook extension, and a second leg has a free end forming a second hook extension. When coupling the coupling part to an identical coupling part of another barrier wall element, the first hook extension rests in a first contact region on the second hook extension of a further coupling part. The second hook extension rests in a second contact region on the first hook extension of the further coupling part. The first and second contact regions are spaced from one another in a tensile direction of the tension member by a distance which is smaller than a width of the first leg.