Alignment Tool for Highway Barrier Modules on Curved Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for aligning highway barrier modules atop retaining walls are inefficient as they require heavy equipment to maintain alignment, and cannot adjust modules to form a straight line on non-straight retaining walls.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a flat base and elongate bolts, allowing for flush and longitudinal alignment of adjacent barrier modules, enabling them to form a straight line even on non-straight retaining walls, without the need for heavy equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If heavy equipment is used to align barrier modules, then alignment can be achieved, but time and cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment tool as an intermediary device between the barrier modules and the heavy equipment. This tool includes a base plate positioned on the retaining wall, elongate arms extending from the base plate, and alignment marks that facilitate precise positioning. The tool acts as a mediator that enables workers to achieve accurate alignment without requiring heavy equipment to remain at the site for each alignment operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If elongate boards and through bolts are used to align modules, then adjacent modules can be flushed aligned, but the modules cannot be adjusted to form a straight line on non-straight retaining walls
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a base plate for positioning on the retaining wall, elongate arms for reaching across the module junction, and alignment marks for indicating the correct position. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling both flush alignment of adjacent modules and longitudinal alignment to form a straight line, even when the retaining wall is non-straight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flush alignment (using boards and through bolts to align modules side-by-side) to three-dimensional alignment by adding vertical and longitudinal components. The elongate arms extend in multiple dimensions from the base plate, allowing workers to adjust modules not only for flush alignment but also for longitudinal alignment along the retaining wall, creating a straight line even on curved surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If heavy equipment operator remains at the site for each alignment, then precise alignment can be achieved, but billing costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is designed to be self-sufficient, allowing workers to perform alignment operations independently without requiring the heavy equipment operator to be present at each site. The tool includes all necessary components (base plate, elongate arms, alignment marks) that enable workers to achieve precise alignment using manual operations and simple tools like wrenches, making the system self-service capable and eliminating the need for continuous heavy equipment presence.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for aligning barrier wall modules atop a retaining wall includes a flat base transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the retaining wall. The flat base is positioned between adjacent barrier wall modules disposed in end-to-end relation to one another atop the retaining wall. The flat base includes a central part, first and second flat arms and first and second elongate bolts secured to and extending from respective free ends of the first and second flat arms in opposite directions. First and second nuts screw-threadedly engage the first and second bolts. First and second housings slidingly ensleeve the first and second arms and the first and second bolts respectively. The first and second housings abut first and second sides of adjacent barrier modules when the first and second nuts are advanced and control positioning of the barrier modules atop the retaining wall.