Barrier Cable Anchor With Wedge Tensioning for Concrete Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barrier cable anchor systems lack a secure and efficient mechanism for coupling barrier cables to concrete members, particularly in ensuring reliable tensioning and anchoring, which can lead to instability and potential failure under vehicular or pedestrian impact.
Innovation Solution
A barrier cable anchor system comprising an anchor body with a retainer, collar, nut, and wedges, where the collar is slidably positioned within the anchor body, and the nut engages the collar to increase tension in the barrier cable, utilizing tapered wedges to enhance retention and a spring for additional stability, allowing for secure coupling to concrete members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier cable anchor system is used to couple barrier cables to concrete members, then the barrier cable can be restrained and tensioned, but the system may lack sufficient stability and resistance to removal under vehicular or pedestrian impact
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is inserted into a drilled hole in the concrete member, creating a nested configuration where the anchor system is housed within the concrete structure. This nesting provides mechanical interlocking and prevents removal, thereby improving both anchoring reliability and resistance to removal under impact loads
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier cable anchor system is divided into distinct functional segments: the anchor body for concrete embedding, the collar for cable engagement, and the retainer for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall system reliability and strength
2Ease of operation
If existing anchor mechanisms are used to tension barrier cables, then cable restraint is achieved, but the tensioning mechanism may be inefficient or difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed to slide along the barrier cable within the anchor body, providing a dynamic adjustment mechanism. This sliding action allows for easy tensioning and positioning of the cable without complex fastening operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor system allows the barrier cable itself to serve as the tensioning medium, where the cable's own tensile strength is utilized to create the restraining force. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate tensioning devices or complex mechanisms, simplifying both operation and device complexity
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
The system provides a secure and efficient means to couple and tension barrier cables to concrete members, enhancing stability and resistance to removal, thereby improving safety and durability by ensuring consistent anchoring and tensioning.
Implementation Method 1
one or more wedges positioned within the inner surface of the collar... a nut that engages the collar... The wedges may be tapered
Implementation Method 2
a spring positioned between the cap and the one or more wedges
Implementation Method 3
The retainer body may be a threaded pin that engages a threaded inner surface of the anchor body, a threaded box that engages a threaded outer surface of the anchor body
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier cable anchor may include an anchor body including an inner surface, a retainer having a retainer body and the retainer body being retained to the anchor body, a collar having an outer surface and an inner surface and being at least partially within the anchor body, one or more wedges positioned within the tapered inner surface of the collar, and a nut engaging the collar and retained to the anchor body. The retainer may include a pin end retained to the inner surface of the anchor body and the nut may include a threaded outer surface so that rotating the nut within the anchor body advances the retaining collar and thereby tensions the barrier cable.