Emergency Barrier Tape Retainer for Low-Force Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary barrier systems do not easily open in emergency situations, as the force required to remove the attaching part of the extendable tape from the retainer is greater than the force needed to topple the posts, posing a risk of the posts falling over when attempting to exit through the barrier.
Innovation Solution
The emergency release barrier system features a retainer with angled, straight retaining walls and a cooperatively shaped attaching part with flexible wings that compress to reduce the width of the attaching part, allowing it to be removed from the retainer by pulling the tape outward, with the force required to do so being less than the force needed to topple the post.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retainer is designed to securely hold the attaching part against horizontal forces, then the barrier reliability is improved, but the ease of operation in emergency situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer design transitions from a static holding mechanism to a dynamic release mechanism. The angled retaining walls create a mechanical system where the attaching part is securely held during normal operation but can be dynamically released by applying force in a specific direction (downward along the angle of the walls), enabling easy emergency operation while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring upward force to release the attaching part (which would be difficult in an emergency), the retainer is designed so that downward force along the angled walls releases it. This inversion of the release direction makes emergency operation intuitive and easy - simply pull the tape downward rather than trying to lift or pry the attaching part free
2Reliability
If the force required to remove the attaching part from the retainer is increased to prevent accidental opening, then the barrier reliability is improved, but the ease of operation in emergency situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer applies different mechanical properties to different directions of force. The angled retaining walls create high resistance to upward or lateral forces (preventing accidental opening) while providing a low-resistance path for downward force (enabling emergency release). This local differentiation of mechanical resistance solves the contradiction between security and ease of emergency operation
Solution Approach 2:
The angled retaining walls act as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the user's pulling force on the tape into a controlled release mechanism. The geometry of the walls mediates between the securing function and the release function, allowing the same structure to provide both high security during normal operation and easy release during emergencies
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
Enables safe and efficient release of the barrier in emergency situations by ensuring the force needed to remove the attaching part from the retainer is lower than the force required to topple the post, preventing accidental post collapse when attempting to exit through the barrier.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second flexible wings can be compressed towards one another by pulling the barrier tape outwards to remove the attaching part from the retainer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an emergency release barrier system (10) comprising a post (11) having at least one retainer (12) and a barrier tape (20) having an attaching part (21) formed at an outer end of the tape. The retainer (12) is open at an upper end, has a first vertical retaining wall (13) at a first side, a second vertical retaining wall (14) at a second side, and a vertically extending opening (15) formed between the first retaining wall (13) and the second retaining wall (14), such that a vertically extending retaining volume (16) is formed between an inner wall (17) of the retainer (12), the first retaining wall (13) and the second retaining wall (14), and a maximum width of the retaining volume (16) is greater than a width of the opening (15). The attaching part (21) of the barrier tape (20) is cooperatively shaped to be removably mounted in and retained in the retaining volume (16) of the retainer (12). The system (10) is characterised in that an outer end of the attaching part (21) is formed of a first flexible wing (22) at a first side and a second flexible wing (23) at a second side, the first and second flexible wings (22, 23) being compressible in a direction towards one another. Further, the attaching part (21) is formed such that when the attaching part (21) is located within the retaining volume (16) the first flexible wing (22) engages with the first retaining wall (13) and the second flexible wing (23) engages with the second retaining wall (14). Thus the first and second flexible wings (22, 23) can be compressed towards one another such that a maximum width of the attaching part (21) becomes less than the width of the opening (15). The system (10) is advantageous in that it provides a barrier system whereby a tape (20) can be removed from a retainer (12) by applying an appropriate outwards force on the tape (20) in an appropriate direction.