Bi-directional Vehicle Arresting System with Retractable Net
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for arresting vehicle movement are primarily uni-directional and not reusable, which limits their effectiveness and safety, especially in bidirectional traffic scenarios and requires significant stopping space, potentially increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Innovation Solution
Bi-directional systems using retractable nets and brake-in-spool assemblies with sheave rollers, where nets can be raised or lowered for deployment, and tapes connect to the net via connectors, allowing for rapid reset and reuse, utilizing energy absorbers to slow moving objects effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uni-directional energy absorbing barriers are used, then the system can arrest vehicles in one direction, but it cannot effectively arrest vehicles traveling in the opposite direction
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate energy absorber assemblies, each positioned on opposite sides of the roadway and configured to operate in one direction. Each assembly independently handles traffic from its respective direction, enabling effective bidirectional arrestment while maintaining the reliability of unidirectional energy absorption design.
Solution Approach 2:
The net structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the energy absorbing element for both directions while the two brake assemblies provide braking force in opposite directions. This multi-functional design allows a single system to effectively arrest vehicles traveling in either direction along the roadway.
2Productivity
If traditional energy absorbing systems are used, then vehicles can be arrested, but the systems cannot be rapidly reset and reused
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assemblies are designed with dynamic components including rotatable spools and retractable nets that can rapidly transition between deployed and retracted states. This dynamic design allows the system to be quickly reset after deployment, enabling rapid reuse and maintaining high system availability for continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and stores the net and brake components after deployment rather than discarding them. The net is retracted into a storage position and the brake assembly is reset, allowing the entire system to be prepared for immediate reuse without requiring replacement of major components.
3Reliability
If extensive stopping space is required, then vehicle arrestment can be achieved, but the space requirements increase the risk of injury to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assemblies apply braking force to the net before the vehicle completes its travel distance, initiating the energy absorption process earlier. This preliminary action allows the vehicle to be arrested within a shorter distance, reducing stopping space requirements while maintaining occupant safety through controlled deceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of stopping distance by using the brake assemblies to apply friction force to the moving net, converting kinetic energy more efficiently. This parameter change allows effective vehicle arrestment in a reduced space, thereby improving occupant safety by limiting the distance over which occupants are exposed to crash forces.
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 solution enables bi-directional arrestment of vehicles with reduced stopping space requirements, enhancing safety by allowing rapid deployment and reuse of the systems, effectively slowing down vehicles in both directions without the need for extensive replacement parts.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of energy absorbers, in the form of brake assemblies, positioned at opposite sides of a roadway, runway, or other to-be-traveled surface
Implementation Method 2
sheave rollers through which the tapes pass rotate suitably to impede motion of the object engaging the net
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for arresting vehicles or other moving objects are detailed. The systems may be bi-directional, so as to arrest vehicles on either side of a barrier. They additionally may be reset for reuse relatively rapidly following deployment.