Bollard Interface Plate Asymmetry for Rapid Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bollard systems require extensive and costly replacement processes after catastrophic damage from vehicle impacts, involving excavation and concrete pouring, leading to significant downtime and revenue loss, especially in commercial settings like truck stops.
Innovation Solution
A bollard system with a unique interface plate design that allows the above-grade bollard structure to absorb impact forces, enabling quick replacement without excavating or pouring new concrete, reducing repair time to under 30 minutes and minimizing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional bollard replacement is performed, then the damaged bollard is replaced, but the repair process requires extensive excavation and concrete pouring, leading to long downtime and significant revenue loss
Solution Approach 1:
The bollard system is divided into two distinct segments: a permanent base structure embedded in concrete and a removable bollard structure that sits above ground. The base structure includes a thick interface plate that remains in place, while the bollard structure with its thinner interface plate can be quickly removed and replaced without disturbing the concrete foundation. This segmentation allows the permanent portion to remain while only the damaged portion is replaced, dramatically reducing repair time from days to minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the removable bollard structure from the permanent base structure, allowing the bollard portion to be taken out and replaced independently. The base structure with its thick interface plate remains embedded in the concrete, while the thinner interface plate of the bollard structure is designed to be easily removed. This extraction principle enables quick replacement by simply removing the damaged bollard structure and installing a new one without excavation or concrete work.
2Ease of repair
If traditional bollard replacement is performed, then the damaged bollard is replaced, but extensive concrete excavation and pouring are required, increasing repair costs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bollard system into a permanent base structure and a removable bollard structure, the invention eliminates the need to excavate and replace concrete during bollard replacement. The base structure with its thick interface plate remains permanently embedded, while only the thinner interface plate and bollard structure above ground are replaced. This segmentation principle prevents waste of concrete and associated materials by reusing the permanent base structure indefinitely.
3Ease of repair
If traditional bollard replacement is performed, then the damaged bollard is replaced, but the work area must be cordoned off, causing traffic congestion and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the replacement operation from a multi-day concrete pouring process to a quick bolt-on/bolt-off operation. Since the base structure remains permanently embedded in the concrete, the replacement of the bollard structure can be performed rapidly without requiring extensive cordoning off or closure of the facility. This extraction of the time-consuming concrete work eliminates the need for prolonged traffic control and maintains facility productivity.
4Reliability
If the bollard structure absorbs impact forces, then the base structure is protected from damage, but the interface plate must be designed with different thicknesses to create a skewed interface
Solution Approach 1:
The interface plates are designed with asymmetric thicknesses: the base structure interface plate is thick and remains embedded in concrete, while the bollard structure interface plate is thinner and can be removed. This asymmetric design creates a skewed interface where the thicker base plate protects the permanent structure while the thinner bollard plate absorbs impact forces and can be easily replaced. The asymmetry in thickness is the key design feature that enables both protection and easy replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A bollard system includes a base structure with an elongated portion and an interface plate positioned proximate one end of the elongated portion. The elongated portion extends below a grade level with the interface plate above the grade level. A bollard structure has an elongated portion and an interface plate. The bollard structure interface plate is coupled with the base structure interface plate to form an interface for supporting the bollard structure elongated portion above the grade level. The bollard structure interface plate has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the base structure interface plate so the interface is skewed and the bollard structure absorbs damaging forces and protects the base structure.