Breakaway Base Roller Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakaway bases for road columns often fail to release when impacted at distances from the base, particularly on downward slopes, due to high friction and potential corrosion, leading to increased bending moments and risk of column breakage.
Innovation Solution
The integration of metal rollers between the foot flange and carrier plate reduces friction, with the rollers arranged perpendicular to the road edge to enhance release functionality, and a thin intermediate sheet with holes to secure bolts and maintain roller position, preventing deformation and seizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a thin intermediate sheet is used between the dishes to prevent bolts from working out, then the bolts are secured against vibration, but the intermediate sheet is easily broken out due to its thinness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite construction where a thin intermediate sheet (0.7mm galvanized steel) is combined with a thicker outer dish (3mm steel). The thin intermediate sheet provides vibration resistance while the thicker outer dish provides structural strength and protection against breakage.
2Reliability
If the breakaway base uses a friction-based release mechanism, then it can release upon impact, but the friction is relatively high causing increased bending moment at the base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rollers as intermediary elements between the dishes. These rollers reduce the friction coefficient during release, allowing the breakaway base to release more easily upon impact while reducing the bending moment transmitted to the column base.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the breakaway base is designed with high friction between dishes, then it maintains stability during service, but it may seize due to corrosion between the dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The rollers act as intermediary elements between the dish surfaces, separating them physically and preventing direct contact that would lead to corrosion and seizing. The rollers maintain stability during service while enabling reliable release when needed.
4Reliability
If multiple rollers are arranged between the dishes to reduce friction, then the release function is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the friction reduction function into multiple discrete roller elements distributed between the dishes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable release functionality while using simple, standardized components that are easy to manufacture and install.
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
Ensures reliable release of the breakaway base during impacts at various distances and reduces the risk of seizing due to corrosion, enhancing the durability and effectiveness of the breakaway mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
rollers particularly of metal are used as friction reducing elements. Multiple rollers are arranged between the dishes (foot flange and carrier plate) to reduce the friction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Breakaway base for road columns (11) , wherein a carrier plate (21) is mounted on a carrier (19) being anchored in the ground. The plate (21) is carrier for a foot flange (14) at the lower end of the column (11). The carrier plate (21) and the foot flange (14) being connected with at least two axially arranged fastening bolts (18) secured with nuts. At least one of the foot flange (14) and the carrier plate (21) has notches (17, 23) for the bolts (18) allowing the release of bolts at sideward impact. An element, particularly an intermediate sheet (27) with holes (29) for the fastening bolts, is arranged to keep the bolts (18) in place under normal use. Multiple friction reducing elements (26) are arranged to reduced the friction at sideward slip between said two parts.