Cable Barrier Retention Loops for Controlled Cable Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable barrier systems face challenges in maintaining effectiveness during vehicle impacts, as posts are often bent and cables can be pulled downward, reducing the system's ability to redirect vehicles safely without causing harm to occupants, and existing release mechanisms may not fully address these issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cable barrier system includes a plurality of line posts with cables that are secured and unrestrained in specific radial directions, using hairpin connectors with partial loops to limit cable motion and allow for controlled release from impacted posts, ensuring cables remain above ground level and continue to redirect vehicles effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cables are fully restrained to posts to maintain barrier strength, then the barrier can effectively redirect vehicles, but the posts and cables are pulled downward during impact, reducing system effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retention feature transitions from a fully restrained state to a released state during impact. The partial loop geometry allows cables to be held in normal operation but enables controlled release when posts are impacted, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to impact conditions and maintain effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the restraint parameter of cables during impact. Normally cables are restrained by the partial loop, but during impact the geometric relationship changes allowing cables to be released from post restraint, changing the system's mechanical properties in response to loading conditions.
2Reliability
If release mechanisms are added to allow cable release from posts during impact, then system effectiveness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable retention feature automatically performs the release function during impact without requiring external control mechanisms. The partial loop geometry self-activates when the post is impacted, causing cables to release naturally through the geometric change, eliminating the need for complex controlled release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the release function from complex mechanical mechanisms and embeds it in the simple geometric design of the partial loop. The release capability is inherent in the shape and arrangement of the retention feature rather than requiring separate release mechanisms.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cables are aligned vertically and touching between posts, then space is efficiently utilized, but cables may interfere with each other during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The system has different cable arrangements in different locations: cables are aligned vertically and touching between posts for space efficiency, but are separated at the line posts to prevent interference. This local variation in cable configuration optimizes both space utilization and impact performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable barrier assembly or system can include line posts extending along a barrier section. Cables can extend along the line posts. In addition, each line post can have a total number of cable retention features that is less than a total number of the cables. Each cable retention feature can include at least a partial loop that limits a range of radial motion of a cable extending through an eye of the partial loop, relative to an axis of the cable.