Collapsible Roadway Traction Device for Icy Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wintry precipitation such as freezing rain, sleet, and snow significantly reduces traction on roadways and bridges, leading to challenges for road vehicles, including sliding and spinouts, which existing technologies like tire chains and studded tires do not adequately address for all vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A road vehicle traction support device with raised surface strips, including angled and bristle strips, applied to roadways using a common pavement-to-rubber adhesive, designed to improve traction and stability by limiting side-to-side motion and providing intermittent traction support, featuring a collapsible support system to accommodate low-clearance vehicles and road equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tire chains or studded winter tires are used, then individual vehicle traction is improved, but these solutions do not address traction for all vehicles and create additional safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary traction device that is applied to the roadway surface itself rather than to individual vehicles. This mediator (the traction device with raised surface strips) provides the traction function for all vehicles passing over it, eliminating the need for vehicles to carry chains or studs and thereby removing the associated safety risks of chain reactions and stud damage
Solution Approach 2:
The traction device is segmented into multiple raised surface strips arranged in specific patterns across the roadway. These segments (strips) work collectively to provide traction for all vehicles, with each segment contributing to the overall traction effect without requiring individual vehicle modification
2Reliability
If raised surface strips are applied to roadways, then traction and stability for all vehicles is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a collapsible support system that allows the raised surface strips to dynamically adjust their height. The supports can collapse to a low profile when not in use and raise to provide traction when needed, reducing the permanent structural complexity while maintaining the necessary traction function
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes in the support system, transitioning between extended and collapsed states. This allows the same physical structure to serve different functions at different times, reducing the need for multiple separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity
3Ease of operation
If raised surface strips are installed to prevent sliding, then vehicle control is improved, but clearance issues may arise for low-clearance vehicles and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible support system allows the raised surface strips to dynamically adjust their height based on the passing vehicle. When a low-clearance vehicle approaches, the supports can collapse to accommodate the vehicle's clearance requirements, then return to the raised position to provide traction control for subsequent vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The support system operates in periodic cycles of extension and collapse. The supports extend to provide traction control, then collapse to allow passage of low-clearance vehicles or equipment, then extend again for the next vehicle requiring traction assistance. This periodic action resolves the conflict between providing traction and accommodating all vehicle types
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
Enhances traction, motorist control, and maneuverability on icy roadways, preventing accidents and ensuring continuous traffic flow by inhibiting sliding and spinouts, while allowing passage of all vehicles without interfering with normal tire operation.
Implementation Method 1
The device can be applied to paved roads using a common pavement-to-rubber adhesive
Implementation Method 2
The device is designed to impede side-to-side motions and sliding often experienced by automobiles that lose traction on icy roadways
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle traction device which may be conveniently attached and applied to roadways that are subject to accumulations of ice, snow, and other wintry precipitation. The vehicle traction device provides a center strip which deters unintended horizontal motion of vehicles as well as skidding, sliding, spinning, and the general loss of traction. The center strip can include a collapsible support system which will allow the center strip to collapse to low height to permit the passage of road clearing equipment or other low clearance vehicles. In addition, the vehicle traction device provides angled strips which deter unintended sliding motion forward or reverse relative to the normal flow of traffic, especially when vehicles are ascending or descending along steeply sloping roadways. Finally, the vehicle traction device further provides bristle strips which help to dislodge ice and other accumulations on vehicle tires which may interfere with vehicle traction.