Collapsible Smart Speed Bump Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speed bumps are either permanently obstructive, difficult to maintain, or expensive, and lack the ability to adjust their height or deactivate when not needed, which can lead to safety issues and inefficient traffic management.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible smart speed bump with an elevation mechanism that can adjust between a minimum and maximum height, driven by a motorized actuator and transmission system, featuring a wedge mechanism for vertical movement and an elastic coating for impact cushioning, allowing for complete retraction and adaptive operation based on traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional speed bumps are used, then they are inexpensive and require little maintenance, but they always constitute an obstacle in the road even when not necessary and complicate traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The speed bump is designed with a motorized actuator that enables dynamic adjustment of the bump height between a raised position (for speed reduction) and a lowered position (flush with the road surface). This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions, eliminating the permanent obstruction problem of conventional fixed speed bumps while maintaining speed reduction effectiveness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of height to control its function. By adjusting the height parameter between two states (raised and lowered), the speed bump can switch between active speed reduction mode and inactive mode (flush with road), providing adaptability to different traffic scenarios without compromising reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manually collapsible speed bumps are used, then they can be retracted, but they require tools and manual operation which is not practical for frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation system (requiring tools and human intervention) is replaced with an automated motorized actuator system. This substitution enables automatic height adjustment without manual intervention, making frequent operation practical and convenient while maintaining the retractability feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The speed bump system performs self-adjustment through the motorized actuator, which automatically raises or lowers the bump based on control signals. This eliminates the need for external manual operation and tools, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate for frequent adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If active flow restriction speed bumps with operable valves are used, then they can regulate resistance according to vehicle speed, but they are expensive and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The complex valve and flow control mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simpler motorized height adjustment system. The speed adaptation function is achieved by physically raising or lowering the bump height rather than by regulating fluid flow through valves, significantly reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent avoids using pneumatic or hydraulic flow restriction systems (which require complex valves and fluid control) by employing a direct mechanical height adjustment system. This eliminates the need for fluid-based resistance regulation and its associated complexity, achieving speed adaptation through geometric adjustment instead.
4Ease of operation
If the elevation mechanism uses high-powered actuators to support vehicle load, then the speed bump can be raised and lowered, but it increases cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge mechanism is pre-configured with inclined surfaces that provide mechanical advantage. When the actuator pushes the wedge, the inclined geometry automatically multiplies the force, enabling the actuator to lift the heavy platform with minimal power. This preliminary mechanical design reduces the power requirement before the actual lifting action occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the actuator to directly support the full vehicle load, the wedge mechanism distributes and transforms the force requirement. The actuator only needs to exert partial force on the wedge, which then converts this partial action into sufficient lifting force for the entire platform, reducing actuator power requirements.
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 smart speed bump effectively reduces vehicle speed, is easy to maintain, and can be fully retracted when not needed, adapting to varying traffic conditions while supporting vehicle load without high-powered actuators, thus being cost-effective and safer.
Implementation Method 1
The elevation mechanism has a first upper wedge (26) arranged in the upper portion of the fastener (28)... which transforms the longitudinal movement of the fastener (28) into movement... resulting in greater vertical movement than if there were just one set of wedges
Implementation Method 2
featuring a wedge mechanism for vertical movement and an elastic coating for impact cushioning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Collapsible smart speed bump, with a platform (12) that crosses the road (2), which can move upwards and downwards vertically, driven by an elevation mechanism arranged below the same, connected, by means of a transmission system (32) to an actuation system (33). The elevation mechanism has a fastener (28) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the platform (12), which, driven by the actuation system (33) by means of the transmission system (32) is displaced across the road (2) and; at least a first wedge (26) fixed outside of the fastener (28), its inclined face being arranged longitudinally in the direction of the fastener (28), which comes into contact with the inclined face of at least a second wedge (24) fixed inside the box (8), in such a way that the longitudinal movement of the fastener (28) is transformed into a vertical movement of the platform (12).