Construction Vehicle Safety Mechanism Using Treadle Buffers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety mechanisms for vehicles, such as cameras and sensors, are ineffective in stormy conditions and have limited detection areas, leading to accidents, especially when maintenance is required, and alarms may not be heard by individuals near the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A safety mechanism comprising a treadle and flexible buffers mounted on vehicles to prevent objects or people from entering the vehicle's path, which can trigger the brakes and send alerts, even in obscured conditions, and can be used on semi-automated or automated vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cameras and sensors are used to detect individuals, then accident prevention capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates when sensors become obscured by mud, dust, or fail during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent installs physical buffers and treadles beforehand as a mechanical safety system that provides immediate protection without relying on sensor functionality. These components are positioned to make contact with objects or individuals before the vehicle can cause harm, creating a redundant safety layer that operates independently of electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical buffers as intermediary components between the vehicle and potential obstacles/individuals. These buffers serve as a mechanical mediator that absorbs impact energy and triggers safety responses, providing a reliable detection and protection mechanism that does not depend on optical or electronic sensor systems.
2Measurement precision
If cameras and sensors are used to detect individuals, then detection capability is improved, but detection area is limited to a small range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the safety protection system into multiple segments by installing several buffers and treadles at different locations along the vehicle's path. This segmentation allows the system to cover a broader detection and protection area while maintaining precise mechanical contact detection at each specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional optical detection (cameras and sensors viewing a limited field) to three-dimensional mechanical detection (buffers and treadles extending physically into the vehicle's path). This dimensional change enables coverage of a much larger spatial area while maintaining precise detection capability through direct physical contact.
3Ease of operation
If speakers are used to sound alarms, then warning capability is improved, but effectiveness deteriorates when individuals cannot hear the alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic warning system (speakers) with a mechanical safety system (buffers and treadles) that provides direct physical intervention. Instead of relying on individuals to hear and respond to audio alarms, the mechanical system physically prevents vehicle movement or triggers automated safety responses, ensuring reliability regardless of individual hearing capability.
4Reliability
If a rigid safety barrier is used to prevent objects from entering the vehicle path, then safety is improved, but damage to the barrier and vehicle increases during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates buffers designed to absorb and dissipate impact energy before it reaches critical components. These buffers act as pre-positioned cushioning elements that deform in a controlled manner during impact, protecting both the safety system itself and the vehicle from severe damage while maintaining safety effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible or semi-rigid buffer materials that can deform under impact loads rather than remaining completely rigid. This flexibility allows the buffers to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, reducing peak forces transmitted to the vehicle structure while still effectively preventing objects from entering the vehicle path.
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 safety mechanism effectively prevents accidents by triggering the vehicle's brakes and sending alerts, even when sensors and cameras are impaired, and reduces damage to vehicles and equipment, enhancing safety and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The buffers may be flexible and soften any impact of an individual or object coming into contact with the safety mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A safety mechanism for use on a vehicle is provided. The safety mechanism comprises a buffer and a sensor that is configured to send an electrical signal to processing circuitry in the vehicle when the sensor is activated. Sufficient movement of the buffer activates the sensor. A drive line may also be provided with the buffer connected to the drive line. Movement of the buffer may cause rotation of the drive line, and sufficient rotation of the drive line may activate the sensor.