Counterbalanced Pivoting Security Bollards for Manual Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security bollards requiring electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems face challenges with power loss, installation complexity, and maintenance issues, necessitating a manual and maintenance-free solution.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated security bollard system with balanced bollards that rotate between raised and lowered positions using a pivot point, allowing manual operation without complex power systems, featuring a housing, bollard assemblies, and a locking mechanism to secure the raised position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic motors (electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated) are used to raise or lower heavy bollards, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the pivot point at a specific location on the bollard that creates a balanced torque system. The pivot point is located such that the weight of the bollard creates a counterbalancing moment, reducing the effort required to rotate the bollard between raised and lowered positions. This mechanical balancing allows heavy bollards to be manually operated with minimal force, eliminating the need for complex automatic motors while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic motors are used to operate bollards, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases when power is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the self-service principle through the counterbalanced mechanical design that allows the bollard system to operate autonomously without external power sources. The counterweight mechanism stores gravitational potential energy when the bollard is in the raised position, which automatically assists in lowering the bollard when needed. This self-service mechanism ensures the system remains operational during power outages, maintaining reliability while requiring minimal human intervention for operation.
3Strength
If heavy bollards are used to stop vehicles, then security effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly applies the counterweight principle to resolve the contradiction between security effectiveness and ease of operation. By strategically positioning the pivot point on the bollard, the design creates a lever arm that balances the heavy weight of the bollard. This mechanical advantage allows operators to easily rotate heavy, security-effective bollards between positions with minimal effort, eliminating the trade-off between strength and operability.
4Ease of operation
If electrical wiring and motor systems are installed for automatic bollard operation, then ease of operation is improved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by completely removing the electrical motor systems, hydraulic components, and associated wiring from the bollard operation mechanism. The design extracts only the essential mechanical elements (bollard, pivot point, and counterweight arrangement) needed to achieve automatic balancing. This elimination of complex subsystems simplifies installation to basic mechanical mounting while maintaining ease of operation through the counterbalanced design.
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
Provides effective vehicle obstruction without electricity, enabling easy manual operation and maintenance-free operation, balancing torque requirements for manual handling.
Implementation Method 1
each bollard has a pivot point about which the bollard rotates that is positioned to balance the bollard about the pivot point and limit a torque required to rotate the bollard about the pivot point
Implementation Method 2
each bollard has a pivot point about which the bollard rotates that is positioned to balance the bollard about the pivot point
Data Source
AI summary
A security bollard system with a housing and at least one bollard assembly. The housing has an interior and a top surface with an opening through the top surface into the interior. The bollard assembly is positioned within the housing and includes a bollard. The bollard is rotatably coupled to the interior of the housing and is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised position. When in the lowered position, the bollard is positioned in the interior of the housing and when in the raised position, the bollard extends up through the opening in the top surface of the housing. Each bollard is configured to be moved between the lowered positioned and the raised position manually. Additionally, each bollard has a pivot point about which the bollard rotates that is positioned to balance the bollard about the pivot point and limit torque required to rotate the bollard.