Vehicle Crash Attenuator Sign Mounting Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) do not have a compact and efficient system for displaying both informational signs and arrowboards to approaching motorists, while also being stowable when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A crash impact attenuator system for vehicles that includes a sign holder frame for supporting a first informational sign and at least one upwardly extending support post for displaying a second informational sign, such as an arrowboard, which can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic powered vertical lift to ensure visibility and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If both informational signs and arrowboards are mounted on the vehicle, then visibility to approaching motorists is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting structures for informational signs and arrowboards into a single integrated sign holder frame with common support posts. This merging reduces the number of separate mounting systems needed while maintaining the ability to display both types of signs, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving information visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sign holder frame and support posts are designed to universally accommodate both informational signs and arrowboards. The same structural elements serve multiple functions by supporting different types of signs, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate dedicated mounting systems for each sign type.
2Ease of operation
If signs are mounted in a fixed position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust visibility and compact storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates movable support posts that can be adjusted in position and orientation. This dynamic capability allows the signs to be positioned optimally for visibility during operation and enables compact storage configurations, while the movability is achieved through relatively simple mechanical adjustments rather than complex mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the sign mounting system is made compact for storage, then space efficiency is improved, but the visibility and display capability when in use is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support posts enable the sign system to transition between a compact stored configuration that minimizes volume and a deployed configuration that maximizes visibility. The posts can be repositioned to raise signs above the vehicle roofline for enhanced visibility while maintaining compact storage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The support posts can be extended vertically in the third dimension to position signs above the vehicle roofline, providing enhanced visibility to approaching motorists. This vertical dimensionality change allows the system to achieve both compact horizontal storage and enhanced vertical visibility when deployed.
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 system effectively displays both informational signs and arrowboards to approaching motorists, enhancing visibility and safety while allowing for compact stowage when not in use, thereby improving the operational efficiency of TMAs.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic powered vertical lift is arranged to raise and lower the at least one upwardly extending support post
Data Source
AI summary
A crash impact attenuator for deployment on a construction vehicle includes an energy-absorbing portion, having a backup frame adapted to join the crash impact attenuator to a vehicle, and a sign holder frame extending upwardly from the backup frame. The sign holder frame is adapted to support a first informational sign. Two upwardly extending support posts extend from one of the backup frame and an energy-absorbing portion frame, for supporting a second informational sign forwardly of the sign holder frame, so that the second informational sign is behind the sign holder frame from an approaching motorist's point of view. The support posts may be raised to a display position, with the second informational sign thus being positioned above the sign holder frame, and may further be lowered to a stowed position, so that the second informational sign is positioned behind the sign holder frame.