Single-Sheet Crash Barrier Bracket with Progressive Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadside crash barrier and parapet designs face challenges in balancing flexibility for low-impact vehicles and stiffness for high-impact vehicles, while also being cost-effective and simple to install, due to their complexity and high material costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-sheet metal bracket with a progressive deformation mode, designed to absorb impact by transitioning from a flexible to a stiffer state, supporting a rail that extends further towards the road, allowing for dual modes of deformation and efficient energy transfer to the post.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-part support brackets are used to provide flexibility at low impact and stiffness at higher impacts, then the safety performance is improved, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into multiple functional zones within a single continuous piece of metal. The front section is designed with thinner gauge metal for flexible deformation at low impacts, while the rear section uses thicker gauge metal for stiff support at high impacts. This segmentation of functional properties within a unified structure resolves the contradiction between safety performance and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket employs a composite construction using different thicknesses of metal sheet (e.g., 3mm at the front transitioning to 6mm at the rear) to create zones of varying mechanical properties. This composite approach allows the single bracket to exhibit both flexible and stiff characteristics simultaneously, achieving improved safety performance without increasing device complexity.
2Loss of energy
If multi-part support brackets are used to provide progressive resistance to impact, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bracket components that would traditionally require separate installation are merged into a single continuous piece of metal. The progressive deformation zones are integrated within this unified structure, allowing the entire energy-absorbing mechanism to be installed as one unit. This merging eliminates the time-consuming assembly process while maintaining the improved energy absorption capability.
3Strength
If thicker metal is used throughout the bracket to increase stiffness for high-impact vehicles, then the stiffness at high impact is improved, but the flexibility at low impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket applies the local quality principle by varying the metal thickness at different locations to match the specific mechanical requirements of each zone. The front portion uses thinner metal (3mm) to provide flexibility for low-impact vehicles, while the rear portion uses thicker metal (6mm) to provide stiffness for high-impact vehicles. This spatial variation in material properties resolves the contradiction between stiffness and flexibility.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-sheet metal bracket is used to reduce material and installation costs, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide both flexible and stiff deformation modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single-sheet metal bracket utilizes parameter changes in metal thickness across its structure to achieve different mechanical behaviors. By transitioning from thinner to thicker gauge metal along the length of the bracket, the design enables both flexible front-section deformation and stiff rear-section support within a single manufactured piece, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving dual deformation modes.
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 single-component bracket reduces material and installation costs, simplifies maintenance, and effectively manages impact forces by transitioning from flexible to stiff deformation modes, ensuring safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A single-sheet metal bracket with a progressive deformation mode, designed to absorb impact by transitioning from a flexible to a stiffer state
Implementation Method 2
efficient energy transfer to the post
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A bracket (28) for supporting a rail (20) of a roadside crash barrier or parapet (10) from a support post (12) is disclosed. The bracket is formed from a single sheet of metal bent into a shape, which, when mounted to a post and supporting a rail, has a uniform horizontal cross-section including parallel front and rear panels for mounting to the rail and post respectively, and interconnecting sides. The shape of the cross-section provides a first deformation mode of the bracket in the event of an impact to the rail exceeding a first impact level, and a second mode of deformation of the bracket in the event of an impact exceeding a second, higher impact level.