Rail-Mounted Crash Cushion With Expandable Pipe Shock Absorbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crash cushions are inadequate in effectively absorbing shock from high-speed vehicle collisions, leading to increased damage and loss of life in accidents.
Innovation Solution
A crash cushion design featuring a rail system with a front support, rear support, and shock absorbers comprising a punch and pipe that expand in diameter to absorb shock, along with sliding panels and embedding protrusions to prevent vehicle slipping, enhancing shock absorption and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crash cushions are used, then basic shock absorption is provided, but they are inadequate in effectively absorbing shock from high-speed vehicle collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The crash cushion is divided into multiple independent support units (first support, second support, third support, fourth support) arranged in sequence along the rail. Each support contains identical shock absorber mechanisms, allowing the system to absorb shock through cumulative deformation of multiple segments rather than requiring a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber mechanism utilizes change in physical parameters - specifically the diameter expansion of the pipe and the punching depth as the shock absorption process progresses. The variable cross-sectional area of the punch creates non-linear resistance that adapts to the impact force, effectively absorbing high-speed collision energy through parameter transformation rather than structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If embedding protrusions are added to prevent vehicle slipping, then vehicle control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedding protrusions are integrated directly into the front support structure, combining the shock absorption function with the vehicle guidance function in a single component. The protrusions are formed as integral parts of the support beams rather than separate attachments, reducing overall device complexity while achieving slip prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The embedding protrusions act as intermediary elements between the crash cushion and the vehicle bumper. These protrusions engage with the vehicle's bumper to prevent lateral slipping during impact, providing a simple mechanical interface that solves the vehicle control problem without requiring complex active control systems
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 crash cushion effectively absorbs shock from vehicle collisions, minimizing damage and loss of life by utilizing a rail system with expandable shock absorbers and sliding panels, while preventing vehicle slipping through embedding protrusions.
Implementation Method 1
each shock absorber comprising a punch (142)), and a pipe (144) and absorbing the shock in such a way that the pipe (144) is expanded in diameter by the punch (142)
Implementation Method 2
each sliding panel (160) is fastened at a front end thereof to the front support (120a) or the intermediate support (120c) so that when the front support (120a) and the intermediate support (120c) are pushed backward, the sliding panels (160) overlap each other
Implementation Method 3
an embedding protrusion (130) provided on the front support (120a) so that when the vehicle collides with the crash cushion, the embedding protrusion (130) can be embedded into a bumper of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a crash cushion. The crash cushion includes: a rail installed on the ground surface; a front support that is installed on a front end of the rail and is pushed backward along the rail when a shock is applied to the front support; a rear support installed on a rear end of the rail; and a shock absorber that is installed extending from the front support to the rear support and disposed at a predetermined height from the ground surface. The shock absorber includes a punch and a pipe, and it absorbs shock in such a way that the pipe is expanded in diameter by the punch. The crash cushion is installed on a road and can effectively absorb shock caused by a vehicle collision, thus minimizing loss of life, reducing damage to a vehicle, and also minimizing property damage.