Deformable Vehicle Barrier Energy Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional security gates and barriers are lethal to errant drivers and fail to prevent unauthorized vehicle penetration in a non-lethal manner, posing a risk to both the driver and the facility.

Innovation Solution

An energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system with deformable members and support structures that pivot from a retracted position to a deployed position, capable of absorbing and distributing the impact energy of an incoming vehicle, thereby preventing penetration while minimizing harm to the driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional security gates and barriers are designed to prevent unauthorized vehicle penetration, then security effectiveness is improved, but lethality to errant drivers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity effectivenessVSAvoidlethality to driver

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier is divided into multiple energy-absorbing members arranged in series, each capable of deforming independently to absorb impact energy. This segmentation allows the barrier to stop vehicles through progressive energy absorption rather than rigid impact, maintaining security while reducing lethality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The energy-absorbing members are designed to change their physical state from rigid to deformable during impact. The members undergo controlled deformation, changing their structural parameters to absorb kinetic energy and reduce the harmful forces transmitted to the vehicle occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If rigid barrier structures are used to prevent vehicle penetration, then penetration resistance is improved, but impact energy absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration resistanceVSAvoidimpact energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where energy-absorbing members can deform in response to impact forces. This dynamic response allows the barrier to adapt its strength characteristics, providing high penetration resistance while simultaneously absorbing impact energy through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The impact energy that would otherwise be harmful is converted into beneficial deformation work. The energy-absorbing members are designed to deform in a controlled manner, transforming the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle into deformation energy, thereby dissipating the harmful impact while maintaining barrier integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If deformable energy-absorbing members are used, then non-lethal stopping capability is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidbarrier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy-absorbing members are designed as replaceable components that undergo controlled deformation during impact. Rather than designing a complex system where all components must withstand impact, individual members are designed to be deformed or replaced after impact, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining driver safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 prevents unauthorized vehicle penetration while ensuring the safety of errant drivers by absorbing and distributing the impact energy, conforming to safety standards for vehicle deceleration and penetration limits.

Implementation Method 1

a gate member disposed between the first and second gate receivers and deformable from a pre-impact configuration to an impact configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The gate member may include a first deformable energy absorbing member having a first end coupled to the first gate receiver and a second end extending laterally inward toward a center of the gate member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8182169B2Energy absorbing vehicle barrier

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A non-lethal energy absorbing vehicle barrier for decelerating an impacting vehicle a gate member disposed between first and second gate receivers that is deformable from a pre-impact configuration to an impact configuration. The gate member may include a first deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the first gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward a center of the gate member; a second deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the second gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward the center of the gate member; and a deforming member connecting the first and second deformable energy absorption members in an overlapping configuration. The deforming member is configured to engage and deform the first and second deformable energy absorption members as the gate member is deformed from the pre-impact configuration to the impact configuration.