Deployable Vehicle Impact Barrier With Modular Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle impact barriers that withstand vehicle impacts are often too heavy or require permanent installation, making them impractical for temporary events like festivals or markets where they cannot be easily set up without damaging the site or incurring high costs.
Innovation Solution
A deployable vehicle impact barrier system comprising freestanding units linked by linkage means, with a lightweight outer shell and a heavy internal structure that can tip and drag vehicles to a stop, allowing for temporary and portable installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional barriers (concrete blocks or embedded posts) are used to withstand vehicle impacts, then the barrier can effectively stop vehicles, but the barrier becomes too heavy and requires permanent installation, making it impractical for temporary events
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into multiple modular units (202, 204, 206, 208) that can be independently manufactured, transported, and assembled. Each unit contains its own energy-absorbing structure and anchoring mechanism, allowing the system to be configured in different lengths and arrangements for temporary events while maintaining vehicle impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier units incorporate collapsible or deformable energy-absorbing structures (203, 205, 207) that dynamically respond to vehicle impacts by collapsing in a controlled manner to absorb kinetic energy. This dynamic behavior allows the barrier to stop vehicles effectively while using lighter materials compared to rigid concrete blocks, improving portability for temporary installation.
2Strength
If concrete blocks are made very heavy and large to provide sufficient resistance to vehicle impacts, then the barrier can absorb high energies, but the barrier cannot be easily moved or repositioned for temporary locations
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier units use collapsible energy-absorbing structures that dynamically collapse during impact to absorb kinetic energy. This dynamic mechanism allows the use of lighter materials and smaller dimensions compared to static concrete blocks, reducing weight while maintaining energy absorption capacity for stopping vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier units employ composite construction combining lightweight structural materials with energy-absorbing components. The modular units use materials optimized for both strength and weight, allowing sufficient energy absorption capacity while maintaining portability for temporary event locations.
3Reliability
If posts are deeply embedded in the ground to withstand vehicle impacts, then the barrier provides sufficient stability, but the installation causes damage to the site and is economically prohibitive for temporary events
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system uses modular units with independent anchoring mechanisms (201, 209, 211) that can be quickly installed and removed without permanent ground modification. Each unit's anchoring system is designed for temporary deployment, causing minimal damage to event locations while providing sufficient stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier units incorporate dynamic anchoring mechanisms that adapt to ground conditions without requiring deep permanent embedding. The anchoring systems can be rapidly deployed and removed, providing necessary stability for vehicle impact resistance while minimizing site damage and installation costs for temporary events.
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 arrests vehicle progress without permanent installation, minimizing site damage and costs, while providing adequate protection against vehicle-borne threats in temporary event settings.
Implementation Method 1
The connected units drag about a vehicle to arrest its progress
Implementation Method 2
The internal structure is arranged to provide multiple anchors for engagement with a vehicle... said multiple anchors may be disposed at two or more different heights above ground level
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle impact barrier system (300) comprising a series of impact barrier units (310) and at least one linkage means (332). A first impact barrier unit is linked to at least one other impact barrier unit by said at least one linkage means.