Vehicle Diversion Barrier Linkage Redirects Momentum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic safety devices, such as Jersey Barriers and impact attenuators, are ineffective in redirecting vehicles back onto the road after a crash, particularly at the start of a barrier, and often fail to minimize forces exerted on vehicles, leading to potential rollovers and injury.
Innovation Solution
A crash diversion barrier utilizing a linkage system comprising a diversion link, reaction link, and slider mechanism that converts a vehicle's forward momentum into lateral motion to steer and translate the vehicle back onto the roadway, with a minimized angle of deflection for enhanced safety, and includes a local impact attenuator to cushion the initial impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional barriers (Jersey Barrier, F-Shape barrier) are used to prevent rollovers, then rollover prevention is achieved, but the barriers cannot redirect vehicles back onto the road and may cause violent deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system employs a movable diversion link that can dynamically change position and orientation during vehicle impact. The linkage system transitions from a static barrier configuration to a dynamic redirection mechanism, allowing the barrier to adapt its response based on the impact force and vehicle trajectory, thereby achieving both rollover prevention and safe redirection
Solution Approach 2:
The diversion link acts as an intermediary element between the impact attenuator and the road partition. It mediates the interaction by converting the vertical impact force into lateral motion, serving as a mechanical translator that transforms the energy absorption function into a redirection function without direct vehicle-contact
2Loss of energy
If impact attenuators are used to absorb impact energy, then energy absorption is improved, but the attenuators do not deflect vehicles back into the roadway
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated system: the impact energy absorption function (from attenuators) and the vehicle redirection function (from diversion barriers). The linkage system combines these functions by coupling the attenuator's energy absorption with the diversion link's redirection capability, achieving both goals simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single structure to perform both energy absorption and vehicle redirection. The linkage mechanism allows the same barrier system to absorb impact energy while simultaneously deflecting vehicles back onto the roadway, eliminating the need for separate attenuators and diversion barriers
3Reliability
If the barrier is positioned to effectively prevent rollovers, then safety is improved, but the angle of deflection may be too steep causing dangerous deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the deflection angle during impact through the rotational movement of the diversion link. As the vehicle impacts, the diversion link rotates, progressively changing the redirection angle from steep to shallower, thereby controlling the deceleration forces and preventing dangerous g-forces while maintaining effective rollover prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the barrier system during operation. The diversion link's rotation alters the angle of deflection, transforming it from a fixed-parameter system to a variable-parameter system that can optimize the deceleration profile, reducing harmful forces while maintaining safety effectiveness
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
Effectively diverts vehicles back onto the road with a seamless transition, minimizing damage and injury by converting forward momentum into lateral motion, while the return spring or dampening system ensures safe repositioning of the barrier.
Implementation Method 1
a linkage that converts the forward momentum of a vehicle into a lateral motion that urges the car onto the road
Implementation Method 2
The forward momentum of the vehicle rotates the diversion link which steers and translates the vehicle back onto the roadway
Data Source
AI summary
A crash diversion barrier converts the forward momentum of a vehicle into a lateral motion that urges the vehicle back onto the road and minimizes the forces exerted on the vehicle. This is accomplished by having a linkage that is comprised of a diversion link, a reaction link and, a slider mechanism. The forward momentum of the vehicle rotates the diversion link which steers and translates the vehicle back onto the roadway. The angle of an entrance line of deflection is minimized to enhance safety of other vehicles on the roadway.