Dynamic Folding Speed Bump with Sensor-Actuated Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speed bumps lack dynamic activation mechanisms to effectively reduce vehicle speed based on real-time speed detection, and their design does not accommodate emergency vehicles or provide optimal toughness and durability upon impact.

Innovation Solution

A device with electrical or pneumatic actuation of a folding mechanism, utilizing step-on sensors with accelerometers to determine vehicle speed and activate a folding mechanism that raises both folding bars to an angular position for maximum impact resistance, with an electric or pneumatic actuator, and returns to a standby position after a period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional speed bump is used, then vehicle speed is reduced, but it causes significant inconvenience to all vehicles including emergency vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed reduction effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The speed bump is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its vertical position between raised and lowered states. The actuator system enables the speed bump to adapt its configuration in real-time based on vehicle detection, allowing it to be raised for normal vehicles to enforce speed reduction while being lowered for emergency vehicles to allow unrestricted passage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the folding mechanism is raised to reduce vehicle speed, then speed reduction effectiveness increases, but the impact force on the mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmechanism durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mechanism is designed with pre-calculated angular positioning that optimizes the distribution of impact forces. The bars are arranged at specific angles before impact occurs, creating a geometric configuration that naturally directs and distributes the force of vehicle wheels across multiple structural elements, reducing stress concentration on any single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism incorporates energy absorption elements and damping features that are pre-positioned to engage during vehicle impact. These elements are designed to cushion the shock of wheel contact, reducing the peak forces transmitted to the structural components and thereby protecting the mechanism from damage while maintaining speed reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Measurement precision

If step-on sensors with accelerometers are used, then vehicle speed detection precision increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speed detection precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated unit. The accelerometer is combined with the step-on sensor mechanism, allowing the same structural element to serve both as the activation trigger and as part of the vehicle presence detection system. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces vehicle speed by dynamically activating the folding mechanism only when necessary, ensuring maximum toughness and durability upon impact while allowing emergency vehicles to pass at higher speeds and returning to a standby position after a set time.

Implementation Method 1

bars (1.1, 1.2 and 1.3) equipped with accelerometers (1.4) that function as step-on sensors, which transmit the information to the controller (4) which immediately determines the vehicle's speed (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

actuators that have options to be with an electric motor or with a pneumatic actuator, activate the lifting mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor actuation: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 3

actuators that have options to be with an electric motor or with a pneumatic actuator, activate the lifting mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP3655588B1Device with electrical or pneumatic actuation of a folding mechanism for encouragement of reduction of vehicle speed
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 NASTEV VIKTOR
  • EP3655588B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3655588B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3655588B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The device with electrical or pneumatic actuation of a folding mechanism for encouragement of reduction of vehicle speed consists of bars (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) with accelerometers (1.4) that function as step-on sensors, which transmit information to a controller (4) that immediately determines the speed of the movement of a vehicle (20), after which it sends an order to an actuator with electric motor or a pneumatic actuator with an aim of raising the folding speed reduction mechanism (1 1 ) in the case when the vehicle moves at a speed that is higher than the one programmed into the controller and after a certain period of time to return the device to its standby position, or to leave it in the standby position, i.e. not to raise the folding speed reduction mechanism, if the vehicle is moving at a speed that is lower than the one programmed in the controller.