Elastomeric Sleeve Traffic Marker Support Resists Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic marker supports lack durability and flexibility to withstand vehicle impacts, tire run-overs, and straddle hits, and fail to return to their original upright position effectively.
Innovation Solution
A support device with a weighted base, a hollow boss, and a flexible sleeve made of durable elastomeric material, featuring spacers and cinching bands that allow the marker to absorb and distribute impact forces, enabling the marker to maintain its position and return upright after impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid marker support structure is used, then stability and durability are improved, but flexibility to absorb impact forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support device combines rigid materials (metal or plastic base, boss, and marker) with flexible elastomeric material (sleeve) to create a composite structure. The rigid components provide strength and durability to withstand vehicle impacts, while the flexible elastomeric sleeve absorbs impact forces and allows the marker to return to its original position, resolving the contradiction between durability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the sleeve material to be elastomeric, which has unique mechanical properties allowing it to deform under impact forces and then return to its original shape. This parameter change in material properties enables the system to simultaneously achieve durability through rigid components and flexibility through the elastomeric sleeve.
2Reliability
If the marker support is made flexible to absorb impact, then durability against vehicle contacts is improved, but the ability to maintain original position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines the flexibility of elastomeric material in the sleeve with the rigidity of metal or plastic components. The rigid base, boss, and marker maintain structural integrity and original position, while the flexible elastomeric sleeve absorbs impact forces, achieving both durability and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the support device have different mechanical properties: the base, boss, and marker are made of rigid materials to maintain position stability, while the sleeve is made of flexible elastomeric material to absorb impact forces. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between durability and position stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed marker support structure is used, then installation stability is improved, but adaptability to various marker sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric sleeve can dynamically adjust its dimensions and shape to accommodate different marker sizes and weights while maintaining a stable installation. The sleeve's flexibility allows it to compress and expand to fit various marker configurations, providing both installation stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is designed with a universal flexible elastomeric sleeve that can serve multiple functions by accommodating different marker sizes, weights, and types. This multi-functional design allows a single support structure to adapt to various marker configurations while maintaining installation stability.
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 support device provides high durability and flexibility, resisting significant impact forces and allowing the marker to recover to its original position, accommodating various marker sizes and weights, and facilitating easy maintenance and recycling.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible sleeve lies over the outer surface of the boss... formed of a very durable elastomeric material such as a spiral wound member
Implementation Method 2
allowing the marker to absorb and distribute impact forces, enabling the marker to maintain its position and return upright after impacts
Implementation Method 3
The foot may be weighted to simply lie atop the ground surface or be fixed below ground surface
Implementation Method 4
The first and second bands are tightening to a degree to create indents to the outer surface of the flexible sleeve, such that the at least first and second fastener outwardly extending portions serve as stops for movement of the flexible sleeve away from the base
Data Source
AI summary
A support device for a hollow traffic marker utilizing a base having a foot positioned at the ground surface. A boss extends from the base. A flexible sleeve positions over the outer surface of the boss, the hollow traffic marker lies within the flexible sleeve. A gap within the flexible sleeve separates the first and second spacers.