Electromagnetic Pass Blocking Bar for Truck Mirror Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In bumper-to-bumper traffic situations at ETC lanes, the pass blocking apparatus faces issues where the blocking bar is stopped by the side view mirrors of trucks, causing damage due to insufficient clearance when a truck passes through after a sedan, leading to contact with the swung blocking bar.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electromagnetic resistance unit with a magnetic material that generates a resistance force to hold the blocking bar in the closed position, which can be adjusted and cancelled using a control unit to allow intentional release to the evacuation position, enabling safe passage of larger vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blocking bar is held in closed position by resistance force, then the blocking bar can prevent vehicle intrusion, but the blocking bar cannot be released for larger vehicles in bumper-to-bumper traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking bar holding capabilityVSAvoidrelease capability for different vehicle types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The resistance unit is designed with adjustable resistance force that can be dynamically changed based on traffic conditions. The control unit adjusts the resistance force parameter to allow release for larger vehicles in bumper-to-bumper traffic while maintaining strong holding capability for normal conditions, making the system adaptable to different vehicle types and traffic scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resistance force parameter of the resistance unit is made variable through control unit adjustment. By changing the resistance force parameter, the system can switch between strong holding mode for normal traffic and release-permissive mode for bumper-to-bumper traffic with larger vehicles, resolving the contradiction between reliable holding and adaptive release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the blocking bar is held firmly in closed position, then safety is improved, but damage occurs when trucks with side mirrors contact the blocking bar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking bar safety performanceVSAvoiddamage from truck side mirrors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking bar system transitions from static firm holding to dynamic adjustable holding. The control unit monitors traffic conditions and adjusts the resistance force in real-time, reducing holding force when trucks are detected in bumper-to-bumper traffic to prevent side mirror damage, while maintaining strong holding for normal conditions to ensure safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the resistance unit and the blocking bar. It processes traffic condition information and adjusts the resistance force accordingly, mediating between the need for firm holding (safety) and the need to accommodate larger vehicles (damage prevention) by dynamically optimizing the resistance parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blocking bar is released to evacuation position, then passage for larger vehicles is enabled, but the blocking bar may bounce back causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassage capability for different vehiclesVSAvoiddriver discomfort from bar return motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary action by detecting traffic conditions and adjusting the resistance force before the blocking bar is released. In bumper-to-bumper traffic with larger vehicles, the resistance force is reduced in advance to allow smooth release to evacuation position without bouncing back, preventing driver discomfort while enabling passage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for the safe and controlled release of the blocking bar to the evacuation position, preventing damage from truck side mirrors and ensuring smooth passage through ETC gates during tight traffic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the resistance unit (120) includes an electromagnetic device (121) and a magnetic material (122), and is configured to generate the resistance force from a magnetic force by the electromagnetic device (121) that attracts the magnetic material (122)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11047099B2Pass blocking apparatus

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 KOOEI INDS

AI summary

A pass blocking apparatus includes a mechanism for permitting the intentional release of a blocking bar from a closed position to an evacuation position as necessary. The apparatus includes a blocking bar, hinge connection unit, biasing unit, and resistance unit. The blocking bar extends perpendicularly to the driving shaft axis, thereby swinging vertically by driving shaft rotation. The hinge connection unit connects the blocking bar to the driving shaft permits the blocking bar to swing horizontally from the closed to the evacuation position. The biasing unit applies a biasing force to the blocking bar, swinging the blocking bar toward the evacuation position. The resistance unit holds the blocking bar in the closed position against the biasing force. The resistance unit includes an electromagnetic device and a magnetic material, and generates the resistance force from a magnetic force by the electromagnetic device that attracts the magnetic material.