Emergency Response Barrier With Hydraulic Impact Attenuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency response barriers are inadequate in redirecting and absorbing the kinetic energy of impacting vehicles while providing a safe environment for emergency rescue operations, often leading to vehicle entanglement and underrides.
Innovation Solution
A mobile emergency response barrier equipped with a frame, planar skin, impact attenuator, adjustable impact attenuator assembly, and hydraulic cylinders to redirect and absorb vehicle impact, featuring a water tank and firefighting chemicals, along with warning systems for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional emergency response barrier is used, then it provides basic obstacle protection, but it fails to effectively redirect and absorb vehicle kinetic energy, leading to vehicle entanglement and underrides
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple modular sections including front end, rear end, and side sections that can be independently deployed. Each section contains discrete components such as impact attenuators, hydraulic cylinders, and storage compartments that function independently yet work together as a unified system to prevent entanglement and underrides
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates energy-absorbing impact attenuators at the front and rear ends that are designed to deform and absorb kinetic energy before it can cause vehicle entanglement or underrides. These cushioning elements are pre-positioned to engage with impacting vehicles, reducing their kinetic energy through controlled deformation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the barrier is designed to be mobile for emergency response, then it can be quickly deployed to accident scenes, but it requires a towing vehicle and may slow down response time
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is pre-assembled into a complete modular unit with all necessary components (impact attenuators, hydraulic systems, storage compartments) already integrated. This preliminary configuration allows the barrier to be rapidly deployed to accident scenes without requiring complex on-site assembly, reducing response time while maintaining mobility through towing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates hydraulic cylinders that enable dynamic adjustment of the side sections between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic capability allows the barrier to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, providing versatility in deployment while maintaining a compact form factor for efficient towing to accident scenes
3Adaptability or versatility
If the barrier includes additional safety features like water tanks and firefighting chemicals, then it provides enhanced emergency response capability, but it increases device complexity and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier integrates multiple emergency response functions into a single unified structure. Water tanks, firefighting chemical storage compartments, and impact attenuation systems are combined within the same modular framework, sharing common structural supports and hydraulic systems. This merging approach provides enhanced emergency response capability while managing system complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform multiple emergency response tasks. The same structural components and hydraulic systems support both the impact attenuation function and the water/firefighting chemical storage function. This universal design allows a single barrier unit to provide both vehicle redirection and fire suppression capabilities without proportionally increasing complexity
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 redirects and absorbs vehicle impact, preventing entanglement and underrides, ensuring safety for emergency responders and facilitating efficient rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic cylinders to redirect and absorb vehicle impact
Implementation Method 2
absorb the kinetic energy of impacting vehicles
Data Source
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AI summary
An emergency response barrier is shown and described, the barrier having a frame with reinforcing bracing; two axles coupled to the frame with wheels attached thereto; a king pin coupled to the frame; wherein the frame is covered with a substantially planar skin that extends along the right and left sides of the frame, from a top of the frame down to a lower edge and covers a majority of the wheels on each side of the barrier; an impact attenuator coupling on the frame, having a vertical pin received in a bore disposed on an impact attenuator, and configured for rotation about the vertical axis of the pin; and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the frame and the impact attenuator, wherein retraction and extension of the hydraulic cylinder moves the impact attenuator through an arc of rotation about the vertical pin.