Fence Posts with Movable Blocking Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fence systems, particularly those with welded connections and tubular plastic components, face challenges in assembly time, mobility, repair, and durability, with risks of damage and obstruction from blocking elements during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A fence design featuring hollow posts with crossbeams and a plate-shaped blocking element that includes recesses and break lines, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, impact resistance, and preventing obstruction of cables, where the blocking element is breakable into separate parts to maintain functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a welded connection is used to connect crossbeams to posts, then the fence structure is strong and stable, but the positioning requires a lot of time and it is difficult to move and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The fence system is divided into separate modular components: posts, crossbeams, and blocking elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The crossbeams connect to posts via insertion into openings without welding, allowing quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity through the blocking elements that prevent displacement.
2Reliability
If a tubular blocking element is forced into a small opening, then the crossbeam is blocked, but the material is compressed and forms permanent protuberances that make dismantling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed to be movable between a first position where crossbeams can be inserted and removed, and a second position where crossbeams are blocked. This dynamic positioning allows the fence to be easily assembled and dismantled by simply moving the blocking element, while still providing reliable blocking when in the second position.
3Reliability
If a blocking element is located in the inner area of the fence post, then the crossbeam is blocked, but the blocking element forms an obstacle to wiring extending through crossbeams
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is positioned at the end of the crossbeam rather than in the inner area of the post, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the crossbeam. This allows wiring to pass through the crossbeam unobstructed while the blocking element remains effective at preventing crossbeam displacement from the post.
4Device complexity
If a plate-shaped blocking element is used without break lines, then the structure is simple, but on impact the blocking element may break at blocking positions and damage is not visible
Solution Approach 1:
Break lines are pre-formed in the blocking element at strategic locations away from the blocking positions. In the event of impact, these pre-designed weak points allow the blocking element to break in a controlled manner into separate parts that remain functional, preventing catastrophic failure and ensuring visible damage for replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A fence (1) has at least two hollow fence posts (2), between which at least two crossbeams (3) extend, where each crossbeam (3) fits into an opening (4) provided in the fence post (2), a plate-shaped blocking element (5) extending into the cavity of the fence post (2) which is provided to block the crossbeams (3) against displacement, where the crossbeam (3) is provided in its external circumference with at least one recess (6) which lies within the hollow inner area of the fence post (2) and wherein the plate-shaped blocking element (5) is movable between a first position and a second position in which the crossbeam (3) is blocked in place.