Finger Wedge Barrier Actuation Linkage for Shock Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional finger wedge barricades require high force to move into the deployed position and experience rapid wear or breakage due to direct actuator coupling, which results in slow acceleration and inadequate shock attenuation when vehicles pass over them.
Innovation Solution
The barricade design incorporates a hinge coupling between the finger wedge barrier and the foundation frame, along with an actuator mechanism featuring a housing, rod, and linkages that increase mechanical advantage and attenuate shocks, allowing for efficient movement between stowed and deployed configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the actuator is directly coupled to the finger wedge barrier with a low angle (parallel or substantially parallel), then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical advantage is low requiring high force to move the barrier and resulting in slow acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
A linkage mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the actuator and the finger wedge barrier. The linkage includes a first linkage member coupled to the actuator rod and a second linkage member coupled to the barrier, creating a four-bar linkage system that provides mechanical advantage and transforms the actuator's linear motion into the barrier's rotational motion with reduced force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism changes the geometric parameters of the force transmission system. By configuring the linkage members with specific lengths and pivot points, the system achieves optimal mechanical advantage at different positions of the barrier, allowing the actuator to move the barrier efficiently through its range of motion.
2Device complexity
If the actuator is directly coupled to the finger wedge barrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but shock attenuation is inadequate causing high shock transmission to the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism serves as a shock-absorbing intermediary between the barrier and actuator. The multiple pivot points and articulated connections in the four-bar linkage dissipate impact energy through controlled motion and deformation, protecting the actuator from direct shock loads when vehicles pass over the barrier.
3Device complexity
If the actuator is directly coupled to the finger wedge barrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but the acceleration of the barrier is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism acts as a motion transformation intermediary that amplifies the actuator's output speed at the barrier. The four-bar linkage geometry is designed to provide high mechanical advantage at the beginning of the barrier's rotation, enabling rapid acceleration from the stowed to the deployed position.
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 reduces the force required to move the barricade and mitigates shock transmission to the actuator, enhancing speed, reducing wear, and ensuring smoother operation by leveraging the mechanical advantage of the linkage system.
Implementation Method 1
The linkage between the actuator and the rotatable component is configured to provide mechanical advantage
Implementation Method 2
The linkage between the actuator and the rotatable component is configured to attenuate shocks imparted by a vehicle passing over the barricade
Data Source
AI summary
A barricade includes a foundation frame, a finger wedge barrier, a hinge hingedly coupling the finger wedge barrier to the foundation frame, and an actuator mechanism coupled to the foundation frame and the finger wedge barrier. The finger wedge barrier is configured to rotate about the hinge between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, and the actuator mechanism is configured to rotate the finger wedge barrier between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. The actuator mechanism includes an actuator comprising a housing and a rod configured to reciprocally move in the housing, a first linkage having a first end rotatably coupled to the rod and a second end rotatably coupled to the finger wedge barrier, and a second linkage having a first end rotatably coupled to the rod and a second end rotatably coupled to the foundation frame.