Flexible Barrier With Rotating Bridging Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapidly deployable barriers are not robust enough to resist significant transverse forces like vehicular impact, while traditional vehicle impact barriers are heavy and permanent, making them unsuitable for rapid deployment and removal.
Innovation Solution
A barrier apparatus comprising flexible coupling means between support means, with a bridging member that allows the obstruction part to extend through a through-opening, providing a movable and retractable obstruction to create a flexible and impact-resistant barrier that can be easily assembled and disassembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light-weight posts and ropes are used for rapid deployment, then ease of operation and deployment speed are improved, but strength and ability to resist vehicular impact forces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the bridging member can rotate and the flexible coupling means can flex and stretch during impact, allowing the barrier to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time to absorb vehicular forces
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical parameters during operation - the bridging member rotates to adjust geometry, and the flexible coupling means changes its tension and flexure characteristics during impact to optimize energy absorption while maintaining ease of deployment
2Strength
If traditional vehicle impact barriers are made heavy and permanent, then strength and impact resistance are improved, but ease of operation and rapid deployability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into separate modular components - support means that can be anchored, bridging members that rotate into position, and flexible coupling means connecting them - allowing the system to be transported and deployed in sections rather than as a single heavy unit
Solution Approach 2:
The support means are anchored in advance at the desired barrier location, and the bridging members are pre-positioned to rotate into place, eliminating the need to move heavy pre-assembled barrier sections during deployment
3Shape
If flexible coupling means are pre-tensioned to improve barrier tightness, then shape and barrier integrity are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to creep in traditional ropes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling means uses composite construction combining high-strength steel cables or rods with flexible housing, providing both the tightness needed for barrier integrity and resistance to creep that would occur in traditional rope materials under continuous tension
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 a lightweight, rapidly deployable, and impact-resistant vehicle barrier that can absorb vehicular energy through flexure or stretching, enhancing safety and ease of use by avoiding pre-tensioning issues that lead to 'creep' in traditional ropes.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible coupling means is adapted to absorb vehicular impact energy by flexure or by stretching in response thereto
Implementation Method 2
The flexible coupling means is adapted to absorb vehicular impact energy by flexure or by stretching in response thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier apparatus (1) comprising a first support means (2a) and a separate second support means (2b), a flexible coupling means (20) attached to the first support means defining a through-opening (21A), a bridging member (4) supporting said flexible coupling means, wherein the bridging member is attached movably to the first support means to be movable to and from a position which places said through-opening in alignment with the second support means, and the second support means includes an obstruction part (11) adapted to extend through said through-opening when said through-opening is placed in said alignment with the second support means thereby to obstruct removal of said through-opening from said alignment with the second support means to provide a barrier comprising said flexible coupling means which extends between the first support means and the second support means.