Flexible Grid Mat Fence Panel for Sloped Terrain Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing alarm-secured fence panels struggle to adapt to terrain slopes, requiring stepped installations that are visually disruptive and compromise security, as they need to be higher than the surrounding terrain to prevent crawling under.

Innovation Solution

The fence panel features a braided grid mat formed by intertwined tubes and bars, allowing for a diamond-shaped configuration that can adjust to inclines, with edges fixed in U-shaped profiles to prevent deformation and intrusion detection through signal cables, and optionally incorporating camera modules and ultrasonic sensors for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fence panels are arranged in a stepped manner to adapt to terrain slopes, then the fence can be installed on inclined terrain, but the height of fence posts and panels must be increased and the stepped arrangement is visually disruptive and creates gaps that compromise security

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to terrain slopesVSAvoidSecurity function
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grid mat is designed with flexible tubular elements that can be deformed and bent to adapt to terrain slopes dynamically. The horizontal and vertical cross bars are made of flexible material allowing the entire grid structure to conform to inclined surfaces without requiring stepped installation, thereby maintaining security while adapting to varying terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the grid mat by using flexible tubular elements instead of rigid bars. This allows the grid mat to change its shape and orientation parameters to match the terrain slope, enabling continuous installation on inclined surfaces without creating security gaps or visual disruptions associated with stepped arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional rigid grid mats are used on inclined terrain, then the structure maintains its shape, but it cannot adapt to terrain gradients and requires stepped installation that compromises security

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructural integrityVSAvoidAdaptability to terrain gradients
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grid mat is constructed with flexible tubular elements that can bend and deform while maintaining structural integrity. These flexible shells allow the grid mat to conform to inclined terrain surfaces without breaking or losing its compositional stability, enabling adaptation to gradients up to 20 degrees while preserving the security function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If spot welds are used to join cross bars in the grid mat, then the structure is strong, but production is complicated and surface coating must be destroyed and reworked

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStrength of grid matVSAvoidManufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical joining method (spot welding) with an interlocking system where horizontal and vertical cross bars are inserted into one another. This substitution eliminates the need for welding operations that would destroy and require rework of surface coatings, while still providing sufficient strength through the interlocked tubular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The grid mat structure employs a nesting principle where horizontal cross bars are inserted into vertical cross bars and vice versa, creating an interlocked configuration. This nested arrangement provides structural strength comparable to welding while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating thermal processing steps that would damage surface coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2428941B1Fencing panel protected by an alarm and fence assembly
Publication Date: 2013.06.19 HAVERKAMP GMBH
  • EP2428941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2428941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2428941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An alarm-secured fence panel consists of a frame (10) and at least one mesh panel (20) inserted therein, which is at least partially formed from thin tubes (21, 22) and/or infill bars, wherein at least a subset of the tubes (21, 22) contain electrical and/or optical signal cables (25). The mesh panel is formed by wave-shaped tubes (21, 22) and/or infill bars, wherein horizontally and vertically arranged tubes and/or infill bars (21, 22) are interwoven. The mesh panel (20) is enclosed in a frame (10) at least at three of its edge regions, wherein several ends and/or several intersection points (26) of the horizontal and vertical tubes (21, 22) and/or infill bars are defined in the frame profile (10).