Flexible Parking Barrier with Gravity-Tensioned Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for delimiting parking spaces in covered areas, such as car parks and ferry holds, are either ineffective in guiding drivers during maneuvers or costly and inflexible, leading to inefficient use of space and potential vehicle damage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible panel system suspended from the ceiling with a heavy bead for tension, featuring a display zone and perforated zone for air passage and visibility, which provides clear lateral limits and protects vehicles from impact while being easy to install and reconfigure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If road markings are used to delineate parking spaces, then the solution is simple and economical to implement, but it does not guarantee that drivers will respect the markings and vehicles may be parked straddling the line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidparking space delimitation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic, movable barriers that can be positioned and adjusted to define parking spaces. These barriers are not fixed like traditional markings but can be moved to accommodate different parking configurations and actively guide drivers into correct positions, thereby improving both the effectiveness of delimitation and adaptability to various scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces physical intermediary barriers between parking spaces that actively intervene in the parking process. These barriers serve as mediators that guide vehicle positioning and prevent incorrect parking by physically blocking access to wrong spaces, thus enhancing delimitation effectiveness beyond passive markings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If guide rails are installed on either side of parking spaces, then vehicle positioning can be guided, but the installation process is lengthy and costly and the rails are fixed and do not allow for modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle positioning guidanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed guide rails with dynamic, movable barriers that can be easily repositioned and reconfigured. These barriers maintain the vehicle guidance function while eliminating the complexity of permanent installation, allowing quick adjustments to parking layouts without costly construction work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes barriers with variable parameters such as adjustable height, position, and configuration. These barriers can be modified to suit different parking requirements and space optimizations, providing guidance functionality while maintaining flexibility and simplicity in deployment and reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If guide rails are used for parking delimitation, then vehicle positioning is assisted, but maneuvering to reach parking space is complicated and can damage the vehicle if performed carelessly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle positioning assistanceVSAvoidvehicle damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates cushioning elements in the barrier design that absorb impact forces during parking maneuvers. These cushioning features are positioned beforehand to protect vehicles from damage while guiding drivers into correct parking positions, reducing the harm from careless maneuvering without complicating the parking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces protective intermediary barriers that mediate between the vehicle and the parking space boundaries. These barriers provide gentle guidance and protection, preventing direct contact between vehicles and hard surfaces that could cause damage, while still assisting drivers in achieving proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If fixed delimitation devices are installed, then parking spaces are clearly defined, but the arrangement of parking spaces cannot be modified without major difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking space delimitation clarityVSAvoidparking layout flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic, movable barriers that can be easily repositioned and reconfigured to modify parking arrangements. These barriers maintain clear delimitation of parking spaces while enabling flexible adaptation to changing requirements, eliminating the rigidity of fixed installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the parking area into modular sections using individual barrier elements that can be independently positioned and reconfigured. This segmentation allows flexible modification of parking layouts by simply moving or rearranging discrete barrier units rather than undertaking major construction projects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates parking maneuvers by providing clear visual cues, reduces vehicle damage, and allows for flexible reconfiguration of parking layouts without major difficulties, enhancing user experience and space optimization.

Implementation Method 1

a weighted tube extending along the longitudinal direction and connected to said lower edge of said flexible panel so as to put said flexible panel under tension by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3542012B1Device for delimiting motor vehicle parking spaces in a covered space
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 EURL HELIAGE
  • EP3542012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3542012B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3542012B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention concerns a device for longitudinally delimiting two motor vehicle parking spaces in a covered space, comprising: a flexible panel (20) extending in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the parking direction of the vehicles to either side of the device, and comprising a top edge (22) and a bottom edge (21); a plurality of linear elements (24) for hanging the flexible panel (20) distributed in the longitudinal direction and each comprising a first end (24a) capable of being attached to the ceiling of the covered space, and a second end (24b) attached to said top edge (22) of said flexible panel (20); and a weighting rod (26) extending in the longitudinal direction and linked to said lower edge (21) of said flexible panel (20) in such a way as to tension said flexible panel (20) by gravity.