Flood Barrier Support Structure with Integrated Angled Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood barrier systems require significant space for angled braces and are time-intensive to assemble and disassemble due to bolt-and-nut connections, limiting their deployment speed and efficiency during flood events.
Innovation Solution
A support system for flood panel barriers featuring vertical support members with central walls and angled plates that eliminate the need for rear bracing and allow for rapid assembly and disassembly using tap bolts and adjustment knobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If angled braces are used for structural support, then stability against water pressure is improved, but the space required for barrier deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the angled braces from the barrier system entirely. Instead, vertical support members with integrated footing plates provide structural support directly at the panel locations, eliminating the need for separate bracing elements and the space they occupy.
Solution Approach 2:
The footing plate is integrated directly into the vertical support member, combining the support function and the anchoring function into a single component. This merger eliminates the need for separate brace assemblies and reduces the overall space required for deployment.
2Strength
If bolt-and-nut connections are used to connect panels, then structural strength is improved, but assembly and disassembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional bolt-and-nut mechanical connection system with a tab-and-slot insertion system. The tabs on the panels insert into slots on the vertical support members, providing structural connection without requiring threading, tightening, or complex fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into discrete tabs on the panels and corresponding slots on the support members, allowing for quick, modular assembly and disassembly without requiring complex fastening sequences.
3Stability of the object's composition
If angled braces are used for support, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the angled braces from the system, simplifying the overall structure. The vertical support members with integrated footing plates provide equivalent or superior stability with fewer components and less structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the support function and anchoring function into the single vertical support member with integrated footing plate, the system reduces component count and structural complexity while maintaining or improving stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flood panel barrier system uses a series of water-impermeable panels around a structure or across openings in the structure where could otherwise enter the structure. The panels are supported at their interfaces by vertical support members that are rigidly mounted to ground surface. The vertical support members do not require bracing that extends behind the barrier in many applications and held in place at their lower end by opposing angled plates. There are fastening units for fastening the panels to the vertical support members, as well as fastening various supporting plates to the ground surface, and each of the fastening units include a knob that allows for tightening or loosening of the fastening unit, as needed.