Foldable Retaining Barrier for Avalanche Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining devices for avalanches and landslides are cumbersome and difficult to transport and assemble, particularly in hard-to-reach locations, due to their large volume and complex structure, which increases installation time and poses safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A foldable or collapsible retaining device with a support frame that can assume a compact non-operating configuration, reducing its volume for easier transportation and storage, and featuring a movable support strut connected via an articulated joint that converts between spherical and cylindrical hinges to adapt to installation and transport modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the retaining device is designed with a large support frame and support strut to ensure structural stability and retaining capacity, then the device can effectively stop and limit snow or material movement, but the device volume increases significantly making transportation and assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is designed with movable arms that can change position between an operating configuration (radially arranged for maximum retaining capacity) and a non-operating configuration (parallel arrangement for minimum volume). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the device to achieve both structural strength and compact transportation volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is divided into multiple arms (first arms and second arms) that can move independently relative to each other. The second arms are displaceable between radial and parallel positions, allowing the structure to be segmented and reconfigured for different operational states, reducing overall volume when not in use.
2Loss of time
If the retaining device is pre-assembled to reduce installation time and complexity, then the device can be quickly deployed, but the large volume requires special transportation vehicles and limits the number of devices that can be transported
Solution Approach 1:
The device is supplied pre-assembled in a compact non-operating configuration with parallel arms, minimizing transportation volume. At the installation site, the device is quickly deployed by displacing the second arms into their radial operating positions, achieving rapid installation without requiring special transportation vehicles.
3Device complexity
If the support strut is fixed in a T-shaped arrangement to ensure proper support, then the device structure is simple and robust, but the device cannot be compacted for efficient transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The support strut is connected to the support frame via an articulated joint that allows it to change position. In the operating configuration, the support strut forms a T-shaped arrangement for proper support. During transportation, the support strut can be repositioned to a parallel configuration alongside the arms, enabling compact storage while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple retaining devices are transported by road to the installation yard, then transportation cost is reduced, but the large volume of each device limits the number of devices that can be transported in a single journey
Solution Approach 1:
Each retaining device is designed with collapsible arms that reduce the overall volume when not in use. This allows multiple devices to be transported by road in a single journey, increasing the quantity of devices that can be delivered without requiring special transportation vehicles.
5Volume of moving object
If the device is disassembled for transportation to reduce volume, then the device can be transported in standard vehicles, but assembly operations at the installation site increase time and pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The device is supplied pre-assembled in a compact configuration, eliminating the need for assembly operations at the installation site. The only action required is displacing the movable arms into their operating positions, which significantly reduces assembly time and eliminates safety risks associated with assembly operations in difficult conditions.
6Volume of moving object
If the second arms are made displaceable between radial and parallel arrangements, then the device volume is reduced for transportation, but the number of movable parts and connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is segmented into first arms and second arms, with only the second arms being displaceable. This segmentation allows the device to achieve compact volume for transportation while minimizing the number of movable parts - only the second arms need to be movable, rather than all arms or additional complex mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A retaining device (1 ) comprising a retaining barrier (3), wherein the retaining barrier (3) comprises a support frame (4) including at least three arms (5, 51, 52, 53, 54). The support frame (4) is adapted to assume a non-operating closed configuration and an operating radial configuration. In operating radial configuration, each arm (5, 51, 52, 53, 54) is oriented along a respective radial direction (50a, 50b); in non- operating closed configuration, at least a first arm (5, 51, 53) is oriented along the same radial direction (50a) of the operating radial configuration and the remaining second arms (5, 52, 54) are oriented along a direction (50c) substantially parallel to said radial direction (50a) of said at least one first arm (5, 51, 53).