Guardrail Support with Segmented Tab for Impact Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current road safety barrier systems, particularly semi-rigid guardrails, face issues with maintaining height during vehicle impacts due to deformation of steel components, leading to ineffective containment and redirection of vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle containment barrier system featuring supports with a weakened zone around the connection region, allowing fasteners to release and the guardrail to remain elevated by separating from the supports during impact, utilizing a tab structure that remains attached to the guardrail as the supports deflect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the guardrail is directly attached to supporting posts by fasteners, then the guardrail maintains its position during normal operation, but during impact the posts deform and drag the guardrail under the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguardrail height maintenanceVSAvoidvehicle snagging and vaulting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into a main post body and a separate tab portion. The tab is the only part attached to the guardrail, while the main post body absorbs impact forces. This segmentation allows the tab to remain elevated with the guardrail during impact while the post deflects independently, preventing the guardrail from being dragged under the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tab acts as an intermediary element between the guardrail and the main post body. It transfers the guardrail attachment function to a separate component that remains elevated during impact, while the main post body serves as the primary impact absorption element. This intermediary structure prevents direct force transmission from the deforming post to the guardrail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If spacer blocks are used between posts and guardrail, then post height is maintained during initial impact, but posts and blocks plastically crush and deform ultimately dragging the guardrail under the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost height maintenanceVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into a main post body for impact absorption and a separate tab for guardrail attachment. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional spacer blocks while maintaining the benefits of height preservation during impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is designed with reduced thickness compared to the main post body, creating a deliberate weakness that allows controlled deformation. This parameter change enables the tab to remain elevated while the main post absorbs impact energy through controlled deflection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If connecting collars are fixed to the guardrail to facilitate separation, then the guardrail can slide off posts during impact, but a considerable distance must be provided adjacent the roadway to arrest and redirect the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguardrail separationVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tab structure provides automatic separation capability through its design. The tab remains attached to the guardrail while the main post body deflects, naturally creating separation without requiring sliding collars or additional space for vehicle arrest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment function is extracted from the main post body and placed in the tab. This allows the main post to be taken out of the guardrail attachment relationship during impact, enabling separation while maintaining compact space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If cheaper non-tapered fasteners are used instead of tapered fasteners, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the guardrail will not function appropriately during impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener costVSAvoidimpact performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is designed as a sacrificial component that is intentionally made weaker than the main post body. It is designed to deform or separate during impact, serving its purpose and then being replaced. This allows the use of simpler, cheaper fasteners while maintaining reliable impact performance through the tab's controlled failure mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The tab's reduced thickness creates a deliberate weakness that controls the failure mode during impact. This parameter change ensures that the tab deforms or separates in a predictable manner, maintaining guardrail functionality regardless of fastener type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9217230B2Barrier system

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 SAFE DIRECTION

AI summary

A barrier system including a guardrail, a support to hold the guardrail in position and a fastener to attach the guardrail to the support, wherein the support has a weakened zone to facilitate the fastener releasing from the support when the support is subject to impact forces.