Hinged Wall Access Gate for Pedestrian Crossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access gates for crossing walls and fences, particularly around race tracks, are limited in capacity, pose safety hazards, and compromise the integrity of the protective barrier due to their size and structure, restricting pedestrian flow and requiring additional support structures.
Innovation Solution
A pedestrian access gate system featuring a hinged wall portion and surface doors that can be moved between open and closed positions using a winch, with a pneumatic piston for assistance, and a foldable catch fence for increased headroom, allowing multiple pedestrians to cross safely without compromising the barrier's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional access gate structure is used to allow pedestrians to cross the wall, then pedestrian access is provided, but the barrier integrity is compromised and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access gate is divided into multiple independent segments: hinged wall portions that can open independently, surface doors that separate pedestrian access from the barrier structure, and foldable catch fence sections. This segmentation allows the barrier to remain intact in closed positions while providing safe access when opened, resolving the contradiction between maintaining barrier integrity and enabling pedestrian access.
2Productivity
If the access gate size is increased to allow more pedestrians to cross, then pedestrian throughput increases, but the structural complexity and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access gate employs dynamic elements including hinged wall portions that rotate to open positions, surface doors that can be raised or lowered, and foldable catch fence sections that can be collapsed. These dynamic components allow the gate to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, enabling high pedestrian throughput through coordinated movement of multiple elements rather than requiring a permanently large opening.
3Reliability
If the wall height is increased to improve protective barrier performance, then barrier effectiveness increases, but the difficulty of operation and headroom for pedestrians decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is segmented into fixed portions that maintain barrier height and protective performance, and hinged wall portions that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows the majority of the wall to remain at full height for effective protection while localized sections provide controlled access points, eliminating the need to reduce overall wall height for pedestrian usability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional support structures are added to the access gate, then structural stability improves, but the device complexity and compromise to barrier integrity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access gate components are merged with the existing barrier structure: hinged wall portions are integrated into the wall itself, surface doors are positioned within the barrier footprint, and foldable catch fence sections are attached to the wall structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate external support structures, maintaining gate stability while minimizing added complexity and preserving barrier integrity in closed positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An access gate provides access to cross a wall and may comprise at least one hinged wall portion configured to be moved between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, the hinged wall portion acts as a barrier between a first and a second side of the wall. In the open position, the hinged wall portion allows passage between the first and second sides of the wall. The access gate may comprise a crossing surface to allow passage between the first and second sides of the wall; and at least one hinged surface door configured to be moved between a closed and an open position. In the closed position, the surface door prevents access to the crossing surface and provides a walkable/drivable surface. In the open position, the surface door provides access to the crossing surface.