Impact-absorbing Anchoring Assembly for Protective Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface-mounted bollards, intended for low-impact environments, often face challenges in accommodating large loads without permanent damage, and their installation is less expensive and faster compared to core-drilled bollards but still require effective impact absorption mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A bollard assembly incorporating a load transfer member with a shock absorber and fastener configuration that transfers impact forces to a shock absorber, allowing the bollard and load transfer member to deflect and return to their original orientation, thereby preventing damage and reducing the load on the anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If surface-mounted bollards are used instead of core-drilled bollards, then installation cost and time are reduced, but the ability to accommodate large impact loads without permanent damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a shock absorber component within the anchoring assembly that is pre-configured to cushion impact forces before they reach the anchor points. This shock absorber includes energy-absorbing elements that are activated upon impact, providing beforehand cushioning that protects the surface-mounted bollard from damage while maintaining the simpler installation method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials and structural designs that change their mechanical parameters under impact loading. The shock absorber components are designed to undergo controlled deformation, changing from a rigid state during normal operation to a more compliant state during impact, thereby absorbing energy while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If surface-mounted bollards are used, then disruption to the ground or floor is minimized, but the reliability under large loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is pre-installed within the anchoring assembly to provide beforehand cushioning that protects the surface-mounted configuration from impact damage, ensuring reliability without requiring core-drilling or significant ground disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring assembly utilizes composite construction combining rigid components (load transfer member, fasteners) with energy-absorbing materials (shock absorber elements). This composite approach allows the assembly to maintain structural integrity for reliable load-bearing while accommodating impact forces through the energy-absorbing materials
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
The impact-absorbing mechanism effectively isolates impact loads from the anchor, preventing damage to the bollard and load transfer member, and allows them to return to their pre-impact orientation, enhancing the durability and stability of surface-mounted protective devices.
Implementation Method 1
the protective device and load transfer member are permitted to deflect relative to the anchor upon application of the impact load, and then return to their original orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A bollard assembly includes a bollard, and a load transfer member disposed in the bollard, and a shock absorber disposed within the load transfer member. A fastener extends through the load transfer member and shock absorber, and secures the bollard, load transfer member and shock absorber to a ground surface. The load transfer member adjoins the bollard so as to be disposed between the shock absorber and the bollard, and the load transfer member is configured so that when an impact force is applied to the bollard, the force is transferred from the bollard to the shock absorber via the load transfer member. The deflection is absorbed by the shock absorber so that the anchor remains undeformed and the ground remains undamaged. Moreover, due to the resilience of the shock absorber, the bollard and load transfer member are returned to a normal, upright orientation upon withdrawal of the impact load.