Impact Resisting Post with Inverted Hook Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rigid crash barriers and bollards are prone to deformation and damage from vehicle impacts, especially from heavier vehicles, leading to high replacement costs and potential damage to vehicles, and are not suitable for high-speed impacts due to material weakness and unsuitable deformation methods.
Innovation Solution
An impact resisting post with an inverted hook-shaped member featuring resilient portions and an intermediate rolled back portion that inhibits permanent deformation, allowing for flexible response to impacts and reducing stress on the material, thereby minimizing damage to vehicles and maintaining resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid barriers and bollards are used, then structural strength is improved, but they are prone to deformation and damage from vehicle impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can flex and rotate during impact. The support is designed to rotate backwards towards the ground about a securing point when impacted, allowing controlled movement that absorbs impact energy while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the barrier support by using spring steel material that can undergo elastic deformation. The support's rigidity is modulated through its material properties and geometric design, allowing it to be rigid during normal conditions but flexible during impact events.
2Reliability
If spring steel supports are used to absorb low speed impacts, then damage to vehicle and barrier is reduced, but the supports plastically deform under heavier impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the barrier support's response to impact. Instead of only flexing horizontally like conventional spring steel barriers, the support rotates backwards towards the ground about a securing point, creating a new degree of freedom that increases energy absorption capacity and prevents plastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier support uses a composite design combining spring steel material with a specific geometric configuration including an inverted hook shaped member with resilient portions. This composite structure integrates both material properties and structural design to achieve superior impact resistance and prevent plastic deformation.
3Loss of energy
If the barrier rotates backwards towards the ground during high speed impact, then impact energy is absorbed, but the vehicle may flip over or crash back down with significant force
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier support is pre-configured with an inverted hook shaped member and resilient portions that are designed to engage and control the rotation movement before the vehicle can gain significant momentum. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that the rotation follows a controlled path that absorbs energy without causing vehicle instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portions of the inverted hook shaped member act as intermediaries between the impacting vehicle and the ground. These elements mediate the energy transfer during rotation, providing a controlled deformation mechanism that absorbs impact energy while preventing harmful effects such as vehicle flipping or crashing back down.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid barriers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but significant damage is caused to the colliding vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful rigid impact into a beneficial energy absorption mechanism. The spring steel support is designed to rotate and flex during impact, transforming the harmful kinetic energy of the colliding vehicle into elastic deformation energy, thereby protecting both the barrier structure and the vehicle from damage.
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 solution provides enhanced flexibility and reduced damage to both vehicles and structures during impacts, extending the lifespan of the posts by preventing premature deformation and ensuring safety against high-speed collisions without causing vehicles to flip or crash.
Implementation Method 1
an inverted hook shaped member having a first resilient portion; a second resilient portion spaced transversely from said first resilient portion... said resilient and intermediate portions are configured to resiliently respond to an impact
Implementation Method 2
said intermediate portion has shape and dimension configured to inhibit permanent deformation of said second resilient portion and/or connection portion after said contact occurs
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An impact resisting post (10), comprising a first resilient portion (14) and a second resilient portion (18) spaced transversely from said first resilient portion. A connection portion (16) interconnects said first and second portions. An intermediate portion (20) extends from said second resilient portion into said space between said first and second resilient portions wherein said resilient and intermediate portions are configured to resiliently respond to an impact, such that when said impact exerts a force on said second resilient portion towards said first resilient portion, said second portion moves resiliently towards said first portion under the influence of said force, until said intermediate portion contacts said first resilient portion thereby to restrict further resilient movement of said second portion relative to said first resilient portion. The intermediate portion has shape and dimension configured to inhibit permanent deformation of said second resilient portion and/or connection portion after said contact occurs.