Internal Clamping Mechanism for Traffic Pole Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting structures for traffic poles, while designed to mitigate collision forces, pose risks due to external attachments that can penetrate vehicles, are vulnerable to weather, and obstruct ground-level protection, with high directional sensitivity and susceptibility to vandalism.
Innovation Solution
The connecting structure features recesses opening into the inner periphery of mounting flanges, with washer discs and friction rings for controlled shearing, and a design that conceals critical components, reducing external irregularities and enhancing durability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external flanges with bolt connections are used to clamp pole parts together, then the pole can shear under collision forces to limit vehicle deceleration, but the external attachment means form projections that may penetrate into colliding vehicles causing hook effects and additional injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional external flange design by moving the clamping mechanism to the interior of the pole. The mounting flanges are positioned inside the pole structure, and clamping members extend through the pole wall from the interior to clamp the pole parts together. This inversion eliminates external projections that could cause hook effects while maintaining the shearing function for collision safety.
2Strength
If external flanges and bolt connections are provided on the pole surface, then the connecting structure can withstand normal loads, but the external attachment means are exposed to weather conditions reducing long-term reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical bolt connections and mounting flanges from the external environment and relocates them to the interior of the pole structure. The mounting flanges are positioned inside the pole, and only the clamping members extend through the pole wall. This extraction protects the critical fastening components from weather exposure while maintaining structural integrity under normal loads.
3Ease of manufacture
If external flanges are provided on the pole, then the connecting structure can be assembled, but the flanges form obstacles that prevent proper ground-level protection extending approximately 25 cm above ground level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the flange positioning from external to internal. The mounting flanges are located inside the pole structure rather than on the exterior surface. This allows the external pole surface to maintain a smooth, continuous shape that can be properly protected with ground-level protection extending 25 cm above ground level, while still enabling assembly through the internal clamping mechanism.
4Ease of manufacture
If external flanges with directional bolt connections are used, then the pole parts can be connected, but the connecting structure exhibits high directional sensitivity depending on the direction of mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the mounting flanges and clamping members within the pole structure. The flanges are arranged at specific angular positions (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) with clamping members extending through corresponding pole wall positions. This asymmetric internal arrangement provides stable connection capability while reducing directional sensitivity compared to external flange configurations, as the load path is optimized through the pole's structural geometry.
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
This design minimizes risks to vehicle occupants, ensures long-term reliability, reduces vandalism, and maintains pole stability under normal loads while allowing controlled shearing during collisions, ensuring safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
washer discs and friction rings for controlled shearing
Implementation Method 2
clamping members which are accommodated in recesses which are aligned with respect to one another and which are supported on mounting faces which are turned away from one another in such a manner that the end faces of the connecting pieces are pushed together
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connecting structure (4) for a traffic pole, such as a lamp post (1), composed of two pole parts (2, 3), comprises connecting pieces (7, 8) which can each be connected to a pole part in such a manner that the connecting pieces and pole parts are in line with one another, which connecting pieces (7, 8) are provided with end faces (11) which face one another and a connecting part (9) which can be connected to a pole part (2,3), a mounting face (19) having recesses (17) opening into a periphery thereof, which mounting face (19) is turned away from the associated end face (11), as well as clamping members (13) which are accommodated in recesses (17) which are aligned with respect to one another and which are supported on mounting faces (19) which are turned away from one another in such a manner that the end faces (11) of the connecting pieces (7, 8) are pushed together. The recesses (17) open into the inner periphery of the mounting faces (19).