Roadway Marker Protective Cover and Stiffening Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traffic control devices such as cones and flexible highway markers often suffer from displacement or permanent deformation due to vehicle impacts, leading to ineffective warning and guidance of drivers.
Innovation Solution
A roadway marker design featuring a base, stake, pin, collar, and flexible marker with a reflective tubular component and clear protective cover, along with a stiffening element to prevent displacement and deformation, ensuring the marker remains upright and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If reflective sheeting is used on traffic control devices, then visibility and warning capability are improved, but the reflective sheeting is easily displaced from its intended location when struck by vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the reflective sheeting and external impacts. The cover has a front surface that receives vehicle impacts and a rear surface that contacts the reflective sheeting, preventing displacement while maintaining visibility through its transparent or translucent material.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is made from flexible materials such as transparent or translucent plastic, vinyl, or other suitable materials that allow the cover to deform during impact while protecting the reflective sheeting. The flexible nature allows the cover to absorb impact energy without breaking, while the reflective sheeting maintains its position.
2Ease of manufacture
If flexible highway markers are used, then ease of installation and adaptability are improved, but the markers permanently deform when struck by vehicles and cannot stand upright
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is constructed from composite or layered materials that combine flexibility for installation with strength for impact resistance. The cover may include multiple layers or combinations of materials such as plastic, vinyl, or other suitable materials that provide both flexibility and structural integrity to prevent permanent deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover serves as pre-installed cushioning that absorbs and distributes impact forces before they can cause permanent deformation to the flexible marker. The cover's material properties and structural design allow it to deform elastically during impact, protecting the marker's internal structure and enabling it to return to its upright position.
3Ease of operation
If the protective cover is made from flexible material, then ease of installation and absorption of impact energy are improved, but the cover may allow more displacement of reflective sheeting compared to rigid covers
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover's material properties are carefully selected and optimized to balance flexibility and protection effectiveness. The cover may use materials with specific durometer ratings, thicknesses, or layered constructions that provide sufficient rigidity to prevent reflective sheeting displacement while maintaining flexibility for installation. Parameters such as material composition, thickness, and structural design are adjusted to achieve the optimal balance.
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 protective cover maintains the reflective sheeting's position and the stiffening element enhances the marker's resilience, extending its functional life and maintaining performance even after repeated impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The protective cover protects the reflective sheet from the impact of vehicles
Implementation Method 2
the stiffening element within the flexible marker, advantageously prevents the marker from collapsing when the marker is struck by a vehicle and bent, and provides additional spring to return the roadway marker to a substantially erect position
Data Source
AI summary
A clear protective cover on a roadway marker for protecting reflective sheeting located on the marker. The protective cover prevents the reflective sheeting from being displaced from the marker when impacted, for example, by vehicle. The protective cover can be formed from a clear, high-impact strength, polycarbonate material. A stiffening element located within the roadway marker increases the stiffness and resiliency of the roadway marker. The stiffening element provides more spring to return the roadway marker back to a substantially erect position after being deflected, for example, by a vehicle. The stiffening element can be a formed from a hard material such as PVC and can have the shape of a ball, cylinder, puck, oblong, or other suitable shape.