Modular tactile tile assembly with embedment anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tactile tiles are limited by fixed incremental widths and lengths, requiring multiple sizes to be manufactured and are prone to damage from snow plows, necessitating improved designs and installation methods.
Innovation Solution
A modular tile assembly system comprising a base with embedment anchors and attachment elements, allowing tiles to be combined into custom sizes and shapes, with fasteners securing the tile to the base and embedment anchors securing the assembly into pavement material, and attachment tabs and slots for connecting multiple assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of tactile tiles are manufactured to fit specific installation sites, then the adaptability to different installation sites is improved, but the device complexity and inventory requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The tactile warning system is divided into modular tile assemblies that can be combined in different configurations. Each tile assembly has standardized attachment elements (tabs and slots) that allow multiple tiles to be connected together, enabling custom sizes and shapes to be created from a single tile type, thus eliminating the need to manufacture and stock multiple tile sizes.
2Productivity
If tactile tiles are made as single large units to cover desired areas, then the number of tiles to be installed is reduced, but the susceptibility to damage from snow plows increases
Solution Approach 1:
Large tactile warning areas are created by assembling multiple smaller tile units together using attachment tabs and slots. This segmentation allows the system to cover large areas while maintaining the durability advantage of individual replaceable tiles, as damaged tiles can be replaced without replacing the entire large assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with detachable attachment elements allows individual damaged tiles to be easily removed and replaced while retaining the intact tiles and base structure. This reduces waste and maintains the overall installation integrity, improving reliability by allowing quick repair of damaged sections.
3Ease of manufacture
If tactile tiles are designed with fixed dimensions, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to create custom configurations at installation sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal tile design with standardized attachment tabs and slots serves multiple functions and can be configured in various arrangements to meet different installation requirements. The modular system allows one tile type to be used for multiple purposes and configurations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing customization flexibility at the installation site.
Data Source
AI summary
A tactile tile assembly includes a base having a plate section, a rim projecting up from the plate section, and a plurality of embedment anchors on the base. A tactile tile is adapted to fit into or onto the base. Fasteners extending through the tactile tile attach it to the base. The top of the rim may be substantially co-planar with a top surface projections on the tactile tile. The embedment anchors may be provided in a plane of the plate section and be bent to a position perpendicular to the plate section for embedment into a pavement material. The base has attachment elements for attaching the tile assembly to an adjoining tile assembly. Two or more tile assemblies are attached together to provide a tile assembly combination of a desired size and shape. The tile assembly combination is then installed in the paving material.