Modular Panic Barrier with Wheel System for Crowd Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional movable barriers used for crowd control are prone to displacement and overturning when subjected to horizontal thrust, requiring increased weight for stability, which increases costs and complicates handling and transportation, and hinders quick reconfiguration in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A modular barrier design featuring an inclined footboard with a raised inner edge and a non-vertical parapet, incorporating a crossbar to distribute weight and a wheel system that allows for easy sliding without scraping, enhancing resistance to displacement and facilitating manual handling and stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the weight of the barrier is increased to prevent displacement and overturning, then stability is improved, but handling and transportation become difficult requiring heavy machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier incorporates a wheel system that enables dynamic transition between stable positioning during use and easy mobility during transport. The wheels allow the barrier to be rolled rather than dragged or lifted, fundamentally changing the operational characteristics from static heaviness to dynamic ease of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel acts as an intermediary element between the barrier body and the ground surface. This intermediary component transforms the interaction from direct friction-based resistance to rolling contact, reducing the force required for displacement while maintaining stability when the barrier is in position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the weight of the barrier is increased to prevent displacement and overturning, then stability is improved, but transportation and storage become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier design incorporates wheels that enable dynamic mobility during transport phases while maintaining static stability during operational phases. This dynamic characteristic allows the same structure to adapt between transportation and deployment states without requiring different barrier types.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system changes its interaction parameters with the ground based on operational state. During transport, the wheels engage with the ground to enable rolling movement. During operation, the barrier position is fixed to maintain stability, effectively changing the friction and contact parameters without altering the barrier's physical structure.
3Force
If traditional barriers are used with horizontal thrust resistance, then displacement resistance is provided, but the barrier easily overturns when an obstacle is encountered
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel system transforms the barrier from a static friction-dependent structure to a dynamic rolling system. When horizontal thrust is applied, the wheels rotate rather than allowing the barrier to scrape or tip, dissipating the overturning moment through rotational motion and maintaining stability even when obstacles are present.
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 barrier provides improved resistance to horizontal displacement and overturning, is lightweight and easy to transport, and can be quickly reconfigured without heavy machinery, allowing for efficient crowd control and emergency access.
Implementation Method 1
thanks to the friction developing between the ground and the base of the barrier, it is difficult to displace them by exerting a horizontal thrust thereon
Implementation Method 2
concentrates the loads on extremely limited portions of the ground, which fosters load concentration and enhances the effect of friction, thus rendering it more difficult to make the barrier scrape against the ground and displace it
Data Source
AI summary
A panic barrier for containing pedestrians on the occasion of big events. Said barrier is such as not to overturn whenever the crowd presses against the parapet, thanks to the presence of a fulcrum element integral with the lower portion of the parapet on the side opposite to that of the footboard on which pedestrians walk. Advantageously numerous variants of modular fences can be created by combining a plurality of panic barriers with each other.