Parking Barrier Post With Elastic Deformation Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guard rail barriers designed for highway use are too rigid and energy-absorbing for car parking environments, where lower vehicle speeds require a different deformation mechanism to effectively absorb collision loads without causing permanent damage.
Innovation Solution
A post assembly for parking lot barriers featuring elongated apertures at the base, allowing elastic deformation under low-speed collisions, with a cross-section design including two flanges connected by a web, and optional apertures in the flanges and web to reduce material cross-section and facilitate predictable yield during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If highway guard rail barriers with rigid posts are used in parking areas, then vehicle collision protection is provided, but the posts are too rigid and absorb too much energy for low-speed parking collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The post's structural parameters are changed by introducing apertures that enable elastic deformation. The apertures are sized and shaped to allow the post to deform elastically under low-speed collision loads, changing the energy absorption mechanism from rigid to semi-rigid while maintaining collision protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The post transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic semi-rigid structure that can deform elastically during low-speed collisions. The apertures enable the post to adapt its stiffness based on the collision load, providing appropriate energy absorption for parking environment speeds
2Use of energy by moving object
If apertures are added to the post to enable elastic deformation, then energy absorption at low speeds is improved, but the post strength and rigidity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apertures are strategically located at specific positions on the post (in the web linking flanges, in flanges, or both) to create localized deformation zones. This allows the post to maintain overall strength while enabling controlled elastic deformation at specific locations during collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The post cross-section is segmented by introducing apertures that divide the solid material into regions separated by the aperture boundaries. This segmentation allows the material to deform into the void spaces created by the apertures, enabling energy absorption while maintaining structural integrity
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 post assembly provides a semi-rigid barrier system that elastically deforms at low speeds, preventing overloading of anchors and allowing for predictable deformation, ensuring safety and durability in car parking environments by reducing the cross-sectional area and allowing material to deform into voids during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
allow the post to deform elastically under collision loads at low speeds
Data Source
AI summary
A post assembly (10,10.0, 10.00, 10.000, 10.0000, 110, 210, 310) for a parking lot barrier system (11), the post (12) of the post assembly (10,10.0, 10.00, 10.000, 10.0000, 110, 210, 310) being of any appropriate section and having at least one aperture (30, 32) at or near to the base (12.1) of the post (12). The at least one aperture (30, 32) is sized and shaped so as to allow the post (12) to deform elastically under collision loads at low speeds sign posted in parking lots.