Parking Curb Force Distribution via Curved Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking curb systems for indoor garages are prone to movement when subjected to translational forces and structural crumbling under axial forces, lacking effective attachment mechanisms, which compromises their ability to delimit vehicle movement and display advertisements.
Innovation Solution
A parking curb system with a unique design featuring a bottom panel connected to a lower concave panel and an upper curved panel, distributing forces through corrugation and concave/curved designs, along with retaining lips that contact vehicle tires and allow for advertisement attachment, and adjustable size to fit various vehicles, including pads for gripping the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parking curbs are made lightweight and non-invasive, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but structural strength and resistance to axial forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The curb incorporates curved and concave panels instead of flat rigid structures. The curved panels distribute applied forces more effectively throughout the structure, preventing structural crumbling while maintaining a lightweight design that doesn't require invasive installation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The curb is divided into multiple separate panels (front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each panel to be lightweight and easy to handle individually, while the combined structure provides the necessary structural strength through their interconnected arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If parking curbs are made removable and non-invasive, then ease of removal is improved, but stability and resistance to movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The curb utilizes flexible rubber or polymer panels that can deform elastically under load. This flexibility allows the curb to grip the floor surface and resist movement through friction and deformation, while still being easily removable without permanent installation, as the material returns to its original shape after load removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved and concave panel designs create geometric interlocking features that increase friction and resistance to translational forces. The curved surfaces conform to the floor and vehicle tires, providing stability through shape rather than through invasive mechanical fastening.
3Reliability
If retaining lips are added to contact vehicle tires, then ability to delimit vehicle movement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining lips serve multiple functions: they delimit vehicle movement by contacting tires, they provide additional structural reinforcement to the panel assembly, and they create mounting surfaces for advertisements. This multi-functionality increases reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining lips are integrated into the panel structure rather than being separate components. The lips are formed as extensions of the panels themselves, combining the delimiting function with the structural panels, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to contact vehicle tires and prevent movement.
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 system effectively distributes external forces, preventing movement and structural damage, while enabling the display of advertisements, and is lightweight, non-invasive, and easily removable, addressing the deficiencies of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
These panels distribute axial and translational forces by taking advantage of corrugation and concave/curved designs
Implementation Method 2
The system has pads connected to the bottom panel that resist the externally applied forces by 'gripping' the underlying floor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle curb with advertising system including a bottom panel that is connected to a lower curved panel which is then connected to an upper curved panel. These panels distribute axial and translational forces, imparted by the vehicle's tires, by taking advantage of corrugation and curved designs. Further, the upper curved panel is connected to an upper retaining lip, which is then connected to a front concave panel, which is then connected to a lower front retaining lip. The two retaining lips contact the vehicle's tires and together with the concave panel, distribute the externally applied forces throughout the system. Further, the two front retaining lips provide an attaching means for a user to attach a logo or advertisement to the system. The system also has pads connected to the bottom panel that resist the externally applied forces by “gripping” the underlying floor, thus effectively stopping the vehicle without slippage.