Accessible Pedestrian Signal Station with Sacrificial Base Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing accessible pedestrian signal stations are prone to damage from vehicles and vandalism, leading to costly and time-consuming replacement processes, especially when embedded components in concrete are affected, and weather conditions hinder repairs.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a sacrificial base plate that is easily replaceable and structurally fails before the permanent base plate, allowing for quick repair without removing embedded components, using a post with a bottom base plate attached to the surface via anchor bolts and a sacrificial base plate that can fail under force, such as from a vehicle impact, allowing the post to be replaced without damaging the concrete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standalone pedestal is used to support the accessible pedestrian signal, then the signal is easily accessible to pedestrians, but the pedestal is vulnerable to damage from vehicles and vandalism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedestrian accessibilityVSAvoidpedestal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate is divided into two separate components: a permanent base plate that remains embedded in the concrete and a sacrificial base plate that can be easily removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the signal head to remain accessible to pedestrians while protecting the permanent mounting structure from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial base plate is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily removed and replaced if damaged. This disposable approach allows for quick replacement of the damaged portion without affecting the permanent base plate or requiring costly concrete repairs, thereby maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the base plate is permanently embedded in concrete, then the structure is stable and secure, but replacement becomes expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase plate stabilityVSAvoidbase plate replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The base plate system is segmented into a permanent base plate that provides stable concrete embedding and a separate sacrificial base plate that enables easy replacement. The permanent base plate maintains stability through concrete anchoring while the sacrificial portion can be quickly swapped without concrete work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial base plate acts as an intermediary between the permanent base plate and the signal head assembly. It provides a removable interface that allows the signal head to be mounted securely while enabling easy replacement without disturbing the permanent concrete-embedded base plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If the base plate is designed to be easily replaceable, then repair time and cost are reduced, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase plate replaceabilityVSAvoidbase plate structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate system combines different materials and designs: the permanent base plate uses robust materials for concrete embedding and structural strength, while the sacrificial base plate uses materials that balance strength with ease of replacement. This composite approach ensures both durability and replaceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If the sacrificial base plate is made thinner, then it fails more readily under force, but it may not provide sufficient structural support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesacrificial base plate fail-safe designVSAvoidbase plate load-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sacrificial base plate is designed with specific dimensional parameters (thickness, width, length) that balance its dual function: providing sufficient structural support for normal operation while being thin enough to fail more readily than the permanent base plate under extreme force, protecting the permanent structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9830811B2Accessible pedestrian signal station

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 TIP INDICATIONS

AI summary

A readily replaceable accessible pedestrian signal station is described including a bottom base plate and a sacrificial base plate.