Replaceable Pedestrian Tile Dome Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detectable warning tiles are difficult to repair or replace due to costly and time-intensive installation methods, and they lack features such as sensors, lighting, or electrical paths, making it hard to accommodate damage or add functionality like wayfinding signals.

Innovation Solution

A detectable warning tile system with a planar tile base that includes integrated or individually-installable detectable warnings, featuring a replaceable tile section that can be easily swapped out and a design that allows for the integration of sensors, lighting, and electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If tactile tiles are glued or mechanically fastened to existing walking surface, then the tiles are securely attached, but removal and replacement become prohibitively expensive or time intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidtile replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile tile is divided into a base portion and a dome portion that can be separated. The base portion remains attached to the substrate while the dome portion can be independently replaced by removing only the damaged section, avoiding the need to remove the entire tile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a permanent fixed state to a dynamic state where the dome portion can be detached and reattached. The base portion maintains permanent attachment to the substrate while the dome portion allows for easy removal and replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If truncated domes are integrated with tiles as permanent parts, then the structure is simplified, but damaged domes cannot be easily replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetile structure complexityVSAvoid dome replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damaged dome portion can be removed and discarded while the base portion is retained and reused. A new dome portion is then attached to the existing base portion, recovering the functional value without wasting the intact base structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Stability of the object's composition

If tactile tiles are designed with integrated detectable warnings, then the warnings are permanently fixed, but adding sensors, lighting, or electrical paths becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetectable warning stabilityVSAvoidfunctionality integration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dome portion serves multiple functions: providing the detectable warning feature and accommodating sensors, lighting, or electrical paths. This multi-functional design allows the same component to fulfill both tactile warning and electronic integration requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Force

If ramp impacts truncated domes with sufficient force, then the ramp provides necessary support, but the domes become chipped or damaged over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp support forceVSAvoiddome damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The dome portion is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily replaced when damaged. This disposable approach to the dome portion reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming complete tile replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10125460B2Pedestrian tile, replaceable tile section and/or resilient dome structure

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 SUREWERX USA INC

AI summary

A detectable warning tile system has a tile base with an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a plurality of upward projections therefrom. The tile base has two side edges for alignment with corresponding side edges of other tiles, and front and rear edges. An area of the upper surface of the tile base is formed free of the detectable warnings and may include a trough into or over which a replaceable tile section may be placed. The tile base and/or replaceable tile section may be configured to receive one or more individually-installable detectable warnings.