Portable Traffic Incident Screen with Adjustable Stanchions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to effectively address the issue of 'rubbernecking' caused by traffic congestion near accident scenes, leading to secondary accidents, loss of privacy, and increased air pollution, as they are either unstable in wind conditions, require ground-engaging devices, or need additional support structures.
Innovation Solution
A portable, free-standing incident screening system comprising two stanchions with adjustable legs, a telescoping vertical extension, and removable ballast, which deploys quickly and maintains stability in high winds without perforations, allowing for adaptable screening configurations and easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable barrier is used to block the incident scene, then scene privacy and security are improved, but the barrier becomes unstable in wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ground-engaging devices that extend into the ground to provide counterbalancing force against wind pressure. These devices act as counterweights that anchor the barrier structure, preventing it from toppling over when subjected to turbulent wind conditions near traffic incidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system is pre-configured with ground-engaging devices and support structures before deployment. The telescoping poles are pre-assembled with attachment points for the ground-engaging devices, allowing rapid deployment while ensuring stability is built into the structure from the outset rather than requiring post-deployment adjustments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a portable barrier with ground-engaging devices is used, then wind stability is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into modular segments including telescoping poles, fabric panels, and separate ground-engaging devices. Each component can be independently assembled and configured, allowing the complex functionality to be broken down into simple, manageable parts that are easy to deploy and store.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates telescoping poles with adjustable lengths that can be extended or retracted based on deployment needs. The ground-engaging devices can be inserted or removed from the ground as required, providing dynamic adaptability that simplifies setup and storage while maintaining stability when deployed.
3Force
If perforations are added to the barrier fabric, then wind resistance is reduced, but scene privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier uses a flexible fabric panel that can bend and deform in response to wind pressure without requiring perforations. The fabric's inherent flexibility allows it to flex dynamically under wind load, reducing peak forces while maintaining complete opacity to preserve scene privacy and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric barrier dynamically responds to wind forces by flexing and moving rather than resisting rigidly. This dynamic behavior reduces the effective wind load on the structure while keeping the fabric intact and opaque, eliminating the need for perforations that would compromise privacy.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional support structures are added to the barrier, then stability is improved, but ease of operation and storage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are designed as separate, modular ground-engaging devices that can be independently attached to the telescoping poles. This segmentation allows the main barrier structure to remain simple and easy to deploy, while the support devices can be added or removed based on specific stability requirements without complicating the core assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-engaging support devices are extracted as separate components rather than being integrated into the main pole structure. This allows the barrier to be deployed quickly with just the telescoping poles and fabric, with the additional support devices being added only when extra stability is needed, maintaining ease of operation while providing stability when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable free-standing traffic incident screening assembly of flexible fabric (tarp, screen, etc.) stretched between at least two stanchions, each stanchion having at least three adjustable legs, flexible telescoping vertical extension portions, and removable ballast. The portable screens defend incident sites by establishing privacy, reduce the probability of secondary accidents due to an unprotected scene, and provide a secure environment for incident investigators.