Progressive Deformation Anchor for Vehicle Restraint Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional restraint systems for impacting vehicles, anchored to the ground, face challenges such as high anchoring forces leading to increased injury risk due to uneven resistance and limited deformation paths, which result in inefficient energy dissipation and higher costs for construction and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A restraint system with a wall element featuring a deformation element and anchoring opening that allows progressive deformation, providing a predeterminable resistance curve and controlled energy absorption, allowing for even energy dissipation across varying vehicle impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional anchors are used to firmly anchor the restraint system to the ground, then the restraint system has high stability and strength, but the impact energy cannot be dissipated effectively and the resistance becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed with a deformation element that allows controlled dynamic movement during impact. The deformation element can deform progressively as the wall element moves, transforming the static anchor into a dynamic energy-absorbing component that maintains stability while enabling energy dissipation through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance characteristic of the anchor is changed from fixed to variable through the deformation element. As the deformation element deforms during impact, the resistance force changes progressively, creating a predeterminable resistance curve that optimizes both stability and energy dissipation throughout the impact process.
2Ease of manufacture
If predetermined breaking points are provided in the anchors to reduce forces, then the manufacturing cost and construction complexity are reduced, but the displacement paths are very limited and the resistance becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed breaking points with limited displacement, the deformation element provides continuous dynamic deformation capability. This allows the anchor to accommodate large displacement paths while maintaining controlled resistance throughout the entire deformation process, avoiding the sudden force drops associated with breaking points.
3Strength
If the restraint system is firmly anchored to prevent displacement, then the system has high strength, but the accelerations to which occupants are exposed increase and injury probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor with deformation element transforms from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic energy-absorbing system. During impact, the deformation element deforms progressively, extending the impact duration and reducing peak accelerations transmitted to the vehicle and occupants, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining overall system strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation element is designed beforehand to deform in a controlled manner during impact, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs impact energy progressively. This predetermined deformation capability reduces the shock transmitted to occupants before the full impact force is applied.
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 absorbs and dissipates impact energy from both light and heavy vehicles, maintaining consistent resistance and preventing excessive deflection, thereby reducing occupant injury risk and construction costs.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation element 31 and/or the anchoring opening 22 are designed for the progressive deformation of the deformation element 31 as the second movement progresses
Implementation Method 2
the restraint system can reliably absorb and dissipate both impact energy from light vehicles and impact energy from heavy vehicles
Implementation Method 3
WO 00/008 259 A1 discloses a restraint system comprising wall elements which has friction-reducing measures in order to reduce the friction between the wall element and the ground when the wall element moves along the ground
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
In a restraint system (1) for restraining impacting vehicles, wherein the restraint system (1) comprises at least one wall element (2) for arranging on a subsurface (4) and an anchor (3) for anchoring the wall element (2) to the subsurface (4), wherein the wall element (2) comprises an anchoring opening (22) for anchoring to the subsurface (4), and wherein the wall element (2) - in the case of an impacting vehicle - is provided to perform a first movement relative to the subsurface (4), it is proposed for the effective absorption of impact energy to dispose a deformation element (31) on the anchor (3), for the deformation element (31) to be provided to perform a second movement relative to the anchoring opening (22), and for the deformation element (31) and/or the anchoring opening (22) to be configured for the progressive deformation of the deformation element (31) with a progressive second movement.