Retractable Cylindrical Marker With Telescopic Risers for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic safety devices, such as collapsible and spring-based cones, face issues with stability, high manufacturing costs, complex assembly, and inefficient storage, which can lead to reduced effectiveness in providing timely warnings to motorists about disabled vehicles or work zones, especially in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A retractable cylindrical safety marker with cylindrical vertical risers and a base support that uses flexible hinges and tabs to expand and collapse without the need for a separate retractable arm or upper linkage, allowing for easy deployment, compact storage, and stability in wind conditions, while being self-contained and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple separate risers are used to achieve proper traffic control device height while achieving compact storage, then the device can be stored efficiently, but the stability of the unit decreases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic control device is divided into multiple collapsible riser sections that can be stacked or nested within each other when not in use, allowing compact storage while maintaining structural integrity during deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The riser sections are designed to nest within one another in a telescopic manner, with each section fitting inside the previous section, achieving compact storage volume while allowing the full height to be restored when deployed for traffic control
2Length of stationary object
If multiple layers are used in constructing the device, then the proper traffic control device height is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases when applying reflective sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular riser sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled, allowing reflective sheets to be applied to each section independently during manufacturing, which reduces overall manufacturing cost while achieving the required total height
Solution Approach 2:
The modular riser sections are designed with universal connection features that allow them to be assembled in various configurations to achieve different heights, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple different height variants and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Ease of operation
If coils or springs are employed as a means of displaying the traffic control device, then the device can be deployed, but the material costs increase and additional cloth or plastic covering is required
Solution Approach 1:
The riser sections incorporate collapsible joints that allow the structure to dynamically transition between extended and collapsed states, enabling easy deployment and storage without requiring external coils or springs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for coils, springs, and additional cloth or plastic covering materials by using self-contained collapsible joint mechanisms built into the riser sections themselves, reducing both material costs and structural complexity
4Ease of manufacture
If a two-piece center support pole is used, then the device can be constructed, but assembly is required prior to use which becomes problematic in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a single integrated unit where the base and riser sections are pre-assembled with permanent connections, eliminating the need for any field assembly and allowing immediate deployment in emergency situations while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
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 retractable cylindrical safety marker provides effective and economical motorist awareness of safety hazards, reducing storage space requirements and assembly complexity, while maintaining stability and adherence to traffic engineering standards, thus enhancing road safety.
Implementation Method 1
a base support having two end sections and a middle section, the two end sections being connected by a flexible member to the middle section
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A retractable cylindrical safety marker is provided. The retractable cylindrical safety marker includes a base, having a middle section defining an upper planar surface and two opposing edges; a first end section rotatably attached at an end to one of the opposing edges; and a second end section rotatably attached at an end to the other of the opposing edges, and a vertical riser, having a lower riser having a lower end attached to the first end section and the second end section, the lower riser having a slot extending along its interior surface in the longitudinal direction; and at least one upper riser concentrically positioned within the lower riser, the upper riser having a tab positioned on an outer surface thereof, the tab being mateable with the slot and configured to permit the tab to translate along the slot.