Road Barrier Installer Using Robots and Ground Screw Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of road safety barriers is a time-consuming and potentially dangerous process, especially when roads are still in use by the public, as it often requires manual labor and road closures, which can be disruptive and risky.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function road safety barrier installer system that includes a prime mover, a work station with a placement robot, and a product supporter to efficiently install ground screws, posts, and flexible barrier straps along a road, allowing for rapid deployment without the need for extensive manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual installation methods are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but installation time increases and worker safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier installation system is divided into separate modular components: ground screw installation mechanism, post installation mechanism, and barrier strap installation mechanism. Each component can be independently controlled and replaced, allowing the system to achieve high productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated installer is designed as a multi-functional system that can install different types of road safety barriers using the same basic platform. The system can handle various ground screw types, post configurations, and barrier strap styles, making it universally applicable while maintaining high installation speed through automated operations.
2Reliability
If automated installation systems are used, then installation speed increases and worker safety improves, but system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated installer operates with minimal human intervention, performing the dangerous tasks of digging, post installation, and barrier assembly automatically. The system serves itself by incorporating all necessary components (ground screws, posts, barrier straps) and mechanisms (digging, driving, securing) within a single integrated platform, reducing the need for external support equipment and personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated installer acts as an intermediary between the barrier components and the ground, performing all intermediate steps of installation. Rather than workers directly handling heavy posts and ground screws in dangerous road environments, the automated system mediates the installation process, protecting workers while achieving reliable installation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If concrete curing time is required, then barrier stability is ensured, but road closure duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the installation parameter from concrete-based anchoring to ground screw anchoring. Ground screws provide immediate mechanical stability upon installation into the ground, eliminating the need for concrete curing time. This parameter change allows the barrier to be stable and functional immediately after installation, minimizing road closure duration while maintaining barrier stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A road safety barrier installation system that uses a workstation and product support able to be guided by a truck along a road. The product supporter is adapted to receive a store of product such as ground penetrating anchors, posts and barrier strap. The workstation comprises at least one placement robot able robot able to receive and hold a said product, and position the so received and held product in location as part of the array.