Roadway Connection System for Smooth Vehicle Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection systems between protective devices and initial structures often result in abrupt transitions, leading to vehicles being abruptly braked or thrown off course during side impacts, endangering occupants and other road users, especially when the protective device is made of concrete or reinforced concrete.
Innovation Solution
A connection system comprising a connecting element and a deflecting element that guides vehicles from the initial structure to the protective device, featuring a transition with angled surface sections and a deflecting element anchored to the ground, ensuring a smooth redirection of vehicles onto the roadway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional connection system is used between the initial structure and protective device, then the protective device can be installed, but the transition is abrupt causing vehicles to be abruptly braked or thrown off course
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connecting element as an intermediary component between the initial structure and protective device. This connecting element features a guide surface that gradually transitions from the initial structure's top surface to the protective device's deflection surface, serving as a mediator that smoothly guides vehicles from one structure to the other without abrupt transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element extends in the longitudinal direction (along the roadway) to create a gradual transition zone. By adding this longitudinal dimension to the transition, the patent transforms the abrupt vertical transition into a gradual three-dimensional transition that occurs over a extended length, allowing vehicles to smoothly adapt to the changing elevation
2Strength
If the protective device is made of concrete or reinforced concrete with a New Jersey or Step profile, then it provides effective vehicle deflection, but it ends abruptly towards the initial structure without changing the cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element acts as an intermediary that bridges the shape discontinuity between the initial structure and the concrete protective device. Its guide surface gradually transitions the vehicle from the initial structure's top surface to the protective device's deflection surface, maintaining shape continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element's guide surface is designed with a curved or inclined transition rather than an abrupt angular change. This curvature allows for a smooth gradual transition that guides vehicles seamlessly from one structure to the other, eliminating sharp edges in the transition path
3Ease of operation
If a connection system with connecting element and deflecting element is implemented, then vehicle guidance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: a connecting element with a guide surface for gradual transition, and a deflecting element with a deflection surface for vehicle redirection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element serves multiple functions: it provides a gradual transition surface, supports the deflecting element, and guides vehicles from the initial structure to the protective device. By combining multiple functions in a single component, the patent reduces the need for additional separate elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection system (1) for connecting an energy-absorbing and/or redirective initial structure to a protective device (3) along a roadway, comprising a connecting element (10) and a deflecting element (20) arranged between the initial structure and the protective device (3), wherein the connecting element (10) is connected to the initial structure and the protective device (3) on the roadway side, and the deflecting element (20) has a first connection section (21) and a first guide section (22), wherein the deflecting element (20) is attached to the protective device (3) on the ground side in the first connection section (21), and the first guide section (22) extends from the first connection section (21) at an angle in the direction of a central axis X of the protective device (3) to the initial structure.