Rotating Bollard Impact Absorption Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plate-mounted bollards lack sufficient impact protection in high-energy collision scenarios, while core-drilled bollards are over-sized and costly to install, leading to suboptimal solutions in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A bollard design featuring an elongate outer tubular cover and inner tubular core with a damper and washer, allowing the outer cover to rotate relative to the inner core, which disperses collision energy through the damper for effective impact absorption without damaging the bollard or ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional plate-mounted bollard is used, then the installation is simple and cost-effective, but the impact protection is insufficient in high-energy collision scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The bollard is divided into two independent tubular components: an outer tubular cover and an inner tubular core. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized functions while maintaining simple installation through a plate-mounted configuration, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and impact protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A damper mechanism is pre-installed within the inner tubular core to provide cushioning before impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning enables the bollard to absorb high-energy impacts effectively while maintaining the simple plate-mounted installation method, thus resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and impact protection.
2Strength
If a core-drilled bollard is used, then the impact protection is sufficient for high-energy collisions, but the installation is complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bollard into outer cover and inner core components that can be assembled on-site, the invention eliminates the need for complex core-drilling installation while maintaining sufficient impact protection. The segmented design allows for simple plate-mounted installation comparable to conventional bollards.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tubular core is designed to move dynamically within the outer cover during impact events, allowing the bollard to absorb energy through controlled movement rather than rigid resistance. This dynamic mechanism provides high impact protection through simple installation without requiring core-drilling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outer tubular cover is rigidly fixed to the inner tubular core, then the structural integrity is maximized, but the energy dispersion capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tubular core is designed to move dynamically within the outer tubular cover during impact events. This relative movement allows the bollard to absorb and dissipate impact energy through controlled deformation and friction, while the damper mechanism maintains structural integrity by providing resistance to excessive movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper acts as an intermediary between the inner core and outer cover, mediating the interaction between them during impact. It allows controlled relative movement for energy dispersion while maintaining sufficient structural connection to preserve integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and energy dispersion capability.
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 bollard provides effective collision protection with simpler manufacturing and installation, distributing impact energy efficiently and reducing the risk of damage, while allowing the outer cover to rotate and absorb energy before transmitting it to other components.
Implementation Method 1
a damper located at a lower end of the inner tubular core
Implementation Method 2
the outer tubular cover is able to rotate relative to the inner tubular core
Data Source
AI summary
An impact absorption apparatus includes a force transfer member including a base and a sidewall extending from the base, the base including an opening, a shock absorber disposed within the force transfer member and resting on the base, the shock absorber including a through hole, a plate disposed within the force transfer member and resting on the shock absorber, the plate including a through hole, and a fastener that extends through the base opening, the shock absorber through hole, and the plate through hole, the fastener including an end protruding from the base opening, the fastener end configured to secure the force transfer member to a support surface. The force transfer member is configured so that when an impact force is applied to the force transfer member, the force is transferred from force transfer member to the shock absorber.