Safety Barrier Connector Automatic Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety barrier systems for vehicular traffic environments face challenges in efficient and safe assembly and disassembly, particularly due to the need for manual intervention which can lead to operator safety risks and time-consuming processes, especially when dealing with heavy and complex barrier systems.
Innovation Solution
A safety barrier element with a connector system that automatically locks into place without manual intervention, featuring a rear and front portion that engage with anchoring members of adjacent elements, allowing for efficient interconnection and disconnection using mechanical means, and a design that reduces the risk of operator injury during assembly and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to position and activate coupling means, then the barrier system can be assembled, but operator safety is compromised and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means is designed to automatically engage and lock when barrier elements are positioned adjacent to each other. The latch plate and bolt mechanism self-activates through the natural movement of positioning the barriers, eliminating the need for operators to manually intervene in the coupling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling means is pre-configured with latch plates and bolts that are ready to engage. The positioning elements guide the barriers into the correct alignment beforehand, so that when the barriers are placed adjacent to each other, the coupling mechanism is already primed to automatically lock without requiring additional manual steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If exact positioning is required to activate coupling means, then coupling can be achieved, but assembly efficiency decreases and operator safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means is designed with positioning elements that create a self-aligning system. The latch plates and bolts are positioned such that when barrier elements are placed on a flat surface adjacent to each other, gravity and the geometry of the positioning elements naturally guide them into the correct engagement position, making the assembly process tolerant to minor positioning variations.
3Strength
If multiple coupling points are used to secure barriers, then coupling strength is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means combines multiple coupling functions into a single integrated mechanism. The latch plate and bolt work together as one unit that simultaneously provides both lateral and longitudinal coupling strength. This merged design achieves the security of multiple coupling points without the complexity and time consumption of multiple separate coupling mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
Safety barrier element (100) comprising a base portion (110); a top portion (120); a first side wall (130); a second side wall (131) being arranged opposite the first side wall; a first end wall (140); and a second end wall (141) being arranged opposite the first end wall. The top portion comprises a first anchoring member (150) and a second anchoring member (151), the first anchoring member being arranged at a first end of the safety barrier element and the second anchoring member being arranged at a second end of the safety barrier element. The safety barrier element further comprises a connector (160) arranged to connect the safety barrier element with an adjacent safety barrier element by means of anchoring members of the respective safety barrier elements. The connector comprises a rear portion (161) and a front portion (162), the rear portion being arrangeable at the first anchoring member of the safety barrier element and the front portion being arranged to engage with the second anchoring member of the adjacent safety barrier element, and the front portion is arranged to automatically enter a locked engagement with the anchoring member of the adjacent safety barrier element. The automatic locking between the front portion of the connector and the anchoring member of the adjacent safety barrier element provides a safe and efficient way to interconnect two safety barrier elements.