Sectional I-Beam Post With Angular Slip Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadside post systems with permanent breakaway couplings require complete replacement of both post sections and coupling members upon damage, leading to inefficiencies in repair and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A sectional post design featuring two slip type breakaway couplings with angularly disposed slip directions, allowing for detachable and interchangeable components, including L-shaped brackets and notched plates for adjustable slip movement, enabling quick repair and replacement of post sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent breakaway couplings are used with welded components, then the coupling provides reliable breakaway function, but the entire coupling and post sections must be replaced upon damage
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into separate modular components: L-shaped brackets, notched plates, and bolt-nut assemblies. These segmented components can be independently replaced without replacing the entire coupling or post sections, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable breakaway function and enabling easy repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows damaged coupling components to be discarded and replaced with new ones while retaining the intact post sections. The modular components can be recovered and reused if undamaged, reducing repair complexity while maintaining the reliability of the breakaway function through standardized replacement parts.
2Ease of repair
If slip type couplings with angularly disposed directions are used, then quick repair and replacement is enabled, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped brackets and notched plates are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide different slip directions (angularly disposed) for optimal performance in various impact scenarios. This asymmetric design enables quick repair while the standardized asymmetric components actually simplify the replacement process compared to symmetric designs requiring precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling components are designed to dynamically respond to impact forces by slipping in predetermined directions. The L-shaped brackets and notched plates allow controlled movement during impacts while maintaining structural integrity, enabling both quick repair capability and manageable structural complexity through dynamic load distribution.
3Reliability
If multiple spaced apart couplings are used along the post, then controlled slip movement during impacts is enhanced, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple spaced apart couplings are implemented along the post length, with each coupling consisting of standardized L-shaped brackets and notched plates. This segmentation provides enhanced impact safety through distributed energy absorption while using repeated standardized components rather than unique complex designs, managing the quantity of components through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The same L-shaped bracket and notched plate components are used at multiple locations along the post, serving universal functions across all coupling points. This multi-functionality approach enhances impact safety through multiple couplings while avoiding the need for different component types, thereby managing the total quantity of components through reuse of standardized parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A sectional I-beam post for use along a roadside in which the post has a first elongate lower section securable via a first slip type coupling to a base anchored in the ground. Slip movement of such coupling is in a direction across the length of the post. The first coupling includes L-shaped brackets with one leg thereof attached to the post by bolts so as to be detachable therefrom and notches in the outer end of the other leg which projects outwardly from the post. A second elongate upper post section has the lower end thereof connected to the upper end of the first post section by a second slip type coupling. Slip movement of the second coupling is in a direction lengthwise of the post. The second coupling includes plates bolted to one post section and having notches that provide a slip connection with the other post section.