Self-Deploying Vehicle Barrier Using Impact Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle barriers are inadequate to address modern terrorist threats, as they are often invasive, expensive, require extensive site modifications, and cannot be rapidly deployed, posing risks due to stored energy mechanisms that can fail or activate accidentally.
Innovation Solution
A self-deploying vehicle barrier apparatus that uses the force of an incoming vehicle to deploy a mechanism, eliminating the need for stored energy, featuring rotatably-connected plates and struts to convert the vehicle's momentum into deployment force, with a triggering mechanism to ensure deployment only under sufficient impact, allowing for rapid and safe installation without prior priming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If stored energy mechanisms are used for barrier deployment, then deployment speed is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to potential mechanical failures and accidental activations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of stored energy (safety risks from mechanical failure or accidental activation) into a benefit by using the vehicle's own impact force as the energy source for deployment. The barrier remains dormant until a vehicle applies force to it, at which point the vehicle's kinetic energy triggers the deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for pre-stored energy and its associated risks.
2Strength
If extensive site modifications are made for barrier installation, then barrier strength and stability are improved, but ease of deployment and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is segmented into modular units that can be independently deployed and positioned. Each module contains its own deployment mechanism and can be installed without modifying the underlying surface. The modules can be arranged in different configurations to suit various security requirements and locations, enhancing adaptability while maintaining strength through the modular interlocking design.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier employs dynamic deployment mechanisms that allow the structure to transition from a compact stored state to a deployed protective state. The use of rotatably-connected plates and struts enables the barrier to adapt its configuration during deployment, allowing for rapid installation without extensive site modifications while maintaining structural integrity through the dynamic mechanical advantage system.
3Ease of operation
If complex priming and activation mechanisms are used, then deployment control is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is designed to be self-activating through the use of a triggering mechanism that responds automatically to vehicle impact. The rotatably-connected plates and struts work together to convert the vehicle's impact force directly into deployment motion without requiring external control systems, priming mechanisms, or complex activation sequences. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable deployment control.
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 solution provides a safe, low-maintenance, and easily deployable barrier that can impede vehicles without stored energy risks, reducing the likelihood of mechanical failures and accidental activations, enabling rapid deployment in various settings, including special events and security situations.
Implementation Method 1
several rotatably-connected plates and struts are used to convert the weight and/or forward momentum of the vehicle to deploy the deployable element rapidly
Implementation Method 2
a triggering mechanism to ensure deployment only under sufficient impact
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vehicle barrier apparatus and corresponding methods include a base and a vehicle receiving member coupled to the base and having proximal and distal ends. Also included is a deployable element rotatably coupled to the base and coupled to the vehicle receiving member at a mechanical coupler located closer to the distal end than to the proximal end. The deployable element is configured to receive a transfer force, from the vehicle receiving member, via the mechanical coupler, responsive to the vehicle receiving member receiving an applied force from a vehicle at the proximal end. The deployable element configured to deploy from a stored orientation to a deployed orientation responsive to the transfer force. Accordingly, vehicle force can be transferred and used to deploy the device effectively in a self-triggered configuration without hazards of stored energy.