Wind-Resistant Signpost Panel with Net Structure and Reflective Paint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signposts in areas prone to strong winds are at risk of being toppled or torn, posing safety hazards and maintenance challenges, with known solutions compromising image quality and decorative film application due to perforations.

Innovation Solution

A signpost featuring a flat panel with a net structure of openings for air passage, coated with reflective polyester-based paint and relief shapes to maintain visibility and durability, using an expanded metal sheet with a rhomboidal pattern to reduce wind resistance and image degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the signpost surface is made solid and flat, then the image quality and decorative film application are improved, but the wind resistance is reduced making the signpost vulnerable to strong winds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidwind resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The signpost panel is constructed with a net structure containing a plurality of openings, transforming the solid surface into a porous configuration. This allows wind to pass through the panel, significantly reducing wind thrust and pressure on the signpost while maintaining structural integrity and visibility of the informational content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The panel surface is segmented into multiple openings arranged in a net pattern, dividing the continuous solid surface into discrete regions. This segmentation enables wind flow through the structure, reducing overall wind load while preserving the visual coherence of the informational display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the signpost surface is perforated to reduce wind thrust, then the wind resistance is improved, but the image quality and decorative film application are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The net structure's openings are strategically designed with specific dimensions, spacing, and distribution patterns to create local variations in the panel surface. This local quality control ensures that wind can pass through while the remaining solid portions maintain sufficient area and continuity to preserve image quality and support decorative film application effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If decorative film is applied to a perforated surface, then the wind resistance is reduced, but the film application difficulty and information loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidfilm application
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative film is applied to the panel surface before the net structure with openings is created. This preliminary action allows the film to be applied to a continuous, flat surface under optimal conditions, ensuring proper adhesion and visual quality. Subsequently, openings are formed through the already-filmed panel, minimizing film damage and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively mitigates wind pressure while ensuring high visibility and image quality, suitable for both road and advertising signs, and is cost-effective for industrial production.

Implementation Method 1

at least one layer of reflective paint, which ensures good visibility of the sign both during the day and at night

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The panel has a net structure with a plurality of openings which allow the air passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow through openings:

Data Source

PatentEP3792902A1Signpost for road or advertising signs and method of carrying out
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 POSLOVNE STORITIVE CORSULTING & TRADING MARCELLO PINZO
  • EP3792902A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792902A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3792902A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A signpost for road or advertising signs comprises at least one panel (13), having two opposite surfaces (13a, 13b), at least one of said opposite surfaces (13a, 13b) having at least one informative portion (15) carrying road and/or advertising signs, in which said panel (13) comprises a plurality of openings for allowing the air passage, in which said at least one informative portion (15) comprises at least one layer of reflective paint which defines said road and/or advertising signs.