Tactile Plate Assembly Anchoring Bracket Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tactile plate assemblies fail to effectively alert pedestrians, especially those with vision impairments, of upcoming intersections and are not securely installable in curing asphalt or concrete, lacking interconnectivity and stability.

Innovation Solution

A tactile plate assembly comprising interconnected tactile plates with brackets that anchor into the substrate, allowing secure installation in both concrete and asphalt, with holes in the brackets for substrate passage and interlocking mechanisms for stability and rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional tactile plate assemblies are used without interconnection, then installation is simpler, but the plates become misaligned and unstable in soft asphalt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment stabilityVSAvoidinterconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple tactile plates into a single integrated assembly with interconnecting brackets that mechanically link the plates together. This merging approach prevents misalignment during installation and ensures stable positioning in soft asphalt substrates, directly resolving the contradiction between alignment stability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tactile plate assembly is segmented into multiple individual plates that are separately manufactured and then interconnected through brackets. This segmentation allows for manageable installation while the interconnecting elements ensure alignment stability, addressing both the simplicity of installation and the need for stable composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If tactile plates are installed without anchoring brackets, then installation is easier, but the plates move out of position and bend under asphalt compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring brackets are pre-attached to the tactile plates during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit that requires minimal field installation. This preliminary action ensures position stability while maintaining installation ease, as the anchoring mechanism is already in place before the plates are set in the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring brackets serve as intermediary elements between the tactile plates and the substrate, providing a mechanical connection that prevents movement and bending. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable positioning without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If large thick plates are used, then the assembly is more rigid, but the weight becomes unmanageable and large plates cannot be cast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidassembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile plate assembly is divided into multiple smaller, thinner plates that are individually manageable in weight. These segmented plates are then interconnected through brackets to achieve the required structural rigidity, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight by distributing the load across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly uses a composite structure combining multiple thin plates with interconnecting bracket elements. This composite approach achieves the structural rigidity of a large thick plate while maintaining the manageable weight of smaller components, as the brackets provide structural reinforcement without adding excessive weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Stability of the object's composition

If tactile plates are not interconnected, then manufacturing is simpler, but the plates become misaligned during installation and after

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment maintenanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tactile plates are merged into an interconnected assembly with integrated brackets that maintain alignment throughout installation and service. This merging ensures alignment maintenance while the modular nature of the assembly keeps manufacturing relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between stability and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9597252B2Tactile plate assembly

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 PIONEER DETECTABLE LLC

AI summary

A tactile plate assembly used as a tactile warning device on walkways comprises a plurality of tactile plates with texture for providing tactile awareness. A bracket connects first and second tactile plates to each other. The brackets include holes of sufficient size to allow a substrate such as concrete or asphalt to flow therethrough to anchor the tactile plate assembly in place.