Traffic Barrel Spacer Design to Prevent Stacking Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stackable safety articles such as safety barrels or cones often jam or stick together when stacked, requiring manual intervention to separate, which wastes time and energy during transport and deployment.
Innovation Solution
A modified safety article with a second article positioned inside the stackable hollow first article, featuring a spacer that prevents full nesting and jamming by creating a non-seizure zone, using fasteners like screws, adhesives, or hook-and-loop fasteners to attach the spacer within the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If stackable safety articles are designed to nest fully for compact storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but the articles jam or stick together requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The safety article is segmented into an outer hollow article and an inner separate article. The inner article is positioned within the outer article to create a spacer effect, preventing full nesting while maintaining compact storage. This segmentation allows the articles to stack closely without jamming together.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner article serves as an intermediary element between the outer articles. It acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact and jamming between the outer hollow articles while allowing them to maintain close proximity for compact storage.
2Speed
If safety articles are designed for quick deployment from moving vehicles, then operational speed is improved, but jammed stacks require time-consuming manual separation
Solution Approach 1:
The inner article is pre-positioned within the outer hollow article during manufacturing, creating a built-in anti-jamming mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that when articles are stacked for deployment, they will not jam together, eliminating the need for manual separation and maintaining rapid deployment speed.
3Productivity
If safety articles are made stackable for efficient transport, then transport efficiency is improved, but the articles become stuck together during stacking
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the safety article into outer and inner components creates a reliable stacking mechanism. The inner article segments the stacking interface, preventing the outer articles from sticking together while maintaining the stackable design for efficient transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner article creates a localized quality change at the stacking interface of the outer hollow articles. This local modification prevents jamming at the critical contact points while maintaining the overall stackable structure for efficient transport.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety article, including: a stackable hollow first article stackable with one or more other first articles having substantially the same dimensions, and a second article positioned inside and attached to the interior of the stackable hollow first article, wherein the second article tolerates stacking of two or more of the safety articles, and the second article prevents jamming together or sticking together of the two or more stacked safety articles by preventing the first articles from fully nesting.