Triangular Rear Impact Guard with Anti-Buckling Braces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear impact guards for tank trailers and other vehicles are inadequate in preventing vehicles from colliding with the trailer's rear extremity and absorbing impact energy effectively, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A rear impact guard system comprising first and second bumper support members coupled to base rails, with angled support members forming a triangular structure and anti-buckling braces within the base rails to enhance impact resistance and prevent vehicles from passing under the trailer in a collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional horizontal bumper suspended from two struts is used, then the structure is simple, but the impact energy absorption and anti-buckling performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rear impact guard is divided into multiple functional segments: horizontal bumper members for direct impact absorption, angled support members for structural triangulation, and braces positioned within base rails for anti-buckling support. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific impact resistance functions, improving overall strength without requiring a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a simple horizontal bumper to a three-dimensional triangular framework by adding angled support members that connect the horizontal bumpers to the base rails at forward locations. This creates triangular rigid bodies that provide multi-directional impact resistance and prevent buckling in multiple axes simultaneously
2Stability of the object's composition
If angled support members forming triangular structures are added, then the anti-buckling performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The angled support members are pre-configured to form triangular rigid bodies with the base rails before any impact occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when impact forces are applied, the triangular geometry is already in place to resist buckling, eliminating the need for active stabilization mechanisms during impact
Solution Approach 2:
The angled support members serve dual functions: they provide structural triangulation for anti-buckling performance while simultaneously acting as load-bearing elements that transfer impact forces from the horizontal bumpers to the base rails. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate stabilization components
3Strength
If braces are positioned within base rails above angled support ends, then the structural integrity improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braces are designed to be self-positioning within the base rails, utilizing the existing rail geometry to locate and support the angled support members. The braces serve themselves by being simply positioned within the rails rather than requiring complex mounting mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
According to some aspects of the invention, a rear impact guard is configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle. The rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. The first and second bumper support members are spaced from one another along a width of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. First and second angled support members are coupled at first ends to the first and second bumper support members, and coupled at second ends to the first and second base rails forwardly of the first and second bumper support members and forming a substantially hollow triangular member. First and second braces are positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of the first and second angled supports.