Underground Sign Receptacle Layout for Road Edge Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing traffic guidance elements, such as traffic signs, along roads often result in damage to the road structure due to their installation in loose edge strips, compromising stability and durability.

Innovation Solution

The installation arrangement involves a receiving device fixed below the ground surface with a marker unit, allowing for secure anchoring and flexible placement of traffic guidance elements, including electronic units, using a mounting element with openings for insertion and a marker unit for precise location, made of durable materials like metal, plastic, or concrete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traffic guidance elements are installed in loose edge strips, then installation is simple and quick, but road stability and durability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidroad stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the receiving device (embedded in stable substructure) from the traffic guidance element (mounted on surface), allowing the receiving device to provide stable anchoring while the guidance element remains easily replaceable. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing functions to different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving device with marker unit is pre-installed in the stable substructure during road construction, before traffic guidance elements are needed. This preliminary action ensures stable anchoring is established in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent road disruption while maintaining installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If receiving device is installed entirely below ground surface, then road structure is protected from damage, but locating the device becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad structure integrityVSAvoiddevice location detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A marker unit acts as an intermediary between the subterranean receiving device and surface operators. The marker unit (visible above ground or detectable via sensor) provides location information about the hidden receiving device, resolving the contradiction by bridging the gap between protected underground installation and necessary location detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The marker unit may utilize optical properties (such as reflective surfaces, fluorescent materials, or colored markers) to make the underground receiving device visually detectable from the surface, solving the location problem while keeping the receiving device embedded in the stable substructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If mounting element is detachably arranged, then flexibility for replacement is improved, but anchoring stability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement flexibilityVSAvoidanchoring stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the connection into two parts: a permanent, stable anchoring connection between the receiving device and substructure, and a detachable connection between the mounting element and receiving device. This allows the detachable mounting element to provide replacement flexibility while the permanent anchoring maintains stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting element transitions from a static permanent fixture to a dynamic, detachable component that can be easily attached and removed. This dynamic design allows flexible replacement of traffic guidance elements while the underlying receiving device maintains stable anchoring in the substructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4650520A1Installation arrangement and method for producing an installation arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 RIEDLBERGER ROBERT
  • EP4650520A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4650520A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4650520A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation arrangement (10) along an edge (48) of a traffic route (12), in particular a road, a river or a railway line, with a receiving device (14) for installing a traffic guidance element (18), wherein the receiving device (14) is fixedly installed in the subsoil of a ground surface (22). According to the invention, the receiving device (14) has a receiving chamber (26) and is arranged entirely below the ground surface (22), and the receiving device (14) has a marker unit (30) for locating the receiving device (14) below the ground surface (22).