Utility Pole Energy Absorbing Layer Impact Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility poles and similar roadside stanchions frequently suffer collisions with motor vehicles, resulting in significant fatalities and costly damages due to their inability to effectively absorb and mitigate impact energies, leading to structural collapse and injury.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an energy-absorbing layer, such as foamed aluminum or resilient materials like rubber, between the stanchion portions and a sleeve, designed to deform plastically and absorb impact energy, maintaining structural integrity and reducing deceleration severity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional rigid utility pole structure is used, then structural strength is maintained, but impact energy absorption is insufficient leading to pole collapse and severe vehicle collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An energy-absorbing layer is integrated into the utility pole structure in advance, positioned to deform during vehicle collisions. This layer comprises a deformable portion that yields under impact forces and a reinforcing portion that maintains structural integrity, allowing the pole to absorb impact energy before catastrophic failure occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The utility pole employs a composite structure combining a deformable energy-absorbing material with a reinforcing structural material. The deformable portion is designed to yield and absorb energy, while the reinforcing portion maintains overall structural strength, creating a composite system that simultaneously achieves energy absorption and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the utility pole is designed to be highly durable and rigid, then it can support electrical power lines effectively, but it cannot mitigate the severity of vehicle impacts resulting in fatalities and injuries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidcollision severity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The utility pole is divided into distinct functional segments: a deformable energy-absorbing layer and a reinforcing structural layer. The deformable portion is specifically designed to yield during collisions to reduce impact severity, while the reinforcing portion maintains the pole's reliability for supporting electrical power lines under normal operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a deformable energy-absorbing structure is used, then impact energy is absorbed effectively, but structural integrity and support capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 energy-absorbing layer effectively mitigates the severity of vehicle impacts, preventing pole collapse and reducing injuries to occupants, while minimizing damage and associated costs.

Implementation Method 1

designed to deform plastically and absorb impact energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

the energy absorbing layer comprises a resilient, elastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3649293B1Utility pole with energy absorbing layer

Publication Date: 2023.11.08 PEPCO HOLDINGS LLC

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Figure 6~9

AI summary

A stanchion such as a utility pole has an energy absorbing layer positioned proximate to the ground and surrounding the pole to absorb energy due to vehicular impact.