Vehicle-Mounted Barrier Moving Device for Road Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual movement of construction barriers during road construction is time-consuming, strenuous, and poses safety risks to workers due to their weight and proximity to motor vehicle traffic.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a connection member, an alignment member, and an engagement member that attaches to a vehicle, allowing for efficient movement of construction barriers by engaging and relocating them behind or away from the vehicle's path of travel, reducing manual labor and safety hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If construction barriers are moved manually by workers, then the barriers can be relocated to different positions, but the work becomes time-consuming and strenuous due to the heavy weight of the barriers
Solution Approach 1:
A vehicle-mounted device with an engagement member acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the construction barrier. The engagement member contacts and pushes the barrier, allowing the vehicle to move the heavy barrier without direct human contact, thereby reducing both time and physical effort required for barrier relocation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (workers physically moving barriers) with a vehicle-based mechanical system. The vehicle's motion and the engagement member's pushing action substitute for human physical effort, enabling faster and less strenuous barrier movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If construction barriers are placed close to motor vehicle traffic to separate construction zones, then effective road separation is achieved, but worker safety is compromised due to proximity to moving vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle-mounted device serves as a mediator that allows barriers to be positioned close to traffic for effective separation while eliminating direct worker exposure to traffic hazards. The vehicle operator, in a protected environment, controls the barrier placement and movement, intermediating between the construction zone and live traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service barrier management where the vehicle and its mounted device automatically handle barrier placement and relocation without requiring workers to physically approach or handle barriers near active traffic lanes, thereby protecting workers from traffic-related harmful factors
3Reliability
If multiple construction barriers are used to cover several miles of construction, then adequate road protection is provided, but the complexity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle-mounted device provides multi-functionality by being able to move multiple barriers along several miles of construction zone using a single integrated system. Rather than requiring separate handling for each barrier, the universal device can service the entire construction corridor, reducing overall system complexity despite the extended coverage requirement
Data Source
AI summary
An device for moving a construction barrier includes a connection member, an alignment member, and an engagement member. The connection member is configured to removably attach the device to a vehicle. The alignment member is configured to attach to the connection member and to the engagement member, and the engagement member extends at an angle away from the vehicle. When the device is attached to the vehicle and engages a construction barrier, the engagement member is configured to move the construction barrier behind the vehicle and toward a path of travel of the vehicle.