Vehicle Retention System Offset Shear Center Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle restraint systems cannot completely prevent contact between an impacting vehicle and posts, leading to a high risk of collision and increased stress on occupants.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates at least two spacers with open cross-sectional profiles, firmly connected to the upper and lower plank legs of the crash barrier, which provide additional stiffening and maintain the profile shape, offsetting shear centers to alter deformation behavior and prevent contact with posts, while using symmetrical profiles and screw connections for enhanced stability and assembly simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single spacer is used between the post and crash barrier, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing vehicle-post contact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single spacer is divided into multiple spacers (at least two) positioned between the post and crash barrier. Each spacer has an open cross-sectional profile and is firmly connected to plank legs, creating segmented support points that collectively provide reliable prevention of vehicle-post contact while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spacers are positioned in advance between the post and crash barrier to create predetermined deformation zones. These spacers are designed to deform controllably during impact, absorbing energy before the vehicle can contact the post, thus providing beforehand cushioning that prevents direct vehicle-post contact
2Stability of the object's composition
If spacers are firmly connected to both upper and lower plank legs, then the stability of the crash barrier profile is improved, but the mobility for energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are firmly connected to specific locations (upper and lower plank legs) rather than uniformly across the entire barrier. This localized firm connection maintains profile stability at critical points while allowing other areas to deform controllably, balancing stability and deformation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between spacers and plank legs is designed to be firm in the normal state for stability, but allows controlled deformation during impact. The open cross-sectional profile of spacers enables them to deform dynamically while maintaining their firm connection points, providing adaptive behavior that switches from stable to deformable based on impact conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (1) has cross-sectional profiles with spacers (5, 6) provided between a post (2) and a protective plank (4) that is designed as two-wavy profile. One of the spacers with a profile projecting from flanges with an upper plank leg is firmly connected with the other spacer with another profile projecting from the flange with a lower plank leg of the protective plank. Thrust center points of the profiles are horizontally offset from each other. A carrying profile (7) and the post are parallel to mounting brackets.