Vertical Axis Barrier for Fluid Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing barriers for preventing liquid or granule ingress in underground car parks and similar applications often require significant headroom, limit passage height, or necessitate laborious installation, and struggle to overcome small obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A barrier design featuring a barrier body that rotates about a vertical axis, utilizing a swivel joint connected to a rotary barrier mount with adjustable alignment, and equipped with four-bar linkages for movement, allowing the barrier to be raised and lowered without reducing clear height or width, and incorporating seals and a spring-loaded mechanism for automatic closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the barrier body is pivoted upwards to enable opening and closing movement, then the barrier can be opened and closed, but a very large headroom is required which is not available in many applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier opening and closing operationVSAvoidheadroom requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier body is rotated about a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis, changing the dimension of rotation from horizontal to vertical. This allows the barrier to open and close in a horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical headroom for pivoting movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier system uses a dynamic linkage mechanism with four-bar linkages that allow the barrier body to move between horizontal and vertical positions. The linkage enables automatic positioning and sealing actions without requiring continuous manual operation or excessive headroom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the barrier can be pulled upwards to enable opening and closing, then the barrier can be operated, but the remaining passage height is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier operationVSAvoidpassage height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the rotation axis from horizontal to vertical, the barrier operates in a different spatial dimension. The barrier body rotates about a vertical axis, allowing horizontal movement that does not interfere with vertical passage height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the barrier is lowered into the ground to enable sealing, then sealing is achieved, but considerable effort is required during installation and ceiling thickness limits usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier sealing mechanism operates in a horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical burial into the ground. The barrier body can be positioned horizontally against a vertical surface, eliminating the need for extensive vertical installation effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier system includes automatic sealing mechanisms that engage when the barrier body is positioned correctly. The sealing elements automatically contact the sealing surfaces without requiring manual adjustment or extensive installation preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the barrier uses traditional sealing mechanisms, then sealing is achieved, but small obstacles on the roadway cannot be overcome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidability to overcome obstacles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier body is designed with dynamic positioning capability through four-bar linkages that allow it to move between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic adjustment enables the barrier to overcome small obstacles on the roadway during its operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By rotating about a vertical axis, the barrier can achieve horizontal movement that allows it to bridge small obstacles. The vertical rotation axis enables the barrier body to position itself over obstacles in the horizontal plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1895089B1Barrier, especially for retaining fluids and granulates
Publication Date: 2009.03.25 THOMAS SYST TECHN
  • EP1895089B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2b
  • EP1895089B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP1895089B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

The barrier has a barrier body (2) rotating in a barrier support (4) in a horizontal opening position and comprising an end (5). The end of the body is rotatably arranged at a swivel-joint (10) by four-bar coupling mechanism (11). A swivel movement of the barrier body between an upper position and a lower position contains a moving component in a direction of an axis of the swivel joint. The body is locked in the horizontal opening position by a holding device.