Vertically Actuated Vehicle Barrier with Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle barrier systems lack a reliable and efficient mechanism for selective deployment and retraction, and often fail to meet safety standards for high-speed vehicle impacts, particularly in preventing unauthorized passage while allowing authorized vehicles to pass through.
Innovation Solution
A vertically actuated vehicle barrier system with horizontal gate beams and counterweight-assisted deployment, utilizing a winch and sprocket system for raising and lowering, and hinged cover plates for access, which is anchored to prevent vehicle penetration and designed to meet safety certifications like 'K' certification and MASH criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a barrier system is designed to prevent high-speed vehicle impacts, then safety and strength are improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires more robust anchoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs counterweight assemblies that utilize gravitational force to balance the weight of the barrier beams. This reduces the force required by the winch system to raise and lower the barrier, thereby maintaining high impact resistance while reducing overall system complexity and power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system is divided into multiple independent gate beams (first gate beam, second gate beam) that can be controlled separately. Each beam has its own drive mechanism and counterweight assembly, allowing selective deployment and maintenance without affecting the entire system.
2Reliability
If the barrier system uses a winch and sprocket mechanism for vertical movement, then deployment reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweight assemblies are connected to the gate beams through chains and sprockets, creating a balanced system where the counterweights offset the beam weights. This reduces the motor power requirements and improves reliability by distributing mechanical loads more evenly across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chains as intermediary elements to transmit force between the winch drums, sprockets, and gate beams. This mechanical transmission system provides reliable force transfer while allowing for some flexibility and accommodation of dimensional variations.
3Ease of operation
If cover plates are hinged to provide access to the vault, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of snagging by vehicle parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the cover plates swing outward on hinges (which would create snagging points), the patent describes cover plates that swing inward toward the vault interior. This inversion eliminates external protruding hinges and reduces the risk of vehicle parts catching on the cover mechanism.
4Ease of manufacture
If the barrier system is designed with a compact profile for easy installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to withstand high-speed impacts may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the vault and barrier system within the vertical dimension, with the barrier beams moving up and down in a confined space. This vertical arrangement provides a compact horizontal footprint while maintaining sufficient structural strength through proper anchoring to the underlying foundation.
Solution Approach 2:
By incorporating counterweight assemblies that balance the barrier beams, the system achieves a compact design where the counterweights can be positioned within or adjacent to the vault structure. This reduces the overall footprint while maintaining the ability to support and control heavy barrier beams during deployment and impact events.
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 system effectively prevents unauthorized vehicle passage while allowing authorized vehicles to pass, withstanding high-speed impacts and meeting stringent safety standards, and is designed for easy installation and maintenance with a compact profile.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of counterweight assemblies are provided, with each counterweight assembly configured to cooperate with a respective one of the gate beams
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle barrier system comprises a housing, substantially vertical members, a barrier member, and an actuation assembly. The barrier member is coupled with the substantially vertical members. The barrier member is configured to stop a moving vehicle when the substantially vertical members are in a raised position relative to the housing. The actuation assembly is operable to selectively raise and lower the substantially vertical members relative to the housing to selectively deploy and retract the barrier member relative to the housing. The actuation assembly comprises a powered rotary actuator mounted to the barrier member. The actuation assembly is operable to convert rotary motion from the rotary actuator into linear movement of the barrier member. A counterweight provides opposing mass and vertical motion relative to the barrier member.