AU2015274218A1

AU2015274218A1 - Barrier element of a vehicle restraint system

Info

Publication number: AU2015274218A1
Application number: AU2015274218A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alexander Barnas; Thomas Edl; Franz Spitzer
Original assignee: Kirchdorfer Fertigteilholding GmbH
Current assignee: Kirchdorfer Fertigteilholding GmbH
Priority date: 2014-06-13
Filing date: 2015-06-10
Publication date: 2016-12-15
Also published as: AT515842B1; TR201807855T4; HUE038083T2; HRP20180929T1; EP3155173A1; SI3155173T1; IL248849A0; WO2015188206A1; AT515842A1; ES2674824T3; EP3155173B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a barrier element (6) of a vehicle restraint system, comprising a concrete body (7), wherein at least one tension element (1) is arranged in the concrete body (7), wherein the at least one tension element (1) is connected to at least one coupling part (21, 22) protruding from the concrete body (7) at least in some regions. According to the invention the at least one tension element (1) and the at least one coupling part (21, 22) are connected to each other by means of a positive-locking connection.

Description

A barrier element of a vehicle restraint system

The invention relates to a barrier element of a vehicle restraint system according to the preamble of claim 1.

Conventional barrier elements comprise a concrete body and tension elements with coupling parts in order to form a continuous vehicle restraint system from the prefabricated barrier elements. Several barrier elements are disposed one after the other at their respective face ends and connected to each other when forming the vehicle restraint system. The vehicle restraint system is used for restraining impacting vehicles, wherein the mutually coupled tension elements form a continuous tension belt which prevents the vehicle from breaking through the vehicle restraint system. The tension elements and the coupling elements are welded to one another in conventional barrier elements.

It is disadvantageous that especially high demands are placed on said welded connection, because the health of vehicle passengers depends highly on the reliable functionality of said connection during the impact of a vehicle. Special notice must be taken that a failure of said welded connection is not caused by notching action. The tension elements and the coupling parts are often made from materials of different quality and/or different surface quality, as a result of which the formation of a reliable welded connection is very laborious.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a barrier element of a vehicle restraint system of the kind mentioned above with which the aforementioned disadvantages can be avoided reliably, which is formed in a simple way and still ensures reliable and secure functionality.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention by the features of claim 1.

This leads to the advantage that the barrier elements can be formed in a simple and still reliable way because no complex welded connection is required anymore, wherein the likelihood of a defective welded connection can be excluded.

Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to ensure good welding capability in the selection of the materials for the coupling parts and the at least one tension element. A reliable connection of the at least one tension element with the at least one coupling part can be achieved by the interlocking connection, which is simple and reliable, wherein the introduction of force between the tension element and the coupling element can be predetermined in a good way and can especially occur over a wide surface area. Since the tension element is surrounded by the concrete body, there is also no likelihood that the interlocking connection will loosen over time.

The dependent claims relate to further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Express reference is hereby made to the wording of the claims, as a result of which the claims shall apply as included in the description at this point by reference and as reproduced literally.

The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference to the enclosed drawings, which merely show preferred embodiments by way of example, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a part of a first preferred embodiment of a barrier element in an axonometric view;

Fig. 2 shows a part of a second preferred embodiment of a barrier element in an axonometric view;

Fig. 3 shows a part of a third preferred embodiment of a barrier element in an axonometric view;

Fig. 4 shows a part of a fourth preferred embodiment of a barrier element in an axonometric view, and

Fig. 5 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of a barrier element as an idealised illustration in a side view.

Figs. 1 to 5 show at least parts of preferred embodiments of a barrier element 6 of a vehicle restraint system, comprising a concrete body 7, wherein at least one tension element 1 is arranged in the concrete body 7, wherein the at least one tension element 1 is connected to at least one coupling part 21,22 which protrudes at least in part out of the concrete body 7.

The barrier element 6 is part of a vehicle restraint system, wherein the barrier element 6 can especially be formed as a prefabricated part, preferably a prefabricated concrete part, which is preferably prefabricated and can subsequently be brought to the installation location. The barrier element 6 can especially be formed for arrangement adjacent to a road or between two lanes.

The barrier element 6 comprises a concrete body 7, which is formed to absorb the impact momentum. The concrete body 7 can consist of concrete or a concrete mixture. The concrete body 7 can comprise a bearing surface 71 on the bottom side.

It can further be provided that the concrete body 7 comprises a New-Jersey-type profile or a step profile. The concrete body 7 is not shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

At least one tension element 1 is arranged in the concrete body 7, which tension element can extend especially continuously in the concrete body 7 and can absorb the tensile forces acting on the concrete body 7 in the case of an impact. The at least one tension element 1 can be cast into the concrete body 7. The at least one tension element 1 can especially be made of metal, preferably of steel, especially of reinforced steel. Since the tension element 1 is protected from environmental influences by the concrete body 7, the tension element 1 can especially be formed free from any surface finishing, e.g. non-galvanized steel.

The at least one tension element 1 can be a rebar or reinforcing cable.

The at least one tension element 1 is connected to at least one coupling part 21,22, especially two coupling parts 21,22, wherein the coupling part 21,22 is provided to be coupled to a coupling part 21,22 of another barrier element 6 in order to connect the tension element 1 of the individual barrier elements 6 to form a continuous tension belt.

Such a barrier element 6 is shown in an idealised fashion in Fig. 5, wherein the parts arranged within the concrete body 7 are shown with a dot-dash line.

It is provided that the at least one tension element 1 and the at least one coupling part 2 are connected to each other by means of an interlocking connection. The interlocking connection is a connection in which forces and movements are transferred substantially perpendicularly to a contact plane by the shape of the parts involved in the connection. In this case, the interlocking connection can occur especially with respect to an exertion of tension of the connection in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the barrier element 6. The interlocking connection therefore differs from a materially bonded connection, in which the connection is produced via molecular forces, or from a purely force-fitting connection.

This leads to the advantage that the barrier element 6 can be formed in a simple and still reliable way because no complex welded connections are required anymore, wherein the likelihood of a flawed welded connection can be excluded. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to ensure good welding capability in the selection of the materials of the coupling parts 21,22 and the at least one tension element 1. The interlocking connection allows achieving a reliable connection of the at least one tension element 1 with the at least one coupling part 21,22, which is simple and reliable, wherein the introduction of forces between the tension element 1 and the coupling part 21,22 can be predetermined in a good way, and can especially occur over a wide surface area. Since the tension element 1 is surrounded by the concrete body 7, there is also no likelihood that the interlocking connection will loosen over time. A vehicle restraint system comprising a plurality of barrier elements 6 can preferably be provided, wherein the barrier elements 6 are coupled to each other by means of the coupling parts 21,22. Figs. 1 to 3 show coupling parts 21,22 which are connected to the coupling part 21,22 of the adjoining barrier element 6.

It can preferably be provided that the barrier element 6 comprises a coupling part 21, 22 at both ends, wherein a first coupling part 21 is arranged in an especially preferred way on a first face end of the concrete body 7, and a second coupling part 22 on a second face end of the concrete body 7. In this case, the first coupling part 21 can protrude from the first face end of the concrete body 7, and/or the second coupling part 22 from the second face end of the concrete body 7.

The coupling parts 21,22 can each especially comprise an exposed contact surface which is provided for making contact with the other coupling part 21,22, which contact surface, in other words, is not surrounded by the concrete body 7.

The coupling parts 21,22 can especially comprise a corrosion-resistant material, especially corrosion-resistant steel and/or a corrosion-resistant surface finishing, preferably in form of galvanising.

It can further be provided that the first coupling part 21 comprises a coupling protrusion 23, the second coupling part 22 comprises a coupling receptacle 24, and the coupling protrusion 23 is formed to engage in the coupling receptacle 24 and to thus form a releasable interlocking connection. The coupling protrusion 23 can preferably protrude from the concrete body 7, wherein the coupling receptacle 24 is arranged in a sunk manner in the concrete body 7.

The coupling protrusion 23 and the coupling receptacle 24 can especially have a constant cross-section in the vertical. As a result, several such barrier elements 6 can be arranged to form a vehicle restraint system.

It can alternatively be provided that the first coupling part 21 and the second coupling part 22 comprise a coupling receptacle 24, and an additional coupling element is provided for the coupling that engages in both coupling receptacles 24. In this case, the first coupling part 21 and the second coupling part 22 can preferably be arranged in a sunk manner in the concrete body 7.

It can especially be provided that the barrier element 6 comprises a tension element 1.

It can be provided alternatively that the barrier element 6 comprises multiple tension elements 1, especially two thereof.

It can be provided in an especially preferred way that the interlocking connection would be releasable without the concrete body 7 and the interlocking connection is only fixed by the concrete body 7. The step can thus be omitted in which the tension element 1 or the coupling part 21,22 need to be deformed for producing the connection.

It can further preferably be provided that the at least one tension element 1 and the at least one coupling part 2 are connected to each other in a directly interlocking fashion. This direct interlocking connection means that the interlocking connection is formed without pins, rivets, additional screws and the like, and that the tension element 1 and the coupling part 21,22 are formed in such a way that they form the interlocking connection on their direct contact surface.

It can be provided in an especially preferred way that the at least one coupling part 2 comprises a passage opening 31,32 for the interlocking connection, and the at least one tension element 1 is guided through the passage opening 31,32. The passage opening 31,32 can especially extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the barrier element 6. Under tensile loading of the tension element 1, the tension element 1 arranged in the passage opening 31,32 can transfer the tensile load directly to the coupling part 2. Such an interlocking connection is provided in the preferred embodiments of Figs. 1,2 and 4.

It can be provided in this case that for each tension element 1 which is connected to the coupling part 21,22 a respective passage opening 31,32 is provided for each coupling part 21,22.

It can be provided in an especially preferred way that the tension element 1 guided through the passage opening 31,32 is deflected by substantially 180°. In this case, the tension element 1 can comprise a first section 11 extending in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the barrier element 6 and a second section 12, wherein the tension element 1 is deflected in the passage opening 31,32 between the first section 11 and the second section 12. A termination of the tension element 1 in the region of the coupling parts 21,22 can thus be avoided because the tension element 1 is guided toward the coupling parts 21,22 at first and then guided away therefrom. No special formation of the tension element 1 is thus necessary because it is sufficient for forming the interlocking connection to guide the tension element 1 through the passage opening 31,32.

It can especially be provided that the at least one coupling part 21,22 comprises a curved tension element guide support 4 which adjoins the passage opening 31,31, and the tension element guide support 4 has a radius of curvature of less than 1 cm. The radius of curvature can preferably be at least 3 cm, more preferably at least 5 cm. This tension element guide support 4 allows achieving good introduction of force from the tension element 1 to the coupling part 21,22, wherein it is prevented that the tension element 1 is folded. The tension element guide support 4 can further be advantageous if a rod-shaped tension element 1 is used because the tension element guide support 4 supports bending of the tension element 1 in producing the connection.

It can preferably be provided that, as viewed in the operating position, the passage opening 31,32 extends substantially vertically. In other words, the passage opening 31,32 can extend substantially orthogonally to the bearing surface 71 of the concrete body 7. This leads to the advantage that the transfer of force from the tension element 1 to the coupling part 21,22 can occur over the entire height, wherein the coupling protrusion 23 and the coupling receptacle 24 can especially also be formed in such a way that they can transfer the forces along the vertical. An especially advantageous transfer of forces can thus be achieved. Furthermore, the barrier element 6 can thus be formed in a very narrow way. A passage opening 31,32 which is formed in this way is shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

It can further be provided that, as viewed in the operating position, the passage opening 31,32 extends substantially horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal extension of the barrier element 6. In other words, the passage opening 31,32 can extend transversely to the longitudinal extension of the barrier element 6 and parallel to the bearing surface 71 of the concrete body 7. This leads to the advantage that the coupling part 21,22 can be produced in a simple way as a rolled part or a part made from continuous casting. A passage opening 31,32 which is formed in this way is shown in Fig. 1.

The tension element 1 can be provided in a specially preferred way for the continuous arrangement in the concrete body 7, in which the tension element 1 extends substantially continuously from the first face end of the barrier element 6 up to a second face end of the barrier element 6.

In this case, each tension element 1 can preferably be provided for the continuous arrangement in the concrete body 7, wherein especially each tension element 1 connects the coupling part 21,22 to each other.

It can be provided in an especially preferred way that the at least one tension element 1 is guided through a passage opening 31 of the first coupling part 21 and through a passage opening 32 of the second coupling part 22, wherein the at least one tension element 1 substantially forms a loop.

In this case, the tension element 1 can comprise a first section 11 which leads to the two passage openings 31,32, wherein the tension element 1 is deflected in both passage openings 31,32. The second section 12 of the tension element 1 leads from the passage opening 31 of the first coupling part 21 in the direction of the second coupling part 22, wherein it ends before reaching the second coupling part 22. Similarly, a third section 13 of the tension element 1 leads from the passage opening 32 of the second coupling part 22 in the direction of the first coupling part 21, wherein it ends before reaching the first coupling part 21. The second section 12 can then be connected to the third section 13 in a suitable way. A preferred embodiment of the barrier element 6 which is formed in this manner is shown by way of example in Fig. 4. The barrier element 6 can be formed in an especially reliable way by said loop, wherein it is especially simple to produce.

The connection of the second section 12 with the third section 13 can preferably occur in such a way that they extend in parallel and in an overlapping manner in some sections. The connection of the second section 12 with the third section 13 can occur via the concrete body 7.

The connection of the second section 12 with the third section 13 can alternatively occur via a welded connection, e.g. via a butt weld.

Furthermore, one end of the second section 12 can be connected to an end of the third section 13 via a sleeve, especially a screw socket.

In an alternative embodiment, a predeterminable plurality of tension elements 1 can be provided in a barrier element 6, wherein the individual tension elements 1 are connected at most to one single coupling part 21,22, wherein the individual tension elements 1 are connected to each other within the concrete body 7.

It can preferably further be provided that the interlocking connection between the at least one tension element 1 and the at least one coupling part 2 is a bolted connection 5. As a result of the bolted connection 5, a compact introduction of forces can be achieved between the tension element 1 and the respective coupling part 2. A preferred embodiment of the barrier element 6 with a bolted connection 5 is shown by way of example in Fig. 3.

It can especially be provided that the at least one tension element 1 comprises an external thread 51 at one end, and the external thread 51 is screwed into a threaded receptacle 52 of the at least one coupling part 2. An especially simple bolted connection 5 can thus be achieved, wherein an especially good introduction of forces can be achieved between the tension element 1 and the coupling part 21,22.

The interlocking connection can alternatively be a dovetail connection or a tongue-and-groove connection.

It can be provided in an especially preferred way that the at least one coupling part 21,22 is a cast part which is cast in a mould. This means that the coupling part 21, 22 is cast discontinuously by means of a mould and not continuously by means of continuous casting. The mould can be a temporary mould. The mould can alternatively be a permanent mould, wherein the coupling part is a permanent-mould casting part. It is advantageous with respect to an individually cast casting part that it allows more freedoms with respect to its three-dimensional formation than a continuously cast or rolled coupling part, in which the cross-section in one dimension remains substantially constant. The vertical passage opening 31,32 can thus be formed, which can be produced only with difficulty by continuous casting or rolling. The shape of the coupling parts 21,22 can be adjusted in a substantially better way to the expected flow of forces through the interlocking connection, e.g. by the formation of the tension element guide support 4. The formation of the coupling part 21,22 as a cast part also leads to the advantage that the production can be made with less material.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A barrier element (6) of a vehicle restraint system, comprising a concrete body (7), wherein at least one tension element (1) is arranged in the concrete body (7), wherein the at least one tension element (1) is connected to at least one coupling part (21,22) which protrudes at least in some sections out of the concrete body (7), characterized in that the at least one tension element (1) and the at least one coupling part (21,22) are connected to each other by means of an interlocking connection.
2. A barrier element (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one coupling part (21,22) comprises a passage opening (31,32) for the interlocking connection, and the at least one tension element (1) is guided through the passage opening (31,32).
3. A barrier element (6) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tension element (1) which is guided through the passage opening (31,32) is deflected substantially by 180°.
4. A barrier element (6) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one coupling part (21,22) comprises a curved tension element guide support (4) which adjoins the passage opening (31,32), and the tension element guide support (4) has a radius of curvature of at least 1 cm.
5. A barrier element (6) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the passage opening (31,32), as viewed in the operating position, extends substantially vertically.
6. A barrier element (6) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the passage opening (31,32), as viewed in the operating position, extends substantially horizontally and transversely to a longitudinal extension of the barrier element (6).
7. A barrier element (6) according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least one tension element (1) is guided through a passage opening (31) of a first coupling part (21) and through a passage opening (32) of a second coupling part (22), wherein the at least one tension element (1) substantially forms a loop.
8. A barrier element (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the interlocking connection between the at least one tension element (1) and the at least one coupling part (21,22) is a bolted connection (5).
9. A barrier element (6) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one tension element (1) comprises an external thread (51) at one end, and the external thread (51) is screwed into a threaded receptacle (52) of the at least one coupling part (21,22).
10. A barrier element (6) according to one of the claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the at least one coupling part (21,22) is a cast part that is cast in a mould.
11 .A vehicle restraint system, comprising a plurality of barrier elements (6) according to one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the barrier elements (6) are coupled to each other by means of the coupling parts (21,22).