WO2006052115A1

WO2006052115A1 - Device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads

Info

Publication number: WO2006052115A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003856
Authority: WO
Inventors: Won Hyuk Choi
Original assignee: Won Hyuk Choi
Priority date: 2004-11-15
Filing date: 2005-11-15
Publication date: 2006-05-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on a road, that is provided with a rotary body that is deformably rotated, when a collision of a vehicle occurs, by improving a median barrier structure on the road, thus to absorb and relieve a collision impact generated by the collision of vehicle and at the same time to rapidly induce the vehicle colliding thereagainst to its original advancing direction, such that the damage of the vehicle and the loss of life and injuries of passengers in the vehicle can be suppressed and further, in the case of large-sized vehicles, big accidents such as collision against a vehicle in the opposite lane thereto can be prevented.

Description

DEVICE FOR RELIEVING THE IMPACT OF COLLISION OF

VEHICLES ON ROADS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads, and more particularly, to a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads, that is provided with a rotary body that is deformably rotated, when a collision of a vehicle occurs, by improving a median barrier structure on the road, thus to absorb and relieve the impact of collision of a vehicle and at the same time to rapidly induce the vehicle colliding thereagainst to its original advancing direction, such that the damage of the vehicle and the loss of life and injuries of passengers in the vehicle can be suppressed and further, in the case of large-sized vehicles, big accidents such as collision against a vehicle in the opposite lane thereto can be prevented.

Background Art

[2] Generally, a median barrier is disposed at a middle lane on a road like expressways, local highways, and so on, for preventing a collision of a vehicle driving in opposite directions to each other.

[3] Conventionally, the median barrier is formed of a concrete or steel structure in order to prevent the collision between vehicles driving in opposite lanes to each other, but fails to exert a sufficient buffering force during the collision, which results in the severe damage of the vehicle or even the generation of fire or the injuries and deaths of passengers in the vehicle.

[4] To address and solve these problems involved in the conventional median barrier structures, there are proposed lots of technologies in which a plurality of rollers are arranged along the median barrier and when a collision occurs, they are rotated for absorbing the impact of a collision.

[5] However, for the conventional median barrier, since the plurality of rollers are just added to the existing concrete or steel median barrier structure, there may occur some problems in that the installation costs are raised, the functions of absorbing the collision impact and protecting the median barrier structure itself are weakened, and the installation and maintenance costs are also high. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads, that is provided, by improving a median barrier structure, with a plurality of rotary bodies that are rotated when a collision of a vehicle occurs, each rotary body having buffering means provided with a plurality of space portions defined at the inside thereof, for absorbing a collision impact at the collision of the vehicle and at the same time for ef¬ fectively distributing the collision impact by the deformable rotation of the plurality of rotary bodies to rapidly induce the vehicle colliding thereagainst to its original advancing direction, such that the damage of the vehicle and the loss of life and injuries of passengers in the vehicle can be suppressed and further, in the case of large- sized vehicles, big accidents such as collision against a vehicle in the opposite lane thereto can be prevented.

Technical Solution

[7] To accomplish the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on a road, comprising: a lower post insertably mounted into the ground of the road; an upper post coupled to a top side of the lower post; and at least one rotary body mounted rotatably on the upper post by means of rotating means and including an inner ring located at the innermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the upper post by a given distance, an outer ring located at the outermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring by a given distance, and buffering means mounted between the inner ring and the outer ring and having a plurality of space portions defined at the inside thereof.

Advantageous Effects

[8] According to the present invention, a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads is provided with a plurality of rotary bodies each having buffering means formed at the inside thereof, the buffering means having a plurality of space portions for absorbing the impact of a collision when a collision of a vehicle occurs, whereby the collision impact of the vehicle is primarily absorbed by means of the de¬ formation of the rotary bodies and at the same time, secondarily absorbed and released by mean of the rotation of the rotary bodies, thereby suppressing the damage of the vehicle and the loss of life and injuries of passengers in the vehicle and rapidly inducing the vehicle colliding thereagainst to its original advancing direction thus to make the vehicle stably driven.

[9] Additionally, a rotary body group is formed by continuously connecting a unitary rotary body to the adjacent unitary rotary body by means of a plurality of connecting members, thus to apply the whole collision impact of the vehicle to the plurality of unitary rotary bodies connected to one another by means of the connecting members, whereby when the collision of a large-sized vehicle occurs, the collision impact can be distributed and absorbed in more stable and effective ways. [10] Further, the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads of this invention can prevent the occurrence of big accidents such as the collision with a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane, in the case of large-sized vehicles. [11] Also, the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads of this invention can separately connect an upper post and a lower post by means of a plurality of bolts, whereby when a damage of the device occurs, only the damaged part can be easily replaced, which gives excellent maintaining effect. [12] Furthermore, the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads of this invention can be provided with a shade net covered around the rotary bodies, for preventing the light emitted from head lamps of a vehicle from being radiated to the opposing lane, thus to reduce traffic accidents generated due to vision troubles like glare.

Brief Description of the Drawings [13] Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [14] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the structure of this invention is mounted on the road; [15] FIG.2 is a perspective view showing the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [16] FIG.3 is a sectional view showing the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [17] FIG.4 is a plan view showing another example of buffering means of the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [18] FIG.5 is a schematic view showing a state where a vehicle collides against the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads for a road according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [19] FIG.6 is a perspective view showing a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and [20] FIG.7 is a schematic view showing a state where a vehicle collides against the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [21] Now, an explanation on a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be in detail given with reference to attached drawings.

[22] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the structure of this invention is mounted on the road, FIG.2 is a perspective view showing the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.3 is a sectional view showing the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.4 is a plane view showing another example of a buffering assembly of the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.5 is a schematic view showing a state where a vehicle collides against the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[23] As shown, a device 1 for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper post 20, a lower post 10, and a rotary body 30.

[24] First, the lower post 10 is adapted to be insertably mounted at predetermined intervals into the ground on the middle lane of the road, provided with a flange portion 11 formed at the top end thereof for coupling with an upper post 20 by means of bolts 25.

[25] The upper post 20 is adapted to be coupled with a top portion of the lower post 10, provided with a flange portion 21 formed at the bottom end thereof for coupling with the lower post 10 by means of the bolts 25.

[26] The upper post 20 is further provided with a plurality of guide members 22 disposed at a top side of the flange portion 21 for supporting the upper post 20.

[27] Also, the upper post 20 serves as a central shaft of the rotary body 30 as will be discussed later.

[28] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, the upper post 20 and the lower post 10 are coupled with each other by means of the bolts 25, but may be formed as a unitary body.

[29] The rotary body 30 is mounted rotatably on the upper post 20 by means of rotating means 40. The rotary body 30 has a pipe-like inner ring 31 located at the innermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the upper post 20 by a given distance, a pipe-like outer ring 32 located at the outermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 31 by a given distance, and buffering means 35 mounted between the inner ring 31 and the outer ring 32 and having a plurality of space portions 35a defined at the inside thereof.

[30] The buffering means 35 has a structure capable of effectively absorbing and dis¬ tributing a collision impact when a collision of a vehicle occurs, and for this reason, a plurality of round pipes 36 are arranged between the inner ring 31 and the outer ring 32 in such a manner as to be abut against one another.

[31] In this case, the plurality of round pipes 36 are desirably contacted by way of welding, but they may be contacted by using various methods, without any limitations.

[32] Between the inner ring 31 and the outer ring 32 is provided a pipe-like partition ring

33 that is adapted to partition the inner space therebetween.

[33] Thus, the plurality of round pipes 36 are regularly arranged in the spaces defined the partition ring 33. The plurality of round pipes 36 that are mounted in the respective spaces may have the same size as one another or different sizes from one another.

[34] The rotary body 30 starts to distribute and absorb the collision impact at a time of the collision of a vehicle at the sequential steps of the outer rings 32, the round pipes 36, the partition rings 33, the round pipes 36, and the inner ring 31, thereby achieving better absorbing effect for the collision impact and preventing the damage of the vehicle and the injuries of the passengers in the vehicle.

[35] On the other hand, even if the rotary body 30 are deformed upon the collision of the vehicle, the formation of the partition rings 33 enables the regular arrangement of the round pipes 36 to be maintained well, without any movement, such that the collision impact can be effectively distributed and absorbed.

[36] As shown in FIG.4, another type of the buffering means 35 is employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in this case, a plurality of bee hive- like (hexagon-shaped) buffering members 37 are mounted between the inner ring 31 and the outer ring 32. As a result, the bee hive-like buffering members 37 serve to ef¬ fectively distribute and absorb the collision impact upon the collision of the vehicle.

[37] According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, on the other hand, the buffering means 35 is used as the round pipes 36 or the bee hive-like buffering members 37, but it may be comprised of all kinds of means just having the space portions 35a and various shapes with a given thickness (a relatively thin material).

[38] The rotary body 30 is made of a steel (metal) sheet, carbon, synthetic resin, polymer, or the like, and may be manufactured by means of injection molding for achieving high productivity.

[39] The rotary body 30 may be formed of a unitary body on the upper post 20 within a range of the length of the upper post 20, as shown in FIG.6, and may also be vertically divided into plural pieces in such a manner as to be spaced apart from one another at certain intervals, as shown in FIG.2, for saving the material.

[40] That is to say, in the case of the plurality of divided rotary bodies 30, the inner ring 31 is mounted as a single body, without any separation, and the outer rings 32, the partition rings 33 and the round pipes 36 are mounted vertically on the upper post 20, while being separated by the predetermined distance from the respective ones adjacent thereto. [41] Furthermore, a generally round shade net 60 is covered around the rotary body 30, for preventing the light emitted from head lamps of a vehicle from being radiated to the opposing lane, thus to reduce traffic accidents generated due to vision troubles like glare. [42] In the case of the unitary rotary body 30, the shade net 60 is desirably covered on a top portion of the rotary body 30, and in the case of the plurality of divided rotary bodies 30, the shade net 60 is desirably covered around the entire rotary bodies 30 inclusive of the top portion thereof. [43] The rotary body 30 is mounted on the upper post 20 in such a manner as to be rotated by means of the rotating means 40, and the rotating means 40 includes an upper cap 41 disposed at a top end of the upper post 20 and having a support shaft 42 mounted on the top side thereof, a block 43 inserted around an inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 31 in such a manner as to be spaced apart from the support shaft 42 by a predetermined distance, and a bearing 44 disposed between the support shaft 42 and the block 43. [44] The formation of the bearing 44 enables the frictional resistance generated upon the rotation of the rotary body 30 to be greatly reduced. [45] Further, a screw portion 42a is formed on a top end of the support shaft 42 and thus coupled with a nut 45, thereby preventing the rotary body 30 from being deviated to the outside. [46] Additionally, a support ring 50 is fit around a lower peripheral portion of the upper post 20, for supporting the rotary body 30. In other words, the support ring 50 makes the rotation of the rotary body 30 smooth, rotatably supporting the bottom end periphery of the inner ring 31. [47] Now, an explanation on an action of the device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on roads according to the first embodiment of the present invention is given hereinafter. [48] First, the vehicle collision impact relieving device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted in the plural at given intervals along the middle lane of the road. [49] When a vehicle is deviated from its driving lane by a driver's carelessness, it collides against the vehicle collision impact relieving device 1. [50] In this case, the vehicle collision impact relieving device 1 generally does not collide against the front body of the vehicle, but the side body of the vehicle that is at an oblique inclination angle.

[51] When the vehicle collides against the rotary body 30, the collision impact of the vehicle is primarily absorbed by means of the deformation of the rotary body 30 and at the same time, secondarily absorbed by mean of the rotation of the rotary body 30.

[52] After that, as the vehicle is slid by the rotation of the rotary body 30, it comes into contact with another rotary body 30 adjacent thereto, which makes the collision impact greatly relieved. This operation is repeatedly conducted while the vehicle is being slid, such that the whole collision impact is all absorbed to make the vehicle directed in its original advancing direction, thereby keeping the stable driving.

[53] That is to say, the rotary body 30 function to effectively distribute and absorb the collision impact of the vehicle and at the same time to push the vehicle toward its advancing direction as they are rotated, such that the collision impact is remarkably reduced since the vehicle does not collides against static objects, but collides against the rotary body 30.

[54] Thereby, the damage of vehicle can be decreased, and as the deceleration of the vehicle is drastically reduced, the acceleration the passengers feel is also reduced, thereby greatly reducing the injuries of the passengers.

[55] The formation of the shade net 60 prevents the light generated from head lamps from being radiated to the opposing lane, thus to reduce traffic accidents generated due to vision troubles like glare. Even though the light is partly radiated to the opposing lane, moreover, it is reflected by means of the round shade net 60 such that it does not interfere with the vision of a driver in the vehicle on the opposing lane.

[56] Also, since the lower post 10 that is coupled with the upper post 20 is rigidly laid under the ground, it is never pushed upon the collision of the vehicle. If the rotary body 30 are damaged, the coupling of the upper post 20 and the lower post 10 by means of the bolts 25 is released for replacement of the rotary body 30, which gives excellent maintaining effect for the structure.

[57] FIG.6 is a perspective view showing a vehicle collision impact relieving device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.7 is a schematic view showing a state where a vehicle collides against the vehicle collision impact relieving device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, only the parts that are different from those in the first embodiment of the present invention will be discussed below, for the brevity of description.

[58] In other words, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle collision impact relieving device having the rotary body 30 is independently separated by a predetermined distance from the adjacent device, such that when the collision of a vehicle occurs, the whole collision impact is applied just to the rotary body 30 of each device. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the whole collision impact is distributed to all of the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30 connected to one another as a group.

[59] In the second embodiment of the present invention, thus, the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30 that are disposed at given intervals along the middle lane on the road constitute a rotary body group 30a that is formed by connecting outer peripheries of the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30 by means of a plurality of connecting members 70.

[60] In this case, desirably the plurality of connecting members 70 is disposed at pre¬ determined intervals on the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30.

[61] Each of the connecting members 70 can be used as a cable or belt.

[62] Moreover, if the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30 are connected to one another by means of the connecting members 70, desirably each vehicle collision impact relieving device has the unitary rotary body 30, and at this time, the outer ring 32 has a plurality of guide grooves 32a formed at predetermined intervals on the outer periphery thereof, for preventing the connecting members 70 from being deviated from the outer ring 32.

[63] Therefore, upon the collision of the vehicle with the unitary rotary body 30, since the unitary rotary body 30 is continuously connected to the adjacent unitary rotary body 30 by means of the connecting members 70, the whole collision impact of the vehicle is not applied to one unitary rotary body 30, but applied to all of the unitary rotary bodies 30 connected to one another by means of the connecting members 70. Therefore, when the collision of a large-sized vehicle occurs, the collision impact can be distributed and absorbed in more stable and effective ways when compared as the first embodiment of the present invention.

[64] When the vehicle collides against the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30, in the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention, the collision impact of the vehicle is primarily absorbed by means of the deformation of the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30 and at the same time, secondarily absorbed by mean of the rotation of the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30. At this time, the connecting members 70 are rotated along with the plurality of unitary rotary bodies 30, thus to absorb the collision impact and stably push the vehicle toward its advancing direction.

[65] As mentioned above, while the vehicle collision impact relieving device 1 is mounted on the middle lane of the road, it can be mounted on the roadside, which prevents traffic accidents from being more effectively reduced when compared with existing guard rails.

[66] Additionally, in the case where the vehicle collision impact relieving device of this invention is used as a substitute for curtain-wall for a bridge rail, it can effectively avoid fall accidents, reduce the weight of the bridge thus to make the bridge structure economically designed, and have a fine view when passed by the bridge thus to give a pleasant time to passengers.

[67] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular il¬ lustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A device for relieving the impact of collision of vehicles on a road, comprising: a lower post (10) insertably mounted into the ground of the road; an upper post (20) coupled to a top side of the lower post (10); and at least one rotary body (30) mounted rotatably on the upper post (20) by means of rotating means (40) and including an inner ring (31) located at the innermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the upper post (20) by a given distance, an outer ring (32) located at the outermost periphery thereof and arranged spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring (31) by a given distance, and buffering means (35) mounted between the inner ring (31) and the outer ring (32) and having a plurality of space portions (35a) defined at the inside thereof.

[2] The device according to claim 1, wherein the buffering means (35) comprises a plurality of round pipes (36) disposed between the inner ring (31) and the outer ring (32) in such a manner as to abut against one another.

[3] The device according to claim 2, wherein a partition ring (33) is disposed between the inner ring (31) and the outer ring (32), for partitioning an inner space therebetween.

[4] The device according to claim 1, wherein the buffering means (35) has a plurality of bee hive-like buffering members (37) arranged between the inner ring (31) and the outer ring (32).

[5] The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary body (30) is vertically divided into plural pieces in such a manner as to be spaced apart from one another at certain intervals around the upper post (20) within a range of the length of the upper post (20).

[6] The device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating means (40) comprises an upper cap (41) disposed at a top end of the upper post (20) and having a support shaft (42) mounted on the top side thereof, a block (43) inserted around an inner peripheral surface of the inner ring (31) in such a manner as to be spaced apart from the support shaft (42) by a predetermined distance, and a bearing (44) disposed between the support shaft (42) and the block (43).

[7] The device according to claim 1, wherein the upper post (20) has a support ring

(50) fit along the lower peripheral portion thereof, for supporting the rotary body (30).

[8] The device according to claim 1, wherein the upper post (20) has a flange portion

(21) formed at the bottom end thereof and the lower post (10) has a flange portion (11) formed at the top end thereof, the flange portion (21) of the upper post (20) and the flange portion (11) of the lower post (10) being coupled with each other by means of a plurality of bolts (25).

[9] The device according to claim 1, wherein a shade net (60) is covered around the rotary body (30), for preventing the light emitted from head lamps of a vehicle from being radiated to the opposing lane on the road.

[10] The device according to claim 1, wherein if a plurality of divided rotary bodies

(30) are formed as a unitary rotary body (30), the unitary rotary body (30) and the adjacent unitary rotary bodies thereto constitute a unitary body group (30a), and the plurality unitary rotary bodies (30) are connected to one another by means of a plurality of connecting members (70) by connecting the outer pe¬ ripheries thereof.