Adjustable Ballast Plough for Track-Mobile Levelling Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ballast plows are limited in transverse movement, allowing use only on curve radii greater than 150m, and have rigid inner ballast deflection plates that restrict use in switches and cannot protect line conductors from ballast flow, limiting bidirectional operation and causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A center plow with a line conductor protection profile that can be raised and lowered using a lifting device, combined with independently adjustable inner and outer ballast guide shields with axes of rotation between rail transfer profiles, allowing bidirectional operation and protection of line conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional center ploughs are used with fixed inner ballast deflection shields, then the structure is simple and rigid, but the transverse movement is limited and cannot be used on curve radii less than 150m
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ballast deflection shields are made dynamically adjustable through rotary drives, allowing continuous position changes. This enables the plough to adapt to different track radii and switching configurations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability to various track conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plough is designed with universally applicable adjustable components that can handle multiple track configurations including curves of various radii and switch areas. The independent adjustment of each shield allows a single device to perform multiple functions across different operational scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If rigid inner ballast deflection shields are used, then the structure is stable, but bidirectional operation is restricted and line conductors cannot be protected from ballast flow
Solution Approach 1:
A line conductor protection profile is introduced as an intermediary element between the ballast flow and the line conductors. This protective barrier prevents ballast from damaging the conductors while allowing the plough to operate bidirectionally without restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ballast deflection shields are made dynamically adjustable through rotary drives, allowing continuous position changes. This enables the plough to adapt to different track radii and switching configurations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability to various track conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axes of rotation of inner ballast guide shields are arranged in the center of the track, then the shields can be adjusted, but they become obstacles in switch areas and limit use in switches
Solution Approach 1:
The plough is divided into multiple independently adjustable segments (inner and outer ballast deflection shields) that can be positioned separately. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while avoiding interference in switch areas, eliminating the obstacle effect caused by centralized rotation axes.
4Productivity
If conventional ballast ploughs are used, then the basic ploughing function is performed, but the working width is limited and ballast distribution flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The plough is divided into multiple independently adjustable segments (inner and outer ballast deflection shields) that can be positioned separately. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while avoiding interference in switch areas, eliminating the obstacle effect caused by centralized rotation axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner ballast deflection shields are made dynamically adjustable through rotary drives, allowing continuous position changes. This enables the plough to adapt to different track radii and switching configurations, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability to various track conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for ploughing for a track-mobile ballast levelling machine (1) with a central plough (23) arranged between rail guide-over profiles (29) and with edge ploughs arranged outside of the rail guide-over profiles (29), wherein the central plough (23) and the edge ploughs have respective inner and outer ballast guiding plates (39, 30) which, by means of rotary drives, are pivotably adjustable about pivot axes parallel to the plough vertical axis. In order to create advantageous ploughing conditions, it is proposed that a line conductor guard profile (35), which is parallel to the plough longitudinal direction, is arranged between rail guide-over profiles (29) in the middle of the central plough (23) and, by means of a lifting device, is displaceable between an operative position in which it is lowered onto the bottom of the working space and an inoperative position in which it is lifted over the working space.