Adjustable Buffer Stop with Data Interface for Automated Shunting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current railway shunting systems require extensive manual effort and time due to the need for brake shoes to prevent wagons from rolling out of directional tracks, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adjustable buffer stop with a data interface that can communicate with rail vehicles and a track-side control device to automate the positioning and braking functions, eliminating the need for brake shoes and reducing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel chocks are used to prevent wagons from rolling out of sorting tracks, then wagon containment is achieved, but manual labor and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (placing and removing wheel chocks by hand) with an automated mechanical system. The buffer stop is equipped with a drive mechanism that automatically extends to push wagons onto sorting tracks and retracts when sorting is complete, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining reliable wagon containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer stop system performs self-service by automatically extending and retracting based on control signals. The system monitors the sorting process and autonomously adjusts the buffer stop position without requiring human intervention, thereby improving shunting efficiency while ensuring wagons are properly contained during sorting operations.
2Ease of operation
If manual wheel chock operations are performed, then wagon positioning is controlled, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer stop is designed as a dynamic structure that can automatically change its position between extended and retracted states. The drive mechanism enables the buffer stop to extend for positioning wagons during sorting and retract to allow train departure, providing ease of operation while significantly reducing the time required for each shunting cycle compared to manual chock operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If buffer stop is made adjustable between extended and retracted positions, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer stop incorporates a drive mechanism that enables automatic transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design provides operational flexibility - the extended position allows wagons to be pushed onto sorting tracks while the retracted position permits train departure - without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures, as the positioning is automated through the integrated drive system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a railway-technical buffer stop arrangement (30) with at least one buffer stop (31). According to the invention, the buffer stop (31) is adjustable into an extended position, in which it performs a bouncing function for rail vehicles (41-45), and into a retracted position, which allows a rail vehicle (41-45) to roll over the retracted buffer stop (31). The buffer stop (31) is equipped with a buffer-side data interface (310) which, when a rail vehicle (41) is in contact with the extended buffer stop (31), can be communicatively coupled with a rail vehicle-side data interface (41a) of the adjacent rail vehicle (41). The buffer stop arrangement (30) has a trackside control device (32) which is connected to the buffer-side data interface (310), and the trackside control device (32) is designed such thatthat after coupling the buffer-side data interface (310) with the rail vehicle-side data interface (41a), it can perform communication with at least one rail vehicle-side communication component (410) of the rail vehicle (41).