Adjustable Connecting Link for Turnout Slide Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting taps for turnouts struggle to efficiently and cost-effectively adjust the connection distance between slide stall parts, which is critical for maintaining proper geometry and preventing derailing or unreliable closure of tongue rails.
Innovation Solution
A connecting bottle with multiple openings that allow for adjustable connection distances by enabling the use of inserts in various orientations, allowing for at least two different connection distances to be set, and potentially up to six different grid values depending on the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different versions of connecting plates with differently spaced holes are provided to solve varying connection spacing, then the connection distance can be adapted to different track geometries, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is segmented into a base plate with fixed openings and separate inserts with adjustable positioning features. This allows the connection distance to be adjusted by combining different inserts with the base plate, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple complete connecting plate variants while maintaining adaptability to different track geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate is designed with universal openings that can accommodate multiple types of inserts with different positioning characteristics. A single base plate design serves multiple functions by accepting various inserts, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate connecting plates for each application scenario.
2Manufacturing precision
If holes are inserted into the connecting plate at the installation site to achieve precise connection spacing, then the connection distance can be precisely adapted, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The precise connection spacing is predetermined during manufacturing by providing pre-positioned openings in the base plate and pre-configured inserts with fixed relative positions. This eliminates the need for on-site hole insertion or adjustment, allowing installers to simply assemble the pre-configured components to achieve precise connection spacing immediately.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the connection between slide rod parts is made too tight to ensure stable connection, then connection stability improves, but the tongue rails can no longer be closed reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses adjustable connection distances through different inserts that can be selected based on the specific application requirements. This allows the connection to be optimized for each scenario - tight enough for stability when needed, but adjustable to maintain proper clearance for tongue rail closure operations, achieving a dynamic balance between connection stability and operational reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a connecting tab (1) for connecting two slide bar parts (2, 3) of a switch lock (10), wherein the connecting tab (1) has a first opening (11) for creating a positive-locking connection of the connecting tab (1) with one of the slide bar parts (2, 3). According to the invention, a first insert (20) can be received in the first opening (11) in a rotationally fixed manner in at least two different orientations by means of a positive lock, such that a connection distance (c) between the two slide bar parts (2, 3) can be adjusted. Furthermore, this application relates to a corresponding slide bar part (2, 3) of a switch lock (10) for connecting to a second slide bar part (3, 2) of the switch lock (10) by means of a connecting tab (1), an insert (20) for insertion into a connecting tab (1), and a first insert (20) for insertion into a connecting tab (1).a slide bar part and a switch lock (10) for closing two tongue rails of a tongue switch with such a connecting tab or a slide bar part.