Articulated Switch Segments for Flexible Track Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch arrangements for levitation vehicles suffer from limited flexibility, leading to issues such as restricted movement direction, large gaps between segments, and potential impacts during passage, especially in curved positions, which compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A switch arrangement with articulated switch segments featuring multiple degrees of rotational and translational freedom, including a ball-and-socket joint or adjustable ball joint, allows for flexible movement and compensation of asymmetric loadings, enabling compact design and high passage speeds without widening track centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switch segments are connected with traditional articulations having only one degree of rotational freedom, then the structure is simpler, but the switch arrangement has limited flexibility and cannot move in various directions
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation is designed with multiple degrees of freedom (rotational and translational) to enable dynamic adaptation to various movement directions and positions, allowing the switch segments to move flexibly in multiple directions rather than being constrained to a single rotational axis
Solution Approach 2:
The switch arrangement is divided into multiple articulated segments connected by ball-joints, where each segment can independently move with multiple degrees of freedom, enabling complex movement patterns while keeping each individual segment relatively simple
2Reliability
If switch segments are connected with traditional articulations, then the structure is simpler, but large gaps form between segments in curved positions causing impacts during passage
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-joint articulation with multiple degrees of freedom allows the switch segments to dynamically adjust their relative positions and orientations, maintaining optimal contact and minimizing gaps even in curved positions, thereby preventing impacts during vehicle passage
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ball-joint connection anticipates and compensates for gap formation before it occurs, maintaining continuous contact between segments throughout the movement range to prevent impacts during vehicle passage
3Volume of moving object
If the switch arrangement follows a circular arc during movement, then the geometry is simpler, but the arrangement cannot be designed to be more compact
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple degrees of freedom at the ball-joints enable the switch arrangement to dynamically adjust its geometry, allowing it to be compressed into a compact configuration when needed, rather than being constrained to a fixed circular arc path
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of translational degrees of freedom to the traditional rotational articulation enables movement in additional dimensions, allowing the switch segments to extend or compress along the movement path and achieve more compact arrangements
4Ease of operation
If traditional single-degree-of-freedom articulations are used, then torsional moments are transmitted between segments, but asymmetric weight loadings during vehicle passage cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-joint articulation with multiple degrees of freedom allows the switch segments to dynamically adjust their orientations and positions in response to asymmetric weight loadings during vehicle passage, compensating for uneven forces without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ball-joint connection enables the switch arrangement to self-adjust and compensate for asymmetric loads through its inherent geometric flexibility, without requiring external control systems or additional actuators
Data Source
AI summary
A switch arrangement for a track-borne vehicle has at least two articulatedly interconnected switch segments mounted so as to be movable with respect to a base surface. At least one switch segment has a drive. At least two switch segments are interconnected by means of an articulation, which has at least two degrees of rotational freedom. The articulation also or alternatively can have at least one degree of translational freedom, which is optionally formed with at least one additional degree of rotational freedom.