Ballastless Track Positioning Device with Rotatable Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic track positioning devices for ballastless track systems are inefficient and inaccurate due to mechanical configurations that cause lateral inclination, leading to excessive iterations and insufficient accuracy in positioning track sections.

Innovation Solution

A novel mechanical structure where columns remain vertical, supporting the track section and carriage body without lateral inclination, allowing for simultaneous vertical and horizontal adjustments without lateral bias, and incorporating a rotatable joint for camber correction, reducing the need for iterative positioning processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If columns are allowed to incline laterally for camber adjustment, then camber correction is achieved, but lateral biasing forces are generated that reduce positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamber correction capabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates camber adjustment from vertical positioning by introducing an independent rotational degree of freedom. The frame can rotate about the longitudinal axis independently of the vertical movement of the columns, allowing camber correction without lateral inclination of the load-bearing columns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a rotational dimension to the positioning system. Instead of using lateral inclination of columns for camber adjustment, the frame rotates about the longitudinal axis, separating the camber adjustment function from the vertical positioning function and eliminating lateral biasing forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If iterative positioning process is used to correct positioning errors, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but operational time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary camber adjustment during the main positioning operation. By incorporating the rotational degree of freedom, the system can correct camber errors in advance during the positioning phase itself, rather than requiring separate iterative correction cycles after positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning and camber adjustment operations are performed continuously in a single phase. The frame's rotational capability allows camber correction to occur simultaneously with or immediately during vertical positioning, eliminating the need for separate iterative correction cycles and maintaining continuous productive action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If manual positioning with multiple operators is used, then positioning can be performed, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidpositioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is self-sufficient in performing both vertical positioning and camber adjustment without requiring multiple operators. The independent rotational mechanism allows a single operator to control both positioning and camber correction through coordinated movement, eliminating the need for manual measurement and iterative adjustment by multiple personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4239125B1Device for automatic track positioning in ballastless track systems
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 AZVI
  • EP4239125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4239125B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4239125B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Device (1) for automatic track positioning in ballastless track systems, comprising: a frame (11); a carriage body (12) slidably connected to the frame (11) along a transverse direction, where the carriage body (12) comprises at least two pairs of downwardly oriented wheels (13) configured for rolling on respective two rails (110) of a track (100) and at least two downwardly oriented retractable clamps (14) for clamping the two rails (110); two vertical parallel extendable cylinders (15) connected to the frame (11), where the cylinders (15) are configured for extending vertically downwards such that, upon resting on the ground, the frame (11) elevates, wherein the connection between the cylinders (15) and the frame (11) further comprises a rotatable joint configured for rotating the frame (11) with respect to the cylinders (15) around an essentially longitudinal direction.