Catenary Connection Arm With Orientation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for temporarily earthing a catenary during railway maintenance are cumbersome, pose electrical risks due to induced currents and short circuits, and lack precise remote connection capabilities, making them unsafe and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A system with a support foot and a connecting arm featuring an orientation mechanism that adjusts angular and vertical positions, allowing remote manipulation and secure connection to the catenary, reducing operator burden and enhancing safety by preventing untimely unhooking and cable entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a telescopic pole with significant length is used to reach the catenary, then the connection end can be positioned above the catenary, but the mass of the pole becomes large and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the connection function into two separate components: a support foot that remains stationary on the ground and a connecting arm that performs the connection operation. This segmentation eliminates the need for a long telescopic pole, as the connecting arm only needs to reach from breast height to the catenary, significantly reducing its length and mass while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational dimension by elevating the connection point to breast height through the support foot structure. This dimensional change allows the operator to work from a comfortable height rather than extending a long pole from ground level, reducing the required length of the connecting arm and improving ergonomics.
2Strength
If the telescopic body is made sufficiently rigid and strong to support the electric cable, then the cable can be properly supported, but the mass of the telescopic body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot assumes the structural role of supporting the electric cable and providing a stable base, allowing the connecting arm to be much lighter since it only needs to perform the connection function. This segmentation of structural support and connection functions enables the connecting arm to have reduced mass while maintaining adequate strength.
3Ease of operation
If the pole is placed on the ground in a passage area before installation, then it is readily available for use, but operators risk stumbling on the telescopic pole or floating cable
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot remains stationary in a fixed position on the ground or on a structure, while the connecting arm is stored in a compact rest position near the support foot. This segmentation allows the system to be ready for use without extending into passage areas, eliminating the tripping hazard of long telescopic poles and floating cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The support foot is installed in advance in a location that does not obstruct passage areas, and the connecting arm is stored in a compact position near the support foot before use. This preliminary positioning ensures the system is ready for operation without creating safety hazards in walkway areas.
4Length of moving object
If the connecting arm is made telescopic with significant length, then it can reach the catenary from ground level, but the cable may wrap around the telescopic body during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The support foot provides a stable anchor point that eliminates the need for a long telescopic connecting arm. The connecting arm only needs to extend from breast height to the catenary, significantly reducing its length and minimizing the risk of cable wrapping during manipulation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6A
AI summary
A temporary electrical connection system (S) of a catenary to a running rail of a railway, the connection system (S) comprising: - a support foot (1), - a connecting arm (2) comprising a connection end (21) configured to be connected to the catenary and a fixing end (22) connected to the support foot (1) by a slewing mechanism (3), the connecting arm (2) being configured to move at least between a rest position and a connection position to the catenary, and - an electrical cable (4), - the slewing mechanism (3) being configured to adjust the angular position of the connecting arm (2) around the Z axis so as to position the connecting end (21) above the catenary and to adjust the vertical position of the connecting arm (2) in order to disconnect/connect the connecting end (21) to the catenary.