Dual-Rail Support Frame for Temporary Railroad Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temporary railroad signals with single rail attachment mechanisms are prone to loosening due to vibrations and wind, leading to instability and potential displacement, which can result in the signal being moved away from its optimal operative position and posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A support frame with a base attached to both rails of the track, featuring a post with a fixed and movable arm, and multiple clamps and extendable feet for secure attachment, allowing the signal to be positioned optimally and maintaining stability during windy and vibrating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single rail attachment mechanism is used for temporary railroad signals, then the signal can be quickly installed and transported, but the attachment becomes loose due to vibrations and wind, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into multiple independent clamps (at least two clamps) that attach to different parts of the rail structure. Each clamp provides independent attachment points, distributing the load and preventing a single point of failure. This segmentation allows the signal to be securely attached while maintaining ease of installation through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple attachment functions into a single integrated base structure that attaches to both rails simultaneously. The base incorporates multiple beams (first beam and second beam) with clamps on each, creating a unified attachment system that distributes forces across the entire rail structure rather than concentrating them at a single point, thereby improving stability without complicating installation.
2Weight of moving object
If a temporary signal frame is made lightweight for easy transport, then it can be easily moved and installed, but it becomes easily damaged and non-functional under environmental stress
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure employs local quality enhancement by concentrating structural reinforcement at critical stress points (the base and attachment points to rails) while keeping other portions of the frame lighter. The base structure with multiple beams and clamps provides localized strength where needed to resist vibrations and wind forces, while the overall frame remains lightweight for easy transport.
3Reliability
If the signal frame is attached to both rails with multiple clamps, then stability against vibrations and wind is improved, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the signal, acts as the attachment platform for multiple clamps, distributes mechanical loads across both rails, and resists environmental forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving stability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A support frame is disclosed for a temporary signal for a railroad. The railroad includes a track having two elongate rails, and the support frame comprises a post arranged to support a railroad signal, a base joined to the post, and at least one attachment for attaching the base to both rails of the track. The base comprises a first beam and a second beam, and the first beam and the second beam are each arranged to be attached to both of the rails.