Dynamic Ballast Stabilization for Railway Working Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machines for working at height in railway environments face stability issues, leading to restricted movement and increased size, which necessitates interrupting rail traffic and requiring specialized machines for each task, resulting in high costs and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a stabilization device that dynamically adjusts the position of ballast within a horizontal plane to maintain the center of gravity, allowing for increased angular movement without the need for stabilizing legs or specialized gear, thus maintaining stability and reducing the machine's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing outriggers are deployed to prevent overturning, then the stability of the work machine is improved, but the vehicle's overall size increases and it exceeds the railway track clearance gauge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the ballast position adjustable rather than fixed. The ballast can be dynamically repositioned along the longitudinal axis of the chassis in response to the working element's position, allowing the center of gravity to adapt and maintain stability without requiring fixed outriggers that would increase vehicle size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of ballast position to control stability. By varying the longitudinal position of the ballast based on the working element's angular position, the system maintains stability within the existing vehicle dimensions, avoiding the need to deploy outriggers that would exceed the railway gauge.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing outriggers are deployed to prevent overturning, then the stability of the work machine is improved, but the deployment time increases and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the ballast system to automatically adjust in anticipation of or concurrent with working element movement. The control system continuously monitors the working element's angular position and proactively adjusts the ballast position to maintain stability, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual outrigger deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic ballast adjustment system responds in real-time to working element position changes, providing continuous stability without the intermittent deployment cycles of traditional outriggers. This dynamic adaptation eliminates deployment time losses while maintaining stability throughout the working range.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a specific piece of equipment is used for each task to prevent tipping, then the stability is improved, but the cost increases and productivity decreases due to inability to perform different tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single work machine with a multi-functional working element that can perform various tasks (tilting, rotating, bending) while the dynamic ballast system maintains stability for all operations. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized machines, reducing costs while maintaining stability across diverse tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic ballast adjustment system adapts to different task configurations by responding to the working element's position regardless of the specific task being performed. This enables a single machine to handle multiple tasks with maintained stability, whereas static stabilization systems would require different equipment for different tasks.
4Length of moving object
If the working element extends in a cantilevered fashion to reach desired height, then the working range is improved, but the stability deteriorates and tipping risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using the movable ballast as a counterweight to compensate for the cantilevered working element's tendency to cause tipping. By positioning the ballast appropriately along the longitudinal axis, the system creates a counterbalancing moment that offsets the destabilizing effect of the extended working element, enabling greater working range without sacrificing stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the machine's stability and operational range, allowing it to perform multiple tasks within the same railway zone without exceeding the railway track gauge, thereby improving productivity and reducing the need for rail traffic interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
Dynamic ballast movement allows the chassis's center of gravity to be shifted. This compensates for the overhang of the working unit by adjusting the center of gravity's position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A working-at-height machine comprising a chassis, at least one ground-mounted moving member connected to said chassis and at least one working member (4), comprising a proximal end (40) connected to said chassis and a distal end adapted to extend vertically away from said chassis, the chassis comprising at least one stabilization device (5) comprising a main frame (50) defining a horizontal plane (PH), a ballast (52), means for moving said ballast (52) in said horizontal plane (PH) and control means configured to move the ballast (52) in said horizontal plane (PH) according to the position of the distal end of the working member in order to increase the stability of the working machine.