Folding Railway Switch via Segmented Sleeper Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch assembly and transportation methods are labor-intensive and costly due to the need for pre-assembling large components, which exceed standard transport sizes, requiring expensive special wagons and complicating on-site assembly.
Innovation Solution
The switch is equipped with long sleepers that can be coupled rigidly using a connecting device embedded in the sleeper heads, allowing for folding along a straight line axis of rotation, enabling efficient transport on standard freight wagons and simplifying assembly by maintaining components like rails and check rails during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If switches are pre-assembled completely in the manufacturer's works for checking purposes, then the required high level of accuracy is achieved, but the procedure becomes particularly labor-intensive and requires expensive special wagons for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is divided into multiple separate concrete sleeper sections (first sleeper section, second sleeper section, third sleeper section) that can be transported independently on standard wagons. Each section contains specific switch components (switch device on first section, frog area on second section, switch end part on third section), allowing modular transport and assembly at the installation site while maintaining assembly accuracy.
2Reliability
If switches are pre-assembled completely, then quality checking is ensured, but the contact surface required for transporting the switch exceeds the size of available standard wagons
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-assembled switch is segmented into multiple sleeper sections that can be transported separately on standard wagons. The first sleeper section with switch device, second sleeper section with frog area, and third sleeper section with switch end part can be loaded independently, reducing the contact surface area required for transport while ensuring quality through pre-assembly of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeper sections are designed to be coupled together through connecting devices embedded in the sleeper heads, allowing them to nest or connect in a compact arrangement during transport. The connecting devices with web plates and screw connections enable the sections to be joined rigidly when assembled, while allowing efficient packing on standard wagons during transport.
3Ease of operation
If the switch is assembled and installed at the installation site from separately delivered components, then transport is simplified, but the procedure becomes particularly labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The switch components are grouped into three main sleeper sections that can be delivered separately but are pre-assembled to a high degree. Each section contains complete sub-assemblies (switch device, frog area, switch end part), reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled at the installation site while maintaining transport simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeper sections are pre-assembled in the manufacturer's works with all necessary components (rails, check rails, fastening components) already in place. This preliminary assembly includes quality checking and testing before transport, so that minimal assembly work is required at the installation site - only the coupling of the three sleeper sections using the connecting devices is needed, significantly improving assembly efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If standard freight wagons are used for transport, then transportation costs are reduced, but the switch must be folded or disassembled to fit within available space
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is divided into three separate sleeper sections that can be loaded independently onto standard freight wagons. Each section (first sleeper section with switch device, second sleeper section with frog area, third sleeper section with switch end part) fits within the dimensions of standard wagons, eliminating the need for expensive special wagons or complex folding mechanisms while reducing transportation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting devices with embedded web plates and screw connections serve multiple functions: they provide rigid coupling between sleeper sections when assembled, enables precise alignment during installation, and allow for easy disassembly and reassembly. This multi-functional design simplifies the loading and unloading process on standard wagons while maintaining the structural integrity of the complete switch assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a switch and to a method for transporting and installing such a switch, which is equipped with longitudinal sleepers, the sleeper sections (2, 3) of which are or can be coupled in a flexurally stiff manner by means of a connecting device (16) embedded in the sleeper heads (4) so that the switch can be folded for space-saving transport. The divided longitudinal sleepers are oriented relative to each other and installed in such a way that the joints of the longitudinal sleepers are aligned along a straight line, which thus can serve as a rotational axis for folding up a side of the switch. The joints aligned on the rotational axis act similarly to a hinge band so that complete switch segments, such as a switch end part or the core region, can be folded along said line.