Hinged Derail Torsion Spring Manual Lifting Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged derails require manual operation, which is physically demanding and can cause back injuries due to the heavy weight of the derail shoe, necessitating a solution to reduce operator stress and provide lifting assistance without adding weight or using expensive power sources.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a torsion spring around the pivot shaft, secured to both the derail base and shoe, providing lifting assistance in both operative and inoperative positions, relieving stress on the operator and facilitating easier manual rotation without external power or added weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of heavy derail shoe is used, then no additional weight or power source is required, but operator stress and risk of back injuries increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A torsion spring is integrated into the derail mechanism to provide counterbalancing force against the weight of the derail shoe. The spring is positioned to exert upward force on the shoe during rotation, reducing the manual lifting effort required by the operator while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device.
2Strength
If derail shoe weight is increased for durability, then strength and reliability improve, but manual handling becomes excessively difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring counterbalances a portion of the derail shoe's weight, allowing the shoe to be made stronger and more durable without proportionally increasing the manual handling difficulty. The spring offsets the additional weight through elastic counterforce.
3Ease of operation
If lifting assistance mechanism is added, then operator stress is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A torsion spring is integrated into the derail mechanism to provide counterbalancing force against the weight of the derail shoe. The spring is positioned to exert upward force on the shoe during rotation, reducing the manual lifting effort required by the operator while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring automatically provides lifting assistance during the normal operation of the derail, without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The spring's elastic energy is utilized during each rotation cycle to reduce operator effort.
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
The torsion spring significantly reduces the effort required to move the derail shoe between positions, minimizing the risk of back injuries and enabling efficient operation without increasing the derail's weight or requiring external power, while maintaining an economical design.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of a torsion spring around the pivot shaft, secured to both the derail base and shoe, providing lifting assistance in both operative and inoperative positions
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to hinged derail assemblies used in the railroad industry for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle. The hinged derail assembly includes a base that is positioned adjacent one rail of a pair of railroad rails. A derail shoe is pivotally mounted on the derail base and is moveable between a derailing position and an inoperative position. In the present invention a biasing member, such as a torsion spring, is secured to both the base of the hinged derail assembly and the derail shoe. The spring provides upward lifting force whether the derail shoe is in the inoperative position or in the derailing position. This lifting force assists the worker in the manual lifting of the derail shoe. The invention also relates to a method of constructing the hinged derail wherein the torsion spring is installed when the derail shoe is generally upright.