Hi-Rail Valve Linkage for Unlock-Before-Deployment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-rail vehicles face safety and convenience issues due to manual operation of locking mechanisms, which can lead to forgotten or broken locking pins, and complex hydraulic circuits that increase the risk of failure during configuration switching.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a valve system with deployment and locking cylinders actuated by multi-axis controllers and a mechanical linkage plate, ensuring the hi-rail gear unit is properly unlocked before deployment or retraction, using a hydraulic cylinder with a compression spring for safety and independent hydraulic circuits for each function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual locking mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to forgotten or broken locking pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical locking pins with an automated hydraulic locking system. The locking cylinder (2) is actuated by hydraulic fluid from the valve system, eliminating the need for manual insertion and removal of locking pins. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with automated hydraulic actuation resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through automation while maintaining acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic locking system operates automatically based on the position of the deployment lever (150). When the lever is in the deployed position, the locking cylinder automatically engages to secure the hi-rail device. When the lever is in the retracted position, the locking cylinder automatically disengages. This self-service mechanism eliminates human error associated with manual locking operations, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional controls.
2Ease of operation
If complex hydraulic circuits are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into two independent circuits: a deployment circuit controlling the deployment cylinder (15) and a locking circuit controlling the locking cylinder (2). Each circuit has its own valve and hydraulic path, as shown in the schematic diagrams. This segmentation isolates potential failures to individual circuits, preventing cascading failures and improving overall system reliability while maintaining ease of operation through independent control of deployment and locking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a mechanical spring (170) that acts as a backup cushioning mechanism for the hydraulic locking system. The spring provides alternative means to engage or disengage the locking cylinder if hydraulic pressure is lost or the locking circuit fails. This beforehand cushioning measure ensures that the hi-rail device can still be secured or released even if the hydraulic system experiences a failure, thereby improving reliability without complicating the primary hydraulic circuit design.
3Reliability
If mechanical linkage plate is added, then reliability is improved through proper sequencing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage plate (200) acts as an intermediary component between the deployment lever (150) and the valve system. The plate contains apertures that guide the rod (550) through specific paths, ensuring that the locking function is activated before the deployment function during configuration switching. This mechanical intermediary enforces proper sequencing through its physical geometry rather than complex electronic controls, improving reliability while adding only a simple mechanical element to the system.
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 safety and convenience by ensuring the hi-rail gear unit is securely unlocked before deployment or retraction, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and simplifying the control process compared to prior art methods.
Implementation Method 1
the locking cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder comprising a compression spring for safety and which holds the arms forming the linkage of the hi-rail gear unit either unfolded in deployment or folded in retraction
Implementation Method 2
the deployment cylinder is a hydraulic cylinder which unfolds for deployment or folds for retraction arms forming a linkage of the hi-rail gear unit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for controlling sequential unlocking, deployment or retraction, and locking of a hi-rail gear unit. There is a valve system in which some of the valves are configured to actuate a deployment cylinder that deploys or retracts the hi-rail device, wherein some of the valves are configured to actuate a locking cylinder that locks or unlocks the hi-rail gear unit deployed or retracted; said actuations being independent from each other. A multi-axis controller is connected to the valve system and has a rod configured to move freely by pivoting, the positions of the first multi-axis controller including a first lock position, a first unlock position, a first engaged position and a first disengaged position. A guiding forces the rod along a locking axis prior to permitting movement of the rod along a deployment axis to force unlocking before deployment or retraction.