Height-Adjustable Insulated Mount for Rail Power Rails

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation supports for busbars in electrically driven rail vehicles are complex to assemble and costly to install, especially in long rail networks, due to multiple screw connections and separate attachment of covers, which increases installation and maintenance efforts.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable insulation support with a foot part, middle part, and upper part that can be coupled and fastened using a single fastening means, featuring planar surfaces and sliding elements for form-fitting and force-fitting connections, allowing for easy adaptation to different busbar heights and simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple screw connections are used to attach the support arm to the foot part for height adjustment, then the height adjustability is improved, but the assembly complexity and installation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is divided into multiple segments (first support arm portion, second support arm portion, third support arm portion) that can be independently adjusted and connected. Each segment can be positioned at different heights along the foot part, allowing height adjustment without requiring multiple screw connections for the entire assembly. The segmentation enables modular adjustment where each portion can be independently positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm incorporates movable and fixed portions that can be dynamically adjusted. The first support arm portion is movable relative to the foot part, while the second and third portions are fixed at different heights. This dynamic configuration allows the support arm to be adjusted to different heights by moving the movable portion to the desired position and securing it with a single fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple screw connections are used for height adjustment, then the height adaptability is improved, but the installation time and maintenance effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is divided into multiple segments (first support arm portion, second support arm portion, third support arm portion) that can be independently adjusted and connected. Each segment can be positioned at different heights along the foot part, allowing height adjustment without requiring multiple screw connections for the entire assembly. The segmentation enables modular adjustment where each portion can be independently positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm incorporates movable and fixed portions that can be dynamically adjusted. The first support arm portion is movable relative to the foot part, while the second and third portions are fixed at different heights. This dynamic configuration allows the support arm to be adjusted to different heights by moving the movable portion to the desired position and securing it with a single fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex multi-part structure is used for height adjustment, then the adaptability to different busbar heights is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to busbar heightsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed as a universal component that can accommodate busbars at different heights through its segmented structure. The same support arm assembly can be used for various busbar heights by adjusting the position of the movable portion, eliminating the need to manufacture different types of support arms for different heights. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm incorporates movable and fixed portions that can be dynamically adjusted. The first support arm portion is movable relative to the foot part, while the second and third portions are fixed at different heights. This dynamic configuration allows the support arm to be adjusted to different heights by moving the movable portion to the desired position and securing it with a single fastening operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2819879B1Insulated mount for a power rail for electrically driven rail vehicles

Publication Date: 2017.07.26 SPL POWERLINES AUSTRIA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an insulated mount for a power rail for electrically driven rail vehicles. The insulated mount comprises a base part (100) and a supporting arm (200, 300) which can be attached to the base part (100) in a vertically adjustable fashion and which comprises a centre part (200) and an upper part (300) which can be coupled and attached to the centre part (200), wherein the supporting arm (200, 300) is designed to accommodate the power rail. The insulated mount is characterized in that the base part (100), the centre part (200) and the upper part (300) can be attached to one another by merely one attachment means (400).