Modular Axle Standard for Multi-Gauge Wheel Lathe Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current axle standards for underfloor wheel lathes are heavy, prone to corrosion, and inefficiently managed, leading to high transportation, machining, and calibration costs due to their infrequent use and inadequate handling, as they need to be moved and recalibrated frequently across different track gauges.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable axle standard made of interchangeable central axles and side wheels with fastening and joining elements, designed to accommodate different track gauges, featuring a lightweight aluminum construction with corrosion-resistant heat treatment, and specific packaging for protection during transportation and storage, allowing a single standard to calibrate all underfloor wheel lathes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional heavy axle standards are used for calibration, then measurement accuracy is ensured, but transportation and handling costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The axle standard is divided into multiple modular components including central axles of different lengths (for different track gauges), side wheels, fastening elements, and joining elements. This segmentation allows the heavy calibration standard to be disassembled into manageable parts for easy transportation while maintaining measurement precision when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular axle standard system can be configured for multiple track gauges (1668 mm, 1435 mm, and 1000 mm) by simply changing the central axle length, making a single set of components universal for calibrating all underfloor wheel lathes across different gauge requirements, eliminating the need for multiple separate heavy standards.
2Area of stationary object
If axle standards are stored outdoors to save space, then workshop area is freed up, but corrosion and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The axle standard components are made from aluminum material and subjected to heat treatment to modify their physical and chemical properties, providing corrosion resistance that allows safe outdoor storage without degradation, while the modular design enables compact packaging that minimizes storage space requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple axle standards are maintained for different track gauges, then calibration capability is ensured, but management complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal axle standard system incorporates central axles of different lengths (corresponding to 1668 mm, 1435 mm, and 1000 mm track gauges) that can be interchanged, allowing one standardized assembly to calibrate lathes for all three gauge types, thereby simplifying management while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration standard is segmented into interchangeable central axles, side wheels, and connecting elements that can be reconfigured for different gauge requirements, enabling a single modular system to replace multiple dedicated standards and reduce management complexity.
4Productivity
If axle standards are frequently transported and handled, then calibration operations can be performed, but handling damage and additional machining costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The axle standard is divided into robust modular components with standardized fastening and joining elements that can be safely handled and assembled/disassembled without damage. This modular structure protects components during transportation and eliminates the need for costly machining repairs, as any damaged element can be replaced independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates specific packaging designed to protect the modular components during transportation and storage, preventing handling damage before it occurs. This prior protection measure eliminates the need for frequent repairs and machining operations.
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 solution significantly reduces assembly, transportation, and calibration costs by providing a lightweight, corrosion-resistant axle standard that can be easily moved and used across various track gauges, ensuring efficient calibration and maintenance of underfloor wheel lathes with reduced operational burdens.
Implementation Method 1
the elements of the standard are made of aluminium, and are provided with a heat treatment in order to prevent corrosion and degradation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an axle standard for performing the prior calibration of an underfloor wheel lathe, said axle standard being adjustable to different track gauges. The standard comprises a set of at least two axles (1) with different lengths, equipped at the ends (3) thereof with a fastening element (4) and corresponding wheels having a front face (5), a rear face (6) and a side face (7) whereon a tread (8) and a perimetral flange (10) are defined. The rear face (6) of each wheel (2) incorporates a centred joining element (11) which can be coupled to the fastening element (4) in order to make up an assembly formed by said wheels (2) and one of the axles (1), having dimensions according to each track gauge.