Modular Rail Profile With Reactive Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rail production methods for public transportation systems, such as railways and tramways, lack flexibility and efficiency in accommodating different electromotive drives and variants, requiring extensive retooling for changes in operating principles.

Innovation Solution

A rail-based transport system utilizing a modular assembly set with a rail profile part and reactive components, featuring drilling aids for precise bore introduction, allowing for easy integration of various reactive components like linear motors, gear racks, and electromagnetic components, enabling production of multiple rail variants with a minimal set of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rail production methods are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and efficiency in accommodating different electromotive drives deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in accommodating different electromotive drivesVSAvoidretooling requirements for changes in operating principles

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail system is divided into modular components: a standardized rail profile part and interchangeable reactive components. Each reactive component is designed as a separate module that can be independently attached or detached from the rail profile part, enabling different electromotive drives to be accommodated without retooling the entire rail production process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rail profile part is designed with universal interface features (drilling aids, mounting positions) that can accommodate multiple types of reactive components for different operating principles. This universal design allows a single rail profile part to serve multiple functions with different electromotive drives, eliminating the need for extensive retooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple rail variants are produced using traditional methods, then each variant is optimized for its specific function, but production efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiency of rail variantsVSAvoidcost-effectiveness of producing different rail variants

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the rail system into a common rail profile part and specialized reactive components, the production process can mass-produce the standardized profile parts while separately manufacturing different reactive components. This segmentation enables parallel production streams, improving overall productivity and reducing costs compared to producing complete custom rails for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the common structural elements (rail profile part) with different functional elements (reactive components) into a unified assembly. This combining approach allows the benefits of standardized mass production to be achieved while still providing customized functionality for different rail variants, improving both productivity and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If reactive components are integrated into the rail profile part, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stability of the rail assemblyVSAvoidability to accommodate different operating principles

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reactive component is segmented as a separate attachable module rather than being permanently integrated into the rail profile part. This segmentation maintains structural stability through proper mechanical connection (screws, mounting features) while preserving adaptability, as the modular component can be removed and replaced with different types for different operating principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the reactive component and rail profile part is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The drilling aids and mounting features allow for flexible positioning and attachment, enabling the system to adapt to different operating principles while maintaining structural integrity through secure mechanical fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11585048B2Method for producing different variants of rails from an assembly set, and system having a vehicle which is movable on a rail component

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

In a method for producing different rail variants from an assembly set, and system having a vehicle which is movable on a rail part, the assembly set includes a rail profile part and two different reactive components, and the rail profile part includes an interface at which one of the different reactive components is optionally able to be connected.