Modular Railway Track Supports with Connectable Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rail support systems for railway tracks, such as concrete sleepers and slab track systems, face challenges in maintenance complexity and cost, especially in high-traffic areas, due to non-homogeneous support and complex installation processes, which can lead to geometry alterations and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular slab track system comprising separate track supports with adjustable and connectable modules, featuring through and blind receiving orifices for connecting elements, adjustment holes for precise positioning, and injection holes for wedging products, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment of the track geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional concrete sleepers are used, then good anchoring and solidity are achieved, but maintenance complexity increases and support homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the track support system into modular components: concrete supports with receiving orifices, separate connecting elements, and adjustable positioning elements. This segmentation allows individual components to be manufactured with high precision and assembled systematically, maintaining solidity while reducing maintenance complexity through standardized, replaceable modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces adjustable positioning elements that can modify geometric parameters of the track support assembly. This allows the system to maintain optimal geometric parameters under varying conditions, ensuring homogeneous support across different locations while preserving the structural strength of concrete components.
2Device complexity
If large slab track systems are used, then maintenance costs are reduced, but installation complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the track system into standardized modular units that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each module contains integrated receiving orifices and connecting elements, reducing maintenance complexity through standardization while simplifying installation through modular assembly compared to large monolithic slabs.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving orifices and connecting elements are pre-integrated into the concrete supports during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures precise geometric relationships are built-in, reducing both maintenance complexity and installation complexity by eliminating field adjustments and complex alignment procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If tight manufacturing tolerances are used, then track geometry precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides track geometry precision requirements into discrete modular components, each manufactured to standardized tolerances. The receiving orifices, connecting elements, and positioning features are segmented into separate manufacturable features, achieving overall track geometry precision through accumulation of controlled modular units rather than requiring entire assemblies to meet tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates adjustable positioning elements that can modify geometric parameters after assembly. This allows the system to achieve high track geometry precision through field adjustment rather than requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a concrete track support (2) comprising at least one rail fixing location (3) provided on a first face called upper face of said support (2), two opposite lateral faces substantially perpendicular to said upper face, characterized in that each of said lateral faces includes at least one receiving hole adapted to receive a connecting element (9) capable of rigidly connecting said track support (2) with another track support.