Modular Trackway Segments for Model Vehicles with Integrated Contact Wire Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roadway systems for model vehicles with energy-autonomous drive and steering axle, which follow a contact wire, lack flexibility in design and require high technical effort for installation, especially with prefabricated segments, and are prone to errors in selecting curve radii and functional element installation.
Innovation Solution
A modular roadway system composed of individual planar segments with dovetail-like connecting elements, made from 3 mm thick plywood or similar materials, allowing precise fitting and easy integration of functional elements, enabling flexible route design and easy installation of contact wires without visible cables or ruts, using standardized segments for linear, curved, flexible, and special track configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual milling of grooves is used to install contact wires, then the roadway can be customized, but the process is time-consuming and requires high technical effort
Solution Approach 1:
The roadway is divided into modular segments with pre-integrated contact wires. Each segment is a self-contained unit that can be easily assembled with others, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site groove milling and contact wire installation while maintaining customization capability through different segment configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact wires are pre-installed in the grooves during manufacturing of the roadway segments. This preliminary action transfers the complex installation work from the construction phase to the manufacturing phase, allowing rapid assembly during roadway construction without requiring skilled labor for groove milling and wire installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If prefabricated segments are used, then installation effort is reduced, but design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The roadway segments are designed with universal connecting elements that work for all segment types (straight, curved, junction, etc.). This allows a single set of standardized segments to fulfill multiple design requirements, providing both ease of installation through standardization and design flexibility through combinatorial arrangements of the same basic component type.
3Ease of operation
If standard prefabricated segments are used, then assembly is simplified, but individual route design options are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The roadway system is segmented into standardized modular units with uniform connection interfaces. This segmentation enables simple assembly through repeated use of the same connection procedure while allowing unlimited design variation by changing the sequence, orientation, and combination of standard segments to create individualized routes.
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
Enables the creation of customized road landscapes with minimal technical effort, allowing for individual traffic routing and seamless combination of segments to form various road layouts, including single-lane and multi-lane configurations, without the complexities of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the model vehicles following a contact wire laid directly under the roadway with the aid of a magnet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A track system for model vehicles with an energy-autonomous drive and a steering axle, which follows a contact wire laid directly under the track with the aid of a magnet, wherein the track system comprises individual, planar track segments 1, 2, 3, 4 having at least two connecting edges 8 and being 1 to 5 mm thick, wherein the individual track segments 1, 2, 3, 4 have at least one groove 6 with a diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 mm on their track side for receiving the contact wire 7, wherein the track system comprises linear track segments 1, curved segments 2, flexible track segments 3 and special track segments 4.