Non-conductive Adaptor Assembly for Gate Mechanism Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gate control system components for railroad/highway crossings are often expensive, heavy, and prone to electrical grounding issues due to varying sizes and configurations, which complicates adaptation and increases maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A non-metallic adaptor assembly is designed to align a gear motor with a shaft driving gear, using non-conductive materials to minimize material volume, weight, and electrical conductivity, thereby reducing the risk of grounding problems and providing a cost-efficient solution for adapting components to the gate mechanism housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional equipment is used to adapt a component to the system housing, then the component can be adapted to different configurations, but the equipment becomes expensive, heavy, and prone to electrical grounding problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent adaptabilityVSAvoidelectrical grounding reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-conductive adaptor as an intermediary component between the motor and the housing. This adaptor mediates the connection while providing electrical isolation, thus maintaining adaptability without compromising electrical grounding reliability. The adaptor serves as a mediator that allows different component configurations to be adapted while preventing harmful electrical grounding issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional heavy metal adapting equipment with a non-conductive adaptor made from alternative materials. This substitution eliminates the electrical conductivity issue while maintaining the mechanical adaptation function, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional equipment is used to adapt a component to the system housing, then the component can be adapted to different configurations, but the equipment becomes expensive and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent adaptabilityVSAvoidadaptor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the adaptor from conventional heavy metals to non-conductive, lightweight materials. This parameter change maintains the adaptability function while significantly reducing the weight of the stationary adaptor component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective non-conductive adaptor that is simpler and lighter than conventional equipment. While the adaptor may be a single-use component, its low cost and lightweight nature make it an economical solution compared to heavy, expensive conventional adapting equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a DC electric motor is directly mounted to the housing, then the assembly is simple, but electrical grounding problems occur due to carbon brushes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor assembly complexityVSAvoidelectrical grounding hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The non-conductive adaptor serves as an intermediary between the DC motor and the housing, providing electrical isolation that prevents grounding hazards from the carbon brushes while maintaining the mechanical connection. This intermediary approach adds minimal complexity while effectively eliminating the harmful electrical grounding factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Weight of stationary object

If material volume is minimized in the adaptor, then cost and weight are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptor weightVSAvoidadaptor manufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent minimizes the volume and weight parameters of the adaptor by using non-conductive materials and optimized design. While this reduces material usage and cost, it necessitates higher manufacturing precision to ensure proper fit and function, which is managed through controlled manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12065180B2Adaptor assembly for a gate mechanism

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 SIEMENS MOBILITY INC

AI summary

There is described an adaptor assembly of a gate mechanism for aligning a gear motor with a shaft driving gear. The assembly comprises a gate mechanism housing, a shaft driving motor, an adaptor, and fasteners. The housing includes a bore having an inner dimension and a housing fastener connection. The shaft driving motor has a motor shaft and a motor fastener connection. The adaptor comprises a housing fastener passage, a motor fastener passage, and a central protrusion. The central protrusion has an outer dimension aligned with the inner dimension of the bore and a central shaft passage accommodating the motor shaft of the shaft driving motor. A first fastener secures the adaptor to the shaft driving motor via the motor fastener passage and the motor fastener connection. A second fastener secures the adaptor to the housing via the housing fastener passage and the housing fastener connection.