Pendulum Running Gear for Heavy Load Railway Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway vehicles are not suitable for transporting heavy loads as they fail to balance the load distribution on rollers, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, especially on inclined tracks and during loading, unloading, and braking processes.
Innovation Solution
A cable-drawn vehicle with a chassis supported by a pendulum running gear comprising independent lateral pendulum devices, each with secondary and primary pendulums, and jacks for controlled movement and load distribution, ensuring balanced weight distribution over multiple rollers and enabling low-speed operation on straight tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a rigid primary suspension with Belleville washers is used to transport heavy loads, then the vehicle can carry heavy loads, but the load distribution between rollers becomes unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid primary suspension with a dynamic pendulum-based suspension system. The secondary pendulum allows the chassis to pivot relative to the primary pendulum, and the primary pendulum allows the roller assembly to pivot relative to the chassis. This multi-level dynamic suspension automatically adjusts load distribution among rollers based on track conditions and vehicle motion, resolving the contradiction between heavy load capacity and balanced load distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical rollers are used on one rail and guide flange rollers on the other, then variations in rail spacing are accommodated, but the load distribution remains unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The pendulum-based suspension system dynamically adjusts the position and load bearing of each roller based on real-time track conditions. When rail spacing varies, the primary and secondary pendulums rotate to redistribute loads automatically, maintaining balance while adapting to the changed geometry, unlike the static mixed-roller configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle operates on inclined tracks, then it can access underground facilities, but existing running gear cannot maintain correct orientation and load balance
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-level pendulum suspension system naturally adapts to inclined tracks through gravitational forces. As the vehicle tilts on an incline, the secondary pendulum rotates to maintain the chassis level, while the primary pendulum adjusts the roller assembly orientation. This dynamic adaptation maintains both vehicle orientation and load balance on inclined tracks, unlike conventional rigid running gear.
4Device complexity
If conventional running gear is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but it cannot provide controlled movement, loading, unloading, and braking
Solution Approach 1:
The pendulum-based running gear serves multiple functions: it provides suspension, enables controlled movement through jack integration, facilitates loading and unloading by adjusting chassis height, and assists braking through controlled roller engagement. This multi-functional design achieves operational control without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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 effectively balances load distribution, ensures correct orientation on inclined tracks, and facilitates controlled movement, loading, unloading, and braking, enhancing safety and efficiency in transporting heavy loads.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement of the primary and secondary pendulums of each lateral pendulum device serves to balance the forces exerted on the support rollers and therefore distribute the vehicle weight over a large number of support rollers
Implementation Method 2
a secondary pendulum articulated in relation to the chassis around a horizontal secondary pivot axis and two primary pendulums, wherein each of the two primary pendulums is articulated in relation to the secondary pendulum around a horizontal primary pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A funicular intended particularly for transporting heavy loads between an upstream station (10) and a downstream station (12), comprises a railway track (14) connecting the upstream station (10) to the downstream station (12) and a vehicle (16) running on the track (14) and drawn by at least one towing cable (30). The vehicle comprises a chassis (50) defining a median longitudinal vertical plane that rests on at least one pendulum running gear, comprising two independent lateral pendulum devices (60) situated on either side of the median longitudinal vertical plane, wherein each lateral pendulum device (60) comprises a secondary pendulum (62) articulated in relation to the chassis (50) around a horizontal secondary pivot axis and two primary pendulums, each articulated in relation to the secondary pendulum (62) around a horizontal primary pivot axis, wherein the primary pivot axes of the two primary pendulums are spaced apart from one another longitudinally on either side of the secondary pivot axis, wherein each primary pendulum is associated with at least two support rollers designed to run on the railway track (14), each rotating around a rotation axis parallel to the primary pivot axis of the associated primary pendulum and situated longitudinally on either side of the primary pivot axis of the associated primary pendulum.