Pivotable End Sections for Ballast Clearing Chain Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines with clearing chains struggle to maneuver into operating position within tight clearance gauges, limiting their ability to work in spatially restricted areas such as platforms or switch sections.
Innovation Solution
The machine features pivotable end sections on the longitudinal channels that can be swiveled back to allow for lowering and coupling with the transverse channel, enabling the clearing chain to be moved into the operating position within the clearance gauge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the clearing chain is designed with fixed longitudinal channels, then the structure is simple and stable, but the machine cannot be maneuvered into operating position within tight clearance gauges
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse channel is divided into a central section and two pivotable end sections. This segmentation allows the end sections to be swiveled out of the way during maneuvering, enabling the machine to enter tight clearance gauges, while still forming a complete transverse channel when in the operating position for effective ballast cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The end sections are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to change position dynamically. During maneuvering, the end sections can be swiveled to a storage position to reduce the machine's width, and during operation, they return to their working position to form the complete transverse channel structure.
2Ease of operation
If the longitudinal channels are lowered between the rail and clearance boundary, then the machine can operate in confined spaces, but the end sections interfere with the lowering process
Solution Approach 1:
Before lowering the longitudinal channels into the working position, the end sections are first swiveled out of the way to a storage position. This preliminary action removes the interference that would otherwise prevent the longitudinal channels from being lowered between the rail and clearance boundary, enabling smooth operation in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to connect the central section and end sections separately. This allows the end sections to be independently positioned during maneuvering and then coupled to the central section once the longitudinal channels are in place, simplifying the overall lowering operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the end sections are made pivotable to enable maneuvering, then the machine can work in restricted areas, but additional locking and control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically lock the end sections in their respective positions (working or storage) without requiring external intervention. This self-locking mechanism ensures the end sections remain securely in place during operation or maneuvering, while minimizing the complexity of the control system by eliminating the need for manual locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device provides visual or electronic indication of the end sections' position status. This parameter change (from physical position to observable signal) allows operators to easily determine whether the end sections are in the working or storage position, simplifying the control process and reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A clearing chain of a machine provided for transporting ballast (5) of a track bed (3) has two longitudinal channels (12) and one transverse channel (9) which serve for guiding an endless chain. The transverse channel (9) is composed of one central section (14) and two end sections (16) which are each connected thereto and can be released by means of a coupling (15). Each end section (16) can be pivoted relative to the adjoining longitudinal channel (12) at an angle of at least 60° in a rotation plane from an operating position into a transfer position.