Rail Bearing Covers for Modular Slab Track Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail support systems for slab tracks without ballast are difficult to repair or renovate, especially in the road surface area, as they require complex and costly procedures due to the integration of mechanical components like steel tie rods and lack of modular design for easy component exchange.

Innovation Solution

A rail support system with separate base and top layers, where cover bodies can be individually attached and detached from the base body via a connecting layer, allowing for easy replacement and featuring support parts to manage longitudinal and transverse forces, and a damping layer to reduce noise and vibration, without additional mechanical connecting parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If cover bodies are integrally connected to the base body, then structural stability is improved, but repair and renovation become difficult and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrepair difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rail support system is divided into separate modular components: a base body and multiple cover bodies that can be independently replaced. The connecting layer provides sufficient bonding to maintain structural stability during operation, while allowing individual cover bodies to be removed and replaced without affecting the entire structure. This segmentation enables easy repair of damaged cover bodies while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If additional mechanical connecting parts are used, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection between cover bodies and the base body is replaced with a chemical/material connection through the connecting layer. This material connection provides sufficient bonding strength without requiring additional mechanical fasteners, bolts, or other complex connecting parts. The connecting layer creates a direct material bond that simplifies the overall structure while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If cover bodies are firmly fixed to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but ease of replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover body stabilityVSAvoidreplacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between cover bodies and the base body through the connecting layer provides dynamic characteristics that adapt to different operational states. During normal operation, the material connection provides sufficient bonding strength to prevent unwanted movement and maintain stability. During replacement operations, the same material connection can be cleanly broken without damaging the base body, allowing easy removal and reinstallation of cover bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates easy and cost-effective repair or renovation of rail sections by allowing independent exchange of cover bodies and reducing structural noise and vibration, enhancing the system's stability and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

A connecting layer (17) is provided between the cover bodies (16) and the base body (14), by means of which a material connection is created between these

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

At least one support part (21) is provided between the underside of a cover body (16) and the top side of the base body (14), which is firmly connected to the cover body (16) or the base body (14) and protrudes into an associated support opening (22) on the cover body (16) or on the base body (14). Such a support part absorbs longitudinal and transverse forces acting on the cover body (16) and supports it on the base body (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce absorption: Force

Implementation Method 3

In order to prevent structure-borne noise from propagating via the rails and the base body arranged underneath, this can be separated from the substructure surrounding it by a damping layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2295635B1Rail bearing with covers for flexible bus section and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 EDILONSEDRA
  • EP2295635B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2295635B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2295635B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The rail support system (12) has rails (11) that are arranged with distance in transverse direction (Q), and has a base body (14) that is arranged within the rails. Multiple covering bodies (16) are fixed on the base body and are arranged on an upper side (20) of the base body. A receiving space (19) is formed for one of the rails between the covering bodies that are adjacent in the transverse direction in a direct manner. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a track section with rails.