Rail Car Shunting Device with Deployable Bolt Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail car shunting devices are complex and costly due to the need for multiple wheel sets with rubber tires that require costly retraction and steering mechanisms for both road and rail operations, leading to mechanical and hydraulic complications.
Innovation Solution
A rail car shunting device with a bogie equipped with bolt or disk elements that can be moved between retracted and deployed positions using an adjusting device, allowing for smooth transition between road and rail modes, featuring rotatable bolt elements with spring assistance and servomotor activation for efficient rail guidance, and individual wheel pivotability for enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wheel sets with rubber tires and steering mechanisms are used for both road and rail operations, then the device can operate on both surfaces, but the structure becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the road wheels from the system by using the rail wheels themselves for both road and rail operations. The rail wheels are equipped with rubber tires and guiding bolt elements that can be retracted or deployed, eliminating the need for separate road wheel sets and their associated steering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail wheels are designed to serve dual functions: they provide propulsion and guidance on rails when the bolt elements are deployed, and they function as road wheels with rubber tires when the bolt elements are retracted. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wheel sets with retraction mechanisms are used, then road-rail transition is enabled, but the cost and fault liability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate road wheel retraction mechanisms by using a single set of rail wheels equipped with retractable guiding bolt elements. This reduces the number of moving parts and potential failure points while maintaining mode transition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding bolt elements are designed to be automatically positioned during mode transitions. When the vehicle approaches rails, the bolt elements are automatically deployed to engage with the rail edges, and when on road, they are automatically retracted, reducing the need for complex control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bolt elements are deployed for rail guidance, then rail operation is enabled, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt elements are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed. This rotational freedom allows them to dynamically adapt to the rail surface conditions, reducing friction and wear while maintaining effective guidance. The elements can rotate to follow the rail edge contour rather than forcing a fixed geometric relationship.
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 simplifies the device structure, reduces friction and mechanical complexity, and enables efficient operation on both road and rail surfaces with reduced maintenance needs, enhancing operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bolt element has a spring elastic force applied thereto in the direction of the ground
Implementation Method 2
outer peripheral faces of the bolt elements of two wheels that are assigned to one another extend along an inner lateral edge and/or an outer lateral edge of the rails in order to guide the wheels on the rails
Data Source
AI summary
A rail car mover for road-rail operation is enabled for shunting rail cars that are guided on two parallel rails. The rail car mover has a bogie and wheels which are mounted thereon and have rubber tires. Each wheel is assigned a bolt element, or a disk, which can be moved by way of an adjusting device from a first retracted position for the road mode in which the ground-side end face of the bolt element is located above the rolling level of the wheel, beyond the rolling level in the direction of the ground into a second deployed position for the rail mode in which the ground-side end face of the bolt element is located underneath the rolling level in such a way that the external circumferential faces of the bolt element of two wheels which are assigned to one another extend along the inner lateral edges and/or the outer lateral edges of the rails in order to guide the wheels.