Rail Clamp Handling Arrangement With Lightweight Electric Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail clamp handling arrangements are heavy and require lifting aids, making them cumbersome for single-person operation and environmentally inefficient due to the use of hydraulics.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight rail clamp handling arrangement utilizing a mechanical drive system with a compact transmission mechanism, including a planetary gear and chain/wheel mechanism, powered by a high-speed electric motor, allowing a single person to maneuver the device without external lifting assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional hydraulic drive systems are used in rail clamp handling arrangements, then sufficient power and force are available for clamping operations, but the device becomes heavy and requires lifting aids for movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional hydraulic drive system with a purely mechanical drive system consisting of an electric motor, planetary gear mechanism, and lead screw. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy hydraulic components while maintaining sufficient clamping force through mechanical advantage multiplication in the gear and screw mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic system from the device entirely, eliminating the associated weight and complexity. The mechanical drive system is designed to be compact and lightweight while still delivering the necessary power for clamping operations through efficient gear ratios and mechanical leverage.
2Power
If hydraulic systems are used for driving the clamping mechanism, then adequate power is available, but the environmental impact increases due to hydraulic fluid and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates hydraulic systems entirely by implementing a mechanical drive system using an electric motor coupled with planetary gears and a lead screw mechanism. This substitution removes the source of hydraulic fluid leakage and environmental contamination while maintaining adequate drive power through mechanical advantage.
3Ease of operation
If large structures with wheel equipped wagons are used for moving clamping elements, then the clamping elements can be positioned accurately, but the arrangement becomes heavy and cumbersome requiring lifting aids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the clamping function into a compact, self-contained mechanical unit that can be manually positioned. The modular design with integrated electric motor and mechanical transmission allows the device to be lightweight yet capable of precise positioning through the mechanical advantage provided by the gear and screw mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy wagon-based mechanical positioning systems with a lightweight electric motor-driven mechanical transmission system. The planetary gear mechanism combined with lead screw provides precise positioning capability while keeping the overall device weight low enough for manual handling without lifting aids.
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
Enables single-person handling and operation, reducing environmental impact by eliminating the need for hydraulics and providing efficient clamping and unclamping of rail sections.
Implementation Method 1
a first part (31) of a transmission having an output shaft (32) that drives a chain (321) (or belt)
Implementation Method 2
Thanks to the invention a rail clamp handling arrangement is provided that is substantially lighter than prior art machines
Implementation Method 3
a first part (31) of a transmission having an output shaft (32) that drives a chain (321) (or belt)
Implementation Method 4
The power and transmission means 2, 3 for rotatably driving a threaded shaft (6)
Implementation Method 5
The lower part (501) of the support structure, at each outer end portion (504) is arranged with connection means that provide pivot points (401) for first lever arms (400)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This invention relates to rail clamp handling arrangement, for moving a clamping element (300) from a position in which said element fastens a rail (800) to a railroad sleeper to a sleeper releasing position and vise-versa, comprising a support structure/housing (500) having a lower part (501) with a central rail fit member (503) and arranged to extend transversally in relation to the longitudinal extension of the rail (800), wherein at each outer end portion (504) of said lower part (501) there is arranged connection means that provide pivot points (401) at an intermediate point of a pivotable lever arm (400), said lever arms (400) being arranged mirror symmetrically, a power and transmission arrangement (2, 3, 6) arranged to simultaneously move an upper part (405) of said lever arms (400) via an upper pivotal connection (402), a lower part (406) of said lever arms (400) comprising contact devices (403) arranged to move a clamping element (300), wherein said power and transmission arrangement (2, 3, 6) includes a power unit in the form of an electric motor (2) and a rotatable threaded shaft (6) arranged to transfer torque applied via said power and transmission arrangement (2, 3 6) into pivotal movement of said lever arms (400).