Vertical Rail Clamp with Spring-Actuated Lifting Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crane rail clamping systems fail to provide a fail-safe mechanism that ensures secure clamping of crane rails when unpowered or unattended, while allowing for lateral movement of crane wheels and preventing dragging of serrated shoes on the rails, with remote sensing for operator notification.
Innovation Solution
A rail clamp system featuring a carriage with a spring-actuated mechanism, pivotally mounted clamping levers, and guide wheels that elevate to release brake shoes above the rail for unclamping and lower for clamping, with a load transfer frame to distribute forces to brake shoes, ensuring secure clamping and easy maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamp is designed to clamp the sides of crane rails in a fail-safe mode, then the crane is secured to its rails when unpowered, but the clamping assembly must permit sufficient lateral movement of the clamp with respect to the rail to accommodate the movement of the crane wheels on the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates a dynamic suspension system with linkages that allow the clamping mechanism to move laterally and vertically in response to wheel movement while maintaining fail-safe clamping force. The suspension enables the clamp to adapt its position without compromising the clamping action on the rail sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping assembly is divided into separate functional components: a clamping mechanism for securing the rail, a suspension system for lateral movement accommodation, and a positioning system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between secure clamping and lateral adaptability.
2Reliability
If metal serrated shoes of hardness substantially greater than that of the rail are used for clamping surfaces, then secure clamping is achieved, but means should be provided to prevent the shoes from dragging on the rails when the crane moves along its rails
Solution Approach 1:
The serrated shoes are mounted on pivotable clamping levers that can dynamically adjust their position. When the crane moves, the levers pivot to lift the shoes off the rail surface, preventing dragging while maintaining secure clamping when stationary. This dynamic positioning eliminates the harmful dragging effect while preserving clamping security.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is designed to preliminarily counteract the tendency of the heavy serrated shoes to drag on the rail by providing upward support force through the linkage mechanism, preventing the harmful dragging action before it occurs during crane movement.
3Area of stationary object
If the clamping assembly is designed with narrow cross section to minimize opening in travelled surface, then the opening does not exceed approximately three times the width of the top of the rail, but access for inspection and maintenance of clamping components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping assembly is designed as a modular system with separable components including the clamp body, suspension linkage, and serrated shoes. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace individual components from limited openings while maintaining the narrow overall footprint of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The design provides maintenance access through vertical and lateral dimensions in addition to the horizontal opening. Components can be accessed from above or from the sides through the narrow opening, utilizing multiple spatial dimensions to overcome the limited access problem while maintaining a compact footprint.
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 system effectively secures crane rails during unpowered or unattended operation, accommodates crane wheel movement, prevents shoe dragging, and allows for easy inspection and replacement of brake shoes, providing reliable braking and resistance to external forces.
Implementation Method 1
At least one spring is mounted in the actuator frame at the upper end of the carriage
Implementation Method 2
At least one guide wheel is mounted on a wheel support so as to depend therefrom for rolling engagement along a rail
Implementation Method 3
At least one suspension frame is pivotally mounted at a first end of the suspension frame to the carriage and is pivotally mounted at an opposite second end of the suspension frame to the wheel support
Data Source
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AI summary
The rail clamp includes a carriage having an actuator frame mounted to its base so as to extend upwardly from the base. Springs are mounted in the actuator frame at the upper end of the carriage. An actuator is mounted between the base and the springs. A wheel is mounted on a wheel support. The wheel engages the rail. At least one suspension frame is pivotally mounted to the carriage and at an opposite end, to the wheel support. The actuator operates on the suspension frame so as to elevate the carriage. A pair of clamping levers is pivotally mounted to the base of the carriage. Brake shoes mount on the lower-most ends of the levers. The levers are pivotable so as to clamp their lower-most ends together when their upper ends are moved apart.