Rail Vehicle Movable Rail Clearer Piston Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail clearers on rail vehicles cannot be adjusted to match the height of the rail top edge, leading to a gap that may allow body parts or objects to be pushed or rolled under or over the clearer, potentially causing derailments or injury.

Innovation Solution

A rail vehicle equipped with vertically movable and extendable/retractable rail clearing pistons arranged on the bogie frame in front of the first wheel set, guided by a tube, which can be activated to reach the rail top edge and prevent rollover, and can be integrated with magnetic rail brakes for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed rail clearer is installed on the rail vehicle, then it can provide continuous protection against obstacles, but it cannot adapt to varying rail heights and track conditions, creating gaps that reduce safety

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidadaptability to rail height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rail clearer is designed with movable elements that can change position dynamically. Specifically, the rail clearer comprises a movable rail clearer element that can be positioned in different locations along the rail vehicle, allowing it to adapt to varying rail heights and track conditions while maintaining continuous protection against obstacles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the position parameter of the rail clearer element along the rail vehicle. By adjusting the location of the movable rail clearer element, the system adapts to different rail heights and track configurations, eliminating gaps and maintaining optimal safety coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the rail clearer is positioned close to the wheels to prevent derailment, then it improves safety, but it reduces the space available for other components and complicates the vehicle structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvederailment preventionVSAvoidvehicle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail clearing function is segmented into a separate, movable rail clearer element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the rail clearer to be placed close to the wheels for optimal derailment prevention without complicating the overall vehicle structure, as the element can be integrated into existing spaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a snowplow is installed on the rail vehicle, then it can clear snow and debris, but it cannot be adjusted to match the rail height, creating a constant gap that reduces safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle clearing capabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rail clearer element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt its position to match the rail height. This dynamic positioning capability eliminates the constant gap problem associated with fixed snowplows, maintaining both obstacle clearing effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable rail clearer element serves multiple functions: it can clear snow and debris like a traditional snowplow, while also adapting to different rail heights and track conditions to prevent derailment. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3318462B1Rail vehicle with cow catcher and cow catcher for a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH
  • EP3318462B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3318462B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3318462B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a rail vehicle with a rail clearer and to a rail clearer for a rail vehicle. The rail clearer (20) for a rail vehicle (10), which is arranged in front of the first wheelset (11) of the rail vehicle (10) in the direction of travel on the bogie frame of the rail vehicle (10), comprises a rail clearer beam (21), wherein at least two vertically movable (extendable and retractable) rail clearer pistons (22, 22') are arranged on the rail clearer beam (21).