Rail Vehicle Safety Device with Adjustable Rail Clearing Pistons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles with existing rail clearers face challenges in providing adequate protection due to a fixed height that cannot be adjusted, resulting in a gap between the rail clearer and the rail top edge, which poses a risk of serious injury to individuals who come into contact with the track.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle equipped with a front apron and rail clearers on the bogie frame, featuring vertically or angled rail clearing pistons that can be extended and retracted, supported by guide tubes, and activated by magnetic rail brakes, ensuring they reach the top edge of the rail for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-height rail clearer is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adjust to reach the top edge of the rail, leaving a gap that poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The rail clearer is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one through the integration of extendable pistons. These pistons enable the rail clearer to change its position vertically, allowing it to reach the top edge of the rail and eliminate the dangerous gap while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The height parameter of the rail clearer is made variable through the piston mechanism. By changing the extension state of the pistons, the rail clearer can adjust its vertical position to match different rail heights and conditions, ensuring continuous contact with the top edge of the rail for optimal safety protection.
2Reliability
If the rail clearer is positioned as close as possible to the wheels and top of the rail, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the space underneath the vehicle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable piston mechanism allows the rail clearer to be positioned close to the wheels and top of the rail only when needed for protection. When retracted, it minimizes the space occupation underneath the vehicle, thus resolving the conflict between protection effectiveness and space utilization.
3Reliability
If mechanical deflector mechanisms are installed, then protection against obstacles is improved, but installation and maintenance become very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into modular components: the rail clearer element and the piston actuation system. This segmentation allows for simplified installation and maintenance, as each component can be independently serviced or replaced without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical deflector mechanisms are replaced with a simpler piston-based extension system that provides similar protective functionality with reduced installation and maintenance complexity.
4Reliability
If the rail clearer is activated slowly, then mechanical system reliability is maintained, but protection against serious injuries is not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The slow mechanical activation system is replaced with magnetic track brake activation, which provides rapid response. The magnetic braking system can quickly extend the rail clearer to the protective position, ensuring reliable protection against injuries while maintaining system reliability through the proven magnetic braking technology.
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 effectively prevents derailment and injury by ensuring the rail clearing pistons reach the top edge of the rail, providing reliable protection against obstacles and uneven track conditions, while being protected from environmental stresses.
Implementation Method 1
The rail clearing pistons of the safety device can advantageously be activated by the magnetic track brakes of the rail vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle 10 with a front apron 11 and with at least one rail clearer 20, which is arranged in front of the first wheelset 13 in the direction of travel on the bogie frame of the rail vehicle, wherein in addition to the rail clearer 20 a further protective device 30 is provided and the protective device 30 comprises vertically or angularly movable (extendable and retractable) rail clearer pistons 31n, which are arranged on the rail clearer 20 directly in front of the first wheelset 13 and/or along the lower contour of the front apron 11 facing the track below the car body of the rail vehicle 10.The invention further relates to a protective device for a rail vehicle 10 with a front apron 11 and with at least one rail clearer 20, which is arranged in front of the first wheelset 13 in the direction of travel on the bogie frame of the rail vehicle 10, wherein the protective device 30 comprises rail clearer pistons 31n, which are arranged on the rail clearer 20 directly in front of the first wheelset 13 and/or along the lower contour of the front apron 11 facing the track below the car body of the rail vehicle 10.