Rail Clip Unsecuring Lever Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail unsecuring methods require complex sequences and multiple components to efficiently disengage clips from the rail base, lacking a straightforward mechanism to transmit forces effectively without using shoulders for reaction forces.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated arrangement using a piston-cylinder device with lever-shaped means, where the first lever-shaped means brings lower portions into registration with rail clips and the second lever-shaped means applies counter-directed forces to disengage the clips from the rail base, eliminating the need for shoulders by using a system of levers and bushings for horizontal displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a piston-cylinder arrangement is used to displace clips, then the clips can be moved between securing and detaching positions, but the device becomes complex and requires multiple components to efficiently disengage the clips
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate lever-shaped means: a first lever-shaped means for displacing the clips horizontally, and a second lever-shaped means for applying forces to the rail head. This segmentation allows each lever to perform a specific function efficiently, reducing the overall complexity compared to a single multi-functional mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a piston-cylinder arrangement that pushes clips directly, the invention uses lever-shaped means that rotate around horizontal axes. The levers translate rotational motion into horizontal displacement of clips, inverting the conventional linear push mechanism into a rotational lever system that achieves the same result with simpler components.
2Productivity
If multiple lever-shaped means are used to unsecure clips, then the unsecuring process becomes more efficient, but the arrangement requires complex coordination sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second lever-shaped means are merged into a single manually operated arrangement that moves as one unit along the rail. The levers are coordinated through shared mounting structures and simultaneous actuation by the operator, reducing the need for complex independent control sequences while maintaining high unsecuring efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The levers are designed to automatically coordinate their actions through their mechanical linkage. When the operator actuates the arrangement, the levers follow a predetermined sequence of movements built into their mechanical connection, eliminating the need for complex control systems or coordinated operation instructions.
3Force
If shoulders are used to transmit reaction forces, then the force transmission is straightforward, but the device becomes less adaptable to different rail profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The lever-shaped means are designed with rotational freedom around horizontal axes, allowing them to dynamically adjust their orientation and contact points with the rail head. This dynamic adaptability enables the same lever mechanism to effectively transmit reaction forces across different rail profiles without requiring fixed shoulder structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever-shaped means act as intermediary elements between the operator's manual force and the clips. Instead of directly transmitting forces through rigid shoulders, the levers mediate the force transmission by rotating and adjusting to match various rail profiles, thereby maintaining both force effectiveness and adaptability.
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 secure and efficient unsecuring of rail clips without shoulders, improving the functionality and security of the rail unsecuring process by transmitting forces through a coordinated system of levers and bushings, allowing for horizontal displacement and adjustment to match rail profiles.
Implementation Method 1
Each one of the fastening elements consists of at least one holder, attached to the crosstie, and one clip, which is displaceably oriented in relation to the holder between a position detaching the rail base and a position co-operating with the rail base. In a securement, two clips should assume a position that, via a spring force, co-operates with the upper surface areas of the rail base.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention embraces a manually operated arrangement ("A") and a method, adaptable for a transfer along a longitudinal extension of a rail (1) and intended to be able to unsecure said rail from* a subjacent crosstie (2) by a horizontal transfer of clips (3: 3a), included in fastening elements (4), and displaceably oriented in relation to a holder (5, 5a) included in the fastening element (4), where the holder (5) co-operates firmly with said crosstie (2). The respective one of said clips (3; 3a) is adapted to, by a movement, allow displacing the clips (3: 3a) horizontally, for a disengagement from the rail base (1c) in relation to the holder (5). An opposed first pair (6a, 6b) of a first lever-shaped means (6) is adapted to, via its lower end areas (6aa, 6ab), co-operate with each a clip (3, 3a) in order to activate their distancing, horizontal movements, said first lever-shaped means (6), with its first pair of levers (6a, 6b), being turnably arranged around middle horizontal turning shafts (7, 7', 8, 8'), and where they, via their upper end areas (6ac, 6ad), are in a co-operation with an extensible or shortenable device (9), in order to bring said upper end areas (6ac, 6ad) toward each other upon an unsecuring movement of the clips (3, 3a). Said device (9) is arranged to directly or indirectly co-operate with a pair of levers (11a, 11b) in a second lever-shaped means (11), which is adapted to, via its lower end areas (11aa, 11ab), be so movably arranged that said end areas, by counter-directed tensional forces, become adapted to co-operate stiffly with the rail head (1a).