Pivoting Rail Fastening Clip and Washer for Lateral Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail fastening devices fail to withstand substantial lateral forces applied by heavy cranes, leading to washer failure, bolt bending, or breakage due to improper load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A rail fastening device with a clip and washer design that allows the washer to pivot forwardly, transferring load to the fastener closer to its anchor point, reducing stress on the washer and preventing bending of the bolt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the washer is designed to bear the lateral load from the rail, then the load can be distributed to the fastener, but the washer may fail under substantial lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The washer is designed to pivot dynamically from an initial position to a final position during tightening. This dynamic movement allows the washer to transition from bearing the full lateral load to a position where the clip body directly transfers the load to the fastener, preventing washer failure under substantial lateral forces while maintaining load distribution capability
2Ease of operation
If the washer applies lateral load to the bolt at a distance from the anchor point, then the clip can be fastened, but the bolt may bend or break
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable washer design dynamically repositions the load path during tightening. In the final tightened state, the washer moves to a position where the load is applied closer to the fastener's anchor point on the ground, reducing the bending moment and preventing bolt bending or breakage while maintaining fastening capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotational dimension to the washer's position. By allowing the washer to pivot in the rotational dimension around the fastener axis, the load application point changes from a fixed distant location to a position closer to the anchor, thereby reducing the harmful bending effect on the bolt
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 design effectively distributes load to the fastener's anchor point, preventing washer failure and bolt bending, ensuring secure and durable fastening.
Implementation Method 1
friction between the fastener and the washer causes the washer to rotate forwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A rail fastening device (10) comprises a clip 16 and a washer (17) for fastening to a rail support (12) by an upstanding bolt 14 having a nut (15), which can be tightened to lock the device (10) in position. The clip (16) and washer (17) comprise respective apertures (18), (19) for receiving the bolt (14). The washer (17) is adapted to rotate as the nut (15) is tightened until a formation on the washer (17) abuts an upstanding formation (24) on the rear of the clip (16) at point A, whereupon continued tightening of the nut (15) causes the washer (17) to pivot at point A around an offset axis, so as to bring the bolt (14) into contact with a front surface (18F) of the clip aperture (18). Further tightening of the nut (15) pivots the washer (17) to a point where any displacement force applied to the clip (16) by the rail is applied directly to the bolt (14) and not to the washer (17). In this manner, the risk of the washer failing, or bolt (14) bending is avoided.