Rail Fastening Device Segmented Contact Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rail fasteners have a slot that reduces vertical load transfer during tightening, leading to potential anchor rail tear-out due to overtightening, especially in non-perpendicular rail positions, resulting in reduced contact pressure and increased risk of sleeper damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with two complementary fastening elements that allow rail rotation relative to the carrier, featuring segment-of-circle contact surfaces and a rotating second fastening element anchored to the carrier, eliminating the need for slotted holes and enhancing vertical load transfer through a circular opening and undercut groove attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a slot is provided in conventional fastening components to allow flexible positioning and rotation of the rail, then the rail can be attached in non-perpendicular positions, but the vertical load transfer capability is considerably reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening component is divided into two separate fastening elements: a first fastening element with a circular opening for vertical load transfer, and a second fastening element with contact surfaces for horizontal positioning and rotation. This segmentation allows each element to optimize its function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The first fastening element acts as an intermediary between the anchor rail and the second fastening element, providing a stable circular opening that maintains vertical load transfer capability while allowing the second element to provide flexible positioning through its contact surfaces.
2Reliability
If the fastener is overtightened during assembly to secure the rail, then the rail attachment is firm, but the anchor rail can tear out making the sleeper unusable
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fastening function into two elements, the circular opening of the first element provides a defined load path that distributes forces evenly, preventing stress concentration that would lead to tear-out, while still achieving firm attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular opening geometry changes the stress distribution parameters compared to a slotted hole, eliminating stress concentration at slot edges and allowing higher tightening forces without causing anchor rail failure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a slotted hole is used in conventional rail fastenings, then variable positioning is possible, but the contact pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first fastening element provides a circular opening that maintains high contact pressure, while the second fastening element with its contact surfaces provides the variable positioning capability, separating these two functions that were previously conflicting in a single slotted component.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for fastening a rail to a carrier, wherein the device has a first fastening element (9), which can be anchored to the carrier, and a second fastening element (10), which can be anchored to the carrier and has a rest face for a rail foot, wherein the first and second fastening elements (9, 10) each have a contact face (14, 15), which is formed in a concave manner in the first fastening element (9) and in a mirror-inverted, convex manner in the second fastening element (10).