Rail Grinder Pivoting Tool for 180-Degree Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rail grinding machines with internal combustion engines are limited in their ability to maintain correct operation and longevity due to restricted angular ranges of inclination, leading to issues such as carburation and lubrication problems, especially when grinding at steep angles.
Innovation Solution
A rail grinder design where the grinding tool is pivotally mounted to rotate around a secant axis, allowing an angular range of at least 180°, while the motor remains non-pivoting and independent, enabling grinding of the entire rail profile with improved mobility and ergonomics, and maintaining the internal combustion engine's simplicity and economy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is directly coupled to the grinding tool so that the output shaft of the engine is parallel to the axis of rotation of the grinding tool, then the structure is simple and economical, but the motor tilts with the grinding head when grinding in a tilted position, limiting the angular range to +/-30° and risking engine failure due to carburation and lubrication problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent components: the motor remains fixed on the frame while the grinding tool is pivotally mounted, allowing them to move independently. This segmentation enables the grinding tool to achieve a wide angular range of motion without compromising motor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivotal mounting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor and the grinding tool. This intermediary allows the grinding tool to pivot independently while still receiving rotational drive from the motor, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and angular versatility.
2Ease of operation
If the grinding tool is limited to a restricted angular range of +/-30° to maintain motor operation, then the motor structure remains simple, but the machine cannot grind the entire rail profile including mushroom, web, and sides
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding tool is made dynamically movable through pivotal mounting, allowing it to adapt its angle independently of the motor. This dynamic capability enables the tool to reach various parts of the rail profile (mushroom, web, sides) while the motor remains stationary and stable.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the motor's fixed position from the grinding tool's movable position, the system achieves both stable motor operation and comprehensive grinding coverage. The pivotal connection allows the tool to access the entire rail profile without affecting motor stability.
3Device complexity
If the motor follows the inclination of the tool, then the direct coupling architecture is maintained, but the engine risks failure in the event of steep inclination due to carburation and lubrication problems
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and grinding tool are segmented into independent units with distinct functions. The motor remains fixed to avoid inclination-related failures, while the grinding tool pivots independently to perform grinding operations at various angles, eliminating the reliability issue while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal mounting serves as an intermediary that decouples the motor's rotational output from the grinding tool's angular position. This intermediary allows the tool to pivot without transmitting inclination forces to the motor, protecting the engine from carburation and lubrication problems while maintaining a relatively simple coupling architecture.
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 efficient grinding of the entire rail profile, including mushroom, web, and sides, with enhanced mobility and longevity of the motor, allowing operation beyond +/- 90° inclination, while maintaining a simple and economical architecture suitable for switches and diverse track conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A rail grinder is a machine designed to grind the head of a rail, preventively or curatively. Usually, the rail grinding operations concern both the top of the rail head and the sides of the head oriented respectively towards the inside and the outside of the railway track.
Implementation Method 2
a motor (2) receiving an abrasive grinding tool (3) which it drives in rotation, the abrasive tool and the motor forming a grinding assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail grinder configured to run on a railway or similar track, and comprising: - At least one internal combustion engine (2), - At least one grinding wheel (4a) driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (R2) by the engine (2), - A frame (5), characterized in that the grinding tool (3) is pivotally mounted on the frame (5) and configured to pivot about a first axis of rotation (R1) substantially intersecting and preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation (R2) of the grinding wheel (4a) in an angular range of at least substantially 180°, while the engine (2) is mounted on the frame (5) in a non-pivoting manner and independently of the grinding tool (3).