Rail Grinding Machine Tilting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding machines for rail tracks are not suitable for tilting without deforming the machine body or deviating guidance wheels, and they are inconvenient for operators to use, especially when grinding the entire railhead, and are often heavy.

Innovation Solution

A grinding machine with a position adjustment mechanism and rotation means that allows the working body to pivot and move relative to the bar, maintaining constant distance between guidance wheels, enabling tilting and adjusting the grinding feed without deforming the machine or deviating the wheels, and incorporating a handle for operator convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the grinding machine is tilted to grind the entire railhead, then the grinding coverage is improved, but the machine body deforms and guidance wheels deviate from the rail track

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding coverageVSAvoidmachine body deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into separate functional modules: the bar structure remains stable while the working body can be independently tilted and positioned. This segmentation allows the grinding unit to adapt to different railhead surfaces without compromising the overall machine stability or guidance wheel positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The working body is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities through rotation means and position adjustment mechanisms, allowing it to tilt and move relative to the stable bar structure. This enables the grinding unit to adapt to various grinding angles and positions while the guidance wheels remain fixed on the rail track.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the grinding feed is adjusted using height adjustment mechanism, then the grinding depth is changed, but the distance between guidance wheels changes causing deviation from rail track

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding depth controlVSAvoidguidance wheel positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into independent components: the position adjustment mechanism adjusts the working body position without affecting the bar structure or guidance wheel spacing. This ensures that grinding depth can be precisely controlled while the guidance wheels maintain their fixed positions on the rail track.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The working body acts as an intermediary between the stable bar structure and the grinding unit. Position adjustment mechanisms attached to the working body allow independent adjustment of grinding feed without transmitting movement to the guidance wheels, thus maintaining precise guidance wheel positioning while achieving variable grinding depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If electrical mechanism is used to vertically change grinding stone position, then the position adjustment is precise, but the machine weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding stone position controlVSAvoidmachine weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electrical positioning mechanisms with simpler mechanical adjustment systems. The position adjustment mechanism uses mechanical components such as adjustment spindles and rotating members to achieve precise vertical positioning of the grinding unit, eliminating the need for heavy electrical actuators while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs simple, lightweight mechanical adjustment components rather than expensive, heavy electrical mechanisms. These mechanical components achieve the required positioning precision through clever mechanical design, reducing both the weight and cost of the machine while maintaining functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4227462A1Grinding machine and grinding method for a rail track
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 GOLDSCHMIDT GMBH
  • EP4227462A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227462A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227462A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a grinding machine for a rail track, comprising: a bar (10) arranged in parallel to the rail track (2), a working body (11) attaching to the bar (10) and movable relative to the bar (10), a grinding unit (12) connected to the working body (11) for grinding the rail track (2), a motor (13) for supplying power to the grinding unit (12), and a position adjustment mechanism (14) attached to the working body (11) and to the bar (10) for adjusting the position of the working body (11) so that the working body (11) is movable relative to the bar (10) to change the feed of the grinding unit (12) onto the rail track (2).