Rail Lifting System With Pivot Bearing For Slab Track Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift reporting systems for slab tracks face challenges in maintaining precise track positioning and stability, especially in superelevated sections, due to rigid support elements that are inflexible and prone to displacement under lateral forces, and flexible elements that are not suitable for vehicle loading.
Innovation Solution
The lift reporting system employs swivel bearing devices with retaining clips and height adjustment elements that allow vertical load transmission without generating transverse forces, enabling precise adjustment and stability in superelevated areas, with pivotable mounting and detachable tracking elements for easy assembly and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid support elements (concrete blocks) are used for vertical loading, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to superelevated track geometry deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with a pivotable connection between the rail and the support element itself, allowing the rail to rotate relative to the support element. This dynamic connection enables the system to adapt to superelevated track geometry while maintaining load-bearing capacity, as the pivotable joint can accommodate angular deviations caused by track banking.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element incorporates height-adjustable mechanisms that allow modification of its vertical dimension to match different superelevation requirements. By changing the height parameter of the support element, the system can be adapted to various track geometries including curved sections with banking, while still providing adequate vertical support for vehicle loads.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid frames are used for firm fixation, then stability is improved, but susceptibility to transverse forces in superelevated sections worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection allows the rigid frame structure to dynamically adjust to transverse forces generated by superelevation. Instead of resisting these forces rigidly (which causes displacement), the pivotable joint enables the rail to rotate into the correct angular position, converting harmful transverse forces into acceptable rotational movements that maintain stable track geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable connection acts as an intermediary element between the rigid support element and the rail. This intermediary component absorbs and accommodates the transverse forces generated by superelevation, preventing them from directly displacing the rigid frame while still maintaining firm fixation of the rail in its proper position.
3Ease of operation
If spindles/bolts are used for alignment, then ease of adjustment is improved, but load-bearing capacity for vehicle traffic deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection provides continuous rotational adjustment capability similar to spindles and bolts, but with inherent load-bearing capacity. The pivot joint allows easy angular adjustment during installation while being structurally designed to withstand vehicle loads, eliminating the need to remove alignment elements after installation as required with spindle/bolt systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the alignment function (typically separate adjustment mechanisms) with the load-bearing support function into a single integrated pivotable connection. This combined element performs both alignment and load support simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate adjustment spindles that would need to be removed or replaced to handle vehicle traffic.
4Manufacturing precision
If height-adjustable support elements are used, then precision in height adjustment is improved, but susceptibility to sideways tilting in superelevated areas worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection transforms the static height-adjustable support into a dynamic system that can accommodate sideways tilting through rotation. The height adjustment mechanism maintains precise vertical positioning, while the pivotable joint allows the rail to rotate into the correct superelevation angle, preventing sideways tilting by providing a controlled rotational degree of freedom.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lifting and alignment system for a track (11) for rail vehicles to be laid as a slab track, comprising lifting and alignment devices (17) that are provided with a support element (19), which can be placed below a rail of the track on a track substructure (12) and the height of which can be adjusted relative to the track substructure. Each lifting and alignment device has a pivot bearing apparatus (20), by means of which the rail of the track can be supported on the support element in such a way that the rail of the track can pivot about a pivot axis (26) that is at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension of the track, and the pivot bearing apparatuses (20) each have a retaining clamp (25) that can be installed on the supported rail (24), the retaining clamps (25) of each pair of lifting and alignment devices (37) arranged on the left and right rails being provided with mounting devices (37) for track retaining elements (18) that retain the left and right rails from each other at the track distance.