Rail Maintenance Device with Segmented Wheel Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail maintenance and repair devices face challenges in effectively addressing wear on rails and switches/crossings due to issues with gripper-shaped holding means and the need for parallel rails, which limits their use in areas with non-parallel rail arrangements, such as switches and crossovers.
Innovation Solution
A rail maintenance device with a frame and wheels aligned along an axis, where the center of gravity is vertically aligned with the rail, allowing for stable movement and positioning without tilting, and featuring adjustable flanges with frustoconical surfaces for secure holding and precision welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gripper-shaped holding means are used to secure the maintenance device to the rail, then the device can be stably positioned for welding operations, but the presence of alignment splints or specific switch shapes prevents the clamps from being properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is divided into two separate wheels that can independently engage with the rail. Each wheel can be positioned and adjusted separately, allowing the device to accommodate alignment splints and various switch configurations while maintaining stable positioning through the combined action of both wheels
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel-based holding means is designed to work with multiple types of rail configurations including straight rails, rails with alignment splints, and switch/crossover components. The universal design allows the same device to perform maintenance operations across different rail geometries without requiring reconfiguration
2Device complexity
If the welding torch is positioned on one side of the device, then the device structure is simplified, but the clamps must be positioned on either side of the repair area which is sometimes made impossible by switch shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented into two separate wheels positioned at different locations on the device. This segmentation allows the wheels to independently navigate around obstacles like alignment splints and switch components, providing access to repair areas that would be inaccessible to a single-sided clamp system
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a single-sided clamp arrangement to a two-sided wheel arrangement, adding spatial dimensionality to the holding mechanism. This dimensional change allows the device to approach and position itself at various angles relative to the rail, accommodating complex geometries while maintaining structural simplicity
3Force
If the device is cantilevered relative to the rail, then the clamp can remain firmly hooked under the rail head, but the device cannot be easily moved along the rail without risking instability
Solution Approach 1:
The single cantilevered clamp is segmented into two separate wheels that distribute the holding force. This segmentation allows the device to move along the rail more easily while maintaining stable positioning, as each wheel can independently engage and disengage from the rail surface
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means transitions from a static cantilevered clamp to a dynamic wheel-based system that can easily engage and disengage from the rail. The wheels can roll along the rail during movement and then be pressed against the rail surface to provide secure holding during welding operations, adapting to the operational requirements
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 and precise maintenance of rails and switches/crossings by allowing stable movement and positioning on non-parallel rails, accommodating various rail widths and shapes, and facilitating precise operations like electric arc welding.
Implementation Method 1
an internal surface of at least one flange has substantially the shape of a truncated cone of revolution, said surface being intended to come into contact with a rail
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for maintaining or repairing railways and railway apparatuses, wherein said device particularly includes: a frame (2), and a means (3, 4, 5) for moving on a rail, the movement means including two wheels (4, 5) aligned along a movement axis (6) of the device along a rail (7). The frame (2) is arranged on the movement means (3) so that, when the wheels of said device are positioned on a rail (7), the centre of gravity (22) of said device is above said rail.