Rail Vehicle Pivotable Lifting Point Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles with unique structural features, such as soft ends or frontal indentations, pose challenges for lifting as conventional lifting devices cannot accommodate non-standard lifting points, leading to potential damage or inability to lift, and existing solutions with adapters are operationally disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle design featuring pivotable carriers on each side that can rotate between a rest and operating position, allowing lifting points to be positioned anywhere, including outside the vehicle structure, with external longitudinal supports and a manually releasable blocking device to ensure safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lifting devices are used with fixed lifting points, then the lifting device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate vehicles with non-standard structures (soft ends, tapered fronts) leading to potential damage or inability to lift
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting point is made movable through a pivotable support that can rotate between a rest position (flush with vehicle skin) and an operating position (extending outward to engage the lifting device). This dynamic adjustment allows the same lifting device to accommodate various vehicle structures including soft ends and tapered fronts without requiring multiple fixed lifting points or adapters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lifting points are positioned outside the vehicle structure to accommodate non-standard vehicles, then adaptability improves, but the risk of unintentional release and accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
A manually releasable blocking device is provided to prevent unintentional release of the pivotable support from its operating position. The blocking device acts in advance to secure the support during lifting operations, counteracting any forces that might cause accidental release, while still allowing intentional release when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pivotable support extends outward to provide lifting points outside the vehicle structure, then adaptability to various vehicle types improves, but the complexity of the support structure and force transfer mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into distinct functional parts: a pivotable support element that extends outward to provide the lifting point, and a separate blocking device for securing the support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the support for positioning flexibility and the blocking device for safety - while working together as an integrated system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle (1) comprising an underframe, each of the vehicle sides comprising at least one support (2) that is rotatably mounted on the underframe which can be pivoted between a rest position and an operating position and which comprises, on one end that can be pivoted out in the operating position, a lifting point of the rail vehicle (1).