Rail Vehicle Snow Removal via Inclined Sliding Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicles operating in winter conditions face challenges with snow and ice accumulation on running gear frames and undercarriages, leading to restricted movement, increased loads, and potential damage from falling ice lumps, with existing solutions being costly, inefficient, or ineffective in preventing long-term accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle design featuring a resiliently mounted running gear with an inclined sliding surface discharge device between the underframe and chassis frame, which uses relative movement to break up and discharge snow and ice, preventing accumulation and facilitating easy attachment and detachment for different chassis widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If de-icing systems are used to prevent snow and ice accumulation, then snow and ice prevention is improved, but acquisition and operating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cost-effective polyurethane foam material that is applied as a disposable or replaceable coating on the running gear frame. This foam material provides temporary snow and ice prevention capabilities at low cost, eliminating the need for expensive permanent de-icing systems while maintaining effective snow removal functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical de-icing systems with a simpler foam-based solution that utilizes the natural relative movements between the running gear and chassis to achieve snow and ice removal through the foam's mechanical properties
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heating the chassis frame is used to prevent snow and ice accumulation, then snow and ice prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy-based heating systems with a mechanical foam material solution that prevents snow and ice accumulation through the foam's physical properties and the natural mechanical movements of the running gear, thereby eliminating the need for continuous energy input
3Object-affected harmful factors
If de-icing agents are sprayed on the running gear, then snow and ice prevention is improved temporarily, but the effect is lost after fifteen minutes requiring reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a foam material that, while providing temporary protection, can be reapplied easily and at low cost. The foam's gradual degradation over time is acceptable because replacement is simple and inexpensive, effectively solving the short-duration problem through an economical reapplication strategy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the protective material from liquid de-icing agents to a foam structure, which provides longer-lasting coverage and more durable snow and ice prevention effects compared to conventional spray-on chemical agents
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
Effectively prevents snow and ice accumulation on critical areas, reducing maintenance costs and energy consumption while ensuring safe operation by utilizing relative movement to break up and discharge ice, and allowing for flexible retrofitting and easy assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a latent storage material whose phase change temperature is above 0°C. If a chassis warms up to a temperature of 15° C., for example, during the day, the latent storage material at least partially maintains this temperature despite the ambient temperature dropping at night.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle, in particular locomotive, comprising at least one chassis with a chassis frame (10) supported resiliently on sets of wheels, and a superstructure, which is supported resiliently on the at least one chassis and is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis, with a bogie (13). According to the invention, a removal device (1) for removing snow (S) and/or ice (E) is arranged between the bogie (13) and the chassis frame (10), the removal device having an inclined sliding surface (3) which at least partially covers the chassis frame (10). Deposits of snow (S) and/or ice (E) both on the chassis frame (10) and on the bogie (13) of the superstructure can thereby be prevented or eliminated.