Rail Vehicle Support Unit Integrating Anti-Climbing and Track Clearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail vehicles have complex, heavy, and expensive track clearer holders that serve only one purpose and do not contribute to other functionalities, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A carrying unit integrated into the rail vehicle structure, featuring a plateau section with anti-climbing means and a roadway clearing receptacle, which provides stability, anti-climbing protection, and serves multiple purposes, including holding a roadway clearing device, while being lightweight and inexpensive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a separate bracket is used to hold the track clearer, then the track clearer can be securely mounted, but the structure becomes complex, heavy, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidbracket complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the track clearer holder directly into the vehicle underframe structure, merging the mounting function with the existing structural components. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining secure mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The underframe structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the track clearer. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If a separate bracket is used to hold the track clearer, then the track clearer can be securely mounted, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidbracket weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is merged with the vehicle's existing underframe structure, eliminating the need for additional separate mounting brackets. This integration reduces the total weight by removing redundant structural components while maintaining secure track clearer attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate bracket is used to hold the track clearer, then the track clearer can be mounted, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track clearer holder is integrated into the vehicle underframe as a unified structure, reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled. This simplification of the component count and structural integration directly reduces assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The underframe structure performs multiple functions including structural support and track clearer mounting, which reduces the number of specialized components needed and simplifies the overall assembly process by reducing the number of assembly steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple structure is used for the track clearer holder, then manufacturing is easier and cheaper, but the structure cannot absorb high bending moments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbending moment resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle underframe is designed to serve as both the structural support system and the track clearer mounting structure. This multi-functional design allows the use of the existing high-strength underframe components that are already engineered to handle high bending moments, eliminating the need for additional complex reinforcement while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3007954B1Central climbing protection for rail vehicles with additional functions
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3007954B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

In order to produce a rail vehicle (1) which has a chassis, a vehicle structure (2) and a support unit (5) disposed at the end face (8) of the rail vehicle (1) and which at the same time is comparatively lightweight and economical and which, in addition to supporting a track reamer, can also advantageously perform other tasks, it is proposed that the support unit (5) comprise a plateau section (6) which is part of the vehicle structure (2) and comprises climbing protection means on its end face (7), a track reamer holder (10) for supporting a track reamer being disposed below the plateau section (6) and being rigidly secured thereto.