Rail Sweeper Shield Structure with Sliding Beams for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rail sweeper designs are limited by bulkiness, which restricts the movement of the shield structure and results in insufficient protection against thick snow layers, and do not allow for effective absorption of impact energy from heavy obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The rail sweeper features a support structure with inclined beams and a shield structure that slides along these beams, allowing for a wider range of motion and inclusion of tearing elements and bending areas to manage impacts, enabling better snow clearance and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield structure is positioned as far ahead as possible on the front end to improve snow clearance capability, then the protection against thick snow layers is improved, but the structure becomes bulky which limits the movement of the shield structure and prevents effective absorption of impact energy
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates beams with bending areas that can dynamically deform under impact loads. The beams transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a flexible state during impact, allowing the shield structure to retract and absorb impact energy while maintaining position during snow clearance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The beam structure changes its mechanical parameters (rigidity vs. flexibility) based on loading conditions. The bending areas are designed to remain rigid under light loads for optimal snow deflection positioning, but become flexible under heavy impact loads to allow retraction and energy absorption
2Loss of energy
If the shield structure is positioned at a low position to improve impact energy absorption, then the shock absorber functionality is improved, but the protection against thick snow layers becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the shield structure position through controlled retraction during impact events while maintaining an extended forward position during normal operation. The tearing elements and bending areas enable automatic retraction when impact forces exceed thresholds, allowing the shield to move from a forward-positioned snow-clearing configuration to a retracted impact-absorption configuration
3Loss of energy
If the support structure is made bulky to ensure proper functioning of shock absorbers, then the impact energy absorption is improved, but the positioning of the shield structure is limited and snow protection becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses flexible beams with integrated bending areas that provide impact absorption through controlled deformation rather than through bulk. This dynamic flexibility mechanism allows the shield structure to achieve both forward positioning for snow clearance and retraction for impact absorption without requiring a bulky stationary structure
Solution Approach 2:
The beam structure changes its mechanical properties from rigid to flexible under impact loads, enabling the same structure to provide both forward positioning capability and impact energy absorption. The bending areas are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow controlled deformation to absorb energy while maintaining structural integrity
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
This design enhances snow clearance capabilities and allows for effective absorption of impact energy from heavy obstacles, improving the rail sweeper's performance in snowy conditions and reducing maintenance costs by preventing damage to the train.
Implementation Method 1
the distal coupling organ comprises a tearing element, able to break under an impact between the shield structure and a heavy obstacle disposed along the main axis
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first and second beams comprises a bending area disposed between the proximal end and the distal end
Implementation Method 3
the retracted position of the shield structure of the rail sweeper allowing said at least one shock absorber to absorb an impact energy of an impact of the rail vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail sweeper (20) for a rail vehicle, the rail sweeper comprising a shield structure (32) and a support structure (34), the shield structure being movable relative to the support structure, between an extended position and a retracted position. The support structure comprises a first (40) and a second (42) beams, each beam extending between a proximal end (48) and a distal end (50), the proximal end comprising a proximal coupling organ (52) for being fixed to the front end of a carbodyshell of the vehicle ; and the shield structure is slidably assembled with the first and second beams so that, in the extended position, the shield structure is disposed at the distal ends and, in the retracted position, the shield structure is closer to the proximal ends.