Rail Switch Actuator Balancing in Hollow Sleepers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mechanisms for actuating elastic rail points in railway tracks suffer from imbalance due to the weight of the actuator positioned at one end of the sleeper, leading to premature aging, deformations, and breakages under the effect of vibrations caused by passing vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A maneuvering device with a linear actuator positioned inside a hollow crosspiece between the rail counter-needles, which reduces or eliminates the imbalance by allowing the actuator to operate along the main axis of the crosspiece, and includes a secondary actuator and return mechanism for coordinated movement of the rail needles, with interchangeable components for easy maintenance and balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator is mounted on one side of the track at one end of a hollow sleeper, then the linkages are protected under the track, but the weight of the actuator creates an imbalance generating unbalanced load due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the actuator off-center within the hollow sleeper, specifically at a distance from the end of the sleeper. This asymmetric positioning allows the actuator to be protected within the sleeper structure while creating a more balanced weight distribution compared to mounting at the very end, thereby reducing the harmful vibrations and imbalance effects on track components.
2Device complexity
If the actuator is positioned at one end of the sleeper, then the structure is simplified, but the unbalanced vibrations lead to premature aging and breakage of track components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the actuator inside the hollow sleeper structure. This nested configuration protects the actuator and linkages while maintaining structural simplicity, as the hollow sleeper serves as both a protective enclosure and a mounting structure, eliminating the need for additional external mounting components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the actuator is positioned inside the hollow sleeper between the rail switches, then the imbalance is reduced, but the connection between actuator and operating rod becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a connection interface that extends from the actuator through the hollow sleeper to connect with the operating rod positioned above the sleeper. This intermediary connection mechanism allows the actuator to be positioned inside the sleeper for better balance while still effectively transmitting motion to the operating rod, managing the complexity through a dedicated interface structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a switching device for a switch or movable point frog comprising, on the one hand, a hollow sleeper (1), to which the rail switches (8) can be fixed, and, on the other hand, a switching rod (5) associated with a pair of rail switches (4) capable of translating on the hollow sleeper (1), characterized in that the switching device also comprises: - a linear actuator (2) positioned in the internal volume of the hollow sleeper (1), - an interface (5.1) for connection between the linear actuator (2) and the switching rod (5).