Rail Transport Vehicle Crane Mobility via Variable Bridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle combinations for transporting and placing rails on tracks face limitations in flexible work assignment, particularly in curved or superelevated track construction sites, where crane mobility is restricted.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle combination design featuring load carriers with adjustable crane rails and a variable bridge length, allowing the crane to move unimpeded along the entire length, including curved tracks, with extendable side walls for optimal workspace and safety during rail placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the crane is mounted on a fixed position relative to the vehicle, then the structure is simple and stable, but the crane cannot move along the entire length of the vehicle combination, especially in curved tracks
Solution Approach 1:
The crane mounting structure transitions from a fixed position to a movable system. The crane can be displaced along the vehicle longitudinal direction via the crane rail bridge connecting adjacent load carriers, enabling dynamic adaptation to curved tracks and different work positions while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle combination is divided into multiple vehicles with separate load carriers, each having its own crane rail. The crane rail bridge connects these segments, allowing the crane to move between segments and adapt to track curvature without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration system
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle combination uses a rigid fixed structure, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot adapt to curved or superelevated track construction sites
Solution Approach 1:
The crane rail bridge is designed with variable bridge length capability, allowing it to adapt to different track configurations including curves and superelevations. This dynamic adjustment feature enables the rigid vehicle structure to flexibly accommodate various track geometries without compromising manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in geometric parameters such as bridge length and crane position to adapt to different track conditions. By varying these parameters, the vehicle combination can work on straight, curved, and superelevated tracks while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
3Ease of operation
If the crane can move along the entire vehicle length, then work assignment flexibility is improved, but the crane mounting system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The crane rail bridge acts as an intermediary element connecting the crane rails of adjacent load carriers. This mediator enables the crane to move between vehicles while simplifying the overall system architecture, avoiding the need for complex continuous rail structures or frequent crane repositioning operations
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
Ensures trouble-free rail transport and enhanced safety for workers by enabling crane mobility and workspace extension, even in complex track configurations, ensuring efficient and safe rail placement.
Implementation Method 1
The crane girder 23 is in turn designed to be displaceable along the crane rails 19 by means of rollers 27 in the vehicle longitudinal direction 10
Implementation Method 2
The load crane 9 has the form of trolleys 22 which are fastened to a crane girder 23 running in the transverse direction 15 of the vehicle and can be displaced in a transverse track 24 relative to this
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A vehicle train (1) serves for transporting rails (2) and to deposit them on a track (6), wherein the rails are mounted on a loading platform (8) of a first vehicle (3) having a load crane (9), and the rails are deposited on a coupled second vehicle (4). Each vehicle (3, 4) is assigned a load carrier (11, 12) which serves as an upper boundary with respect to a vertical, is positioned centrally with respect to a lateral direction of the vehicle, runs in a longitudinal direction (10) of the vehicle and has first and second carrier ends (16, 17) with respect to said longitudinal direction (10). A crane rail (19) which runs in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has the purpose of displacing the load crane (9) is provided on each load carrier, wherein a crane rail bridge (20) for connecting the two crane rails (19) is arranged between the two adjoining load carriers (11, 12). The crane rail bridge (20) is of variable design with respect to a bridge length (21) which runs in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The load carrier (11) of the first vehicle (3) is respectively connected at the first and second carrier ends (16, 17) to the vehicle frame (13) by a frame carrier (18), wherein the two frame carriers (18) are spaced apart from one another at a distance (a) which corresponds at least to a length (b) of the rails (2) which are to be transported.