Rail Trolley Attachment Member Angular Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trolleys for rails often bind and brake unexpectedly, leading to user injuries and stranding, and increasing gradients to reduce braking increases speeds, which compromises safety.
Innovation Solution
A trolley design with a movable attachment member and a set of wheels that can adjust to reduce transverse forces on the rail, allowing the trolley to move smoothly through curved sections and reducing the likelihood of binding and braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rail gradient is increased to reduce braking due to binding, then the braking force is reduced, but the trolley speed increases which compromises safety
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is made movable between a first configuration (reducing transverse forces) and a second configuration (providing lateral support), allowing the trolley to dynamically adapt to different rail conditions and reduce binding without increasing gradient
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the attachment member's position and orientation to optimize force distribution, reducing transverse forces that cause binding while maintaining safety at various speeds
2Device complexity
If a fixed attachment member is used, then the structure is simple, but transverse forces cause binding and braking on the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member transitions from a fixed position to a movable configuration that can reduce transverse forces, solving the binding problem while adding minimal structural complexity through a guide and roller mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The guide has a circular cross-section and the roller contacts it at a point, creating a curved motion path that allows smooth angular displacement of the attachment member to optimize force distribution
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
The design enhances user safety and trolley reliability by minimizing the risk of binding and braking, while also reducing the weight and cost of the trolley, allowing for a higher load capacity and improved ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment member (130) comprises a roller (132) arranged to roll on the guide (112)
Data Source
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AI summary
A trolley (100) for a rail (10) is described. The trolley 100comprises a frame (110),a set (S) of wheels (120), including a first wheel (120A) and a second wheel (120B), rotatably coupled to the frame (110) and an attachment member (130), coupled to the frame (110), for suspension of a load W therefrom, in use. The first wheel (120A) is rotatable in a first plane P1about a first axis A and the second wheel (120B) is rotatable in a second plane (P2) about a second axis (A2). The first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2) define a line (L). The trolley (100) is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the attachment member (130) is arranged at a first angular displacement (D1) about the line (L). The trolley (100) is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the attachment member (130) is arranged at a second angular displacement (D2) about the line (L), wherein the first angular displacement (D1) and the second angular displacement (D2) are different. A rail assembly (1), including the trolley (100) and the rail (10), is also described.