Rail Fastening Clip Disconnection Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disconnecting rails from sleepers are time-consuming and not compatible with the current standard for connectors, leading to inefficiencies in railway maintenance and potential disruptions to train services.
Innovation Solution
A wedge mechanism connected to a sledge apparatus, designed to quickly and efficiently disconnect rails from sleepers by pushing clips away from the rail's foot, which can be operated from a vehicle and adapted for both disconnection and connection tasks, with features such as low-friction materials and spring-loaded mechanisms to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hydraulic device is used to connect and disconnect rails from sleepers, then the connection strength is improved, but the maintenance time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic system with a purely mechanical lever-based system. The lever (10) applies mechanical force through a wedge (7) to disconnect clips (4) from rails (2), eliminating the need for hydraulic pumps, hoses, and control systems while achieving the same disconnection function more quickly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex hydraulic mechanism to push clips onto rails, the invention uses a simple lever that pivots to apply force in the opposite direction - pushing the wedge against the clip's plastic cover (5) to lever it away from the rail foot (2a), thereby inverting the approach to achieve faster disconnection
2Reliability
If an apparatus stops at every sleeper to disconnect rails, then complete disconnection is achieved, but the maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple disconnection functions into a single apparatus that can handle multiple sleepers in sequence. The sledge (1) with its lever (10) and wedge (7) assembly can disconnect clips at multiple sleepers without requiring intermediate stopping or repositioning operations, combining what would otherwise require multiple separate operations into one continuous process
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to maintain continuous useful action by allowing the lever to pivot through a full arc that engages with clips at consecutive sleepers. The sledge can be moved along the rail continuously, with the lever maintaining its disconnection function at each sleeper position without interruption or need to reset the mechanism
3Device complexity
If a skewer is used to disconnect rails manually, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the labor requirements and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lever (10) is designed to be self-serving by using the operator's input force on the long end to automatically generate amplified force at the short end where the wedge (7) engages the clip (4). The lever's pivot point (10a) serves as a fulcrum that automatically provides mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms or multiple operators
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
Enables rapid and efficient disconnection of rails, reducing maintenance time and minimizing disruptions to train services, with the potential for use during scheduled breaks between trains, thereby reducing operational costs and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Mentioned wedge is designed to be pressed between the rail's vertical part and described clip's plastic cover, so that clips can be pushed away from the rail's foot
Implementation Method 2
In order to reduce the sideways pressure on clips, the wedge's side towards the clips could be made in a material that has low friction
Implementation Method 3
The wedge can be connected to springs that prevent damages, both on clips that are stuck and on the wedge itself with mounting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A device that can be driven along a railway, and by the use of a wedge, press the rail-fastening clips in or out. Instead of a wedge hinged bars or pistons, powered by an electromagnet, electric motor or hydraulics, can be used. The device is constructed to, by the means of runners or wheels, follow rails and be kept in a position for pushing mentioned rail-fastening clips to or from rails.