Manual Railroad Switch Actuation Device with Rotating Push Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual actuation devices for railroad switches are cumbersome, complex, and pose safety risks to operators due to the presence of counterweights and encumbrance, making it difficult to efficiently and safely switch points between positions.
Innovation Solution
A manual actuation device featuring an operating tie-rod, actuation group with a rotatable push element, and a movement transmission group that allows for easy positioning of switch points by translating along a specific direction, with a guide device to facilitate safe operation, enabling the device to be engaged or disengaged based on the operational configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a counterweight and rigid leverage are used to manually actuate the railroad switch, then the switch points can be moved between limit positions, but the device becomes cumbersome and dangerous for operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the counterweight from the manual actuation device. Instead of using a counterweight to balance the leverage, the invention employs a spring element that provides controlled resistance and assistance during the actuation stroke, eliminating the safety hazards associated with counterweights while maintaining the ability to move switch points between limit positions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static rigid leverage system into a dynamic system where the arm can rotate freely during actuation. The spring element provides variable force throughout the stroke, assisting the operator in one direction while providing controlled resistance in the other, making the device easier and safer to operate compared to rigid counterbalanced systems
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex actuation mechanism with multiple cam-drive devices is used, then the switch points can be precisely controlled, but the device becomes difficult to manually actuate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuation mechanism into functional segments: the operating tie-rod for force transmission, the arm with spring element for controlled movement, and the leverage for mechanical advantage. This segmentation simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining precise control over switch point positioning through the coordinated action of these simpler components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spring element as an intermediary between the operator's input force and the switch points. This spring element provides controlled resistance and assistance throughout the actuation stroke, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex cam-drive mechanisms, thereby simplifying manual operation while maintaining positioning accuracy
3Reliability
If a rigid leverage connected to switch points is used, then the switch points can be reliably positioned, but the device becomes encumbering and hard to actuate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static rigid leverage with a dynamic arm that rotates during actuation. The spring element provides variable force throughout the stroke, assisting the operator in one direction while providing controlled resistance in the other, making the device easier and safer to operate compared to rigid counterbalanced systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the counterweight from the manual actuation device. Instead of using a counterweight to balance the leverage, the invention employs a spring element that provides controlled resistance and assistance during the actuation stroke, eliminating the safety hazards associated with counterweights while maintaining the ability to move switch points between limit positions
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 solution simplifies the positioning of railroad switches while ensuring operator safety by allowing for efficient and reliable manual actuation, reducing the risk of injury and improving usability compared to prior art solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a push element rotatably engaged at a first end portion in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis orthogonal to the above mentioned translation direction, the push element being configured to move from a first working configuration in which is arranged to exert, at a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, a pushing force arranged to oppose the translation of the operating tie-rod
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device (1) for manually actuating a railroad switch (100) comprises an operating tie-rod (20) that s able to translate along a translation direction in a first, or second, displacement direction, in order to displace a first and a second switch points (101, 102) between two limit positions. The device (1), furthermore, provides a displacement group (50) for causing the operating tie-rod (20) to translate along the translation direction in the first, or the second movement direction and an actuation member (55), which is operated by an operator for actuating the displacement group (50). The actuation device (1), furthermore, comprises a push element (40) rotatably engaged at a first end portion (41) in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis (140) orthogonal to the translation direction (120). The push element (40) moves from a first working configuration in which it exerts a pushing force, which opposes the translation of the operating tie-rod (20) from a limit position to an intermediate position, and a second working configuration in which it exerts a pushing force, which, instead, helps the above mentioned translation.