Railway Axle Width Change via Articulated Compass and Sliding Bushings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway axles with automatic track width change are not capable of smoothly transitioning between multiple track widths without releasing the wheel load, are not compatible with twin-axle cars and freight bogies, and require complex maintenance, especially under heavy-haul conditions and varying temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A railway axle design featuring adjustable bushings, sliding sleeve claws with trapezoidal grooves, and an articulated compass system that allows axial movement without excessive wear, combined with a bellows-type membrane for protection, enabling seamless width changes without releasing the wheel load and using non-ferrous materials for reduced maintenance and compatibility with standard vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wheel load is released during width change, then width change can be performed, but wheel load must be released which causes stopping and operational disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack width change capabilityVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The axle system performs width change autonomously while maintaining wheel load, using self-contained articulated compasses and locking mechanisms that operate without external intervention or load release, allowing continuous operation through transition zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamically adjustable articulated compasses that can change the axial position of wheelsets during motion, enabling width change while the vehicle is moving and maintaining continuous wheel-rail contact without stopping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If threaded male-female joining elements are used to transmit torsional torque, then torque transmission is achieved, but severe deterioration in contact zones occurs giving rise to clearances that destroy the locking system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorsional torque transmissionVSAvoidlocking system durability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the threaded male-female joining elements from the system entirely, replacing them with a direct rigid connection between wheelsets that transmits torsional torque without contact zone deterioration or clearance formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The axle is divided into modular components (articulated compasses, individual wheelsets with locking mechanisms) that can independently maintain precise connections, eliminating the cumulative clearance problem of threaded assemblies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixation compasses are disposed on the outer part of the axle, then width change is enabled, but fatigue and breakage of the part increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth change capabilityVSAvoidaxle part durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated compasses are repositioned from the outer perimeter to the internal structure of the axle, moving the width-change mechanism to a more favorable structural location that reduces bending moments and fatigue stress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional wheel treads are used to apply width change forces, then width change is achieved, but excess weight is added to the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth change mechanismVSAvoidaxle assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing wheel treads and rail contact surfaces that are already present on standard railway vehicles, eliminating the need for additional wheel treads and their associated weight while still providing the necessary forces for width change through guided interaction with the track

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

5Adaptability or versatility

If pendulums are used to interact with the width-changing platform, then width change is enabled, but excess weight and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth change mechanismVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes pendulums and width-changing platforms from the system, replacing them with a simpler articulated compass mechanism that achieves width change through direct geometric adjustment of the axle geometry without complex interacting components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

6Adaptability or versatility

If internal bearings are used for width change, then width change is enabled, but detection of internal hot boxes becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth change capabilityVSAvoidhot box detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes internal bearings from the width change mechanism, using instead a bearing-free articulated compass system that maintains direct contact between components, allowing standard thermal detection methods to function effectively without shielding or interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 allows for smooth transition between multiple track widths without wheel load release, reduces maintenance, and is compatible with existing twin-axle cars and freight bogies, ensuring robustness and adaptability for heavy-haul freight transport.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling between the wheel and the axle, in the direction of rotation, is carried out by articulated compasses connected by a ball-and-socket joint, which absorbs the non-axial movements of the wheel on the axle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall-and-socket joint mechanism: Gimbal

Implementation Method 2

The wheels are mounted on the corresponding axle with adjusted bushings, which allow the axial movement of the wheels on the axle under load conditions, without suffering excessive wear or breakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3020610B1Railway axle with automatic change to multiple track widths

Publication Date: 2019.09.11 AZVI

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The railway axle comprises railway wheels (1) mounted on an axle (2) by means of sliding adjustment, by virtue of the interposition of adjusted bushings (3) that are lubricated by means of grease on the inside (4) of the wheel (1), allowing the transition from one width to another without the need to release the wheel load. The wheels (1) are immobilised on the axle (2) in terms of the axle movement thereof by means of the sleeve (5) of claws (5') secured in rotation to the axle (2), the claws (5') being housed in annular, trapezoidal grooves (6') provided in rings (6) mounted on the hub (7) of the wheel (1), locking and unlocking involving a clamping sleeve (10) and pretensioned springs (11), the force of which may be overcome by a disc-like pusher (12), the railway axle furthermore including articulated compasses (13) connected by one end to a supporting sleeve (14) of the actual articulated compasses (13) and by the other end to a base ring (9) that is hooped and secured to the axle.