Railway Control Post Anti-Extraction Bar Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing control peripheral posts for railway field devices face difficulties in the easy extraction and insertion of control modules, as they require unscrewing and screwing multiple screws, which is time-consuming and often necessitates the use of tools that may be lost or unavailable.

Innovation Solution

The control peripheral post incorporates an anti-extraction bar system that allows control modules to be easily extracted or inserted by switching between blocking and extraction configurations, eliminating the need to unscrew screws, with movable anti-extraction bars and blocking pins facilitating this process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control modules are retained in the rack by means of multiple screws, then the control modules are securely fixed in the rack, but the extraction and insertion of control modules becomes time-consuming and requires tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of control modulesVSAvoidtime for extraction and insertion of control modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into multiple anti-extraction bars that can be independently actuated. Each bar can be moved to individually release control modules, allowing selective extraction without affecting other modules. This segmentation enables rapid module removal by targeting only the specific module needed, rather than requiring systematic unscrewing of all fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anti-extraction bars are designed to be movable between a blocking position (where they prevent module extraction) and an extraction position (where they allow module removal). This dynamic mechanism replaces static screw fasteners with movable bars that can be quickly actuated, enabling tool-free and rapid module extraction while maintaining secure fixation during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If control modules are retained using multiple screws, then the control modules remain firmly in place during operation, but the operation becomes complex and requires specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm positioning of control modulesVSAvoidease of extraction and insertion of control modules
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-extraction bar mechanism is designed to be manually operable without requiring external tools. The bars can be directly actuated by hand to release control modules, making the system self-sufficient for maintenance operations. This eliminates the need for screwdrivers or other specialized tools, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining firm positioning during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable anti-extraction bars provide a dynamic fixation system that transitions from a locked state (bars in blocking position) to an unlocked state (bars in extraction position). This dynamic design allows the same mechanism to provide both firm positioning during operation and easy extraction during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If multiple screws are used to retain control modules, then the control modules are securely mounted in the rack, but the process of extracting and inserting multiple modules becomes increasingly time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting of control modulesVSAvoidspeed of module extraction and insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is divided into multiple independent anti-extraction bars, each capable of being actuated separately. This segmentation allows operators to release multiple control modules in quick succession by simply moving each bar, rather than systematically removing multiple screws per module. The segmented design maintains strong fixation (equivalent to multiple screws) while dramatically improving the speed of module extraction and insertion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3053422B1Control peripheral post of railway field devices provided with means to facilitate the extraction of the control modules
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 ECM SPA
  • EP3053422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3053422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3053422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a control peripheral post (1) of railway field devices, comprising: - at least one row of control modules (4, 5) comprising a plurality of control modules (4, 5) operatively connected or connectable by electric cables to field devices; - a support frame (3) having a front side (61) and housing said row of control modules (4, 5); characterised in that said support frame (3) comprises at least one anti-extraction bar (60) positioned on the front side (61) of the support frame (3), said bar (60) being adapted to selectively take an extraction configuration, wherein said bar (60) is positioned in such a way as to permit the extraction of the control modules (4, 5) of said row from the front side (61) of the support frame (3), and a blocking configuration, wherein said bar (60) is positioned in front of said row of control modules (4, 5) so as to prevent the extraction of the control modules (4, 5) of said row from the front side (61) of the support frame (3). The anti-extraction bar (60) being mounted pivotally hinged so as to be able to rotate about a fixed and predetermined axis of rotation.