Railway Terminal Conveyor for Semi-Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for loading and unloading semi-trailers from articulated lorries onto railway wagons are inefficient, requiring complex mechanisms, occupying excessive space, and limiting throughput, as they often necessitate the transport of tractors and wagons, leading to high costs and low diffusion rates.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a closed-loop design that uses a rotating belt with translating tracks to align wagons for continuous loading and unloading, allowing semi-trailers to be transferred independently without tractors, and integrating seamlessly with existing railway terminals, enabling efficient use of common train wagons and minimizing space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a platform is used to couple to the wagon at a diagonal loading position, then the loading/unloading operation can be performed, but the station occupies a lot of space alongside the railway line
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a movable platform that can translate along rails orthogonal to the railway tracks, rather than a fixed diagonal platform. This dynamic positioning allows the platform to align with the wagon at the optimal loading position and then retract, minimizing the stationary space requirement while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The loading operation transitions from a diagonal two-dimensional arrangement to a perpendicular alignment where the platform moves along rails orthogonal to the railway tracks. This dimensional change optimizes space utilization by allowing the platform to approach the wagon from a different spatial dimension, reducing the footprint alongside the railway line
2Ease of operation
If a complex mechanism is required to couple the platform to the wagon, then the loading/unloading function can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex coupling mechanism from the system. Instead of requiring intricate mechanical couplings between the platform and wagon, the design allows for direct loading/unloading operations where the semi-trailer can be transferred without elaborate coupling devices, significantly simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service loading and unloading operations where the semi-trailer can be transferred to and from the wagon using the platform's translation capability along the orthogonal rails, without requiring complex active coupling mechanisms. The platform's movement itself facilitates the loading function
3Device complexity
If only one loading and one unloading step can be performed at a time, then the system structure can be simplified, but the productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous loading and unloading operations by having multiple wagons positioned on parallel railway tracks. While one wagon is being loaded, another can be unloaded simultaneously, and a third can be positioned for the next loading operation. This continuous cycle eliminates idle time and maximizes productivity without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the loading and unloading operations into parallel processes occurring on different tracks. By dividing the workflow across multiple independent tracks, the system can perform multiple loading/unloading steps simultaneously, increasing overall throughput while maintaining a relatively simple structure on each individual track
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 system enables continuous loading and unloading cycles, reduces space occupation, and increases the number of articulated lorries that can be serviced quickly, improving environmental and safety outcomes by reducing road traffic and allowing 365-day operation without holiday limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor (6) comprising a belt (12) which rotates in a closed-loop
Implementation Method 2
a pair of translating tracks (20) is fixed in each of said cavities (13)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
There is described a station (1) for loading and unloading semi-trailers (2) of articulated lorries (3) on/from wagons (4), which is able to form a train (5), comprising at least one loading railway line (10) and at least one unloading railway line (16) comprising tracks (11), at least one area for the transfer (23) of semi-trailers (2) from articulated lorries (3) to wagons (4) or vice versa, said transfer area (23) being comprised between an unloading area (22) of the unloading railway line (16) and a loading area (21) of the loading railway line (10), said tracks (11) being interrupted in the unloading area (22) and in the loading area (21). Said station further comprises at least one closed- loop conveyor (6) comprising a belt (12) on which at least one pair of translating tracks (20) capable of supporting a wagon (4) is fixed.