Laterally Movable Platform for Railway Drilling Tool

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drilling/ramming devices on railway wagons have a limited range of movement due to the width of the loading area, which restricts their action across the longitudinal stretching of the wagon, making it difficult to insert foundation recesses effectively next to a track.

Innovation Solution

A movable platform with retractable widening elements is mounted on the loading area of the railway wagon, allowing the platform to extend laterally and support the drilling/ramming device on the ground, thereby increasing the range of movement and accommodating the device's weight distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the loading platform width is increased to expand the drilling/piling rig's operating range, then the range of movement transverse to the longitudinal extent is improved, but the loading gauge geometry constraints prevent this widening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading platform widthVSAvoidloading gauge compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the platform width adjustable through retractable extension elements. The platform can dynamically change its width: narrow when retracted to comply with loading gauge constraints during transport, and wide when extended to provide sufficient operating range for the drilling/piling rig during work operations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fixed width limitations and the need for variable width functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the width limitation by transitioning from a two-dimensional platform width constraint to a three-dimensional solution with retractable extension elements that project laterally beyond the main platform edges. This adds a dimensional aspect of extendability, allowing the platform to effectively increase its working area without permanently exceeding the loading gauge envelope during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the platform is moved laterally to increase working area to the side of the track, then the range of movement is improved, but the drilling/piling rig weight must be supported by extension elements over a relatively short distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking area rangeVSAvoidextension element projection distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The extension elements are designed with multi-functionality to address the weight support challenge. Each extension element incorporates both the lateral extension function and integrated support elements that can bear the drilling/piling rig weight. This universal design allows the same structural component to perform both the function of extending the platform width and the function of supporting heavy loads, eliminating the need for separate support structures and making effective use of the limited projection distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3904599B1Device for the lateral displacement of a drilling/ramming tool positioned on a railway wagon having a loading area and method for making foundation recesses with the aid of the device
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 EIFFAGE INFRA NORDWEST GMBH
  • EP3904599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904599B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3904599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (14) for laterally displacing a drilling/piling device (16) positioned on a railway wagon (10) with a loading platform (12) for creating foundation recesses in the subsoil (92) next to a track is provided with a laterally movable platform (32) on which the drilling/piling device (16) can be positioned, the platform (32) having two lateral edges (30, 34) facing away from each other. The platform (32) is supported by a support unit (40) with at least one automatically extendable and retractable extension element (36), which, in an extended position, projects laterally beyond one of the lateral edges (30, 34) of the platform (32) and, in a retracted position, is set back from the extended position.The at least one extension element (36) has at least one extendable support element (38) that can be moved from a rest position into a support position for supporting the at least one extension element (36) on a base (92). In the extended position of the at least one extension element (36), the platform (32) can be moved laterally along it automatically.