Railway Lighting Fixture with Clamping Mount for Easy Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting fixtures for railway tracks are labor-intensive to install and replace due to the need for bonding or screwing, which complicates the process and may disrupt signaling systems.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture with releasable mounting brackets that clamp to the rail's underside and push towards its curved section, featuring an insulated mounting surface, elongated recesses for oblique illumination, and coupling means for extending the fixture's length, along with optional motion and vibration detection for adaptive lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If lighting fixtures are bonded or screwed to the rail, then the fixture is securely attached, but installation and replacement becomes labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket that attaches to the rail and a coupling mechanism that connects the lighting fixture to the bracket. This segmentation allows the bracket to remain permanently attached to the rail while the lighting fixture can be easily coupled and decoupled, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and easy installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting means incorporates a resilient mounting bracket with elastic elements that can dynamically adapt to the rail surface. The elastic elements provide continuous contact pressure for secure attachment while allowing quick engagement and disengagement of the lighting fixture, enabling both strong attachment and easy operation.
2Strength
If the mounting surface directly contacts the rail, then secure attachment is achieved, but signaling systems may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically insulated layer is introduced as an intermediary between the mounting surface and the rail. This insulating layer prevents electrical contact that could disrupt signaling systems while still providing sufficient mechanical attachment strength. The bracket is attached to the insulating layer rather than directly to the rail, eliminating the harmful electrical connection.
3Illumination intensity
If light emitting elements are exposed, then illumination is achieved, but elements are vulnerable to weather and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting elements are nested within recesses in the housing structure. The recesses are open at the top to allow light emission but provide protection from weather and dust. This nested configuration enables the light elements to function while being shielded from environmental harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing includes a protective cover or lens that acts as a flexible barrier over the light emitting elements. This cover allows light to pass through while protecting the elements from weather and dust, maintaining illumination effectiveness while providing environmental protection.
4Length of stationary object
If multiple lighting fixtures are connected to form extended lengths, then coverage is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means uses standardized, universal interfaces that allow lighting fixtures to be easily connected and disconnected in various configurations. The same coupling mechanism works for all fixtures in the system, enabling extended lengths through simple repetition of modular units without increasing overall system complexity.
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
Facilitates easy installation and replacement, provides protected and focused illumination, and allows for adaptive lighting and extended fixture lengths without disrupting railway systems, while being resistant to environmental factors and train impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting means comprises at least two resilient mounting brackets (8), wherein each mounting bracket (8) comprises at least two clamping elements (11) which are designed to engage behind both elongated sides of the rail (100)
Implementation Method 2
the floor part has a reflective surface. To further increase the focussing of the emitted light, the ceiling part also has a reflective surface.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting fixture for illuminating part of a track on a railway of I-type rails, which lighting fixture is arranged for attachment to a rail, wherein the lighting fixture comprises an elongated housing, which housing has a mounting surface, which is arranged for attachment to the body of a rail in lengthwise direction of the rail, an array of light emitting elements which are distributed in lengthwise direction over the housing, and power connection means for connecting the lighting fixture to power means for powering the light emitting elements. A lighting fixture according to the preamble is known in the state of the art and has been described in the German Gebrachmuster DE202007003150U1. The known lighting fixture has to be bonded or screwed to the rail. The known lighting fixture therefore has the disadvantage that installation and replacement is labour intensive. The present invention has for its object to provide a lighting fixture stated in the preamble which obviates this drawback.