Railway Track Screw With Integrated Support Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connections between cable terminals and railway tracks are prone to assembly errors due to separate washers, leading to mechanical stress and reliability issues, requiring two spanners for tightening and risking confusion with other washers.
Innovation Solution
A screw with a support element that forms a cavity around the shank, allowing for a single-spanner tightening and irreversible connection, eliminating the need for separate washers and ensuring secure engagement with the track surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a separate washer is used to transfer pressure onto the track, then mechanical stress is restricted, but assembly errors increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The washer function is merged with the screw head by integrating a support element with a cavity that receives the screw shank. This eliminates the separate washer component and its associated assembly errors while maintaining the pressure transfer function to the track surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw head is given multi-functionality by incorporating the support element with cavity structure that simultaneously provides mechanical support, pressure distribution, and positional guidance for the shank, replacing both the screw head and washer functions.
2Strength
If a separate washer is used, then pressure is transferred onto the track, but the screw head does not frictionally engage the track causing turning during screwing
Solution Approach 1:
The friction engagement function is merged back into the screw head through the support element. The cavity structure ensures the screw head maintains direct frictional contact with the track surface, preventing turning during tightening while the same structure transfers pressure onto the track.
3Strength
If a separate washer is used, then pressure distribution is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure distribution function previously requiring a separate washer is merged into the screw head structure. The support element with its cavity design provides the necessary pressure distribution mechanism as an integrated feature, reducing the component count to one piece.
4Strength
If a separate washer is used, then mechanical support is provided, but assembly errors increase due to washer confusion and directional uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical support function is merged into the integrated screw structure. The support element with cavity is formed as one piece with the screw head, eliminating the possibility of assembly errors related to washer orientation, confusion with other washers, or incorrect installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A screw for the electrical connection of a cable terminal to a railway track or the like comprises a base body having an elongated shank having a longitudinal axis, a strike head connected with a first end of the shank, and threads for the removable connection of a strike organ or nut with a second end of the shank opposite said first end. The screw further comprises a support element manufactured separately from the base body and associated to the strike head so as to form a stroke that defines a cavity turned towards the second end of the shank. The screw is pre-assembled and the support element is substantially irreversibly connected to the base body.