Railway Vehicle Height-Adjustable Shell for Gauge Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current railway vehicles transporting semi-trailers face challenges in optimizing loading height and accommodating wear and weight variations without requiring multiple measurements, which complicates compliance with railway gauges and efficient space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A railway vehicle with a chassis on articulated bogies, a height-adjustable shell, and a device to measure and adjust the shell's height based on the distance from the rails, allowing for precise optimization of the loading gauge and accommodating wear and weight changes without prior measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the railway vehicle is positioned as close as possible to the rails to optimize loading height, then the space utilization is improved, but the compliance with railway gauge becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shell height adjustable rather than fixed. The shell can be positioned at different heights relative to the rails, allowing the system to adapt between maximizing space utilization and ensuring gauge compliance. The adjustment mechanism enables the shell to move vertically, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can respond to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the height parameter of the shell. By changing the vertical position of the shell, the system can optimize loading height when needed while maintaining compliance with railway gauge constraints. This parameter adjustment allows the same vehicle to operate effectively under different conditions without sacrificing either space utilization or regulatory compliance.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken to account for wear and weight variations, then the precision of loading height optimization is improved, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the shell height adjustment system to automatically compensate for wear and weight variations without requiring external measurements. The system self-adjusts to maintain optimal loading height, eliminating the need for manual measurement processes and reducing operational complexity while preserving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the height adjustment mechanism that responds to the actual position and load conditions of the vehicle. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the shell height based on feedback from the measurement means, automatically compensating for wear and weight variations without requiring multiple manual measurements, thus maintaining precision while simplifying the process.
3Reliability
If the shell height is adjusted after loading, then the compliance with railway gauge is improved, but the time required for the adjustment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a height adjustment mechanism that can modify the shell position after loading. This dynamic capability allows the system to ensure gauge compliance even when loading conditions vary, while the automated nature of the adjustment minimizes the time penalty associated with post-loading modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a railway vehicle (1) for transporting a semi-trailer on rails, comprising a chassis (2) mounted in an articulated manner on bogies (3) arranged on either side of the chassis; a shell (4) movable in height inside the chassis (2), said shell being configured to receive a semi-trailer; a device for adjusting the height of the shell; means for measuring the distance between the shell and the rails on which the railway vehicle rests; and means for transmitting a measurement of the distance between the shell and the rails on which the railway vehicle rests to the device for adjusting the height of the shell. The invention also relates to a method for loading a grabable semi-trailer into a railway vehicle (1) according to the invention and a method for unloading a grabable semi-trailer from a railway vehicle (1) according to the invention.