Railway Switch Drive Refurbishment in Mobile Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for refurbishing and testing railway switch drives are logistically and time-consuming, requiring costly transportation and resource allocation, as well as scheduling conflicts due to the need for spare drives and on-site maintenance, which hampers efficient maintenance and production.
Innovation Solution
A portable, walk-in container-based test and refurbishment facility equipped with a test stand, voltage adjustment module, interchangeable attachment modules, and automated testing capabilities, allowing for on-site mechanical and electrical testing and refurbishment of switch drives, reducing logistical and time-related costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point machines are sent back to the manufacturer for refurbishment and testing, then thorough testing and refurbishment can be performed, but logistical and time expenditure increases significantly with high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refurbishment process by separating the testing function from the manufacturer's facility and relocating it to a portable container that can be positioned at the installation site. This allows testing to be performed independently without requiring transportation back to the manufacturer, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining testing quality through the use of comprehensive test benches inside the container
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the testing operation from a fixed location (manufacturer's facility) to a mobile platform (portable container on wheels). This dimensional change in mobility allows the testing equipment to be transported to different locations, eliminating the need for shipping point machines back and forth while maintaining the same testing capabilities
2Ease of manufacture
If point machines are transported back and forth by ship or plane for refurbishment, then refurbishment can be performed at the manufacturer's works, but logistical effort and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting the point machines to the manufacturer's facility for refurbishment, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the refurbishment and testing equipment to the point machines at their installation location. This eliminates the need for costly transportation by ship or plane while maintaining full refurbishment capability through the equipped portable container
Solution Approach 2:
The portable container serves as an intermediary platform that bridges the gap between the installation site and the manufacturer's facility. It contains all necessary refurbishment and testing equipment, allowing these operations to be performed in-situ without requiring transportation of the heavy point machines, thereby eliminating transportation costs and logistical effort
3Productivity
If spare drives are kept in stock on site for replacement during refurbishment period, then continuous operation is maintained, but resource allocation and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing testing and refurbishment immediately when point machines are removed from service, rather than waiting to transport them back. The portable container is positioned at the installation site and ready to conduct tests and refurbishment operations on-site, eliminating the need for spare drives by ensuring rapid turnaround without interruption to operational planning
4Ease of repair
If point machines are removed from service for removal to reinstallation, then refurbishment can be performed, but the time the point machine is out of service increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the testing and refurbishment facility dynamic and mobile rather than fixed. The portable container on wheels can be quickly positioned at the installation site and set up, allowing refurbishment operations to begin immediately when point machines are removed. This dynamic setup eliminates the time loss associated with scheduling and transporting machines to fixed manufacturer facilities
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for testing and refurbishing a switch mechanism (26) for a railway switch. This comprises a test bench (9) for mechanical and electrical testing of the functional capability of the actuating drive (26) according to predeterminable test instructions. According to the invention the test bench (9) is disposed and can be operated in a transportable and walk-in large-capacity container (1). Thus the testing facility can be set up in a mobile manner at different locations of switch operators, such that a costly transport of actuating drives between operating location and the works of the manufacturer for general overhaul is no longer necessary.