Railway Wheel Block Vertical Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for securing cars on railway wagons during transportation are either laborious or expensive, as they require numerous wedges or complex mechanisms that are not efficiently adaptable for vertical adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism for vertical adjustment of the wheel block featuring a fixed part with cut-outs and shoulders, and a movable rectangular part with square flanges that can be rotated 90 degrees to achieve tilted or ejected positions, allowing for adjustable and efficient wheel block positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple wedges are used to secure cars on railway wagons, then the securing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of wedges
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple wedge functions into a single wheel block mechanism that can be positioned at multiple locations along the wagon. The wheel block integrates the securing function that would otherwise require multiple separate wedges, reducing the total number of components while maintaining or improving securing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel block is designed as a universal securing device that can be positioned at different locations along the wagon using the adjustable mechanism. This multi-position capability allows one device to perform the securing function that would otherwise require multiple fixed wedges placed at different locations.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed wheel block positions are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different wheel positions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to wheel positionsVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel block positioning system transitions from fixed to dynamic adjustable positions. The mechanism allows the wheel block to be moved vertically along the guide rail and locked at different heights, enabling adaptation to various wheel positions while maintaining structural integrity through the guide rail and locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete positional stops along the guide rail, allowing the wheel block to be positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation provides adaptability to different wheel heights while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through standardized positioning points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex adjustable mechanism is implemented, then the adaptability to different wheel positions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel block incorporates a self-locking mechanism that automatically maintains its position once adjusted. The design allows for easy positioning through simple manual operation while the mechanism itself provides the locking and securing functions, reducing the operational complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3581458B1Mechanism for vertical adjustment of wheel block
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 TATRAVAGONKA AS
  • EP3581458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Name of the technical solution: Mechanism for vertical adjustment of the wheel block mainly for railway wagons designed for transportation of cars Mechanism for vertical adjustment of the wheel block mainly for railway wagons designed for transportation of cars contains a fixed part (1), where the central part of the fixed part (1) has a cut-out for the movable part (5) and also shoulders (2) at both ends. The shoulders (2) are equipped with end boards (3), which, in their upper parts, have a pin (4) leading inwards. In the cut-out, a movable part (5) is installed that has a shape of rectangle in the cross-section, at the ends of the movable part (5), there are attached flanges (6) that have shape of a square in the cross-section, whereby these flanges (6) fit into the shoulders (2) of the fixed part (1). On the end board (3), the pin (4) is located in the higher position than ending of the shoulder (2).