Insulating Support Assembly With Rotatable Suspension for Catenary Tolerances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulating support assemblies for catenaries face issues with mechanical stresses due to thermal variations and mechanical tolerances, leading to distortions and breakages, and are not easily adaptable to different section insulators or configurations, resulting in assembly difficulties and high costs.

Innovation Solution

An insulating support assembly with a rotatable suspension device, movable section insulators, adjustable arms, and U-shaped connection mechanisms that allow for translation and rotation, enabling adaptation to various insulators and configurations, and accommodating thermal expansions and mechanical tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional pulley system is equipped on the insulating support assembly, then thermal variations of the contact wire are compensated, but the assembly becomes cumbersome and reliability problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static pulley system with a dynamic linkage mechanism comprising articulated arms and connectors that automatically adapt to thermal variations. The linkage allows relative movement between the insulating support assembly and the contact wire, compensating for thermal expansion and contraction without requiring complex pulley systems, thereby improving reliability while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by designing the linkage mechanism with adjustable arm lengths and connection points that can adapt to different thermal states. The mechanism changes its geometric parameters dynamically in response to thermal variations, allowing the assembly to maintain proper tension and positioning without the need for additional pulleys, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If mechanical tolerances are strictly controlled during assembly, then assembly precision is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to unavoidable tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage mechanism incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the assembly to self-align and compensate for mechanical tolerances. The articulated arms and connectors can rotate and move relative to each other, enabling the assembly to accommodate tolerance variations without requiring strict control, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adequate assembly precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing the linkage mechanism with non-symmetric connection points and arm configurations that naturally accommodate tolerance variations. The asymmetric design allows for greater flexibility in alignment, making the assembly process easier while still achieving the required precision through the inherent geometric compensation of the linkage structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If the insulating support assembly is designed for specific section insulator types, then connection reliability is improved, but adaptability to different insulators and configurations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the insulating support assembly with a standardized linkage mechanism that can accommodate multiple types of section insulators and configuration options. The articulated arms and connectors are designed with universal mounting points and adjustment capabilities, allowing the same basic assembly to reliably connect different insulator types while maintaining connection reliability through the robust linkage design.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic linkage mechanism enables the assembly to adapt to different insulator types and configurations through adjustable arm lengths, rotation points, and connection geometries. This dynamic adaptability allows a single standardized design to maintain reliable connections across various applications, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid connection system is used between section insulators and supporting poles, then structural stability is improved, but susceptibility to mechanical stresses from thermal variations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical stresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid connection system with a dynamic linkage mechanism that maintains structural stability while accommodating thermal variations. The articulated arms and connectors provide controlled movement that absorbs thermal stresses, preventing the accumulation of mechanical stresses that would occur in a purely rigid system, thereby maintaining both stability and stress resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage mechanism changes its geometric parameters dynamically in response to thermal variations, adjusting arm angles, lengths, and connection positions to maintain optimal structural stability while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction. This parameter adaptation prevents excessive mechanical stresses while preserving the overall structural integrity of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3922508B1Insulating support assembly for a catenary adapted for powering an electrical vehicle, notably a tram or a trolleybus, and related catenary
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP3922508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922508B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3922508B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An insulating support assembly (100) for a catenary (110) adapted for powering an electrical vehicle, notably a tram or a trolleybus, characterized in that it comprises at least: - a base part (105) which is adapted to connect the insulating support assembly (100) to a section insulator (112) of the catenary (110); - a suspension insulator (1) which extends from the base part (105) along a reference axis (Y); and - a suspension device (2) which is suitable to be hung to a supporting pole (116) of the catenary (110), wherein the suspension device (2) is connected to an upper part of and is movable relative to the suspension insulator (1).