Rotatable Intermediate Rails for Seismic Transport Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transport systems with seismically isolated and normal floors that move relative to each other, existing solutions fail to prevent rail breakage and dolly derailment or falling during earthquakes, leading to prolonged repair times.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with a pair of first traveling paths affixed to the floor, a pair of second traveling paths that can move on another floor, and intermediate traveling paths rotatably connected to both, along with guide rails and a guide member with rollers to absorb relative movements, ensuring the transport dolly remains on track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connection rail is actively disconnected when the first rail and the second rail move relative to each other, then rail breakage is prevented, but the transport dolly is derailed and overturned or falls down
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate traveling paths are designed to be rotatably connected to the first traveling paths, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and angle in response to relative movement between floors during earthquakes, preventing both rail breakage and dolly derailment
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate traveling paths act as a mediator between the first traveling paths and the second traveling paths, absorbing relative movements through rotational connection while maintaining continuous support for the transport dolly, thus preventing both rail breakage and dolly overturning
2Stability of the object's composition
If the connection rail is disconnected to prevent excessive force on rails, then rail deformation is prevented, but repair time increases due to dolly damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection of intermediate traveling paths enables the system to dynamically adapt to seismic movements without disconnecting, maintaining continuous operational integrity and preventing dolly damage that would require repair time
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate traveling paths with rotatable connections provide beforehand cushioning by absorbing and accommodating relative movements between floors before they can cause damage to either the rails or the transport dolly
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents rail breakage and dolly derailment or falling by absorbing relative movements between floors, reducing repair times and maintaining system integrity during earthquakes.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of intermediate traveling paths each including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably connected to an end portion of each of the first traveling paths or the floor, the second end being rotatably connected to an end portion of each of the second traveling paths
Implementation Method 2
a guide member movable along the first guide rail, the intermediate guide rail, and the second guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes: a pair of first traveling rails (R1) affixed to and laid on a floor (F1); a pair of second traveling rails (R2) laid on another floor (F2) to be able to move in a laying direction thereof; a pair of intermediate traveling rails (RM) each including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably connected to an end portion of each of the first traveling rails (R1), the second end being rotatably connected to an end portion of each of the second traveling rails (R2); and a transport dolly (D) which travels on the first traveling rails (R1), the intermediate traveling rails (RM), and the second traveling rails (R2).