Segmented Ballast Cleaning Vehicle Combination for Switch Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle combinations for cleaning ballast tracks are limited in versatility and efficiency, particularly when dealing with multiple switches in the track section, where shoulder clearing chains cannot be employed, making the long combination machine unwieldy and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle combination comprising a first ballast pick-up vehicle with shoulder clearing chains and a second ballast pick-up vehicle with an endless clearing chain, along with separable screening vehicles, allowing the machine to be split into two independently operable cleaning machines, enhancing versatility and efficiency by omitting shoulder clearing chains in switch sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a long combination machine with shoulder clearing chains is used, then cleaning performance is improved, but the machine becomes unwieldy and cannot operate in switch sections
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle combination is divided into separable units (first ballast pick-up vehicle with shoulder clearing chains, second ballast pick-up vehicle with endless clearing chain, and screening vehicles) that can be coupled together for high-performance cleaning or separated for operation in switch sections. This segmentation allows the system to adapt its configuration based on track conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between vehicles is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the combination to be assembled into a long high-performance machine when needed or separated into shorter units for switch sections. The releasable coupling device enables this dynamic reconfiguration during operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle combination is split into separate units, then versatility for switch sections is improved, but cleaning performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each ballast pick-up vehicle is designed with multi-functionality to perform different cleaning tasks. The first vehicle with shoulder clearing chains handles standard track sections, while the second vehicle with the endless clearing chain can operate independently in switch sections, providing universal coverage for different track conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by reconfiguring the coupling between vehicles. When coupled, the combination achieves maximum cleaning performance for long straight sections. When separated, each unit operates with adjusted parameters suitable for switch sections, maintaining versatility while adapting performance levels.
3Productivity
If shoulder clearing chains are used, then cleaning of track bed shoulders is improved, but operation in switch sections becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning functions are segmented into different vehicle units. The shoulder clearing chains are placed on the first ballast pick-up vehicle, which can be separated from the second vehicle equipped with the endless clearing chain. This allows the shoulder clearing function to be isolated and omitted when operating in switch sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoulder clearing chains are extracted as a separate, optional component on the first ballast pick-up vehicle. When operating in switch sections, this vehicle unit can be detached, effectively removing the shoulder clearing chains from the operational configuration while retaining them for use in standard track sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle combination for cleaning ballast on a track consists of a first ballast-collecting vehicle at the front with respect to a working direction, equipped with two edge-clearing chains which are mutually opposed across the width of the track and are designed to collect the ballast lying in a track bed region adjacent to the sleeper ends, and also consists of a subsequent second ballast-collecting vehicle having a continuous clearing chain that can be placed around the track to collect the ballast lying under the track, and comprising sieve systems for cleaning the ballast. In front of the first ballast-collecting vehicle there are two mutually separable sieve vehicles disposed one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the machine and each having a sieve system. The two sieve vehicles can be loaded via a first conveyor belt line with ballast collected by the ballast-collecting vehicles. The two ballast-collecting vehicles are connected by a detachable coupling arrangement and linked to a second conveyor belt line for transporting cleaned ballast to discharge arrangements.