Segmented Engagement Member for Flexible Rail Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positive drive systems for transport vehicles, such as roller coasters, face challenges in designing complex and curved track routes due to the rigidity of racks and guide elements, limiting the possibilities for thrilling routes with steep rises, curves, and twists.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with a drive system featuring a first engagement member with projections and grooves, and a second engagement member, where the first engagement member has openings for connecting members to securely attach to the rail, allowing for flexible and accurate attachment even in complex routes, enabling three-dimensional bending and twisting of the rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional racks and guide elements are used for positive drive systems, then reliable force transmission is achieved, but the route design flexibility is limited due to rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently positioned and connected. Each segment contains engagement projections and grooves that maintain positive drive functionality while allowing the overall structure to be configured in complex three-dimensional routes with curves, twists, and varying slopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to different route configurations. The modular segments can be assembled in various arrangements to create dynamic route changes including steep rises, curves, and twists, while maintaining reliable force transmission through the engagement projections and grooves.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional engagement members are attached to curved and twisting rails, then complex routes can be realized, but attachment difficulty and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is segmented into standardized modules that can be pre-manufactured and then quickly assembled on-site. Each module contains integrated connection elements that simplify attachment to the rail, reducing the complexity of installing engagement members on curved and twisting sections while enabling complex route configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements serve as intermediaries between the engagement member segments and the rail structure. These standardized connectors facilitate easy attachment and detachment, allowing complex routes to be assembled from modular components without requiring complex custom fabrication for each curved or twisted section.
3Productivity
If modular engagement members with openings are used, then assembly time is reduced and flexibility improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is divided into standardized modular segments with integrated connection elements. Each module contains openings for connection elements, allowing quick assembly through simple insertion and locking mechanisms. The segmentation enables parallel manufacturing of identical modules, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member modules are designed with universal connection interfaces that can be used across different route configurations. The same basic module design with standardized openings and connection elements can be applied throughout the entire route, including straight, curved, and twisted sections, reducing the variety of unique parts needed and simplifying manufacturing while enabling rapid assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a transport system may include a vehicle and a circuit with a rail extending at least on sections of the circuit. The system may include a drive system configured for a positive drive for propelling the vehicle along the circuit, wherein, at least on sections extending along the circuit, the drive system has first and second engagement members. The first engagement member may have a first projection and an adjacent second projection on at least sections of the circuit and, between the first and adjacent second projections, grooves, which are each bounded by the first and adjacent second projections. The first engagement member may have one or more openings, of which at least one through-opening is formed between the first and adjacent second projections. Through the through-opening may engage a connecting member configured for connecting the first engagement member with the rail for attachment to the rail.