Segmented Movable Guides for Compact Center Guide Turnout Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing center guide-type guideway transportation systems require a large space for turnout switch areas due to the length of movable guides, which can interfere with vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A branching device with movable guides that can switch between guide and retract positions, reducing the space needed for the turnout switch area by allowing the guides to be positioned closer together, and a movable device that simultaneously moves these guides to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the movable guides are made long to cover the entire turnout switch area, then the vehicle can be guided accurately, but the space required for the turnout switch area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single long movable guide into multiple shorter movable guides (first movable guide and second movable guide). Each guide is responsible for a specific section of the turnout switch area, allowing them to be shorter while collectively covering the entire area. This segmentation reduces the length of individual guides and the overall space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable device that operates in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's running direction. By moving the movable guides in this additional dimension (lateral movement across the track), the system achieves comprehensive coverage of the turnout switch area without requiring the guides to be extremely long in the vehicle's direction of travel.
2Reliability
If the movable guides are positioned far apart to avoid interference with vehicle operation, then the vehicle can pass safely, but the space required for the turnout switch area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable guides that can dynamically change their positions. The movable device allows the guides to be relocated to different positions within the turnout switch area as needed. This dynamic positioning enables the system to maintain safety by positioning guides away from the vehicle's immediate path while still providing comprehensive guidance coverage when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable guides can be positioned in advance before vehicle arrival to establish safe operating conditions. The system can pre-position the guides to avoid interference with incoming vehicles while maintaining readiness to provide guidance when the vehicle enters the critical zone.
Data Source
AI summary
The branching device has: a first main line movable guide and a second main line movable guide that are movable between a main line guide position where a vehicle is guided from a first main line guideway to a second main line guideway and a main line retraction position not guiding the vehicle from the first main line guideway to the second main line guideway; a first branch movable guide and a second branch movable guide which are movable between a branch guide position where the vehicle is guided from the first main line guideway to a branch track and a branch retraction position not guiding the vehicle from the first main line guideway to the branch track; and a movable equipment causing the first main line movable guide, the second main line movable guide, the first branch movable guide, and the second branch movable guide to be movable.