Shuttle Beam Wedge Lifting for Freight Wagon Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing goods handling devices for combined freight transport face challenges in easily, reliably, and efficiently raising and lowering wagon attachments from freight wagons to rail systems, requiring improved mechanisms for transverse transport.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a shuttle beam with a lifting mechanism that includes a wedge lifting device, allowing for synchronized movement of lifting carriages and rollers to raise and lower the lifting beam, enabling efficient transfer of wagon attachments between wagon underframes and loading tracks, with the shuttle beam being driven by electric motors and spindles, and featuring a compact design for reduced construction height and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lifting devices are fixed to the track bed, then the lifting function is stable and reliable, but the device complexity and construction height increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting function reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device is integrated into the shuttle beam structure, merging the lifting function with the transport beam. The lifting carriages are mounted on the shuttle beam itself rather than being separate fixed installations, combining transport and lifting capabilities in one mobile unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting device transitions from a static fixed installation to a dynamic mobile system. The shuttle beam with integrated lifting carriages can move along the track, providing lifting capability at different positions without requiring fixed lifting points throughout the entire track length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a wedge lifting device with synchronized lifting carriages is used, then the lifting efficiency and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge-shaped lifting beam acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lifting carriages and the wagon attachment. The wedge geometry converts the horizontal movement of lifting carriages into vertical lifting motion, providing mechanical advantage and synchronized lifting without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting process uses periodic reciprocating motion of the lifting carriages along the wedge surfaces. The carriages move horizontally along the inclined wedge faces, converting linear horizontal motion into vertical lifting motion through the wedge geometry, creating a rhythmic lift-maintain-lower cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Length of stationary object

If the shuttle beam design is made compact, then the construction height and cost are reduced, but the lifting capacity and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction heightVSAvoidlifting capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism transitions from vertical stacking (increasing height) to horizontal expansion (increasing length). The wedge-shaped lifting beam with carriages moving along inclined surfaces achieves lifting capacity through horizontal movement rather than vertical stacking, reducing construction height while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution enables efficient and reliable transverse transport of wagon attachments, reducing effort and improving handling efficiency, while minimizing construction costs and space requirements, allowing for flexible handling processes and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a wedge lifting device (74), in particular a wedge device, with two lifting carriages (50; 60) which can be moved synchronously one behind the other on the lifting beam (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

two spindles (61; 62) which can be rotated about a spindle axis, on which the two lifting carriages (50; 60) are mounted in each case so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3095664B1Shuttle beams for the transport of wagon attachments, goods handling device with such shuttle beams and handling method
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 CARGOBEAMER
  • EP3095664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3095664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3095664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shuttle beam (20) for a goods handling device for transferring goods from road to rail and vice versa by means of horizontal transverse loading, for moving a wagon superstructure of a freight wagon to a loading track and vice versa, wherein the shuttle beam (20) has lifting means for raising and lowering the wagon superstructure from or on a wagon underframe of the freight wagon and from or on the loading track, wherein the shuttle beam (20) has a beam base frame (30), a lifting beam (31) and a lifting beam drive device (32) for raising and lowering the lifting beam (31) relative to the beam base frame (30), as well as a goods handling device for combined freight transport with such shuttle beams and a goods handling method.