Railway Sleeper Block Sealing Collar and Bead Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleeper block units in railway track systems face issues with maintaining a reliable sealing effect between the sleeper block and shoe, especially during replacement, due to wear and increased maintenance requirements, and existing solutions complicate the replacement process and require extensive concrete work.
Innovation Solution
A sealing collar with an upper edge section, lower edge section, and lateral section is arranged around the sleeper shoe, where the lower edge section overlaps and lies against a bead on the shoe, ensuring a secure seal without bonded or welded connections, allowing for easy replacement of sleeper blocks without disturbing the surrounding concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient sealing lip is arranged at the upper edge of the sleeper shoe to seal against the outer wall of the sleeper block, then the sealing effect is improved, but the sealing lip is subject to wear during vertical movements so that the sealing effect decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the sealing lip on the shoe rub against the block, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the sealing collar on the block to rub against the shoe. This transfers the wear to the shoe's bead rather than the sealing element itself, maintaining sealing reliability over time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a bead as an intermediary element between the sealing collar and the shoe. The bead serves as a wear surface that protects the sealing collar, allowing the sealing function to persist throughout the service life of the track components
2Reliability
If a surrounding sealing frame is provided that is sealingly connected to the sleeper shoe by bonding or welding, then the sealing effect is ensured, but considerable difficulties arise when a sleeper block needs to be replaced as the sealing frame will generally be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sealing system into two independent parts: the sealing collar on the removable block and the bead on the permanent shoe. This allows the block and its sealing collar to be replaced independently without affecting the shoe or requiring destruction of bonded/welded connections
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing collar is designed as a consumable component that remains attached to the sleeper block when it is removed. This allows the sealing function to be replaced with the block without requiring separate sealing frame replacement, reducing maintenance complexity
3Reliability
If adhesive strips are used to seal the junction between the sleeper block and the shoe, then the sealing effect is improved, but the attachment involves considerable labor during construction and the sealing effect will decrease over time
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing collar is designed to be self-securing through frictional engagement with the bead during vertical block movements. This eliminates the need for adhesive strips or other external fixing means, reducing construction labor while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces chemical bonding (adhesive strips) with a mechanical friction-based securing system. The sealing collar is retained by frictional forces during block movement, eliminating the need for adhesive application and reducing construction complexity
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 maintains a consistent sealing effect and reduces sliding friction, enabling seamless replacement of sleeper blocks without the need for additional fixing means like adhesive strips or cable ties, while ensuring the sleeper shoe remains securely attached.
Implementation Method 1
a surrounding sealing collar of an elastic material being arranged in the area of the upper edge of the side walls which sealingly connects the sleeper block to the sleeper shoe
Implementation Method 2
the lower edge section of the sealing collar overlaps the bead and lies against the bead at least in an area situated below the largest horizontal dimension of the bead
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeper block unit including a sleeper block and a sleeper shoe that surrounds the latter in its lower area. In the area of the upper edge of the side walls (9) of the sleeper shoe, a surrounding sealing collar (14) of an elastic material is arranged which sealingly connects the sleeper block to the sleeper shoe. The sealing collar (14) includes an upper edge section (15), a lower edge section (16), and a lateral section (17) arranged therebetween. In the area of the upper edge of the side walls (9) of the sleeper shoe (3), a surrounding bead (11) is externally arranged which is sealingly overlapped by the lower edge section of the sealing collar (14).