Sleeper Transport Vehicle Chain Pallet Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleeper transport vehicles face limitations in freedom of movement, require manual operation, and have a high risk of collision due to the use of gantry cranes and connecting elements, making automation difficult and inefficient, especially when handling new and old sleepers in a relaying train setting.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of circulating chains with coupling elements on each loading plane for pallet displacement, combined with guide rollers and rollerways for low-friction movement, and a lifting/lowering device for adaptable pallet transfer, along with articulated wagon frames for increased loading capacity and flexible operation, enables autonomous and efficient pallet handling and transfer between loading planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gantry cranes with connecting elements are used between sleeper wagons, then pallets can be transferred between wagons, but the freedom of movement in curves is severely limited and the risk of collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the connecting elements between wagons entirely, allowing each wagon to move independently through curves without physical connections that limit freedom of movement. The pallet transfer function is extracted from the connecting element concept and implemented through independent wagon positioning and guide rail alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails serve as an intermediary mechanism that enables pallet transfer between wagons without requiring physical connecting elements. The rails provide a standardized interface that allows pallets to be moved between wagons while maintaining wagon independence and curve negotiation capability.
2Ease of operation
If gantry cranes are used for pallet handling, then pallets can be transferred, but manual operation is required and automation is difficult to realize
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated pallet transfer through self-aligning guide rails and standardized coupling mechanisms. The wagons and pallets are equipped with automatic coupling elements that engage and disengage without manual intervention, and the guide rails automatically guide pallets between wagons during transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual gantry crane mechanical system is replaced with an automated guide rail and coupling mechanism system. The transfer function is achieved through automated mechanical interactions between standardized components rather than manual crane operation.
3Productivity
If multiple gantry cranes are employed for pallet handling, then pallet transfer capability is enhanced, but the risk of collision between cranes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pallet transfer function into independent wagon-level operations rather than requiring coordinated multiple crane operations. Each wagon independently handles its own pallet transfers through the guide rail system, eliminating the collision risks associated with multiple cranes operating in close proximity.
4Ease of manufacture
If pallets are discharged next to the track, then unloading is simplified, but the solution is not suited for relaying train working with assembly line method
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail system serves multiple functions: it guides pallets during loading, enables transfer between wagons, and facilitates discharge. This universal mechanism supports both simple unloading operations and complex assembly line relaying train operations, making the system adaptable to different working methods.
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 ensures secure, low-friction, and automated pallet movement, reducing the risk of jamming and collision, allowing for continuous and efficient sleeper exchange in an assembly-line fashion, even in curved tracks, while maintaining safe lateral support and adaptable loading capacity.
Implementation Method 1
in each loading plane a pushing device for pushing the pallets along the guide is arranged. The respective pushing device is designed as at least one circulating chain protruding into the transfer area
Implementation Method 2
the respective guide is designed as a longitudinal profile, and guide rollers for guiding along the longitudinal profile are arranged on the pallets. As a result of the pallets rolling over the guide rollers in the longitudinal profiles, a low-friction guiding of the pallet is ensured
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sleeper transport vehicle (1) having a loading area (25) which includes a lower supporting loading plane (7) and an upper supporting loading plane (8), wherein in each loading plane (7,8) a guide (10) is arranged in which pallets (9) are guided in the longitudinal direction of the sleeper transport vehicle (1), wherein, at a front side, a transfer area (26) is arranged into which the guides (10) protrude in order to pass along during a working operation pallets (9) with new sleepers (15) in one loading plane (7, 8) to a further sleeper transport vehicle (1) or loading/unloading vehicle (34) arranged at the front side, and to receive pallets with old sleepers (16) in the other loading plane (7, 8). In this, it is provided that in each loading plane (7, 8) a pushing device (11) for pushing the pallets (9) along the guide (10) is designed as at least one circulating chain protruding into the transfer area, and that coupling elements (20) are arranged on the pallets (9) for temporary coupling to the chain.