Railroad Switch Slide Chair With Detachable Guide Rib

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch systems with low switch tongues are complex to maintain and heat, as sliding chairs require lateral displacement and tilting for removal, limiting their width and necessitating separate heating components, which complicates installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A sliding chair design with a detachable guide rib and integrated heating system that allows for easy centerward movement and replacement, featuring a rib piece with a support plate for force absorption and a broadening that integrates sleeper compartment heating, reducing the need for separate heating components and simplifying maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the guide rib is integrally formed with the base plate for laterally holding the stock rail, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rib is separated from the base plate and formed as a distinct rib piece that can be detached. This segmentation allows the sliding chair to be replaced by removing the rib piece from the old sliding chair and installing it on the new one, significantly easing replacement while maintaining structural strength through proper connection design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the slide chair is designed with limited width to fit within sleeper bays, then the ease of installation is improved, but the heating coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidheating coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is arranged to extend beyond the lateral boundaries of the sliding chair in the longitudinal direction, utilizing the third dimension (length) to provide heating coverage. This allows the heating function to cover a broader area including the sleeper compartment without increasing the width that would interfere with installation and maintenance operations.

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

3Area of stationary object

If separate heating components are provided for the sleeper compartment, then the heating coverage is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated into the sliding chair structure itself, combining the heating function with the support function. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating components in the sleeper compartment, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive heating coverage through the strategically positioned heating element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easy replacement and heating of sliding chairs, ensuring efficient heat distribution across the switch tongue area, reducing maintenance complexity and enabling effective low-temperature operation without additional heating components.

Implementation Method 1

facilitates easy replacement and heating of sliding chairs, ensuring efficient heat distribution across the switch tongue area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3296460B1Railroad switch
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 FELDMANN WOLFGANG
  • EP3296460B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3296460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3296460B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Slide chair (1) for a turnout with stock rail (2), switch tongue (3) located inside the stock rail (2) and sleeper (4) or fixed track arranged below it, wherein the slide chair (1) has a base plate (10) which rests on the sleeper (4) or the fixed track and extends under the stock rail (2) from the outside of the stock rail (2) to the inside of the switch tongue (3) in a reclining position, the stock rail (2) is held on the outside by a guide rib (50) projecting from the base plate (10) and the slide chair (1) has a sliding plate (11) on the inside of the stock rail (2), on the upper side of which the switch tongue (3) rests slidably as a sliding surface (111), wherein a rib section (5) with the guide rib (50) is provided which is detachably attached to the base plate (10).