Smart Elevator Wagon for Automated Semi-Trailer Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting wheeled vehicles, such as articulated semi-trailers, on railway networks are costly and inefficient, with existing solutions either being high in infrastructure costs, limited in adaptability, or facing operational difficulties in switching between road and rail modes, and failing to integrate with intelligent management systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a smart elevator wagon and a smart carrier wagon, equipped with computerized systems and scissor lifting structures, allows for automated loading and unloading of articulated vehicles, enabling efficient switching between road and rail modes, reducing energy and personnel costs, and ensuring safe and efficient transfer of semi-trailers along railway lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bridge cranes are used to load semi-trailers from the top on locked-up trains in railway stations, then the infrastructure costs are very high, but the loading efficiency is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized loading wagon with a movable platform that acts as an intermediary between the road and rail systems. This platform can be positioned at different heights and configurations to receive semi-trailers directly from trucks and transfer them to rail wagons, eliminating the need for expensive bridge cranes while maintaining efficient loading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The loading wagon features a dynamically adjustable platform that can change its position and configuration during the loading process. The platform moves between different height levels and can be positioned to facilitate direct loading from trucks, replacing static expensive infrastructure with a flexible, mobile solution
2Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous mixed rail/wheeled vehicles are designed, then the adaptability between road and rail modes is improved, but the device complexity increases and integration with intelligent management systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a specialized loading wagon with movable platform for transfer operations, and existing rail wagons for transport. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining compatibility with intelligent management systems, avoiding the complexity of fully autonomous dual-mode vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The loading wagon with movable platform serves multiple functions: it can load semi-trailers from trucks, transfer them to different types of rail wagons, and accommodate various loading configurations. This universal loading platform replaces the need for specialized autonomous vehicles while maintaining adaptability
3Ease of operation
If conventional trucks are used for transporting semi-trailers, then the flexibility and ease of operation are maintained, but the energy costs and personnel requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by combining short-distance flexible truck transport with long-distance efficient rail transport. Semi-trailers are moved by trucks only for the initial pickup and final delivery phases, while the majority of the journey is completed via rail, reducing overall energy consumption and personnel requirements while maintaining operational flexibility
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
The system significantly reduces logistics costs by enabling automated and efficient transfer of semi-trailers on railway lines, overcoming previous limitations by ensuring safe loading and unloading operations and aligning with intelligent management systems, while maintaining the flexibility of conventional truck operations.
Implementation Method 1
scissor lifting structures, which are configured to lift and lower the loading platform
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A system (100) for loading and transporting on railway network wheeled vehicles comprising one articulated vehicle (50) equipped with a drive (51) and semitrailer (52), the system (100) comprising: a computerized system configured to be placed in a station of the railway network; at least one elevator wagon (101) interfaced with the railway station computerized system; at least one carrier wagon (102); and a carriageable road infrastructure (103). The elevator wagon (101) comprises: a platform (101a); a linear structure (101d) to which the platform (101a) is inferiorly coupled; lifting structures (101e); an electronic control system (123); and auxiliary systems. The carrier wagon (102) comprises a linear structure equipped with two wheel systems (102aa) between which a load platform (102a) is comprised; load sensors; systems to assist in loading and unloading maneuvers and handling of the articulated vehicle (50) or of the single drive (51).