Spring Cam Creeping Mechanism for Movable Frog Toe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for the mechanical vertical and horizontal creeping of a movable frog toe are inadequate, as they require a hydraulic device for vertical creeping and a spring-based device for horizontal creeping, which are either power-dependent or inefficient, and often exceed the necessary resistance during switch tongue transfer.
Innovation Solution
A simple creeping device comprising a carriage connected via a tenon to the movable frog toe, pushed by a spring with wheels on a cam route, allowing pressure regulation and adjustable positioning using screws and nuts for both vertical and horizontal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic device is used for vertical creeping of the movable toe, then the creeping function is achieved, but the power source necessity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically provides the creeping force without requiring external power sources. The spring is pre-loaded and releases energy mechanically to push the movable toe horizontally and vertically along the cam route, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for hydraulic power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with a purely mechanical spring-based system. The spring converts elastic potential energy into mechanical work, driving the carriage along the cam route without requiring fluid pressure or external power, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If spring creeping chairs are used for horizontal creeping, then the creeping function is achieved, but the device can only creep in one direction and resistance power exceeds functional creeping power
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism integrated with the cam route serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both horizontal and vertical creeping motion, enables bidirectional movement along the cam route, and regulates resistance through spring preload adjustment. This multi-functional design eliminates the limitation of unidirectional spring chairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam route provides a dynamic path that guides the carriage through both horizontal and vertical movements. The cam profile is designed to convert the linear spring force into complex two-dimensional motion, allowing the movable toe to creep in multiple directions along the defined route rather than being restricted to a single direction.
3Device complexity
If a simple creeping device with spring and cam route is used, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure regulation capability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded with a specific force before operation, and this preload can be adjusted using the adjustment nut. The preliminary setting of spring tension allows the operator to regulate the creeping force and pressure against the wing rails before the device is put into service, ensuring proper pressure control without complex regulation mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring preload force, a key parameter of the system, can be changed by adjusting the nut that compresses or releases the spring. This allows regulation of the creeping pressure and force characteristics to match different operational requirements, maintaining ease of operation despite the simplified device structure.
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 solution enables efficient and regulated movement of the frog toe in both vertical and horizontal directions, ensuring appropriate resistance and precise positioning without the need for multiple devices or excessive power, thereby improving the functionality of the creeping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
pushed by a spring with its wheels to the cam route
Implementation Method 2
pushed by a spring with its wheels to the cam route on the bottom side of the board
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Creeping device of the movable toe of frogs consists of the carriage (4) connected via the tenon (5) with the movable toe (2) of the frog (12) and pushed by a spring (6) with the wheels (41) to the cam route (3) on the bottom side of the board (9) detachably connected from bottom to wing rails (1).