Stackable Eurobalise Support for Railway Track Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of eurobalise mounting configurations due to varying sleeper types, track heights, and eurobalise specifics leads to numerous different fastening systems, making them cumbersome and difficult to simplify.

Innovation Solution

A stackable support system with reinforcing ribs and housings, allowing for adjustable positioning and water drainage, which can be combined with other identical supports to securely attach the eurobalise to a crosspiece at a predetermined height, using fastening members and inserts for versatile attachment options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different fastening systems are used to accommodate varying sleeper types, track heights, and eurobalise specifics, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different sleeper types, track heights, and eurobalise specificsVSAvoidnumber of different fastening systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single support structure that can accommodate multiple mounting configurations through adjustable elements. The support includes adjustable arms and positioning mechanisms that adapt to different sleeper types (concrete, wood, metal), various track heights, and different eurobalise models, eliminating the need for multiple specialized fastening systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into modular segments including adjustable arms, positioning elements, and mounting components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted for specific requirements while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single universal support system is used to reduce the number of fastening systems, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different mounting configurations may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of different fastening systemsVSAvoidaccommodation of varying sleeper types, track heights, and eurobalise specifics
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support system incorporates dynamic adjustable elements including movable arms, repositionable positioning elements, and configurable mounting points. These dynamic features allow the single universal support to adapt its configuration based on specific mounting requirements for different sleeper types, track heights, and eurobalise models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional fastening systems are used for each specific mounting configuration, then precision for specific applications is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in simplification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision for specific mounting configurationsVSAvoiddifficulty to simplify fastening systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support system utilizes adjustable parameters including arm length, positioning element location, and mounting point configuration. These parameter changes allow the single universal support to achieve precise positioning for different mounting configurations while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3222488B1Support for fastening an eurobalise and fastening system comprising at least one such support
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3222488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3222488B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Support (15A) for fixing an Eurobalise (5) on a crossbeam (10), the support (15A) having a stackable shape, the support (15A), and optionally one or more other supports (15B, 20A, 20B) structurally identical to said support (15A) and stacked on said support (15A), being intended to be placed between the Eurobalise and the crossbeam in a fixing direction (D) to fix the Eurobalise at a predetermined height relative to the crossbeam, said support having a first face (42) having reinforcing ribs (46) and housings (48, 50, 52, 54) defined laterally at least in part by the reinforcing ribs.