Switch Point Blade Support Device for Maintenance Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supporting the reversing movement of tongue rails during switching processes are often bulky, require adjustments, and can be damaged during maintenance, as they are typically fixed between sleepers, obstructing space needed for maintenance and track tamping work.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a pivotable lever mounted in a frame or box, where the spring is positioned between the sleeper top and the lever, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment without obstructing the space between sleepers, featuring a simple design that keeps the spring separate from the pivot axis, enabling resilient support and easy retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is fixed between sleepers to provide resilient support for tongue rails, then the switching function is reliable, but the space between sleepers is obstructed and maintenance work is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The device is repositioned from being installed between sleepers (horizontal dimension) to being installed on top of sleepers (vertical dimension). This dimensional change allows the resilient support function to be maintained while clearing the space between sleepers for maintenance activities.
2Reliability
If the spring is preloaded tightly to ensure resilient support, then the tongue rail support is reliable, but the spring travel is obstructed and adjustment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring preload is made adjustable rather than fixed. The adjustment mechanism allows the spring tension to be modified based on operational requirements, enabling optimization between support reliability and travel flexibility depending on the specific application conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the device is made compact to free up space between sleepers, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components including a frame/box structure, pivotable lever assembly, roller elements, and spring mechanism. This segmentation allows for compact arrangement while maintaining functional independence of each component, facilitating both space efficiency and assembly flexibility.
4Volume of moving object
If the spring is positioned close to the pivot axis to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but the spring force leverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is positioned asymmetrically relative to the pivot axis, not at the symmetric center. This asymmetric placement optimizes the leverage arm length while maintaining a compact overall device footprint, achieving both space efficiency and sufficient mechanical advantage.
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 provides a compact, adjustable, and resilient support system that maintains the space between sleepers free for maintenance, ensuring consistent spring travel and preventing premature locking, allowing for safe and efficient tongue rail lifting during switching processes.
Implementation Method 1
a pivotable lever mounted in a frame or box, where the spring is positioned between the sleeper top and the lever
Implementation Method 2
the spring being partially relaxed... the lever interacts with a stop of the frame or box
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for supporting the reversing movement of point blades (4) of a switch. Said device comprises rolls (5) which embrace the point blades (4) during at least part of the reversing movement thereof and are mounted on a lever (6) that is pivotable against the force of a spring (9). The pivotable lever (6) is mounted inside a frame or cage (8). Means are provided for fastening the frame or cage (8) to a tie and/or a rib plate (1). Said means allow the frame or cage (8) to be fastened to the surface of a tie, especially laterally outside a slide chair (2). The spring (9) is disposed between the upper surface of the tie and the lever (6), at a distance from the swivel pin (7) of the pivotable lever (6).