Telescopic Rail Grounding Interconnection for Variable Rail Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical interconnection devices for grounding railway rails are not versatile enough to adapt to varying distances and orientations between rolling and supply rails, making them inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An electrical interconnection device with a telescopic insert and rotatable securing members that can adjust length and orientation, allowing secure engagement on both rolling and supply rails regardless of their configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length rigid structure is used for electrical interconnection, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying distances between rolling and supply rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a telescopic insert that can change length, allowing the electrical interconnection device to adapt to varying distances between rolling and supply rails. The insert transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into a main body and a telescopic insert that can be extended or retracted. This segmentation allows the insert to independently adjust its length to match the distance between rails, providing adaptability without requiring the entire device structure to be complex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If securing members are fixed in orientation, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot engage with rails in different orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The securing members are made rotatable rather than fixed in orientation. This dynamic capability allows them to adjust their angular position to engage with supply rails at different orientations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to different orientations and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable securing members provide multi-functionality by being able to engage with supply rails in various orientations (e.g., above or below the rolling rail). This universal engagement capability allows a single device design to handle multiple installation scenarios without requiring multiple specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device length is fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different spacing distances between rails
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic insert introduces a dynamic length-adjustment mechanism that allows the device to accommodate different spacing distances between rolling and supply rails. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through a controlled mechanical system rather than requiring multiple fixed-length variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its length parameter through the telescopic insert mechanism, allowing it to adapt to different spacing distances. This parameter change capability is achieved through a standardized telescopic system that can be manufactured using conventional processes, balancing adaptability with manufacturing ease.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical interconnection device comprising a main body (5), a first shoe (6) and a second shoe (8) assembled at opposing ends (7, 9) of the main body and configured to be mechanically and electrically attached to a running rail (2) and to a power supply rail (3) respectively, the main body being provided with a sleeve (32) and with a telescopic insert (34) mounted so as to be able to move in translation and in rotation relative to the sleeve, with one of the first and second shoes being mechanically attached to a free end of the insert; by virtue of which the electrical interconnection device (4) is configured to allow a retracted configuration in which the insert is inserted into the sleeve and a deployed configuration in which the insert is at least partially extracted from the sleeve, with one of the first and second shoes which is configured to be arranged in a predetermined orientation from a plurality of orientations, regardless of configuration of the device.