Railroad Tie Plate Placement Machine with Ball Transfer Table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for installing railroad tie plates are laborious and costly due to the heavy weight of the plates and the need for manual placement, with existing machines using stop-and-go methodologies that are inefficient for large-scale operations.

Innovation Solution

A semi-autonomous machine with a front, middle, and rear chassis, equipped with a material handler, hopper assemblies, and conveyor systems, including a vibrating plate feeder and ball transfer table, to retrieve and precisely place railroad tie plates along a track, allowing for efficient storage, transfer, and orientation of the plates for accurate placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual labor is used to carry and place tie plates, then flexibility and precision in placement can be achieved, but labor costs and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual placement precisionVSAvoidplacement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine performs self-service by automatically retrieving tie plates from the hopper, transporting them via conveyor system, positioning them using the ball transfer table, and placing them on the tracks without continuous manual intervention. Operators only need to refill the hopper periodically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of carrying and placing plates with an automated mechanical system comprising conveyors, ball transfer tables, and positioning mechanisms that automatically handle the heavy tie plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If stop-and-go methodology is used to place tie plates, then precision in placement can be achieved, but production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidproduction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The machine maintains continuous useful action by moving along the track continuously and placing tie plates at predetermined intervals without stopping. The ball transfer table and conveyor system ensure continuous supply and positioning of plates during movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static stop-and-go placement to dynamic continuous movement. The machine moves along the track at constant speed while the ball transfer table dynamically positions plates for placement during motion, eliminating the need to stop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If heavy tie plates are handled manually, then cost and time are reduced, but labor burden and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of plates handledVSAvoidlabor burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The machine acts as an intermediary between the tie plate storage and the track, automatically handling the heavy plates through conveyors and positioning mechanisms, thereby eliminating the need for manual handling of heavy objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If traditional placement methods are used, then equipment complexity is minimized, but labor costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine complexityVSAvoidplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is segmented into distinct functional modules: hopper for storage, conveyor system for transport, ball transfer table for positioning, and placement mechanism for installation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The machine performs multiple functions in sequence: retrieving plates from storage, transporting them along the track, positioning them precisely, and placing them on the ties, all within a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 machine significantly reduces labor costs and increases efficiency by enabling the precise placement of railroad tie plates on railroad ties, capable of handling large quantities with minimal manual intervention and maintaining high production rates.

Implementation Method 1

The ball transfer table may then be used to orient the railroad tie plate to the desired orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

conveying the at least one railroad tie plate from the vibration plate feeder assembly to a ball transfer table assembly provided on the machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11015298B2Method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 SPERLING RAILWAY SERVICES

AI summary

A method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates is disclosed. The machine may place at least one railroad tie plate in a hopper assembly for storage and transfer of the at least one railroad tie plate, transfer the at least one railroad tie plate from the hopper assembly to a conveyor assembly, upright the at least one railroad tie plate, singulate the at least one railroad tie plate, orient the at least one railroad tie plate, and place the at least one railroad tie plate on a railroad tie.