Track Construction Machine Conveyor Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Track construction machines face challenges in maintaining optimal transfer of materials across varying track profiles due to fluctuations in gradient and lateral position, leading to material loss and inefficiencies, especially when cornering or driving over crests, as existing solutions require manual adjustments that are uneconomical and impractical.

Innovation Solution

A work truck equipped with automatically adjustable transfer conveyor devices, coupled with measuring and control systems that adjust the conveyor's position based on track-related alignment parameters, allowing for optimal material transfer without additional personnel, reducing material loss and operational costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the transfer conveyor belts are fixed in a basic setting for straight-ahead driving, then optimal transfer is achieved on straight tracks, but material loss and collision risk occur when cornering or driving over crests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer precisionVSAvoidadaptability to route profiles
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer conveyor device is made dynamically adjustable through an adjusting device that can modify the position of the transfer conveyor belt in real-time. The control device receives track profile information and automatically adjusts the conveyor position to maintain optimal transfer conditions regardless of whether the track is straight, curved, or has crests, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and adaptive versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameters of the transfer conveyor device based on detected track conditions. By varying the position parameters (such as lateral position and elevation) according to the track profile, the system maintains optimal transfer precision across different route conditions without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manual readjustment of transfer conveyor belts is performed during operation, then optimal transfer can be maintained on varying tracks, but additional personnel and operational costs are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer precisionVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment through an automated control device that detects track profiles and automatically modifies transfer conveyor positions without human intervention. The measuring device continuously monitors track conditions and feeds this information to the control device, which autonomously actuates the adjusting device to maintain optimal transfer, eliminating the need for manual readjustment personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the measuring device continuously detects track profile parameters and feeds this information back to the control device. The control device processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the transfer conveyor position accordingly, creating an automated system that maintains precision without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the transfer conveyor belts extend beyond the bogies for optimal straight-line transfer, then material transfer is efficient on straight tracks, but the conveyor ends shear out or collide when cornering or driving over crests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting device enables dynamic modification of the transfer conveyor belt position to adapt to different track conditions. When cornering or driving over crests, the system automatically repositions the conveyor to prevent shearing or collision, while maintaining extended positioning for efficient transfer on straight tracks, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2993265B1Work vehicle, track construction machine and adjustment method
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 ZUERCHER HLDG GMBH
  • EP2993265B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2993265B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2993265B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a work car (2) for a track construction machine (1) comprising a transfer conveyor (3, 5) coupled to an adjusting device (4) for adjusting the position of at least one degree of freedom of the transfer conveyor (3, 5). The work car (2) has a measuring device and a control device communicatively connected to it, which is operationally coupled to the at least one adjusting device. The measuring device is configured to detect at least one track-related alignment parameter of the work car (2) temporally and spatially and to transmit it to the control device, whereby the position of the transfer conveyor (3, 5) can be adjusted by the control device as a function of the alignment parameter. Furthermore, a track construction machine (1) and an adjustment method for the position of a transfer conveyor of a work car (2, 2') are disclosed.