Track-Mounting Assembly With Interleaved Tongues And Elastic Jacket

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing track-mounting assemblies face challenges in adjusting resistance to displacement in vertical, transverse, and longitudinal directions, as they are difficult to customize for varying loads, and current solutions do not effectively differentiate between these directions.

Innovation Solution

A track-mounting assembly featuring a track plate with longitudinally extending tongues and a base plate with interleaved tongues, an elastic jacket between them, which provides varying resistance by compressing between the track plate and substrate, allowing for distinct resistance profiles in different directions and acting as an electrical insulator and protective layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an elastomeric cushion is provided between two plates to control the amount of give, then the assembly permits relative movement of the plates, but it is difficult to adjust the resistance to displacement of the rail in different directions (vertical, transverse, longitudinal)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of resistance to displacementVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric cushion is provided with recesses at specific locations that engage with protrusions on the base plate, creating localized zones of varying resistance. This allows different directions (vertical, transverse, longitudinal) to have different resistance characteristics while using a single elastomeric component, thus achieving directional adaptability without significantly increasing overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the track plate is directly secured to the base plate, then the assembly is simple and strong, but it does not permit relative movement between the plates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of plate connectionVSAvoidmovement capability of track plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An elastomeric cushion is introduced as an intermediary element between the track plate and base plate. This cushion provides both mechanical coupling (maintaining stability) and elastic deformation capability (permitting relative movement). The recesses in the cushion engage with protrusions on the base plate to guide and control the movement while maintaining a stable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If the elastomeric cushion is compressed between the track plate and substrate, then it provides stiff resistance after initial deflection, but the initial resistance is soft requiring a predetermined downward movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance force to vertical deflectionVSAvoiddownward movement distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric cushion is segmented with recesses that engage with protrusions on the base plate, creating a progressive compression mechanism. As the track plate moves downward, the cushion compresses in stages, with the recesses providing structural support points. This segmentation allows the cushion to provide initial soft resistance for rail adjustment while progressively increasing to stiff resistance, reducing the overall downward movement distance required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 assembly offers adjustable resistance to vertical, transverse, and longitudinal movements, providing initial soft resistance followed by stiffer resistance, while maintaining electrical insulation and protection without increasing production costs, effectively addressing the need for customized load handling.

Implementation Method 1

stresses the jacket in shear between the tongues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

compresses the jacket between the track plate and the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

An elastic jacket engaged between the plates and between the tongues of the track plate and the tongues of the base plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

An elastomeric body between the top plate and the bottom plate supports the top plate on the bottom plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3280842B1Track-mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 AMSTED RAIL CO INC
  • EP3280842B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3280842B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3280842B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An assembly for mounting a longitudinally extending track on a substrate has a track plate having a top face adapted to carry the track and formed unitarily below the top face with a plurality of longitudinally extending tongues, a base plate at least partially below the track plate, adapted to be anchored to the substrate, horizontally surrounding the tongues of the track plate, and formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending tongues transversely spaced from, longitudinally interleaved with, and horizontally at least partially level with the tongues of the track plate. The track plate and base plate are wholly out of direct engagement with and spaced vertically and/or horizontally from each other. An elastic jacket or liner is engaged between the plates and between the tongues of the track plate and the tongues of the base plate.