Track Transition Drainage Mould With Integrated Flow Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing track crossing devices struggle with the uncontrolled drainage of water accumulating in track groove recesses, leading to inefficiencies and potential waterlogging issues.

Innovation Solution

A drainage molded body with orthogonal track groove recesses and drainage channels that direct water to drainage openings, featuring a constant gradient and V-shaped channel base to facilitate efficient water flow, along with a diverting element to align with drainage pipes, ensuring uniform drainage even with misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If track groove recesses are provided in rail contact end regions to prevent contact with wheel rims, then wheel rim contact is prevented, but water accumulates in the groove recesses causing uncontrolled water flow and potential waterlogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel rim contact preventionVSAvoidwater accumulation and uncontrolled drainage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage channel extracts water from the groove recess and transports it to a discharge location away from the track system. By separating the water removal function from the groove structure, the harmful water accumulation effect is eliminated while preserving the wheel rim protection function of the groove.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage channel acts as an intermediary element between the groove recess (where water accumulates) and the external environment. This mediator provides a controlled pathway for water to leave the groove system, preventing uncontrolled drainage while maintaining the groove's primary function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If drainage channels are added to direct water flow, then water drainage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage reliabilityVSAvoiddrainage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage channel is merged with the track transition device body, forming an integrated structure. The channel is formed as part of the molded body rather than being a separate component, which reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective water drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The track transition device is designed with multi-functionality: it provides wheel rim protection through groove recesses, structural support through the molded body, and water drainage through integrated channels. By combining multiple functions into a single device, the need for separate drainage components is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If drainage openings are positioned to align with drainage pipes, then drainage efficiency is maximized, but installation precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoiddrainage opening positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage opening extends in the vertical direction (third dimension) rather than only in the horizontal plane. This vertical extension creates a larger target area for alignment with the drainage pipe, reducing the precision requirements for installation while maintaining drainage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage opening has non-uniform geometry with different dimensions in different directions. By optimizing the opening shape (extending vertically), the design compensates for potential misalignment in horizontal positioning, allowing efficient drainage even with moderate installation variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures reliable and uniform drainage of water from track groove recesses into drainage pipes, preventing uncontrolled water flow and enhancing the stability and cohesion of the track transition device.

Implementation Method 1

at least one drainage channel extending from the at least one track groove recess to at least one drainage opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

V-shaped channel base to facilitate efficient water flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric flow guidance: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP4495321B1Drainage mould for a track transition device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 KRAIBURG STRAIL
  • EP4495321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4495321B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4495321B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A drainage molded body for a track crossing device comprises two track end regions arranged at a distance from each other in a transverse direction of the molded body, wherein at least one, preferably each, track end region provides a groove recess (46, 48) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the molded body orthogonal to the transverse direction of the molded body, further comprising at least one drainage channel (52) extending from the at least one groove recess (46, 48) to at least one drainage opening (54).