Triangular Girder V-Track Resists Bending Moments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track support structures for vehicles, particularly in amusement rides, are prone to flexing and fatigue, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced ride experience due to vertical eccentricity and the need for complex, costly manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A modular track support structure featuring a triangular girder with a top plate and side plates, allowing for torsional stiffness and resistance to bending moments, combined with a rail component and mounting system that can be easily assembled and adapted to various shapes and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If box and tube-shaped backbone structures are used, then structural strength is provided, but the structures are prone to flexing and vertical eccentricity which stresses rails and connecting components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structural design combining a triangular girder backbone with integrated rail components and support elements. This composite approach creates a unified structure where the triangular girder provides torsional stiffness while integrated components distribute loads effectively, reducing flexing and vertical eccentricity that plague traditional box and tube structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional box and tube cross-sections to a three-dimensional triangular girder configuration. This dimensional change provides enhanced torsional stiffness and structural stability, allowing the track support to better resist bending moments and dynamic loads while maintaining alignment and reducing vertical eccentricity.
2Strength
If traditional rail support structures are used, then weight support is achieved, but manufacturing is complex and costly with many components and welds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into an integrated modular unit. The triangular girder backbone, rail supports, and connecting elements are designed as integrated components that can be manufactured as single units or pre-assembled modules, dramatically reducing the number of individual parts and welds required compared to traditional multi-component rail support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the track support system into modular segments that can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site. Each modular unit contains integrated components designed for easy assembly with minimal welding, allowing complex track layouts to be built from simple, standardized modules that maintain structural integrity while simplifying manufacturing.
3Strength
If heavy-duty support structures are used, then load bearing capacity is achieved, but the structures are not lightweight and flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structural design that optimizes the weight-to-strength ratio. The triangular girder configuration provides high load-bearing capacity and torsional stiffness using less material than traditional box or tube structures, creating a lightweight yet strong support system that can handle dynamic loads without excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning to a three-dimensional triangular girder structure, the patent achieves enhanced structural efficiency that reduces material requirements. This dimensional change creates a lighter structure compared to conventional two-dimensional box sections while maintaining or improving load-bearing capacity through the geometric advantages of the triangular configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A track structure component that includes a triangular girder having a top plate, a first side plate and a second side plate with a lower surface of the top plate abutting the first edge of the first side plate, the lower surface of the top plate abutting the first edge of the second side plate and the second side edge of the first side plate abutting the second side edge of the second side plate and a rail component that includes at least one rail positioned adjacent to an upper surface of the top plate.