Twin Telescopic Boom Loading Machine for Electrified Railways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movable loading machines for bulk freight on electrified railways cannot continuously load bulk freight into open railway wagons due to the height of their material dropping funnels exceeding the clearance between the overhead contact system and the wagon, posing safety and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A movable loading machine with a twin telescopic boom structure and a dual-stage triple-channel forked hopper, featuring a main and auxiliary wagon loading boom with a front-end material discharge device of reduced height, allowing continuous loading and meeting electrified railway requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a single telescopic boom with a forked material dropping funnel is used, then continuous loading can be achieved, but the height of the funnel (4.5m-5.5m) exceeds the clearance under electrified overhead contact systems (max 3.857m)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous loading capabilityVSAvoidheight of material dropping funnel
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single telescopic boom is segmented into two separate telescopic booms (main boom and auxiliary boom), each with its own material dropping funnel. This segmentation allows each funnel to be independently positioned at a reduced height that complies with electrified railway clearance requirements, while the dual-boom system collectively maintains continuous loading capability through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the material dropping funnel height is reduced to meet electrified railway clearance requirements, then safety and compliance are improved, but the ability to continuously load bulk freight into open wagons is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety hazard from overhead contact system clearanceVSAvoidcontinuous loading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading system is divided into two independent boom-funnel units that can operate in sequence. When one boom is positioned over the wagon for loading, the other boom can be repositioned or prepared for the next loading position, ensuring continuous operation without interruption while maintaining safe clearance heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual telescopic boom system enables continuous loading by coordinating the operation of both booms. While one boom is actively loading material into the wagon, the other boom can be moved to the next position or preparing for subsequent loading, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the loading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If a fixed quickly loading system is used, then loading precision is improved, but the station track length must be twice the train length and a traction locomotive is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading precisionVSAvoidstation track length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional fixed loading system concept is inverted: instead of having a fixed loading structure with moving wagons, the invention uses a movable loading machine that travels along the train, loading each wagon in sequence. This inversion eliminates the need for extremely long stationary tracks and traction locomotives while maintaining loading precision through the movable machine's controlled positioning and metering capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a movable loading machine with reduced height material discharge device is used, then compliance with electrified railway clearances is achieved, but the structural complexity increases due to twin telescopic boom configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with electrified railway clearanceVSAvoidtwin telescopic boom structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The twin telescopic boom structure serves multiple functions: both booms can perform loading operations, both can be independently positioned and controlled, and they can work in coordination to maintain continuous operation. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by providing adaptability to electrified railway clearances while maintaining loading efficiency.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3020664B1Movable loading machine with twin telescopic boom structure
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD
  • EP3020664B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3020664B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3020664B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a movable loading machine with a twin telescopic boom structure, comprising a head wagon (1) and a tail wagon (2), wherein the tail wagon (2) is connected to the head wagon (1) via a traction pull rod, a twin telescopic boom (4) and a dual-stage triple-channel forked hopper (3) are mounted on the head wagon (1), the twin telescopic boom (4) comprises a main wagon loading boom (41) and an auxiliary wagon loading boom (42), which are mounted in parallel, the main wagon loading boom (41) and the auxiliary wagon loading boom (42) both are booms with a telescopic function, the dual-stage triple-channel forked hopper (3) comprises an upper-stage forked hopper (31) and a lower-stage forked hopper (32), the upper-stage forked hopper (31) and the lower-stage forked hopper (32) both have three channels, namely a main wagon loading channel (33), an auxiliary wagon loading channel (34) and a recovery channel (35), and the main wagon loading channel (33) is connected to the main wagon loading boom (41) and the auxiliary wagon loading channel (34) is connected to the auxiliary wagon loading boom (42). The present invention can continuously meter and load bulk freight into a box of an open wagon and can meet the conditions of use of electrified railway depots, making it suitable for electrified railways with overhead contact systems.