Railway Wagon Beam Assembly Rolling Track Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing railway wagons face misalignment issues between the beam and load-bearing members of the carrying section, which can hinder the secure movement and positioning of semi-trailers during loading and unloading.

Innovation Solution

A railway wagon design featuring a beam assembly with a rolling member and guiding member that ensures alignment through a sliding arrangement and low-friction materials, allowing for secure movement and positioning of the carrying section between closed and open positions, even under heavy loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a beam assembly is used to support the front portion during turning, then the movement of the carrying section is facilitated, but misalignment between the rolling member and rolling track may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement of carrying sectionVSAvoidalignment between rolling member and rolling track
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guiding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the rolling member and the rolling track. The guiding member interacts with a guiding means (guide rails) to ensure proper alignment of the rolling member with the rolling track during movement, thereby preventing misalignment while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds a transverse dimension to the alignment mechanism by introducing guide rails that extend in a direction perpendicular to the rolling track. This additional dimensional constraint ensures that the rolling member remains properly aligned with the rolling track while moving along it

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

2Productivity

If the front portion is moved along the beam by rollers, then loading and unloading is facilitated, but misalignment may influence the movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and unloading efficiencyVSAvoidsecure movement and positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding member acts as a mediator that ensures the rolling member maintains proper alignment with the rolling track during the loading and unloading process. This intermediary mechanism prevents misalignment from compromising the reliability of movement while preserving the productivity benefits of roller-based loading

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding means (guide rails) are pre-positioned along the rolling track to provide continuous alignment guidance before misalignment can occur. This preliminary positioning ensures that the rolling member stays aligned throughout the entire movement process, securing reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution ensures secure and efficient movement and positioning of semi-trailers by maintaining alignment between the rolling member and the rolling track, facilitating ergonomic alignment and reducing manual effort, even when handling heavy loads.

Implementation Method 1

The first rolling member is configured to roll on a rolling track arranged at the top face of the beam assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

The first guiding member is configured to interact with a guiding means arranged along the rolling track so that, while the front portion is being moved between the closed position and the open position or vice versa, the first rolling member is in contact with the rolling track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4371841A1Railway wagon with improved launch beam positioning
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 MEGASWING LEASING GMBH
  • EP4371841A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4371841A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4371841A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A railway wagon for transportation of semi-trailers has a first wagon end, a second wagon end, and a carrying section (4) with a front portion (5). The carrying section (4) is movable between a closed position in which its front portion (5) is connected to the first wagon end (2), and an open position in which the front portion (5) is turned out for loading/unloading of a semi-trailer. A beam assembly (6) is configured to support the front portion (5) of the carrying section (4) during its movement. The beam assembly (6) has a top face (10) extending between the ends of the beam assembly (6). A rolling member (13) is configured to roll on a rolling track (15) arranged at the top face (10), while the front portion (5) is being moved.