Wedge Chock for Re-railing Derailed Rail Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current re-enrailment methods for rail-guided vehicles, such as trams and tram-trains, are inefficient and costly, especially in situations where all modules are completely derailed and their movements are constrained, limiting their ability to return to the guide rails.
Innovation Solution
A chock system comprising a support piece, ball joint portions, and a sliding pad with a high friction coefficient is used to lift and pivot derailed modules, allowing them to be re-aligned with the rails, complementing existing hydraulic lifting and shifting assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic assemblies are used for re-enrailment, then lifting and shifting capability is improved, but device complexity and intervention cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge is divided into distinct functional segments: a support piece for bearing the module weight, ball joint portions for pivoting motion, and a sliding pad for horizontal translation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge acts as an intermediary device between the derailed module and the ground/rails. It mediates the transformation of the module's position by providing a controlled sliding surface that facilitates both vertical support and horizontal movement toward the rails, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic assemblies.
2Force
If cranes are used for re-enrailment, then lifting capability is improved, but intervention time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge enables the derailed module to essentially re-enrail itself through gravity and controlled sliding. The module's own weight, when supported by the wedge, provides the force needed for translation toward the rails, eliminating the need for external cranes and significantly reducing intervention time.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the module vertically with a crane and then positioning it, the wedge inverts the approach by supporting the module and allowing it to slide horizontally into position. This reverse methodology uses gravity favorably and eliminates complex lifting operations.
3Reliability
If modules are completely derailed with constrained movements, then re-enrailment difficulty increases, but simple handling means become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge incorporates dynamic elements: the ball joint portions allow pivoting motion as the module transitions from derailed to enrailed position, while the sliding pad provides dynamic horizontal translation. This dynamic capability enables the wedge to handle completely derailed modules with constrained movements effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge combines different material properties: the support piece provides structural strength, the ball joint portions enable rotational movement, and the sliding pad (made of materials with appropriate friction coefficients) facilitates controlled sliding. This composite structure allows the single device to overcome the limitations of simple handling means.
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
Enables quick, inexpensive, and effective re-enrailment of vehicles with all modules, even when they are braced and movements are constrained, by allowing simultaneous translation and pivoting to align with the guide rails.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge is made with the coefficient of friction between bearing part and part of the module of the vehicle determined to be greater than that between the two ball joint portions, itself greater than that between sliding pad and base
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3D
Figure 3E~3G
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wedge (5) for re-railing a vehicle (T) with several modules (A, B, C, D, E) intended to be guided on rails (R). The wedge according to the invention allows, when a module of the vehicle is moved by sliding using a suitable hydraulic cylinder as per the prior art in order to bring it closer to the guide rails, the modules supported by said wedge to slide also towards the guide rails. The ball joint of the wedge ensures that the supported module pivots to maintain it substantially horizontally during sliding on the wedge.