Spring-Enabled Wedge Driver for Safe Link Joiner Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and removal of link joiners in locomotive handbrake chains are arduous and dangerous, often requiring two people to manage chain tension and prevent violent decoupling, which can injure personnel or damage property.
Innovation Solution
A wedge driver that can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge in or out without rotating, using a spring-enabled mechanism to stabilize the driver and prevent forceful decoupling, allowing a single person to safely install or remove link joiners from non-tensioned chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hammer or other device is used to drive the wedge of a link joiner, then the wedge can be inserted or removed, but significant force is required and personnel safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A driver tool is introduced as an intermediary device between the operator and the wedge. The driver fits into the link joiner and provides a controlled interface for applying force, replacing direct hammer strikes on the wedge itself. This intermediary mechanism channels force through a designed path, reducing the need for personnel to directly handle high-force impact operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The uncontrolled mechanical impact of hammer strikes is replaced with a controlled driving mechanism. The driver tool translates rotational or linear motion into controlled axial force on the wedge, substituting the chaotic high-force impact system with a more controllable mechanical system that reduces safety risks while achieving the same wedge installation/removal function.
2Ease of repair
If link joiners are removed from tensioned brake chains, then chain maintenance can be performed, but the chain tension can release violently causing injury or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The driver tool is positioned and engaged with the link joiner before the actual wedge removal begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the driver is securely held by the link joiner structure, creating a controlled system that can safely manage the subsequent release of chain tension. The driver acts as a pre-positioned safety mechanism that prevents uncontrolled chain movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver serves as an intermediary safety device between the operator and the tensioned chain. By fitting into the link joiner and providing a controlled interface for wedge removal, the driver mediates the energy release from chain tension, preventing direct violent movement of the chain and protecting personnel from injury during maintenance operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If two people are used to remove a link joiner from a tensioned brake chain, then safety is improved, but the complexity and time required for the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver tool is designed to be self-retaining within the link joiner structure. Once positioned, the driver is automatically held in place by the geometry of the link joiner and wedge, eliminating the need for a second person to manually hold or stabilize the tool during operation. The system serves itself by using the existing structural elements to secure the driving mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety function previously requiring a second person is extracted and embodied in the driver tool itself. The driver incorporates the safety-mediating functions that would otherwise require human intervention, allowing a single operator to safely perform the wedge removal without needing assistance for chain tension management or tool stabilization.
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 safe and effective installation or removal of link joiners without straining the chain, reducing the risk of injury and property damage by stabilizing the driving mechanism, thus facilitating solo operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed around at least a portion of the driver; wherein the spring can push the driver out of the trunk opening
Data Source
AI summary
A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.