A rail-switching unit, for using to switch only one rail segment at a time, functioning either singly in a track-switching unit of a mono-railed track or combined with other same units in a track-switching unit of a multi-railed track, wherein the rail-switching unit comprises:
- a rotatable set of components, wherein the rotatable set of components is a rotatable ensemble,
- and a stationary set of components, wherein the stationary set of components is a stationary set;
- the rotatable ensemble further comprises:
- a rotatable hub,
- a set of two, three or more switch-rails, wherein at least two of the set of two, three or more switch-rails are provided with a curved shape,
- a set of auxiliary components to facilitate an attachment of the set of two, three or more switch-rails to the rotatable hub to optimize physical attributes of the rotatable ensemble or to facilitate a precise control of a rotational movement of the rotatable ensemble;
- the stationary set further comprises:
- a main fixed-rail,
- a set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails,
- a supporting structure, wherein the supporting structure solidly supports, consolidates and protects elements comprised within the rail-switching unit and firmly attaches the main fixed rail and the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails to a ground or to common guideway structures;
- wherein the main fixed-rail is solidly fixed to a standard stationary rail called a common-rail at an external end of the main fixed-rail or an end of the main fixed-rail, wherein the end of the main fixed-rail is furthest in distance from the rotatable ensemble and opposite to an internal end of the main fixed-rail;
- wherein the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails are fixed to the common-rail at external ends of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails or ends of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails, wherein the ends of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails are furthest in distance from the rotatable ensemble and are opposite to internal ends of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails;
- wherein a number of the set of two, three or more switch-rails is equal to a number of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails;
- wherein each of the set of two, three or more switch-rails is configured to allow an activation of the each of the set of two, three or more switch-rails, engagement into a stationary operative position called an active position of an alignment or a connection with a corresponding branch fixed-rail;
- wherein the each of the set of two, three or more switch-rails is fixedly attached at a distance from an axis of rotation of the rotatable hub, wherein a rotational movement of the rotatable hub about the axis of rotation allows a selective activation of the each of the set of two, three or more switch-rails with the corresponding branch fixed-rail;
- wherein the activation of the set of two, three or more switch-rails involves aligning or connecting a main end with the internal end of the main fixed-rail and aligning or connecting a branch end with a corresponding internal end of the corresponding branch fixed-rail with a purpose of bi-directionally conveying or guiding vehicles through the rail-switching unit, either from the main fixed-rail into any of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails, or from any of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails into the main fixed-rail, or simultaneously allowing both directions of movement;
- wherein the internal ends of the set of two, three or more branch fixed-rails are separated at fixed distances between each other providing necessary gap clearance spaces for rail-wrapping assemblies of the vehicles to be adequately guided without interferences through the rail-switching unit;
- wherein the rotatable ensemble is configured in a compact way to optimize physical attributes of a volume, a mass, a solidness or a moment of inertia about the axis of rotation of the rotatable ensemble, wherein
- planes containing rail curved-paths of at least two curved switch-rails are parallel to each other and to the axis of rotation and equidistantly distanced from the axis of rotation;
- a straight switch-rail has a rail path, wherein the rail path is straight and parallel to the axis of rotation and the branch end of the straight switch-rail is located at a first side, wherein the first side is relative to the axis of rotation, the branch end of the straight switch-rail is opposite from a second side, wherein branch ends of the at least two curved switch-rails are located at the second side;
- curved switch-rail main-ends of the at least two curved switch-rails are diametrically opposed from the axis of rotation;
- and
- switch-rail main-ends are configured within a same plane and at a same perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation.