A magnetically levitated air spring for vibration damping

Abstract

This invention discloses a magnetically levitated assisted vibration damping air spring, comprising a rubber air bladder with an upper cover plate and a rubber bladder skin, and a repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism. The repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism includes a support, an upper magnet, and a lower magnet. The rubber bladder skin wraps around the periphery of the upper cover plate and the upper periphery of the lower support to form a closed rubber air bladder. The upper magnet is fixed to the upper cover plate, and the lower magnet is mounted on the support below the upper cover plate. There is a gap between the upper cover plate and the lower magnet. The adjacent ends of the upper and lower magnets have the same polarity, which can generate magnetic repulsion. This invention's auxiliary vibration damping mechanism replaces the traditional auxiliary spring, can share a portion of the load applied to the upper cover plate by the vehicle body for the rubber air bladder, and weakens the impact load on the rubber air bladder throughout its entire lifespan. It can significantly reduce the air pressure inside the rubber air bladder, greatly slow down the aging rate of the rubber bladder skin, and enable the air spring to maintain good vibration damping performance over a long period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the maintenance of vibration damping performance of train air springs, specifically to an air spring with magnetic levitation-assisted vibration damping, belonging to the field of vibration damping technology for rail transit. Background Technology

[0002] Air springs are installed on the bogies to support the train carriages and to provide multi-directional vibration damping during operation.

[0003] like Figure 6 As shown, a traditional air spring mainly consists of a lower auxiliary spring 14 and an upper rubber air bladder 1. The auxiliary spring 14 and the rubber air bladder 1 are the damping components of the air spring.

[0004] The conventional auxiliary spring 14 has a rigid spindle. The outer periphery of the spindle is a stack of rubber 15 that is vulcanized together with the spindle and stacked outward and upward. The rubber stack 15 has multiple layers of metal spacers that are vulcanized together with the rubber stack from the inside to the outside. The outer periphery of the rubber stack is a metal outer jacket that is vulcanized together with the rubber stack. The top of the metal outer jacket is a support plate 6.

[0005] The top of the rubber airbag 1 is a top cover plate 101, and the rubber airbag 1 is formed by wrapping and sealing the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the top cover plate 101 and the outer periphery of the metal jacket with an annular rubber bladder skin 102.

[0006] The support plate 6 is provided with a wear plate 5, which is used to catch the sinking upper cover plate 101 when the rubber airbag 1 is suddenly depressurized, and to allow the upper cover plate 101 to slide on the wear plate 5.

[0007] As can be seen from the above structure, the rubber airbag 1 and the auxiliary spring 14 are actually a series structure. The lower auxiliary spring 14 bears the entire load of the upper rubber airbag 1 and reduces the impact of the load through its rubber stack 15.

[0008] Because the rubber airbag 1 and auxiliary spring 14 are subjected to the heavy pressure of the carriage for a long time and the repeated impact of the load caused by the uneven road surface during operation, the rubber airbag 1 becomes fatigued and hardened, and the auxiliary spring 14 undergoes creep that cannot restore its original physical properties. This causes the rubber bladder skin 102 and rubber stack 15 to age easily, and their elasticity becomes worse and worse. In the later use, the vibration reduction performance is far worse than at the beginning, which manifests as undulation, jerking, shaking and abnormal noise during train operation.

[0009] In response to the above issues, our company has conducted comprehensive research and reviewed relevant research in this field. Currently, no cases have been found that specifically address these issues comprehensively. Our company believes that effectively solving these problems is of great significance for maintaining good vibration reduction performance in trains over the long term and extending the service life of air springs. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to enable air springs to have and maintain good vibration damping performance for a longer period of time.

[0011] To address the above problems, the technical solution proposed by this invention is as follows:

[0012] A magnetically levitated air spring for vibration damping includes a rubber air bladder with an upper cover plate and a rubber bladder skin, and a repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism. The repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism includes a support, an upper magnet, and a lower magnet. The rubber bladder skin wraps around the periphery of the upper cover plate and the upper periphery of the lower support to form a closed rubber air bladder. The upper magnet is fixed on the upper cover plate, and the lower magnet is installed on the support below the upper cover plate. There is a gap between the upper cover plate and the lower magnet. The adjacent ends of the upper magnet and the lower magnet have the same polarity, which can generate magnetic repulsion.

[0013] Furthermore, an annular wear plate and an annular support plate are stacked on top of each other at the upper end of the support. The center of the wear plate and the support plate is a hole-like space that allows the lower magnet to pass through vertically. A downwardly recessed space for the lower magnet is provided at the center of the top surface of the support below the support plate. When the rubber airbag is deflated, the upper cover plate can sink onto the wear plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower magnet is installed within the lower magnet space, and the height of the upper end face of the lower magnet is lower than the upper surface of the wear plate.

[0015] Furthermore, a vertically arranged compression spring is provided between the lower magnet and the support. The lower end of the compression spring presses on the support, and the lower magnet presses on the upper end of the compression spring. When the lower magnet is subjected to an increased magnetic repulsion force, the lower magnet will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring and move downward.

[0016] Furthermore, the lower magnet is located above the perforated space. When the rubber airbag is deflated, the upper magnet, which sinks with the upper cover plate, causes the lower magnet to encounter the maximum magnetic repulsion force. At this point, the lower magnet will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring and descend into the lower magnet space.

[0017] Furthermore, the support is provided with a cylindrical bottom-closed vibration damping cavity, and a guide hole is provided between the vibration damping cavity and the space of the lower magnet. The compression spring is installed in the vibration damping cavity, and a pressure plate is pressed on the upper end of the compression spring. A lifting rod passes through the guide hole to fix the pressure plate and the lower magnet between the pressure plate and the lower magnet.

[0018] Furthermore, the pressure plate has a damping hole that runs vertically through it, and the vibration damping cavity is filled with damping fluid, which immerses the compression spring and the pressure plate.

[0019] Furthermore, a buffer space communicating with the vibration damping cavity is provided on the support above the center of the top wall of the vibration damping cavity, and the liquid level of the damping fluid is located in the buffer space; the annular top wall of the vibration damping cavity around the opening of the buffer space is set as a limiting surface to restrict the upward height of the pressure plate.

[0020] Furthermore, the upper and lower magnets are permanent magnets or electromagnets.

[0021] Furthermore, the distance between the upper cover plate and the lower wear plate is increased by 20% to 50% compared to the original distance.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The auxiliary damping mechanism replaces the traditional auxiliary spring, enabling the air spring to exhibit superior damping performance compared to traditional air springs. Specifically:

[0023] 1. The auxiliary damping mechanism shares part of the load applied to the upper cover by the vehicle body for the rubber airbag and reduces the impact load on the rubber airbag throughout its entire life cycle. It can significantly reduce the air pressure inside the rubber airbag, reduce the expansion pressure of the rubber bladder and reduce the expansion and contraction range of the rubber bladder, which can greatly slow down the aging rate of the rubber bladder and enable the air spring to maintain good damping performance for a long time.

[0024] 2. It can absorb impact kinetic energy as needed, without the need to set up a separate damping mechanism outside the air spring, so that the damping of the train's secondary suspension mechanism is completely integrated into the air spring.

[0025] 3. If the upper and lower magnets are made of permanent magnet materials, the magnetic repulsion force can be maintained for a long time without the need for electricity, and the manufacturing and use costs are very low. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air spring in Embodiment 1. The upper and lower magnets are shown to be permanent magnets.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air spring in Embodiment 2. The upper and lower magnets are shown to be permanent magnets.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air spring in Embodiment 3. The upper and lower magnets are shown to be permanent magnets.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the damping cavity of the air spring shown, without damping fluid.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the air spring in Embodiment 3. The upper and lower magnets are shown to be electromagnets.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an existing air spring.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Rubber airbag; 101. Upper cover plate; 102. Rubber bladder skin; 2. Support; 201. Lower magnet space; 202. Vibration damping cavity; 203. Guide hole; 204. Buffer space; 205. Limiting surface; 3. Upper magnet; 4. Lower magnet; 5. Wear plate; 6. Support plate; 7. Hole-shaped space; 8. Compression spring; 9. Pressure plate; 901. Damping hole; 10. Lifting rod; 11. Damping fluid; 12. Sealing plate; 13. Sealing gasket; 14. Auxiliary spring; 15. Rubber stack. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings:

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown in Figure 6, for ease of understanding this application, we define the pressure borne by the air spring cover plate 101 of the train as two types: static load and impact load. Static load is the pressure exerted on the cover plate 101 by the carriage when the train is running on a smooth road, which is constant and does not fluctuate much; impact load is the pressure that the cover plate 101 is subjected to by the carriage during the train's operation on an uneven road, which is then reduced.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, a magnetically levitated air spring for auxiliary vibration damping includes a rubber air bladder 1 with an upper cover plate 101 and a rubber bladder 102, and a repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism. The repulsive force-assisted vibration damping mechanism includes a support 2, an upper magnet 3, and a lower magnet 4. The rubber bladder 102 wraps around the periphery of the upper cover plate 101 and the upper periphery of the lower support 2 to form a closed rubber air bladder 1, which is filled with gas. The upper magnet 3 is fixed to the upper cover plate 101, and the lower magnet 4 is installed on the support 2 below the upper cover plate 101. There is a gap between the upper cover plate 101 and the lower magnet 4. The adjacent ends of the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4 have the same polarity, either N or S, which can generate a magnetic repulsive force, causing the upper cover plate 101, with the upper magnet 3 fixed, to float above the lower magnet 4. The upper cover 101 bears the gravity load applied by the carriage and the impact load generated when running on uneven roads. Traditionally, its supporting force should be provided entirely by the air pressure inside the rubber airbag 1. With the improvement of this invention, the magnetic repulsion between the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4 can provide part of the supporting force, thus sharing part of the load for the rubber airbag 1.

[0037] Since the magnitude of the repulsive force between two repulsive magnets is closely related to the distance between them—that is, when the distance between the two magnets is small, the repulsive force is relatively small, but when the distance between the two magnets decreases to near zero, the repulsive force will increase sharply—in this invention, when the load borne by the upper cover plate 101 is a static load or a small impact load, the distance between the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4 is relatively large, and the repulsive force of the lower magnet 4 on the upper magnet 3 is relatively small. The magnetic repulsive force has little impact on the stiffness of the rubber airbag 1, which is beneficial for the stiffness requirements of the rubber airbag 1 under such low load conditions. Furthermore, under such low load conditions, the lower magnet 4 and the upper magnet 3 do not need to provide excessive support force for the upper cover plate 101. When the load borne by the upper cover plate 101 is an excessive impact load, the distance between the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet… As the distance between the magnets 4 and 3 decreases to near zero, the repulsive force between the lower magnet 4 and the upper magnet 3 increases dramatically. The magnetic repulsive force has a greater impact on the stiffness of the rubber airbag 1, which is beneficial to the stiffness requirements of the rubber airbag 1 under this overload condition. Under this overload condition, the lower magnet 4 and the upper magnet 3 are required to provide a large supporting force for the upper cover plate 101, so as to significantly reduce the ultimate compressive force on the rubber skin 102 of the rubber airbag 1 and reduce the variation range of the compressive force on the rubber skin 102. This can greatly slow down the aging rate of the rubber skin and enable the air spring to maintain good vibration damping performance for a long time.

[0038] The gap between the upper cover plate 101 and the lower magnet 4 is such that when the upper cover plate 101 is subjected to impact load and the rubber airbag 1 is deflated, the upper cover plate 101 cannot contact the lower magnet 4 when it descends. This is to prevent interference between the upper cover plate 101 and the lower magnet 4 during normal use, which would affect the horizontal stiffness of the air spring. It is also to ensure that the upper cover plate 101 can fall normally onto the wear plate 5 as described below when the rubber airbag 1 is deflated.

[0039] The upper end of the support 2 is provided with an annular wear plate 5 and an annular support plate 6 stacked together. The center of the wear plate 5 and the support plate 6 is a hole-shaped space 7 that allows the lower magnet 4 to pass vertically. The center of the top surface of the support 2 below the support plate 6 is provided with a downwardly recessed lower magnet space 201 that can accommodate the lower magnet 4. When the rubber airbag 1 is deflated, the upper cover plate 101 can sink onto the wear plate 5, allowing the upper cover plate 101 to slide on the wear plate 5.

[0040] The lower magnet 4 is installed in the lower magnet space 201, and the height of the upper end surface of the lower magnet 4 is lower than the upper surface of the wear plate 5.

[0041] The upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4 mentioned above are permanent magnets or electromagnets. Preferably, the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4 are permanent magnets.

[0042] Since the rubber airbag of the present invention is directly set on the rigid support 2, the rigid support 2 replaces the auxiliary spring with a certain damping elasticity and rubber stack. If the rubber airbag 1 is still set according to the original specifications, its stiffness will inevitably increase and the damping effect will be worse. In order to suppress the increased stiffness, the distance between the upper cover plate 101 and the lower wear plate 5 is increased by 20%-50% relative to the original distance to keep the air spring in a reasonable range.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that a vertically arranged compression spring 8 is present between the lower magnet 4 and the support 2. The lower end of the compression spring 8 presses against the support 2, and the lower magnet 4 presses against the upper end of the compression spring 8. When the lower magnet 4 is subjected to increased magnetic repulsion, the lower magnet 4 will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring 8 and descend. Furthermore, the lower magnet 4 is located above the perforated space 7. When the rubber airbag 1 is deflated, the upper magnet 3, which sinks with the upper cover plate 101, causes the lower magnet 4 to encounter the maximum magnetic repulsion. At this point, the lower magnet 4 will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring 8 and descend into the lower magnet space 201. The advantage of this arrangement is that, in the application state, the upper surface of the lower magnet 4 can be higher than the wear plate 5, allowing the lower magnet 4 to be closer to the upper magnet 3 and form a greater magnetic repulsion.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown in Figure 5, its difference from Example 2 is as follows:

[0047] The support 2 has a cylindrical, closed-bottom vibration damping cavity 202. A guide hole 203 is provided between the vibration damping cavity 202 and the lower magnet space 201. The compression spring 8 is installed in the vibration damping cavity 202. The upper end of the compression spring 8 has a pressure plate 9 pressing on the compression spring 8. A lifting rod 10 passes through the guide hole 203 and fixes the pressure plate 9 and the lower magnet 4.

[0048] The pressure plate 9 has a vertically penetrating damping hole 901. The damping cavity 202 is filled with damping fluid 11, which submerges the compression spring 8 and the pressure plate 9. When the upper cover plate 101 is subjected to a vertical impact load, the pressure plate 9 moves up and down in a piston-like manner due to the change in the magnetic repulsion between the upper magnet 3 and the lower magnet 4. This causes the damping fluid 11 to absorb the impact kinetic energy through the damping hole 901, thereby enhancing the energy absorption and vibration reduction effect of the entire air spring. This eliminates the need for a vertical shock absorber other than the air spring in the secondary suspension of the train.

[0049] Note: To enhance the energy absorption and vibration reduction effect of the secondary suspension and compensate for the insufficient energy absorption and vibration reduction capacity of the air spring, vertical shock absorbers are often added between the car body and the bogie in addition to the air spring.

[0050] A buffer space 204 communicating with the vibration damping cavity 202 is provided on the support 2 above the center of the top wall of the vibration damping cavity 202. The liquid level of the damping fluid 11 is located in the buffer space 204, so that the pressure plate 9 is completely immersed in the damping fluid. The annular top wall of the vibration damping cavity 202 around the opening of the buffer space 204 is set as a limiting surface 205 to limit the upward height of the pressure plate 9.

[0051] The aforementioned vibration damping cavity 202 and buffer space 204 are connected to the inner space of the rubber airbag 1. When moving under the buffer, the damping fluid 11 cannot rise along the guide hole 203.

[0052] In order to enable the assembly of various components in the vibration damping cavity 202, the vibration damping cavity 202 opens at the bottom of the support 2, and a detachable sealing plate 12 is fixed at the bottom of the support 2, with a sealing gasket 13 provided between the sealing plate 12 and the support 2.

[0053] The above embodiments are only used to describe the present invention more clearly, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection covered by the present invention. Any equivalent modifications should be regarded as falling within the scope of protection covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetically levitated air spring for auxiliary vibration reduction, comprising a rubber air bladder (1) having a top cover (101) and a rubber bladder skin (102), characterized in that: It also includes a repulsion-assisted vibration damping mechanism, which includes a support (2), an upper magnet (3), and a lower magnet (4). The rubber bladder (102) wraps around the periphery of the upper cover plate (101) and the upper periphery of the lower support (2) to form a closed rubber air bladder (1). The upper magnet (3) is fixed on the upper cover plate (101), and the lower magnet (4) is installed on the support (2) below the upper cover plate (101). There is a gap between the upper cover plate (101) and the lower magnet (4). The adjacent ends of the upper magnet (3) and the lower magnet (4) have the same polarity, which can form a magnetic repulsion force. At the upper end of the support (2), there are annular wear plates (5) and annular support plates (6) stacked on top of each other. The center of the wear plates (5) and the support plates (6) is a hole-like space (7) that allows the lower magnet (4) to pass vertically. The support (2) below the support plate (6) has a recessed space (201) at the center of its top surface that can accommodate the lower magnet (4); when the rubber airbag (1) is deflated, the upper cover plate (101) can sink onto the wear plate (5); there is a vertically arranged compression spring (8) between the lower magnet (4) and the support (2), the lower end of the compression spring (8) presses on the support (2), and the lower magnet (4) presses on the compression spring (8). At the upper end, when the lower magnet (4) is subjected to an increased magnetic repulsion force, the lower magnet (4) will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring (8) and descend. The lower magnet (4) is located above the perforated space (7). When the rubber airbag (1) is deflated, the upper magnet (3) sinks with the upper cover plate (101) and causes the lower magnet (4) to encounter the maximum magnetic repulsion force. The lower magnet (4) will overcome the elastic force of the compression spring (8) and descend into the lower magnet space (201).

2. The air spring for magnetic levitation-assisted vibration reduction according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower magnet (4) is installed in the lower magnet space (201), and the height of the upper end face of the lower magnet (4) is lower than the upper surface of the wear plate (5).

3. The air spring for magnetic levitation-assisted vibration reduction according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support (2) has a cylindrical bottom-closed vibration damping cavity (202) inside. A guide hole (203) is provided between the vibration damping cavity (202) and the lower magnet space (201). The compression spring (8) is installed in the vibration damping cavity (202). The upper end of the compression spring (8) has a pressure plate (9) pressing on the compression spring (8). There is a lifting rod (10) between the pressure plate (9) and the lower magnet (4) through the guide hole (203) to fix the pressure plate (9) and the lower magnet (4).

4. The air spring for magnetic levitation-assisted vibration damping according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pressure plate (9) has a damping hole (901) that runs vertically through it. The damping cavity (202) is filled with damping liquid (11), and the damping liquid (11) immerses the compression spring (8) and the pressure plate (9).

5. The air spring for magnetic levitation-assisted vibration damping according to claim 4, characterized in that: A buffer space (204) communicating with the damping cavity (202) is provided on the support (2) above the center of the top wall of the damping cavity (202), and the liquid level of the damping fluid (11) is located in the buffer space (204); the annular top wall of the damping cavity (202) around the opening of the buffer space (204) is set as a limiting surface (205) for limiting the upward height of the pressure plate (9).

6. An air spring for magnetic levitation-assisted vibration damping according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The upper magnet (3) and the lower magnet (4) are permanent magnets or electromagnets.

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