Combined buffer and coupler buffer

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of car coupler buffers, and particularly relates to a combined buffer and a car coupler buffer, which comprises a rubber part and a thermoplastic elastomer. The rubber part is sleeve-shaped. The thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a through hole in the middle. The inside of the thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a cavity, which surrounds the through hole and is in communication with the through hole. The thermoplastic elastomer can be sleeved on the outside of the rubber part through the through hole, and the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer is not greater than the axial dimension of the rubber part. The present application improves the running stability of the train, increases the buffer capacity and energy absorption rate, guarantees the overall rebound speed and rebound amount, has higher sensitivity, can be applied to more scenes, and has stronger designability of the structure, so that the technical requirements of different car coupler buffers can be better met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of coupler buffer technology, specifically relating to a combined buffer and coupler buffer. Background Technology

[0002] Coupler buffers are mainly used in the couplers of rail vehicles. They can mitigate the longitudinal impact and vibration caused by changes in traction force or collisions between vehicles during starting, braking and shunting, as well as the lateral force on the wheelsets when the vehicle turns. This reduces the destructive effect on the car body structure and improves the smoothness and comfort of train operation.

[0003] Coupler buffers primarily provide capacity and resistance through the elastic deformation of internal buffer components. Coupler buffers constructed using components such as steel springs as buffers are heavy, structurally complex, and difficult to maintain. Therefore, existing technologies have proposed coupler buffers that use elastic blocks as buffers and intermediate metal rods as guide rods, used individually or in series. However, these buffers are currently mostly made of traditional rubber, which, although having good elasticity, has relatively low ultimate load and buffer capacity, and relatively poor dynamic performance, making it difficult to meet the technical requirements of different coupler buffers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a combined buffer and coupler buffer that improves the smoothness of train operation, increases the buffer capacity and energy absorption rate, ensures the overall rebound speed and rebound amount, has higher sensitivity, can be applied to more scenarios, and has stronger structural design flexibility, and can better meet the technical requirements of different coupler buffers.

[0005] The present invention provides a combined cushioning component, comprising a rubber component and a thermoplastic elastomer. The rubber component is sleeve-shaped, and the thermoplastic elastomer has a through hole in the middle and a cavity inside the thermoplastic elastomer. The cavity surrounds the through hole and communicates with the through hole. The thermoplastic elastomer can be sleeved on the outside of the rubber component through the through hole, and the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer is not greater than the axial dimension of the rubber component.

[0006] Furthermore, the through hole is located in the portion between the thermoplastic elastomer end face and the cavity, and its inner diameter gradually increases from the thermoplastic elastomer end face to the cavity.

[0007] Furthermore, the thickness of the rubber component is the same at different positions along the axial direction of the rubber component, and the axial dimension of the rubber component is the same as the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer surface of the rubber component is provided with a concave region in the circumferential direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the axial dimension of the rubber part is the same as that of the thermoplastic elastomer, and the inner diameter of the rubber part is the same at different positions along the axial direction of the rubber part.

[0010] Furthermore, the axial dimension of the rubber component is larger than the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer, and the inner surface of the rubber component is provided with a concave region II in the circumferential direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the axial dimension of the concave region is smaller than that of the thermoplastic elastomer.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer surface of the thermoplastic elastomer is arc-shaped.

[0013] Furthermore, the two end faces of the rubber part and / or thermoplastic elastomer are provided with positioning protrusions.

[0014] The present invention also provides a coupler buffer, which is provided with the combined buffer as described above.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By combining a rubber component with better resilience with a thermoplastic elastomer, and ensuring that the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer is no greater than the axial dimension of the rubber component, when applied to a coupler buffer, the thermoplastic elastomer and the rubber component are subjected to compression together during train startup or braking. Due to the internal cavity of the thermoplastic elastomer, during compression, the first stage is the compression of the cavity, at which point the load is relatively small, mainly producing compressive deformation, which can improve the stability of the train. The second stage is the compression of the solid body after the cavity is fully compressed, at which point the load is larger, improving the buffer capacity and energy absorption rate, and preventing rigid impacts on the train. During compression, due to the deformation of the material, the thermoplastic elastomer comes into contact with the outer surface of the rubber part, resulting in a certain amount of friction. When the compression is lost and the rubber part rebounds, the rebound of the rubber part can cause the thermoplastic elastomer to rebound more quickly, resulting in a higher rebound amount and more timely rebound. This avoids rigid impacts caused by untimely or incomplete rebound due to the thermoplastic elastomer material itself. During long-term service, it can reduce fatigue damage to the thermoplastic elastomer, avoid insufficient initial pressure of the coupler buffer, ensure the long-term stability of train operation, and reduce maintenance frequency.

[0016] Compared to simple material compression deformation and single-material buffers, this invention utilizes the strength of thermoplastic elastomers and the creep resistance of rubber parts to improve train running stability while increasing buffer capacity and energy absorption rate within the same size, and ensures overall rebound speed and rebound amount. It is more sensitive, applicable to more scenarios, and has greater structural design flexibility, which can better meet the technical requirements of different coupler buffers. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermoplastic elastomer of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of the combined buffer of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the combined buffer of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 3 of the combined buffer of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a load-displacement curve upward trend diagram of various embodiments of the thermoplastic elastomer and combined buffer of the present invention.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Rubber part; 11. Recessed area one; 12. Recessed area two; 2. Thermoplastic elastomer; 21. Through hole; 22. Cavity; 23. Clearance part; 3. Positioning protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0023] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the present invention provides a combined cushioning component, which includes a rubber component 1 and a thermoplastic elastomer 2. The thermoplastic elastomer 2 is a type of polymer material with physical properties between rubber and plastic, such as thermoplastic polyester materials. The rubber component 1 and the thermoplastic elastomer 2 are different materials, specifically referring to traditional rubber materials, such as neoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, natural rubber, etc., which have better resilience than the thermoplastic elastomer 2.

[0024] The rubber component 1 is sleeve-shaped and can be fitted onto the middle metal rod of the coupler buffer for assembly. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 has a through hole 21 in the middle, and a cavity 22 is provided inside the thermoplastic elastomer 2. The cavity 22 is arranged around the through hole 21 and communicates with the through hole 21. The thermoplastic elastomer 2 can be sleeved on the outside of the rubber part 1 through the through hole 21. Specifically, when applied to a coupler buffer, in the assembled state, the rubber part 1 is sleeved on the middle metal rod of the coupler buffer, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is sleeved on the outside of the rubber part 1, and the cavity 22 is arranged around the outside of the rubber part 1. In this invention, the axial direction of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is the axial direction of the through hole 21, and the axial direction of the rubber part 1 is the same direction as the axial direction of the through hole 21, specifically as follows: Figures 1-4 The height direction of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the rubber part 1. Preferably, the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is not greater than the axial dimension of the rubber part 1.

[0025] This invention combines a rubber component 1 with a thermoplastic elastomer 2, where the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is no greater than that of the rubber component 1. When applied to a coupler buffer, during train startup or braking, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the rubber component 1 are subjected to compression together. Due to the internal cavity 22 of the thermoplastic elastomer 2, the compression process is divided into two stages: the first stage involves the compression of the cavity 22, where the load is relatively small and mainly compressive deformation occurs, improving train stability; the second stage involves the compression of the solid body after the cavity 22 is fully compressed, where the load is larger, increasing buffer capacity and energy absorption rate, and preventing rigid impacts on the train. During compression, due to the deformation of the material, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 comes into contact with the outer surface of the rubber part 1, resulting in a certain frictional force. During the rebound process after the compression is lost, the rebound of the rubber part 1 can cause the thermoplastic elastomer 2 to rebound more quickly, resulting in a higher rebound amount and more timely rebound. This avoids rigid impact caused by untimely or incomplete rebound due to the material itself of the thermoplastic elastomer 2. During long-term service, it can reduce fatigue damage to the thermoplastic elastomer 2, avoid insufficient initial pressure of the coupler buffer, ensure the long-term stability of train operation, and reduce maintenance frequency.

[0026] Compared to simple material compression deformation and single-material buffer components, this invention utilizes the strength of thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the creep resistance of rubber component 1 to improve train running stability while increasing buffer capacity and energy absorption rate under the same size, and ensures overall rebound speed and rebound amount. It is more sensitive, applicable to more scenarios, and has greater structural design flexibility, which can better meet the technical requirements of different coupler buffers (stroke, load, capacity, energy absorption, etc.).

[0027] In this invention, the through hole 21 is located between the end face of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the cavity 22, and its inner diameter gradually increases from the end face of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 to the cavity 22, forming a clearance portion 23. This clearance portion 23 can be inclined or arc-shaped. Figures 2-4As shown, when the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is fitted onto the outside of the rubber part 1, the position with the smallest diameter of the through hole 21 on the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is in clearance fit or just contact with the outer surface of the rubber part 1. In the free state, the position of the clearance portion 23 is at a certain distance from the outer surface of the rubber part 1. Based on this structural design, under compression, the clearance portion 23 can provide space for the compression deformation of the thermoplastic elastomer 2. By utilizing the position with the smallest diameter of the through hole 21 on the thermoplastic elastomer 2 to contact the rubber part 1, while ensuring that the rubber part 1 can quickly rebound due to mutual contact, the contact force between the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the outer surface of the rubber part 1 during the initial stage of compression is reduced. This avoids large shearing and extrusion damage to the rubber part 1, reduces sliding friction between the rubber part 1 and the thermoplastic elastomer 2, and prevents repeated locking with the outer surface of the rubber part 1, thereby improving the product's rebound ability, sensitivity, and service life.

[0028] This invention Figure 1 When the thermoplastic elastomer 2 shown is used alone, the upward trend of its load-displacement curve during compression is as follows: Figure 5 As shown in 'a', the first part is the cavity 22 compression stage, and the second part is the solid compression stage.

[0029] In the first embodiment of the combined buffer of the present invention, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the thickness of the rubber component 1 is the same at different positions along its axial direction, and the axial dimension of the rubber component 1 is the same as that of the thermoplastic elastomer 2. During the initial compression process, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the rubber component 1 are subjected to the same force, resulting in a larger load at the front end under the same displacement. Since the middle part of the rubber component 1 is a central metal rod, the rubber component 1 is squeezed towards the cavities 22 and the clearance portion 23 on both sides, providing sufficient space for the rubber component 1 to expand radially outward along the central metal rod. When the cavity 22 is sealed, the load rises more slowly in the later stage because it is filled with the compressed and deformed rubber component 1. When the compression effect is lost, the rubber component 1 promotes the rebound of the thermoplastic elastomer 2, and the coupler buffer can be quickly reset, avoiding rigid impact caused by incomplete rebound. This is suitable for coupler buffers with relatively low capacity requirements but high sensitivity requirements. The load-displacement curve of this embodiment shows the upward trend as follows. Figure 5 As shown in b in the figure.

[0030] In other embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface of the rubber part 1 is provided with a concave region 11. The concave region 11 can prevent the rubber part 1 from being crushed by compression force under greater load, thereby extending its service life.

[0031] In the second embodiment of the combined buffer of the present invention, as shown... Figure 3As shown, the axial dimension of the rubber component 1 is the same as that of the thermoplastic elastomer 2. A concave region 11 is circumferentially provided on the outer surface of the rubber component 1. The inner diameter of the rubber component 1 is the same at different positions along its axial direction. In the early stage of compression, the deformation of the rubber component 1 first satisfies the filling of the concave region 11. When the concave region 11 is completely filled, the cavity 22 of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is essentially sealed, entering the solid compression stage. In the solid compression stage, the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the rubber component 1 share the load, thereby increasing the buffer capacity. This prevents the rubber component 1 from being crushed and increases the buffer capacity and displacement, while also giving it good resilience and creep resistance, making it suitable for coupler buffers with high requirements for buffer capacity and sensitivity. The upward trend of the load-displacement curve in this second embodiment is as follows... Figure 5 As shown in c in the figure.

[0032] In the third embodiment of the combined buffer of the present invention, as shown Figure 4 As shown, the axial dimension of the rubber component 1 is larger than that of the thermoplastic elastomer 2. The outer surface of the rubber component 1 has a circumferentially circumferentially concave region 11, and the inner surface of the rubber component 1 has a circumferentially circumferentially concave region 12, to accommodate the large deformation of the rubber component 1 under large displacement. In the early stage of compression, the rubber component 1 provides initial pressure, and the load-displacement curve rises slowly. At this time, the concave regions 11 and 12 are gradually filled. When the rubber component 1 and the thermoplastic elastomer 2 are simultaneously subjected to load, the load-displacement curve rises faster than before, but this is still compression of the cavity 22. This segment mainly provides buffer stroke for the coupler buffer. When the cavity 22 is completely filled, the load-displacement curve rises rapidly. This segment provides sufficient buffer capacity for the product, suitable for large-capacity and long-stroke coupler buffers. The upward trend of the load-displacement curve in this third embodiment is as follows: Figure 5 As shown in d.

[0033] In the above-mentioned embodiment three of the combined buffer, the size of the concave region 11 in the axial direction of the rubber part 1 is smaller than the axial size of the thermoplastic elastomer 2, so that the position of the concave region 11 in the assembled state is always within the thermoplastic elastomer 2, avoiding interference with the end face of the thermoplastic elastomer due to deformation in the initial compression process of the area of ​​the elastic part where the concave region 11 is not provided, thus affecting the normal progress of subsequent compression.

[0034] The outer surface of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is arc-shaped, and the shape of the cavity 22 is also arc-shaped, so that the distance from all parts of the inner wall of the cavity 22 to the outer side of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 is roughly uniform, which can better achieve compression energy absorption.

[0035] The rubber component 1 and / or thermoplastic elastomer 2 are provided with positioning protrusions 3 on both end faces. When the combined buffer component is assembled onto the middle metal rod of the coupler buffer, it cooperates with the positioning groove on the partition to avoid rotation along the axial direction of the middle metal rod during movement and reduce friction damage.

[0036] The present invention also provides a coupler buffer, which is equipped with the combined buffer component as described above. By utilizing the strength of the thermoplastic elastomer 2 and the creep resistance of the rubber component 1, the stability of train operation is improved while increasing the buffer capacity and energy absorption rate under the same size, and the overall rebound speed and rebound amount are guaranteed. It has higher sensitivity, can be applied to more scenarios, and has greater design flexibility in terms of the coupler buffer's stroke, load, capacity, energy absorption and other performance characteristics.

[0037] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of protection of this application is limited to these examples; within the framework of this application, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of one or more embodiments of this application as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity.

[0038] One or more embodiments in this application are intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of this application. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of one or more embodiments in this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A combined buffer, characterized in that it is used for... The coupler includes a rubber component (1) and a thermoplastic elastomer (2). The rubber component (1) has better resilience than the thermoplastic elastomer (2). The rubber component (1) is sleeve-shaped. The thermoplastic elastomer (2) has a through hole (21) in the middle. The thermoplastic elastomer (2) has a cavity (22) inside. The cavity (22) surrounds the through hole (21) and communicates with the through hole (21). The thermoplastic elastomer (2) can be sleeved on the outside of the rubber component (1) through the through hole (21). The cavity (22) surrounds the outside of the rubber component (1). The axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer (2) is not greater than the axial dimension of the rubber component (1). The through hole (21) is located between the end face of the thermoplastic elastomer (2) and the cavity (22). Its inner diameter gradually increases from the end face of the thermoplastic elastomer (2) to the cavity (22). The position where the diameter of the through hole (21) is smallest is in clearance fit or just in contact with the outer side of the rubber part (1).

2. The combined buffer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the rubber part (1) is the same at different positions along the axial direction of the rubber part (1), and the axial dimension of the rubber part (1) is the same as the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer (2).

3. The combined buffer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer side of the rubber part (1) is provided with a concave region (11) in the circumferential direction.

4. The combined buffer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The axial dimension of the rubber part (1) is the same as that of the thermoplastic elastomer (2), and the inner diameter of the rubber part (1) is the same at different positions along the axial direction of the rubber part (1).

5. The combined buffer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The axial dimension of the rubber part (1) is greater than the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer (2), and the inner side of the rubber part (1) is provided with a concave region two (12) in the circumferential direction.

6. The combined buffer as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The dimension of the concave region (11) in the axial direction of the rubber part (1) is smaller than the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer (2).

7. The combined buffer as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outer surface of the thermoplastic elastomer (2) is arc-shaped.

8. The combined buffer as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The rubber part (1) and / or the thermoplastic elastomer (2) are provided with positioning protrusions (3) on both end faces.

9. A coupler buffer, characterized in that, It is provided with a combined buffer as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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