Collision energy absorption buffer, train and method

By designing the collision energy-absorbing buffer of the energy-absorbing plate and branched chain mechanism, the collision prevention needs of high-speed trains are solved, and the buffering effect with high stiffness, good sensitivity and accurate reaction is achieved, the possibility of instability is reduced, the anti-collision performance is improved, and the space utilization and lightweight effect is good.

CN120229276APending Publication Date: 2025-07-01ZHUZHOU ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510589594.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-05-08
Publication Date
2025-07-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing rail vehicle buffering devices are difficult to meet the collision prevention needs of high-speed operation and high load capacity, and occupy a large space, resulting in structural instability and installation difficulties.

Method used

A collision energy-absorbing buffer is designed, including an energy-absorbing plate and a branching mechanism. The branching mechanism is composed of a first branch and a second branch, connected by a lock member, which breaks during collision to fold the branch chain to absorb energy, and the energy-absorbing material fills the inside of the branch chain, and the branching mechanism provides stiffness and guidance functions.

Benefits of technology

It achieves a buffering effect with high stiffness, good sensitivity and accurate reaction, reduces the possibility of instability, improves anti-collision performance, and does not occupy additional space, and has good space utilization and lightweight effects.

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Abstract

The invention provides a collision energy absorption buffer, a train and a method. The collision energy absorption buffer comprises n energy absorption plates and m sets of branch chain mechanisms, n-m = 1, m is larger than or equal to 1, and one set of branch chain mechanism is connected between every two adjacent energy absorption plates. The branch chain mechanism comprises at least two first branch chains capable of being oppositely folded in the height direction Z and at least two second branch chains capable of being oppositely folded in the width direction X. Locking pieces are arranged at folding joints of the first branch chains and the second branch chains, the locking pieces form a first state and a second state, and when in the first state, the locking pieces can be folded in the width direction X. In the first state, the locking piece limits folding of the first branch chains and the second branch chains, so that the first branch chains and the second branch chains are rigidly connected between the energy absorption plates, and in the second state, the locking piece enables the at least two first branch chains to be close to each other to be folded and enables the at least two second branch chains to be close to each other to be folded in a fracture mode. The anti-collision requirements of trains with higher and higher speed and higher carrying capacity can be met.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle buffering, and particularly to a collision energy absorption buffer, a train and a method. Background Art

[0002] The speed of rail transit has been gradually increasing with the market demand. The safety issue of the improved trains has become particularly prominent. Due to the characteristics of high operating speed, large mass, and many blind spots of rail vehicles, higher requirements are imposed on the collision consequences, anti-collision ability, and passive protection technology of the trains. In response to this point, a buffer energy absorption device is generally designed at the front end of the vehicle body, such as a collision box load-bearing energy absorption device, a coupler buffer device, and so on.

[0003] Existing buffer devices are generally of a fixed structure. Limited by the structural design, the collision ability is improved through material properties. For example, a combined buffer member and a coupler buffer disclosed in the published patent application document with the publication number CN118478916A combine a rubber member with better resilience performance and a thermoplastic elastomer, and the axial dimension of the thermoplastic elastomer is not greater than the axial dimension of the rubber member. When applied to the coupler buffer, during the start-up or braking process of the train, the thermoplastic elastomer and the rubber member are jointly compressed. Due to the low lateral stiffness of the material, the material is prone to instability when the collision stroke is too long, and it is difficult to meet the anti-collision requirements of trains with increasing speed and carrying capacity.

[0004] In addition, in order to solve the guiding problem, existing rail vehicle energy absorption buffer devices mostly adopt methods such as guide rods and guide drawer structures, which have the disadvantage of large occupied installation space.

[0005] Another example is the nuclear key structure pressure-collapse energy absorber disclosed in the published patent application number CN102661348A, which includes a force-bearing panel, a support panel, a pressure-collapse box, and a stabilizing bracket. The designed stabilizing bracket cannot ensure linear movement during the pressure-collapse process, so it is difficult to provide sufficient stiffness in the lateral and vertical directions.

[0006] In addition, other existing pressure-collapse energy absorbers generally involve guiding structures, such as cross-guide rod guiding and drawer guiding, etc. These methods often occupy the space behind the installation flange, causing difficulties in structural design and the installation of other equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a collision energy absorption buffer that can meet the anti-collision requirements of trains with increasing speed and carrying capacity.

[0008] The technical solution of the present invention is: a collision energy absorption buffer, which includes n energy absorption plates and m groups of chain mechanisms, where n - m = 1, m ≥ 1, and one group of the chain mechanisms is connected between every two adjacent energy absorption plates; the chain mechanism includes at least two first chains that can be relatively folded in the height direction Z and at least two second chains that can be relatively folded in the width direction X. Locking members are provided at the folding joints of the first chains and the second chains. The locking members have a first state and a second state. In the first state, the locking members limit the folding of the first chains and the second chains, so that the first chains and the second chains are rigidly connected between the energy absorption plates. In the second state, the locking members cause at least two first chains to approach and fold each other, and at least two second chains to approach and fold each other in a breaking manner.

[0009] In the above solution, by designing the energy absorption plates and the chain mechanisms connecting the energy absorption plates in pairs, after receiving a collision, it can achieve the folding in one-dimensional direction, and well realize the guiding function. It also has the advantages of good sensitivity, accurate response, stable structure, high reliability, high repeated folding and unfolding accuracy, etc., and can meet the anti-collision requirements of trains with increasing speed and carrying capacity.

[0010] To reduce the possibility of instability during a collision, two first chains are provided at the upper end of the energy absorption plate. The first chains are provided with rotating pairs that can drive the folding of the first chains, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each first chain located at the upper end are parallel.

[0011] To reduce the possibility of instability during a collision, two first chains are provided at the lower end of the energy absorption plate. The first chains are provided with rotating pairs that can drive the folding of the first chains, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each first chain located at the lower end are parallel.

[0012] To reduce the possibility of instability during a collision, two second chains are provided at the lower end of the energy absorption plate. The second chains are provided with rotating pairs that can drive the folding of the second chains, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each second chain located on one side of the energy absorption plate in the width direction X are parallel, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each second chain located on the other side of the energy absorption plate in the width direction X are parallel.

[0013] To control the folding direction of the chain mechanism and make the chain mechanism fold in a preset direction, the locking member is connected to the folding direction side. The locking member can be a shear-type explosive bolt. When a collision occurs, when the collapsible deformation buffer receives a collision signal, the shear-type explosive bolt immediately explodes and cuts off, and the collapsible deformation buffer performs a synchronous folding action, maximizing the anti-collision ability and protecting the collided train.

[0014] Preferably, the first branch chain and the second branch chain each include a bracket, a first support arm and a second support arm, one end of the first support arm is hinged to an energy absorbing plate through the bracket, one end of the second support arm is hinged to another energy absorbing plate through the bracket, and the other end of the first support arm and the other end of the second support arm are hinged to each other to form the folding joint.

[0015] Preferably, the first support arm and the second support arm are hollow structures, wherein the hollow interior is provided with energy-absorbing material. The energy-absorbing material is filled in the support arm, and when a collision occurs, the energy-absorbing material is squeezed to absorb energy. The branched chain mechanism and the energy-absorbing material are used in combination, which not only provides a higher rigidity through the branched chain mechanism to bear the impact force generated by the collision, but also enables the energy-absorbing material to absorb the collision energy during the folding process of the branched chain mechanism. The combination of the two can overcome the defect of absorbing the collision energy simply by material properties.

[0016] In order to meet the actual demand for streamlined front part of modern train, the sizes of the n energy absorbing panels are gradually reduced; the first energy absorbing panel is a solid panel, and the remaining energy absorbing panels are hollow panels.

[0017] The present invention also provides a train, comprising a driver's cab and the above-mentioned collision energy absorbing buffer, wherein the first energy absorbing plate of the collision energy absorbing buffer is connected to the front end of the driver's cab, and the nth energy absorbing plate extends to the outside of the driver's cab.

[0018] The present invention also provides a collision buffering method for the above-mentioned train, comprising:

[0019] When the train is running, the lock is in a first state, so that the first branch chain and the second branch chain are rigidly connected between the energy absorbing plates;

[0020] When a collision occurs, the locking piece is sheared and broken to form a second state, so that the first branch chain and the second branch chain are changed from a fixed and immovable state to a spatially movable state with a single degree of freedom. At this time, the first branch chain and the second branch chain will convert the collision pressure perpendicular to the energy-absorbing plate into a synchronous folding action in a preset direction to absorb the impact energy generated by the collision and achieve buffering.

[0021] Compared with the related art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. By designing energy-absorbing plates and branch chain mechanisms that connect the plates in pairs, the plates can be retracted in one dimension after a collision, and the guiding function can be well realized. The plates also have the advantages of good sensitivity, accurate response, stable structure, high reliability, and high precision in repeated folding and unfolding, and can meet the anti-collision needs of trains with increasingly faster speeds and stronger carrying capacities.

[0023] II. The branched chain mechanism can not only provide high stiffness, but also bear the impact force generated by collisions; moreover, the energy absorption plate and the branched chain mechanism are designed with multiple levels, increasing the buffer energy absorption distance and effectively reducing the impact force;

[0024] III. The branched chain mechanism combines with energy absorption materials to jointly absorb collision energy, which can overcome the defect of simply absorbing collision energy through material properties;

[0025] IV. The energy absorption material is installed inside the branched chain mechanism, increasing the filling space of the energy absorption material, without occupying other spaces (such as the space behind the installation surface), and also reducing the possibility of instability during re-collision, greatly improving the total energy absorption of the train and enhancing the anti-collision performance;

[0026] V. The anti-collision buffer of the present invention has excellent performance. In addition to playing the conventional roles of supporting the car body and buffering and absorbing energy like a traditional buffer, it also solves the shortcomings of the traditional fixed train energy absorption structure with a single buffer action distance and low space utilization rate. By designing a collapsible deformation buffer to resist collisions, the lateral stiffness of the device is improved, which is beneficial to extending the working stroke of the energy absorption material and enhancing the safety performance of the train;

[0027] VI. The collision energy absorption buffer has the advantages of simple structure, convenient production and installation, and low manufacturing cost;

[0028] VII. The present invention uses the linear motion of the motion mechanism to provide vertical stiffness, which not only does not occupy the space behind the installation flange, but also has a better lightweight effect (achieving better vertical stiffness under the same mass); compared with the crush type, the present invention has a higher energy absorption mass ratio and has significant advantages in terms of space utilization and lightweight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the collision energy absorption buffer according to Embodiment 1 provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the locking member in the first state in

[0031] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the locking member in the second state in

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the collision energy absorption buffer according to Embodiment 2 provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the collision energy absorption buffer according to Embodiment 3 provided by the present invention.

[0034] In the attached drawings: 1. Energy absorption plate; 2. Branch chain mechanism; 21. First branch chain; 211. Bracket; 212. First support arm; 213. Second support arm; 22. Second branch chain; 23. Locking member. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and in combination with embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. For the convenience of description, words such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" in the following text only indicate the same directions as the upper, lower, left, and right directions of the attached drawings themselves, and do not limit the structure.

[0036] Embodiment 1

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, a collision energy absorption buffer provided in this embodiment includes n energy absorption plates 1 and m groups of branch chain mechanisms 2, where n - m = 1, m ≥ 1, and one group of the branch chain mechanisms 2 is connected between every two adjacent energy absorption plates 1.

[0038] Among the n energy absorption plates 1, the size of the first energy absorption plate 1 is the largest, and the sizes of the remaining energy absorption plates 1 decrease in sequence to meet the requirements of the streamline of the train head and minimize the wind resistance coefficient during the train running. The first energy absorption plate 1 is a solid plate, and the remaining energy absorption plates 1 are hollow plates.

[0039] The branch chain mechanism 2 includes four first branch chains 21 that can be folded relative to each other in the height direction Z and two second branch chains 22 that can be folded relative to each other in the width direction X. Locking members 23 are provided at the folding joints of the first branch chains 21 and the second branch chains 22. The locking members 23 are shear-type explosive bolts. The locking members 23 have a first state and a second state. In the first state, the locking members 23 limit the folding of the first branch chains 21 and the second branch chains 22, so that the first branch chains 21 and the second branch chains 22 are rigidly connected between the energy absorption plates 1. In the second state, the locking members 23 cause the four first branch chains 21 to fold close to each other in pairs and the two second branch chains 22 to fold close to each other in a way of breaking (the explosive shear is cut off) (as Figure 3 shown).

[0040] After the first branch chains 21 and the second branch chains 22 are installed, they are in an unfolded state, and the energy absorption plates 1 are parallel to each other. The locking members 23 are installed at an angle of 150°, and the folding direction side of the folding joint is set to limit its inward contraction.

[0041] Two first branch chains 21 are provided at the upper end of the energy absorption plate 1. The first branch chains 21 are provided with rotating pairs that can drive the folding of the first branch chains 21, and the axes of the rotating pairs on the first branch chains 21 located at the upper end are parallel.

[0042] There are two first branches 21 provided at the lower end of the energy absorption plate 1. The first branch 21 is provided with a rotating pair capable of driving the folding of the first branch 21, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each first branch 21 located at the lower end are parallel.

[0043] There are two second branches 22 provided at the lower end of the energy absorption plate 1. The second branch 22 is provided with a rotating pair capable of driving the folding of the second branch 22. The axes of the rotating pairs on each second branch 22 located on one side of the width direction X of the energy absorption plate 1 are parallel, and the axes of the rotating pairs on each second branch 22 located on the other side of the width direction X of the energy absorption plate 1 are parallel.

[0044] Both the first branch 21 and the second branch 22 include a bracket 211, a first support arm 212, and a second support arm 213. One end of the first support arm 212 is hinged to an energy absorption plate 1 through the bracket 211, and one end of the second support arm 213 is hinged to another energy absorption plate 1 through the bracket 211. The other ends of the first support arm 212 and the second support arm 213 are hinged to each other to form a folding joint, and the folding joint is a rotating pair. The first support arm 212 and the second support arm 213 are of a hollow structure, and an energy absorption material (such as a polymer-based energy absorption material, a ceramic-based energy absorption material, or aluminum foam, etc.) is arranged inside the hollow. The shape of the energy absorption material is determined according to the movement of the branch mechanism 2 and cannot hinder the folding movement of each branch. Different types of energy absorption materials can be selected according to actual needs to construct a collision buffer energy absorption train buffer with different performances and be applied to different models of trains.

[0045] As Figure 2 shown, in this embodiment, the number n of the energy absorption plates 1 is 4, and three groups of branch mechanisms 2 are provided. Among them, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 are the first branches 21 located at the upper end of the energy absorption plate 1. A3, A6, B3, B6, C3, and C6 are the first branches 21 located at the lower end of the energy absorption plate 1. A4, A5, B4, B5, C4, and C5 are the second branches 22 located at the lower end. Among them, the axes of the rotating pairs of the branches A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 are parallel, and the directions are the same when folding, which is the vertical direction Z and perpendicular to the energy absorption plate and fold inward. The axes of the rotating pairs of the branches A3, A6, B3, B6, C3, and C6 are parallel, and the directions are the same when folding, which is the vertical direction Z perpendicular to the energy absorption plate and fold inward. The axes of the rotating pairs of the branches A4, B4, and C4 are parallel, and the directions are the same when folding, which is the horizontal direction X perpendicular to the energy absorption plate and fold inward. The axes of the rotating pairs of the branches A5, B5, and C5 are parallel, and the directions are the same when folding, which is the horizontal direction X perpendicular to the energy absorption plate and fold inward (as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 shown).

[0046] The present invention also provides a train, which includes a driver's cab and the above-mentioned collision energy absorption buffer. The first energy absorption plate of the collision energy absorption buffer is connected to the front end of the driver's cab, and the nth energy absorption plate extends towards the outside of the driver's cab. The collision energy absorption buffer is placed at the front 1 / 3 part of the vehicle body, in front of the driver's cab. When two adjacent energy absorption plates 1 collide, they can be folded and retracted to buffer and absorb energy.

[0047] The present invention also provides a collision buffering method for the train as described above, including:

[0048] When the train is running, the locking member 23 is in the first state, so that the first chain 21 and the second chain 22 are rigidly connected between the energy absorption plates.

[0049] When the nth energy absorption plate 1 collides with an object, the locking member 23 receives a collision signal, which is converted into an electrical signal, causing the detonator inside the locking member 23 (explosion bolt) to do work and shear and disconnect. The locking member 23 forms the second state, so that the first chain 21 and the second chain 22 change from the fixed and immovable state to the space movable state with a single degree of freedom. At this time, the first chain 21 and the second chain 22 convert the collision pressure perpendicular to the energy absorption plate into a synchronous folding action in a preset direction, and at the same time compress the energy absorption material filled in the chain. The two work together to absorb the impact energy generated by the collision and achieve buffering.

[0050] Embodiment 2

[0051] If Figure 2 the length of the three-stage chain exceeds 1 / 3 of the train body, the number of the chain mechanism 2 and the energy absorption plate 1 can be appropriately reduced, such as forming a two-stage chain as Figure 3 shown. When combining, the overall structural layout remains unchanged, and the energy absorption plate 1 at the front part (the nth) can be adjusted according to the actual size of the vehicle body.

[0052] Embodiment 3

[0053] If Figure 2 the buffering and energy absorption of the three-stage chain cannot meet the requirements, the number of the energy absorption plate 1 and the chain mechanism 2 can be appropriately increased, and the working formation of the energy absorption can be extended. When combining, the overall layout remains unchanged. For example, the buffer shown in Figure 5 is changed to a four-stage chain.

[0054] The collision energy absorption buffer provided by the present invention can automatically change the superposition number of the chain mechanism 2 and the energy absorption plate 1 according to the length of the train head, such as two-stage, three-stage or four-stage, etc., so as to extend or compress the front and rear distance of the buffer, overcoming the shortcoming of the single action distance of the fixed buffer.

[0055] The above are only embodiments of the present invention, and do not thus limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, shall similarly be included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collision energy absorbing buffer, characterized in that: It comprises n energy absorbing plates and m groups of branch chain mechanisms, nm=1, m≥1, and one group of the branch chain mechanisms is connected between every two adjacent energy absorbing plates; the branch chain mechanisms comprise at least two first branches that can be folded relative to each other in a height direction Z and at least two second branches that can be folded relative to each other in a width direction X, and locking elements are provided at the folding joints of the first and second branches, and the locking elements form a first state and a second state. In the first state, the locking element limits the folding of the first and second branches, so that the first and second branches are rigidly connected between the energy absorbing plates, and in the second state, the locking element causes at least two first branches to fold close to each other in a broken manner, and causes at least two second branches to fold close to each other.

2. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two first branch chains are arranged at the upper end of the energy absorbing plate. The first branch chains are provided with a rotating pair capable of driving the first branch chains to fold, and the rotating pair axes are parallel to the rotating pair axes on the first branch chains at the upper end.

3. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two first branch chains are arranged at the lower end of the energy absorbing plate. The first branch chains are provided with a rotating pair capable of driving the first branch chains to fold, and the rotating pair axes are parallel to the rotating pair axes on the first branch chains at the lower end.

4. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two second branch chains are arranged at the lower end of the energy absorbing plate, and the second branch chains are provided with a rotating pair that can drive the second branch chains to fold, which is parallel to the rotating pair axis on each second branch chain located on one side of the width direction X of the energy absorbing plate, and is parallel to the rotating pair axis on each second branch chain located on the other side of the width direction X of the energy absorbing plate.

5. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The locking element is connected to the folding direction side.

6. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first branch chain and the second branch chain each include a bracket, a first support arm and a second support arm, one end of the first support arm is hinged to an energy absorbing plate through the bracket, one end of the second support arm is hinged to another energy absorbing plate through the bracket, and the other end of the first support arm and the other end of the second support arm are hinged to each other to form the folding joint.

7. The impact energy absorbing buffer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first support arm and the second support arm are hollow structures, and energy absorbing materials are arranged in the hollow interiors thereof.

8. The collision energy absorbing buffer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The sizes of the n energy absorbing plates gradually decrease; the first energy absorbing plate is a solid plate, and the remaining energy absorbing plates are hollow plates.

9. A train, comprising a driver's cab, characterized in that: It also includes a collision energy absorbing buffer as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first energy absorbing plate of the collision energy absorbing buffer is connected to the front end of the driver's cab, and the nth energy absorbing plate extends to the outside of the driver's cab.

10. A collision buffering method for a train as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: include: When the train is running, the lock is in a first state, so that the first branch chain and the second branch chain are rigidly connected between the energy absorbing plates; When a collision occurs, the locking piece is sheared and broken to form a second state, so that the first branch chain and the second branch chain are changed from a fixed and immovable state to a spatially movable state with a single degree of freedom. At this time, the first branch chain and the second branch chain will convert the collision pressure perpendicular to the energy-absorbing plate into a synchronous folding action in a preset direction to absorb the impact energy generated by the collision and achieve buffering.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Collapsing stress energy absorber with nuclear bond structure

    CN102661348A

  • Combined buffering piece and coupler buffer

    CN118478916A