Active Actuator for Rail Vehicle Undercarriage Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical assemblies in rail vehicles fail to simultaneously achieve smooth operation, high safety, comfort, and low wear, as they often prioritize individual aspects of driving dynamics at the expense of complexity and installation space, and do not adequately consider influences from both the running gear and car body.

Innovation Solution

A method that adjusts the force and relative position between the running gear and car body using an actuator device, with settings dependent on multiple specifications to minimize angular acceleration and reduce vibrations, integrating functions like yaw damping, transverse damping, and active steering, thereby reducing unwanted vibrations and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical assemblies (springs, dampers) are used to achieve smooth operation and stability, then passenger comfort is improved, but device complexity increases and installation space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth operationVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple passive components (springs, dampers, yaw dampers) into a single active actuator device that can generate forces in multiple directions and implement multiple setting concepts simultaneously, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining smooth operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can implement yaw damping, transverse damping, and active steering simultaneously through a single device that responds to multiple setting specifications, replacing several specialized passive components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If yaw dampers are added to improve smooth operation at high speeds, then passenger comfort is improved, but wear behavior worsens due to increased turning resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth operationVSAvoidwear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static passive dampers to a dynamic active actuator that can adjust its behavior in real-time based on operating conditions, enabling it to provide yaw damping when needed while reducing resistance during curve movements to minimize wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator device changes its force characteristics dynamically by responding to different setting specifications (angular acceleration, transverse acceleration, position) based on current operating conditions, allowing optimization between comfort and wear reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple passive components are used to address individual aspects of driving dynamics, then specific performance aspects are improved, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving dynamicsVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple specialized components (yaw dampers, transverse dampers, steering mechanisms) into a single integrated actuator device, significantly reducing the installation space required while maintaining all necessary driving dynamics functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single actuator device is designed with universal capability to implement multiple setting concepts simultaneously, replacing several specialized passive components and freeing up installation space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If conventional passive components are used, then the system is simple in design, but it cannot simultaneously achieve multiple driving dynamics requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesimplicityVSAvoiddriving dynamics adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical components with an active actuator device controlled by a control unit that processes multiple setting specifications, enabling adaptable response to different driving conditions while maintaining relatively simple hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2361815B1Active coupling between undercarriage and body of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.04.05 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH

AI summary

The method involves providing active plane in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of a vehicle body (102). The action of the force is adjusted between the undercarriage (103) and the vehicle body in the active plane by an actuator device (106), depending on two different adjustment specifications. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a vehicle, particularly a rail car with undercarriage frame; and (2) a controller for adjust action of force or relative position between a undercarriage and a vehicle body, particularly a rail car.