Articulated Vehicle Bridge With Rotatable Coupling Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bridges for articulated vehicle parts, particularly rail vehicles, have complex constructions with many parts, making them costly and inefficient in accommodating movements between vehicle parts during driving.
Innovation Solution
A bridge design with two articulated floor plates and rotatably connected coupling elements, such as scissor grids, that allow optimal deflection and mobility by indirect connection to the vehicle parts via the floor plates, reducing the number of required parts and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tread plate with centering means is provided to prevent gaps between the tread plate and floor plates during pitching, rolling and bending movements, then the reliability of the bridge connection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the large number of parts required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the centering function into the coupling elements themselves, which are rotatably connected to the floor plates. The coupling elements with their rotation axes serve both as connection elements and as centering means, eliminating the need for separate centering devices and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining connection reliability during vehicle movements
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they connect the floor plates to each other, allow relative movements through rotation, and provide centering action to prevent gaps. This multi-functionality reduces the overall part count while maintaining the reliability needed for accommodating pitching, rolling and bending movements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coupling elements are provided to force deflection of floor plates during height offset, then the adaptability to vehicle movements is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is segmented into two independent coupling elements, each rotatably connected to a floor plate. This segmentation allows each coupling element to independently accommodate movements, providing adaptability while keeping individual components simple and cost-effective to manufacture. The rotation axes of the coupling elements are positioned to enable effective deflection of the floor plates during height offsets
3Ease of operation
If the coupling elements are rotatably connected to floor plates to force deflection during height offset, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed with rotation capabilities, allowing them to dynamically adapt to height offsets between vehicle parts. This dynamic rotation mechanism enables the floor plates to deflect and maintain a walkable surface during vehicle movements, improving ease of operation while keeping the connection mechanism relatively simple through the use of straightforward rotational joints
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures easy walking on the bridge during relative movements of vehicle parts, providing structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness while maintaining stability and mobility, regardless of the presence of a tread plate.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one coupling element, preferably the two coupling elements, is/are rotatably connected to the two floor plates on the floor plate upper sides opposite the floor plate undersides in order to force a deflection of the floor plates in the event of an offset of the vehicle parts parallel to the height direction
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Bridge (1) for a transition between two articulated vehicle parts (2, 3), wherein the bridge extends in a through direction (8) and a width direction (10) perpendicular thereto, the bridge comprising two floor plates (4, 5) which are each provided for articulated arrangement on an end face (12) of the vehicle parts and have a floor plate top surface (6) that is at least partially walkable, wherein, viewed in a height direction (11), at least one coupling element (9), preferably two coupling elements, is/are provided in front of the floor plates, wherein the height direction is perpendicular to the through direction and the width direction and points away from the floor plate top surfaces.According to the invention, the at least one coupling element is rotatably connected to the undersides (7) of the two base plates on the upper sides of the base plates opposite each other, in order to force a deflection of the base plates in the event of an offset of the vehicle parts parallel to the vertical direction, wherein the at least one coupling element can only be connected indirectly to the vehicle parts.