Bearing Bracket Two-Step Shear-Off System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bearing bracket designs for multi-car vehicles face challenges such as complex installation, limited space requirements, and inefficient energy absorption, particularly in designs where shear-off elements require significant work to reset after shearing off and where elastic materials hinder stabilizing effects.
Innovation Solution
A bearing bracket with a two-step shear-off system, featuring an adapter that swivels relative to a bracket about at least one axis, utilizing shear-off bolts or elements with predetermined breaking points, and incorporating energy-absorbing elements like deformation tubes or honeycomb structures to manage forces and maintain stability during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shear-off elements are used to allow easy decoupling of cars, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for reset work after shearing off
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket is divided into multiple parts: a first part (bracket proper) and a second part (adapter with joint) that can separate from each other. The shear-off element connects these two parts, allowing controlled separation. This segmentation enables the adapter to be removed and reset independently without replacing the entire bearing bracket, thus reducing reset complexity while maintaining easy decoupling functionality.
2Reliability
If elastic members are used to connect the coupler rod to the housing, then reliability is improved, but stabilizing effect is reduced due to excessive flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is designed to be dynamic rather than purely elastic. It allows controlled movement and rotation through the shear-off mechanism, providing stability when needed while maintaining connection reliability. The joint can transition between connected and separated states based on operational requirements, offering a more stable configuration during normal operation compared to continuously flexible elastic members.
3Device complexity
If the basic body of the articulated arm is extended longitudinally to accommodate all components, then device complexity is reduced, but the space required in the car is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket is segmented into a compact first part (bracket) and a second part (adapter with joint) that can be separated. This segmentation allows the components to be arranged in a more space-efficient configuration within the car, rather than requiring a long extended basic body. The adapter can be positioned closer to the coupling rod while the main bracket remains compact, reducing the overall longitudinal space requirement.
4Loss of energy
If shear-off elements are designed to shear off at predetermined force, then energy absorption is improved, but the work required to reset the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bracket is divided into separable parts connected by the shear-off element. When the shear-off element fails, only the adapter (second part) needs to be removed and reset, not the entire bearing bracket. This segmentation significantly reduces the reset work required while maintaining the energy absorption function of the shear-off mechanism during collision scenarios.
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 two-step shear-off system allows for controlled energy absorption and stabilization, improving the bearing bracket's response to varying forces, including those in collision scenarios, while maintaining operational efficiency and simplifying maintenance by separating the bearing bracket and energy-absorbing elements.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating energy-absorbing elements like deformation tubes or honeycomb structures to manage forces and maintain stability during collisions
Implementation Method 2
utilizing shear-off bolts or elements with predetermined breaking points
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly has a bearing bracket and a coupler or connection rod. The bearing bracket has an adapter to which the rod can be connected. A joint allows the adapter to swivel relative to the bracket, and the rod is attached to the adapter. The rod has a surface that extends in a plane at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The rod surface is held spaced apart from a surface of the bearing bracket by an elastic element. The surface of the rod contacts the surface of the bearing bracket, if a pushing force of a predetermined strength is applied to the rod. A group of parts of the bearing bracket are connected to the bracket such that the parts are set free to move relative to the bracket, if a pushing force of a predetermined strength is applied to the rod.