Articulated Vehicle Bellows With Detachable Window Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bellows systems in articulated vehicles require time-consuming disassembly to access supply lines and equipment, especially when noise and weather sealing are critical, as they are typically closed units with no easy access points.
Innovation Solution
A closable, flat opening in the bellows surface with a detachable window element that uses frame strips and translation profiles for a secure, watertight connection, allowing access from either side without full disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bellows is constructed as a closed unit with no openings, then weather and noise sealing is maintained, but access to supply lines and equipment requires time-consuming disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows is segmented by introducing a closable opening that divides the closed unit into accessible and sealed sections. This allows the opening to be opened when access is needed while the rest of the bellows remains sealed, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is made dynamic through a closable design that can transition between open and closed states. This dynamic element allows the bellows to adapt between providing access to supply lines and maintaining weather/noise sealing, eliminating the need for permanent disassembly.
2Loss of time
If the bellows is opened to access supply lines, then quick access is achieved, but weather and noise sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure is segmented with a localized opening that can be opened independently. This segmentation allows access to supply lines without opening the entire bellows, thus minimizing exposure to weather and noise while achieving quick access.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is designed with local quality - it is a specific, localized feature rather than a general opening. The closable nature of the opening allows it to maintain sealing properties when closed, and provide localized access when opened, resolving the contradiction between access speed and sealing effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If a removable floor cloth is used to close the bellows opening, then basic closure is achieved, but a robust and cost-effective design is not realized
Solution Approach 1:
The frame strips are merged with the bellows frame structure, creating an integrated connection system. This merging provides both the closure function and a robust, cost-effective design by eliminating the need for separate, complex sealing mechanisms while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame strips serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, create the opening closure, and offer attachment points for the bellows material. This multi-functionality achieves a robust and cost-effective design by combining several functions into a single integrated component.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The bellows have a bellows part (10) comprising U-shaped running bellows frames that cover strips made of bellows material under formation of folds or corrugations. A bellows area comprises a closable, flat opening that extends in a longitudinal direction of vehicles (1, 2) over the folds or corrugations, where the opening includes a window element (30) to be detached from the bellows area. Frame strips of the window element correspond to the frames. The strips stay in detachable connection with the frames by a connection unit, and comprise a reinforcement unit coated with plastic.