Bogie Wheel Carrier Linkage for Simpler Force Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bogie test stands have complex and costly load application units, such as hydraulic and electric cylinders, which are sensitive to lateral forces and require high maintenance, and wheel carriers with intricate linear guides that need to withstand high contact forces, making them expensive and difficult to adapt to different bogie dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A wheel carrier design featuring a lifting unit with a platform, first and second linear slides, and lever mechanisms allowing adjustable distance between the slides, coupled by four-bar linkages and ball screw drives, enabling simple and stable force absorption across various bogie geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic or electric load cylinders are used in load application units, then forces can be applied to the bogie, but the device becomes sensitive to lateral forces requiring auxiliary components and high maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic or electric load cylinders with a simplified mechanical lever mechanism. The lever arm pivots on a pivot axis and uses a contact element to apply force to the bogie frame, eliminating the need for auxiliary components to handle lateral forces. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving force application without the complexity and maintenance issues of hydraulic/electric systems.
2Ease of operation
If wheel carriers use multiple linear guides perpendicular to each other to achieve movement in running direction and application direction, then positioning is enabled, but the design becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multiple linear guide system from the wheel carrier design. Instead of using linear guides perpendicular to each other, the invention uses a simplified lever mechanism that pivots on a single pivot axis, achieving the necessary positioning and movement capabilities without the intricate guide structures. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining positioning functionality while removing design complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the test stand dimensions are adapted to different bogie models by adjusting individual components, then versatility is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through the lever mechanism that can accommodate different bogie models without complex adjustments. The lever arm and contact element design allows the same wheel carrier structure to work with various bogie geometries by simply repositioning the pivot axis and adjusting the contact element position, rather than requiring multiple specialized components. This universal design resolves the contradiction by achieving adaptability while minimizing adjustment complexity.
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 simplifies the test stand structure, reduces costs, and allows easy adaptation to different bogie dimensions, minimizing maintenance while effectively absorbing forces independently of X- and Z-positions, facilitating safe and efficient bogie testing.
Implementation Method 1
The linear slides (121, 122) are coupled to one another by means of a device for adjusting their distance from one another
Implementation Method 2
The lever mechanisms comprise four-bar linkages, wherein the lever axes of all the levers of the four-bar linkages extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to the running direction
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel carrier is disclosed for supporting a running wheel arranged on a bogie. The wheel carrier comprises a lifting unit with a platform. A first linear slide movable along a longitudinal guide extending in a running direction perpendicular to the application direction is included. Additionally, a second linear slide movable in a running direction along the longitudinal guide is also included. A first lever mechanism is arranged for coupling the first linear slide to the platform. A second lever mechanism is arranged for coupling the second linear slide to the platform. A distance between the first linear slide and the second linear slide is variable so that a distance of the platform from the first linear slide and from the second linear slide is variable in the application direction.