Bogie Wheelset Drive Spring Mounting and Clutch Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bogie designs face challenges in achieving a simple, reliable, and low-maintenance construction with minimal unsprung masses while maintaining a compact and efficient drive system for rail vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A bogie design featuring a wheelset drive spring-mounted on bearings via a second spring device and a two-level clutch between the wheelset drive and shaft, allowing for a compact and efficient torque application with optional gearing mechanisms, and integrating traction current converters directly on the bogie for reduced vibration and shock loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the wheelset drive is mounted directly on the wheelset shaft, then the construction is simple and compact, but the unsprung masses increase and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoiddrive system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a two-level clutch as an intermediary component between the wheelset drive and the wheelset shaft. This clutch includes a first clutch element connected to the wheelset drive and a second clutch element connected to the wheelset shaft, with elastic elements providing a cushioning effect. This intermediary structure reduces direct mechanical stress and improves reliability while maintaining construction simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating elastic elements (such as rubber buffers or coil springs) within the two-level clutch structure. These elastic elements are pre-installed to absorb and dampen shocks and vibrations before they reach the wheelset shaft, thereby protecting the drive system and reducing unsprung mass impacts while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Volume of moving object

If the wheelset drive surrounds the wheelset shaft concentrically, then the space requirement is minimized, but the unsprung masses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementVSAvoidunsprung masses

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the nested doll principle by positioning the wheelset drive to concentrically surround the wheelset shaft. The two-level clutch is arranged between the wheelset drive and the wheelset shaft, with elastic elements nested within the clutch structure. This nested arrangement minimizes the radial space requirement while distributing mass efficiently to reduce unsprung masses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a two-level clutch with elastic elements is introduced, then reliability and vibration damping improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive system reliabilityVSAvoidclutch structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two-level clutch structure is designed to be self-adjusting and self-damping. The elastic elements automatically absorb vibrations and shocks without requiring external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms. The clutch elements engage and disengage based on operational conditions, providing automatic protection and reducing the need for additional control components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This design results in a compact, autonomous bogie with reduced vibration and shock loads, enabling efficient torque application and reduced space requirements, suitable for frequent starting and stopping rail vehicles, while maintaining a simple interface with the car body.

Implementation Method 1

the wheelset drive being spring-mounted on the bearings via a second spring device which is exclusively associated with the wheelset drive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a two-level clutch arranged between the wheelset drive and the wheelset shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10099707B2Bogie comprising a wheelset drive mounted on bearings

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 SIEMENS INDGEBRIEBE GMBH

AI summary

A bogie (6) comprises a bogie frame (7). The bogie frame (7) is mounted on bearings (7b) via a first spring device (7a). A wheelset shaft (8) is mounted in the bearings (7b). A wheelset drive (9) concentrically surrounds the wheelset shaft (8) and acts thereupon. The wheelset drive (9) is spring-mounted on the bearings (7b) by means of a second spring device (16) exclusively associated with the wheelset drive (9). A two-level clutch (15) is arranged between the wheelset drive (9) and the wheelset shaft (8).