Pneumatic Brake Spindle Torque Transmission via Segmented Yoke Rings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic braking devices in rail vehicles face unintended readjustment issues due to torque and corrosion, leading to malfunction and requiring manual intervention with one hand, which complicates the process and increases the risk of corrosion-related failures.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic braking device design featuring a spindle gear ring with teeth on both sides, connected to two yoke gear rings that allow for secure torque transmission under both compressive and tensile loads, along with a compression spring and stop sleeve for precise engagement and disengagement, and a one-piece reset hexagon with a locking pin for simplified safety, all housed within a sealed yoke to protect against contamination and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single yoke toothed ring with a spring-loaded pawl is used to prevent spindle rotation, then the spindle is secured under compressive loads, but the pawl becomes difficult to operate with one hand and is susceptible to corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespindle rotation preventionVSAvoidpawl operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single yoke toothed ring is segmented into two separate yoke toothed rings (first and second), each engaging with the spindle toothed ring from opposite sides. This segmentation eliminates the need for a spring-loaded pawl, allowing both hands to be available for operation while maintaining reliable spindle rotation prevention through the dual-ring engagement mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded pawl mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead of using a pawl to prevent spindle rotation, the invention uses the direct meshing engagement between the spindle toothed ring and the two yoke toothed rings, eliminating the problematic pawl component that was difficult to operate and susceptible to corrosion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the toothed rings are preloaded by a compression spring, then the spindle is secured against rotation during braking, but the toothed rings are pulled apart under tensile loads causing unintended readjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidtoothed ring engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The two yoke toothed rings are positioned on opposite sides of the spindle toothed ring, acting as counterbalancing elements. Under compressive loads, one ring engages while the other provides support; under tensile loads, both rings work together to prevent the spindle from being pulled apart, effectively counteracting the separating forces that would cause unintended readjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement mechanism transitions from a single-plane spring-loaded pawl system to a dual-sided radial engagement system. The two yoke toothed rings engage the spindle toothed ring from opposite directions, creating a balanced engagement that resists both compressive and tensile loads equally, preventing unintended readjustment under varying load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Prevents unintentional readjustment and allows for manual spindle rotation in both directions, ensuring reliable torque transmission and maintaining engagement under varying loads, while reducing corrosion risks and simplifying maintenance, thus enhancing operational reliability and service life.

Implementation Method 1

Both toothings are preloaded against each other by a compression spring in such a way that they are in mesh

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2334524B1Pneumatic brake device
Publication Date: 2012.03.07 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP2334524B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2334524B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2334524B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a pneumatic brake device having a spindle (3) movable in the axial direction and a yoke (1), on which the spindle (3) is supported such that a rotation of the spindle (3) is prevented. According to the invention, a first (7) and a second yoke toothed ring (9) having sets of teeth (8; 10) directed toward each other are connected to the yoke (1) in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a spindle toothed ring (6) with sets of teeth on both sides is rigidly connected to the spindle (3) between the two yoke toothed rings (7; 9).