Inclined Brake Pad Arrangement for Buffer Stop Shock Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake assemblies for sliding buffer stops face challenges in achieving optimal friction levels, as tight fastening can lead to excessive shock, while loose fastening results in inadequate sliding friction, affecting the braking performance.

Innovation Solution

A brake assembly design featuring a brake pad arrangement with inclined surfaces and clamping sections that increase friction by distributing force effectively, allowing for progressive movement and enhanced braking through the use of brake lining portions and strategically placed clamping sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the plates are fastened tightly to the brake pad, then the stationary friction is improved, but the vehicle suffers a big shock after impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestationary frictionVSAvoidshock
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pad is divided into multiple friction surfaces including a first friction surface and a second friction surface. The first friction surface provides stationary friction while the second friction surface provides sliding friction. This segmentation allows the brake assembly to distribute the braking force across different phases of impact, reducing shock while maintaining effective friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake assembly transitions from a static friction configuration to a dynamic one where the brake pad can slide relative to the plate. The sliding friction surface is designed to engage after the stationary friction is overcome, allowing the system to adapt its friction characteristics based on the impact phase, thereby reducing shock while maintaining braking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the plates are not fastened enough, then the shock is reduced, but the sliding friction is not good enough

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveshockVSAvoidsliding friction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the brake assembly have different friction characteristics. The first friction surface is designed for stationary friction with higher friction coefficient, while the second friction surface is designed for sliding friction with appropriate friction characteristics. This local differentiation ensures that each surface contributes optimally to the overall braking performance without causing excessive shock.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The brake assembly is designed so that the stationary friction surface engages first to provide initial braking force. After this preliminary action, the sliding friction surface engages to continue the braking process. This sequential engagement ensures that sliding friction is activated at the appropriate moment, maintaining good braking performance while controlling shock.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single friction surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the braking performance is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidbraking performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brake pad is segmented into multiple friction surfaces with distinct functions. The first friction surface handles stationary friction during initial impact, while the second friction surface handles sliding friction during continued movement. This segmentation ensures consistent braking performance across different impact phases while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brake assembly is designed to perform multiple functions using the same basic components. The same brake pad structure provides both stationary friction and sliding friction capabilities, allowing it to adapt to different impact scenarios. This multi-functionality ensures consistent braking performance without requiring separate brake assemblies for different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a consistent and effective braking performance by adjusting friction levels based on impact force, reducing the risk of shock and improving braking efficiency by distributing pressure and increasing frictional contact areas.

Implementation Method 1

the second face is inclined with respect to the third face for guiding the first block upwardly relative to the head when said first block slides along the second face of the second block due to a movement of one of the first block, the second block or the two plates along a longitudinal direction of said head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3202635B1A brake assembly for a buffer stop, a buffer stop comprising the brake assembly and a method
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 VOESTALPINE RAILPRO
  • EP3202635B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3202635B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A brake assembly for a sliding buffer stop, the brake assembly comprising: - a brake pad arrangement comprising: a) a first block comprising a first face; and b) a second block comprising a second face and a third face; - two plates having clamping sections; and - means for fastening the two plates to clamp said brake pad arrangement to a head of a rail track, such that: i) the clamping sections can engage the bottom sections of the head; and ii) the third face of the second block can engage a top section of the head and the first block can be supported by its first face on the second face of the second block; wherein the second face is inclined with respect to the third face for guiding the first block upwardly relative to the head when said first block slides along the second face.