Rail Carriage Head Part with Direct Impact Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle designs require complex and heavy underframes to support impact energy absorbing elements, which increases assembly difficulty and strain on the subframe, especially in low-floor vehicles where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The impact energy absorbing elements are directly attached to a molded head part made of plastic material, distributing forces to both the underframe and upper side members, allowing for reduced assembly effort and using metallic fasteners for mechanical attachment, with stiffening elements to manage force flow between the underframe and upper longitudinal beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If impact energy absorbing elements are directly attached to a metallic underframe, then force transfer capability is improved, but the underframe becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the impact energy absorbing element with the molded head part into a single integrated assembly. The absorber is positioned in the inner area of the molded head part and mechanically fastened to it, creating a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate heavy underframe modifications while maintaining force transfer capability through the head part itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the attachment location from the traditional underframe (lower dimension) to the molded head part (upper dimension). This dimensional change allows force distribution to upper longitudinal members in addition to the underframe, reducing the load on the subframe and avoiding the need for heavy underframe components
2Ease of operation
If the impact energy absorbing element is positioned in the inner area of the molded head part, then assembly accessibility is improved, but assembly work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical fasteners that enable pre-assembly of the impact energy absorbing element with the molded head part before installation on the vehicle. This preliminary assembly simplifies the overall installation process and reduces on-site assembly complexity despite the element being positioned in the inner area
3Area of stationary object
If the underframe is pulled upwards to provide connecting surface, then connection surface availability is improved, but strain on subframe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection function from the underframe by attaching the impact energy absorbing element to the molded head part instead. This removes the need to pull the underframe upwards to create a connecting surface, thereby eliminating the additional strain on the subframe while still providing adequate connection surface area through the head part
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a carriage body (1) for a rail vehicle, comprising a moulded head part (2) of a plastics material and at least one impact-energy absorbing element (4) in the region of the moulded head part (2), wherein the at least one impact-energy absorbing element (4) is supported directly on the moulded head part (2).