Composite Rod Kit for Public Transport Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal tubes used in public transport vehicles for handrails and luggage racks are heavy due to thick walls, increasing energy consumption and weight, which is not energy-efficient for rail and long-distance transport.
Innovation Solution
A kit featuring a metal tube with a reinforcing element made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) inside, which reduces the wall thickness of the metal tube while maintaining mechanical strength, and a connecting element for easy assembly and tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick-walled metal tubes are used for rods in vehicle interiors, then mechanical strength and stability are ensured, but vehicle weight increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal tube with an inner reinforcement element made of fiber-reinforced plastic (such as carbon fiber). This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength while significantly reducing the wall thickness and weight compared to conventional solid metal tubes. The metal tube maintains external integrity and aesthetic appearance, while the fiber-reinforced plastic core provides internal structural support.
2Strength
If thick-walled metal tubes are used for rods in vehicle interiors, then mechanical strength and stability are ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of metal tube with fiber-reinforced plastic reinforcement element reduces overall weight while maintaining strength, directly lowering the energy consumption required for vehicle operation. The high strength-to-weight ratio of this composite construction allows for lighter rod systems that reduce the total vehicle mass, thereby decreasing energy demand during transport.
3Reliability
If conventional metal tubes with thick walls are used, then resistance to vandalism and external forces is ensured, but weight and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-reinforced plastic reinforcement element provides high resistance to vandalism and external forces despite the reduced wall thickness. The metal tube maintains external integrity and can be designed with appropriate surface properties for aesthetic appearance and durability. This composite approach ensures reliability against intentional damage while minimizing weight.
4Weight of moving object
If thin-walled metal tubes are used to reduce weight, then energy consumption decreases, but mechanical strength and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber-reinforced plastic reinforcement element compensates for the reduced wall thickness of the metal tube, providing the necessary mechanical strength and stability. The reinforcement element is positioned internally to maximize structural support while allowing the metal tube to maintain a thin wall profile, achieving both weight reduction and strength requirements simultaneously.
5Ease of operation
If tolerance compensation in connections is required, then assembly flexibility improves, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements incorporate adjustable parameters such as threaded connections or sliding mechanisms that allow for tolerance compensation during assembly. These connecting elements can be positioned at various locations along the rod and adjusted to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and installation variations, providing assembly flexibility without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tools.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a kit, in particular for vehicles for the transport of persons in local and long-distance public transport, comprising at least one rod (1) consisting of a cut-to-length pipe section (1a, 1b), wherein a connecting element (2) is arranged on at least one end section of the pipe section (1a, 1b) or on one of the pipe sections (1a, 1b) for a pipe-to-pipe connection or for a connection with a connecting piece (3) arranged on the wall, ceiling and/or floor side of a structure, in particular a vehicle structure, wherein the at least one pipe section (1a, 1b) comprises a metal tube (1.1) and a reinforcing element (1.2) made of a fiber composite material, which is applied at least partially to an inner wall of the metal tube (1.1), and the connecting element (2) comprises a threaded sleeve (2.1), a threaded bushing (2.2) and optionally a spacer ring (2.3), wherein the threaded sleeve (2.1) and the threaded bushing (2.2)2) are designed with corresponding threads for mutual connection of the pipe sections (1a, 1b) or for wall, ceiling and/or floor mounting of the pipe section (1a, 1b) to the connecting pieces (3). Furthermore, the invention relates to a rod (1) and a method for manufacturing a rod (1), in particular for vehicles for transporting persons in local and long-distance public transport, and the use of a reinforcing element, which consists of a fiber composite material, preferably a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and is applied at least section by section to an inner wall of a metal tube, for rods consisting of at least one cut-to-length pipe section.