Rail Coupling Rod Attachment With Contoured Toroidal Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articulations for coupling rods in rail vehicles face complexity and limited deflection angles due to the need for additional components to achieve effective centering and resetting of twisted coupling rods, which complicates the design and reduces the range of horizontal and vertical pivoting movements.
Innovation Solution
The articulation features contoured end faces on the rear spring plate and base plate, allowing annular or toroidal spring elements to be elastically deformed and form a form-fitting engagement with the base plate, preventing rotational forces from slipping and enabling effective anti-rotation without additional components, thus simplifying the design and enhancing the range of pivoting movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are added to achieve effective centering and resetting of twisted coupling rods, then the centering and resetting function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-rotation function with the existing spring element by adding a contoured end face to the spring element. This integration eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation components while maintaining the centering and resetting function, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, enables pivoting movements, and prevents rotation through its contoured end face. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the articulation system
2Reliability
If additional components are added to achieve effective centering and resetting of twisted coupling rods, then the centering and resetting function is improved, but the design is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation feature is integrated into the spring element design through its contoured end face, combining multiple functions into a single component. This simplifies the overall design while maintaining the centering and resetting capability
3Device complexity
If conventional articulation design is used, then the structure is simple, but the range of horizontal and vertical pivoting movements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured end face of the spring element features a curved profile that guides the coupling rod during pivoting movements. This curvature allows for greater horizontal and vertical deflection angles while maintaining structural simplicity and a compact design
4Reliability
If the spring element is clamped between contoured surfaces, then rotational forces are prevented from slipping, but the spring element is elastically deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-deformed during manufacturing to match the contoured surface geometry. This pre-deformation allows the element to function effectively in the clamped position, where the elastic deformation is already accounted for in the design, maintaining anti-rotation capability without compromising performance
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 solution allows for simple and effective centering and resetting of twisted coupling rods, reduces construction complexity, and enhances the range of horizontal and vertical pivoting movements while preventing rotational forces from slipping, thereby improving the articulation's performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one front spring element made of elastic material arranged between the base plate and the front spring plate and at least one rear spring element made of elastic material arranged between the base plate and the rear spring plate
Implementation Method 2
the front spring element and the at least one rear spring element are each ring-shaped or torus-shaped in the unloaded state... the at least one spring element is clamped between correspondingly contoured surfaces, the ring- or torus-shaped spring element in the unloaded state is deformed accordingly
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment (1) for the articulated connection of a coupling rod (2) to a carriage body, wherein the attachment (1) has a base plate (10) that can be connected to a carriage body. The attachment (1) also has a push/pull device (9) having a front spring plate (12) and a rear spring plate (14). According to the invention, the push/pull device has at least one front spring element (20) of elastic material arranged between the baseplate (10) and the front spring plate (12), and at least one rear spring element (30) of elastic material arranged between the baseplate (10) and the rear spring plate (14), wherein the front spring element (20) and the at least one rear spring element (30) are each formed in the shape of a ring or torus in the unloaded state. According to the invention, in particular the front spring plate (12) has an end face facing the front spring element (20), which end face is contoured, at least in some areas, and the baseplate (10) has an end face facing the front spring element (20), which end face is contoured, at least in some areas, wherein the contour of the end face of the front spring plate (12) is complementary to the contour of the end face of the baseplate, at least in some areas.