Rail Vehicle Coupler Crash Plate for Pivoted Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rail vehicle couplers are prone to damage during collisions when not in the correct position for coupling due to accidental impacts, which can be caused by malfunctions or operator oversight, leading to severe damage to the coupler components.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design with a pivotable front portion and a crash plate that pivots to a side position when not in use, featuring a crash plate joint to protect the coupler from impact forces, and includes energy dissipating elements to absorb excessive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the front portion is made pivotable to retract and save space, then the coupler can be retracted closer to the underframe, but the coupler becomes vulnerable to damage from accidental collision with mating couplers
Solution Approach 1:
A crash plate is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the mating couplers. The crash plate is designed to absorb and distribute impact forces during accidental collisions, protecting the pivotable front portion and joint from damage while allowing the coupler to maintain its retracted, space-saving position
2Reliability
If the crash plate is made pivotable to follow the front portion movement, then the crash plate maintains optimal protective position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crash plate pivot mechanism is merged with the existing joint mechanism. Both the front portion and crash plate share common pivot axes and mounting structures, allowing the crash plate to follow the front portion's movement automatically without requiring separate actuation systems or additional complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler for a rail vehicle comprising: a front portion having a forward end and a rear end, and a coupler head arranged on the forward end of the front portion; a rear portion having a forward end and a rear end and extending along a longitudinal axis from the rear end to the forward end, and a pivot anchor arranged on a rear end of the rear portion, the pivot anchor configured to be attached to a car of a rail vehicle, a joint for connecting a rear end of the front portion to the forward end of the rear portion, the joint configured to allow the front portion to pivot in relation to the rear portion about an pivot axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from an operational position in which the forward portion and the rear portion are aligned so that the forward portion extends in a forward direction from the rear portion, to a pivoted position in which the forward portion is pivoted about the pivot axis so that the forward portion extends at an angle from the rear portion, wherein the coupler further comprises a crash plate attached to the forward end of the rear portion by way of a crash plate joint, the crash plate joint configured to allow the crash plate to pivot in relation to the rear portion about an pivot axis from an operational position in which the crash plate is arranged in front of the rear portion to a pivoted position in which the crash plate is pivoted about the pivot axis to a side position.