Double-Side Coupler Lockpin Shaft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional train couplers face inefficiencies and safety concerns during hump shunting operations due to limited bidirectional operation capabilities, leading to decreased coupling success ratios and potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A double-side operating coupler with a lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly, featuring symmetrical coupler lifting bar holes and tension springs, allows for reliable unlocking from both sides, ensuring successful coupling and improved operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional single-side coupler operating mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different operating conditions (especially hump shunting) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly is segmented into a shaft body and a bush, which are assembled together. The bush contains a second coupler lifting bar hole while the shaft body contains a first coupler lifting bar hole, enabling dual-side operation capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire coupler mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a rotational pivot for the lockpin and a mounting structure for dual-side coupler lifting bar holes. This multi-functional design allows the same assembly to support both single-side and double-side operating modes, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Productivity
If double-side operating capability is implemented, then the productivity of train marshalling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly into separable shaft body and bush components, the design enables double-side operation capability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. Each component can be produced independently using standard machining processes, and their assembly requires only basic fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bush is designed to be assembled onto the shaft body, with the bush containing the second coupler lifting bar hole and the shaft body containing the first hole. This nested arrangement allows dual-side operation functionality to be integrated within the existing structural footprint without requiring separate mechanisms for each side
3Reliability
If the coupler lifting bar hole is positioned for single-side operation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of coupling operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly is divided into shaft body and bush components, each containing one coupler lifting bar hole. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using standard single-hole drilling and tapping processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while enabling dual-side operation capability when assembled together
Solution Approach 2:
The bush acts as an intermediary component that bridges the shaft body and the external environment. It provides the second coupler lifting bar hole while being mounted on the shaft body, allowing dual-side operation without requiring complex integrated machining of the shaft body itself
Data Source
AI summary
A lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly includes a lower lockpin rotation shaft body, an outer end portion thereof having a first coupler lifting bar hole, an intermediate portion thereof having a connecting key; and a lower lockpin rotation shaft bush, an outer end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft bush having a second coupler lifting bar hole, and an inner end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft bush being operatively connected to an inner end portion of the lower lockpin rotation shaft body. Further, the present invention further provides a double-side operating coupler and a coupler draft gear having the above lower lockpin rotation shaft assembly. The coupler draft gear further includes two coupler lifting bars and two coupler lifting bar seats. Each of the coupler lifting bars is inserted in a keyhole-shaped through hole of corresponding coupler lifting bar seat, and the coupler lifting bar has a restrained segment at a fitted portion of the coupler lifting bar with the coupler lifting bar seat. Coupler heads of the two coupler lifting bar are inserted through the keyhole-shaped through holes of the two coupler lifting bar seats and then coupled with the first coupler lifting bar hole and the second coupler lifting bar hole of the double-side operating coupler. There is a gap between the restrained segment of each coupler lifting bar and walls of the rectangular hole of the keyhole-shaped through hole.