High-Speed Train Coupler Pin Removal in Confined Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The operation of removing and mounting the coupling device for high-speed railroad cars during maintenance is difficult due to lack of space at the mounting position, especially when there are special vehicle components at the front part of the high-speed train, making it challenging to disassemble and reassemble the coupling device.
Innovation Solution
The coupling device is designed with a shock absorber frame featuring a partially inverted cone-shaped front-end wall and a coupling joint with a removal hole that can rotate at a predetermined angle, allowing for the insertion of a hanging bolt to facilitate the removal of the coupling pin, enabling the separation of the coupler from the shock absorber frame, thus allowing for easy removal and reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling device is installed at the front part of the front car with special vehicle components, then the coupling function is achieved, but there is no space to remove the entire coupling device during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separable components: the coupler and the shock absorber assembly. The coupler can be detached from the shock absorber frame by removing the coupling pin, allowing partial removal without needing space for the entire assembly. This segmentation enables maintenance operations in confined spaces where the front car has special vehicle components occupying available space.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling device is rotated 90° during maintenance to access the locking screw, then the locking screw becomes accessible, but there is hardly sufficient space above and the operation is very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin is designed with a head that can be accessed and operated in the vertical direction from the top of the coupling joint. This preliminary design consideration allows the coupling pin to be removed without requiring rotation or difficult access maneuvers, eliminating the need to rotate the coupling device 90° and avoiding the space constraints and operational difficulties that would result from such rotation.
3Reliability
If the coupling pin is firmly anchored to prevent loosening, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the removal operation during maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pin has different functional zones: the shaft portion is designed to be firmly anchored within the coupling joint to ensure coupling reliability, while the head portion protrudes from the coupling joint in the vertical direction to provide easy access for removal operations. This local differentiation of qualities allows the same component to simultaneously achieve secure anchoring and easy removal during maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for coupling tilting railroad cars onto a high-speed railroad train comprises a coupler and a shock absorber held in a shock absorber frame, each joined by a coupling pin via a coupling joint. The frame includes a front inner surface with a front end wall opening and a cylindrical surface extending to a semi-circular concave inner surface. The joint includes a rounded convex surface engaged with a semi-circular concave surface, a circumferential surface of a short cylinder receiving the rear portion of the coupler, and an insertion hole which is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the short cylinder. The frame has a removal hole and an air removal pin of the coupling pin facing each other at a position to rotate at a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction in the assembled state, and at a position coaxial with the coupling pin in the assembled state.