Rail Coupling Head Support with One-Piece Cast Centering Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for centering or deflecting a rail vehicle coupling head are complex to manufacture, leading to high costs and instability, with components made of welded bent parts.
Innovation Solution
A support device with a support unit and spring device mounted inside a holder, featuring a movable guide block and U-shaped guide tracks, manufactured from a single piece of lightweight metal via die casting, allowing for stable and cost-effective construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the base part and pocket of the housing are made of welded bent parts, then the support device can be assembled from standard components, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the base part and pocket into a single integrated housing component manufactured via die casting. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate welded bent parts and their associated assembly operations, directly reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical welding and assembly system with a die casting process. This substitution eliminates complex welding operations and part assembly, achieving the housing structure in a single manufacturing step, thereby improving ease of manufacture and reducing structural complexity.
2Productivity
If welded bent parts are used for the housing, then the support device can be constructed with standard fabrication methods, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base part and pocket are combined into a single die-cast housing component, eliminating multiple fabrication and assembly steps. This integration directly improves manufacturing efficiency by producing the housing structure in one operation rather than through sequential welding and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The die casting process replaces the mechanical welding system, transitioning from a multi-step fabrication process to a single-step casting operation. This substitution dramatically improves productivity by eliminating time-consuming welding and assembly operations while reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support device uses a stable welded construction, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a die-cast housing that integrates multiple functions into a single component structure. This composite approach combines the structural functions of the base part and pocket into one optimized component, achieving structural stability while reducing overall weight compared to assembled welded construction.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the base part and pocket into a single housing component, the patent eliminates the weight of additional welds, fasteners, and redundant structural elements. The integrated design maintains structural stability through optimized monolithic construction while reducing total device weight.
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
The solution provides a stable, reliable, and cost-effective support device with reduced manufacturing complexity and weight, facilitating easier logistics and improved alignment of coupling heads in misaligned vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
An integrated spring assembly rests the pocket on the base part, providing a spring-loaded support for the connecting element on the centering support unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A support device (10) for centering or deflecting a coupling head of a rail vehicle is provided with a bracket (20) that can be attached to the rail vehicle and a support unit (15) projecting from its upper surface, with a bearing surface (16). The bearing surface (16) is designed in its center as a centering support for the connecting member (42) and can be adjusted to an approximately horizontal orientation, so that the connecting member (42) resting on the bearing surface (17) can be deflected in an approximately horizontal direction. The support unit (15) and a spring assembly (30) holding it are mounted inside the bracket (20), which has an open recess (21) at the top. The support unit (15) has a guide block (18) that is movable within the bracket (20). The bracket (20) and the guide block (18) of the support unit (15) are preferably each cast in one piece from a lightweight metal.This allows for a stable yet simple construction of the support device.