Coupling Rod End Piece with Spring Spreader to Reduce Draft Gear Twist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupler designs for multi-car vehicles experience asymmetric loads due to the coupler head being off-center when folded back, leading to torsional forces on the draft gear.
Innovation Solution
An end piece with a spreading element and a spring element is introduced to generate a spreading force, counteracting the twisting effect on the rod by increasing the distance between its ends, thereby reducing or eliminating rotational movement about the longitudinal axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler head is folded back to an uncoupled state, then the coupler head can be positioned for storage or transport, but the coupler head becomes off-center relative to the longitudinal axis of the first rod part, causing asymmetric loads and torsional forces on the draft gear
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading element is pre-configured with a spring element that generates a spreading force to counteract the torsional forces and asymmetric loads that will occur when the coupler head is folded back. This preliminary anti-action prevents the draft gear from experiencing destabilizing forces during the uncoupled state, maintaining the longitudinal axis alignment even when the coupler head is repositioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that generates a spreading force to offset the asymmetric loads and torsional forces created by the off-center positioning of the coupler head. This counteracting force system balances the draft gear, preventing the destabilizing effects of the off-center configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rod is allowed to swivel about its longitudinal axis relative to the joint section, then the elastic connection can accommodate torsional forces, but this rotational movement increases wear on the elastic connections and reduces durability
Solution Approach 1:
The spreading element with its spring element generates a preliminary counteracting force that opposes rotational movement of the rod about its longitudinal axis before significant torsional forces can develop. This prevents excessive swiveling and reduces wear on the elastic connections while still allowing necessary movement to accommodate torsional forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element converts the potential harmful effect of torsional forces and rotational movement into a beneficial spreading force that actively counteracts the rotational tendency. By utilizing the elastic properties of the spring, the system transforms what would be damaging rotational wear into a controlled force that maintains alignment and reduces wear.
3Reliability
If a spreading element with a spring element is added to counteract torsional forces, then the stability and durability of the draft gear is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece is divided into functional segments: the rod, the joint section, the elastic connection, and the separately attachable spreading element with spring element. This segmentation allows the spreading element to be added as a modular component to address the specific problem of torsional forces without completely redesigning the entire end piece structure, thereby managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreading element acts as an intermediary component between the rod and the joint section, introducing the spring element as a mediating force-generating element. This intermediary structure provides the necessary counteracting spreading force without requiring fundamental changes to the existing rod-joint section connection, thus adding reliability while managing complexity through a targeted intermediate solution.
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 design effectively reduces or eliminates twisting forces on the draft gear, maintaining stability and reducing wear on the elastic connections, enhancing the durability and performance of the coupler.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element arranged between the first end and second end of the spreading element, the spring element generating a spreading force
Implementation Method 2
The elasticity of the elastic connection even further enables the rod to swivel about its longitudinal axis relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An end piece for part of a draft gear of a coupler for a multi-car vehicle, comprising a first joint section for mounting to a car and rotatable about a generally vertical axis, a rod having a longitudinal axis (B) which, in use, is substantially horizontal, an elastic connection connecting the rod to the first joint section, whose elasticity allows the rod to swivel about its longitudinal axis (B) relative to the first joint section, and a first spreading element suitable to create a spreading force (F) and comprising: a first end in contact with the rod, a second end in contact with the first joint section, and a spring element arranged between the first and second ends, the spring element generating a spreading force (F) directed to increasing the distance between the first end and second end when the first end is moved towards the second end.