Curved Pull-Push Rod Layout for Closely Spaced Rail Bogies

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of straight pull-push rods in rail vehicles limits the arrangement of bogies under the vehicle body to two, restricting the number of wheelsets due to spatial constraints, which is inadequate for increasing train tonnage requirements.

Innovation Solution

The design of curved pull-push rods with flattened plates and simple bars allows for closer placement of bogies, enabling the use of up to four bogies under the vehicle body by articulating the components at strategic points above the rail surface, maintaining efficient force transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If straight pull-push rods are used to transfer longitudinal forces, then the design is simple and kinematic efficiency is achieved, but the number of bogies is limited to two due to spatial constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidnumber of bogies
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-push rod is divided into multiple segments or links that can articulate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the rod to bend and navigate the spatial constraints between multiple bogies while maintaining force transfer capability, resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and adaptability to multiple bogie configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pull-push rod transitions from a static straight rod to a dynamic articulated structure with movable joints. This allows the rod to adapt its shape and configuration based on the spacing and arrangement of bogies, enabling versatility in bogie numbering while maintaining structural integrity and force transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If straight pull-push rods are used with minimum spacing between bogies, then the rods fit without collisions, but the arrangement of multiple bogies (3 or 4) is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod fitting without collisionsVSAvoidbogie arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-push rod incorporates curved or articulated sections instead of straight rigid segments. This curvature allows the rod to follow the spatial path between closely spaced bogies without collision, while simultaneously accommodating various bogie arrangements (3 or 4 bogies) by adapting its curved configuration to different spacing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Quantity of substance

If more bogies (3 or 4) are arranged under the vehicle body, then the number of wheelsets increases to 6 or 8 for higher tonnage, but straight pull-push rods cannot accommodate this due to spatial constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of wheelsetsVSAvoidpull-push rod configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull-push rod system is segmented into multiple articulated sections that can independently adjust to accommodate the increased number of bogies. This segmentation allows the force transfer system to scale with the number of wheelsets (6 or 8) without requiring a complete redesign, managing the complexity through modular articulation rather than a single complex rigid structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3756968B1Rail vehicle or locomotive with a pull-push rod for the transfer of longitudinal forces between the bogie and the body of the rail vehicle or locomotive
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SKODA TRANSPORTATION S R O
  • EP3756968B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3756968B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Pull-push rod for transfer of longitudinal forces between the bogie and the body of a rail vehicle or locomotive, which is articulated at one end of the structural components to the bogie frame headstock of a rail vehicle or locomotive, at the other end of the structural components to a pin on the main frame-body of a rail vehicle or locomotive in the longitudinal axis, is made so that each of its two structural components is of different shape, the first structural component being made as a curved flattened plate (1) with an opening, wherein the flattened plate (1) is curved along the transverse axis and the second structural component of the pull-push rod being made as bar 2, curved along the transversal axis, wherein bar (2) is threaded through the opening in the flattened plate (1) of the first structural component of the pull-push rod. Or the two structural components of the pull-push rod are made with identical shape of curved simple bars 5 which are curved along the longitudinal axis 6, wherein the curved simple bars 5 are in shape of an arc deflecting to the side away from the longitudinal axis 6 and both structural parts are installed so that their curves pass each other. The structural components of the pull-push rod are made as a casting, welded part, forged part, part made of fiber, glass, carbon composites or part assembled of several parts.