Double-Walled Articulated Vehicle Cover for Slim Profile
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with articulated connections, such as streetcars and buses, face challenges in providing adequate sound insulation, thermal insulation, and leak tightness while maintaining a slim profile, especially for wheelchair accessibility and accommodating movements like kinking and rolling.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled cover with an outer and inner wall made of elastically yielding reinforcement material, such as cross-linked silicone rubber, is configured as a single part to enhance sound and thermal insulation, leak tightness, and accessibility, with a slim thickness of 40-50 mm, and is fastened using a clamping device that allows 180° deflection at vehicle ends without damaging the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If double-concertina bellows are used to ensure increased sound insulation and thermal insulation, then sound insulation and thermal insulation are improved, but the passage clearance width becomes too small for wheelchair users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane structure that can deform to accommodate vehicle movements while maintaining a slim profile. The membrane acts as a flexible barrier providing sound and thermal insulation without the thickness required by rigid double-bellows structures, thus preserving adequate passage clearance width for wheelchair accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters from thick double-bellows configuration to a thin membrane with reinforcement elements. This parameter change allows the cover to provide adequate insulation properties while reducing overall thickness to maintain passage clearance width of at least 1.50 meters.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If double-concertina bellows are used to provide sound insulation and thermal insulation, then sound insulation and thermal insulation are improved, but the structure becomes too thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin flexible membrane reinforced with fabric or mesh structures that provide thermal and sound insulation properties without requiring the substantial thickness of double-bellows construction. The reinforcement elements distribute stresses while maintaining a slim overall profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining membrane material with reinforcement layers (fabric, mesh, or textile). This composite approach provides enhanced insulation properties and mechanical strength in a thin configuration, avoiding the need for thick single-material bellows structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a planar connection element with elastomer coating is used, then flexibility is improved, but sound insulation and thermal insulation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines flexible membrane material with reinforcement layers such as fabric, mesh, or textile structures. This composite construction maintains the flexibility needed to accommodate vehicle movements while providing enhanced sound and thermal insulation compared to simple elastomer coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible membrane structure that can deform with vehicle movements while incorporating reinforcement elements that provide insulation properties. The flexible shell maintains adaptability while the integrated reinforcement provides the necessary sound and thermal insulation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is configured as double-walled with outer and inner walls, then sound insulation and thermal insulation are improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outer wall, inner wall, and reinforcement elements into a single integrated membrane structure manufactured as one piece. This merging of components simplifies assembly while maintaining the insulating properties that would otherwise require separate double-walled construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite membrane structures with integrated reinforcement that provide the insulation properties of multi-layer construction while being manufactured as single-piece components, thereby reducing assembly complexity compared to assembling separate outer and inner walls.
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 improved sound and thermal insulation, increased leak tightness, and enhanced accessibility while maintaining a slim profile, reducing assembly effort through pre-tensioning and incorporating foam bodies for improved sound insulation.
Implementation Method 1
an at least U-shaped cover (10) which is configured as elastically yielding in itself
Implementation Method 2
a foam body (13) is provided for absorption of sound
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cover between at least two vehicle parts of the type connected to one another in an articulated manner to form a vehicle e.g. a streetcar or an articulated bus, the cover comprising an at least U-shaped cover that is elastically yielding, the U-shaped cover bridging a space between the two vehicle parts, wherein the U-shaped cover being double-walled, with an outer wall and an inner wall being formed in one part.