Flexible Support Member for Guide Rail Vehicle Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guide devices for guide rail-type vehicles have complex structures and high part counts, leading to unfavorable maintenance properties and increased manufacturing costs, as well as issues with noise generation and reduced ride quality due to excessive force absorption.
Innovation Solution
A guide device featuring flexible support members that absorb inward and outward forces by deflecting, with one end fixed to the steering arm and the other end supporting the guide wheels, simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs while facilitating maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shock-absorbing devices with L-shape levers and elastic members are used, then impact loads are absorbed, but the structure becomes complicated and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shock-absorbing function and the guide wheel support function into a single integrated support arm structure. The support arm directly connects the guide wheel assembly to the vehicle body and incorporates shock-absorbing elements within itself, eliminating the need for separate L-shape levers and elastic members while maintaining impact load absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the guide wheels, absorbs shock from impact loads, and provides structural connection to the vehicle body. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts needed while achieving the same protective effect
2Reliability
If conventional shock-absorbing devices with multiple parts are used, then impact loads are absorbed, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (support arm, shock-absorbing elastic member, and guide wheel mounting structure) into a single integrated support arm assembly, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs
3Ease of operation
If guide wheels are abutted on guide rails, then the vehicle is guided along the track, but excessive forces cause noise and reduced ride quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm incorporates shock-absorbing elastic members that are pre-configured to cushion the impact forces generated when guide wheels contact the guide rails during normal operation, particularly when the vehicle passes through switches or encounters track irregularities, thereby reducing noise and improving ride quality before excessive forces can be transmitted to the vehicle body
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 guide device provides a simple structure for easy maintenance and reduced manufacturing costs, effectively suppressing impact loads and preventing noise and ride quality issues by buffering forces applied to the steering arms.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible support member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, one end of the flexible support member being fixed to a tip end of each of the steering arms as a fixed end and the other end of the flexible support member rotatably supporting the main guide wheel and the turnout guide wheel, and the flexible support member absorbing the inward force and the outward force by deflection of the flexible support member with respect to the one end serving as a supporting point
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a guide device for a guide rail-type vehicle which travels while being guided along a travel track. The guide device is provided with: guide wheels which include main guide wheels and branched guide wheels, the main and branched guide wheels being in contact with and roll on guide rails arranged on both sides of the travel track; steering arms which steer the vehicle; and elastic support members which each includes one end affixed to each of the steering arms and which each includes the other end including guide wheels rotatably supported thereon, the elastic support members absorbing an impact load by deflecting about the one end thereof.