Fluid-Filled Buffer Stop for Adjustable Compression Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber buffer stops for rail vehicles have limited buffering and stopping performance, with non-linear compression stiffness curves that can only be adjusted by changing the type of rubber, leading to a restricted adjusting range.
Innovation Solution
A buffer stop structure comprising a mounting seat, a stopping cap filled with a fluid medium, a buffer cylinder, and a resilient member, allowing for multiple forms of buffering and stopping performance through adjustable compression stiffness curves by varying the fluid medium, damping hole size, and resilient member type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional buffer stops with rubber elements are used, then cushioning effect is provided, but bacterial growth and rotting occur due to moisture retention
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer stop uses a porous concrete structure that allows moisture to pass through and drain, preventing water accumulation that would otherwise promote bacterial growth and rotting while maintaining the cushioning function through the porous material's energy absorption characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer stop combines concrete with steel reinforcement elements to create a composite structure that provides both the necessary mechanical strength and cushioning properties, while the concrete material itself resists biological degradation
2Quantity of substance
If buffer stops are placed close together to reduce quantity, then cost is reduced, but train carriage width is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer stop is designed as a segmented structure with multiple functional zones including a cushioning element, a drainage layer, and a reinforcement section, allowing optimized spacing between units while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer stop design incorporates vertical dimension optimization with elevated drainage channels and multi-layer construction, reducing the horizontal space required between buffer stops while maintaining their functional performance
3Length of moving object
If buffer stops are placed far apart to allow train carriage passage, then train carriage width is maintained, but more buffer stops are needed increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer stop is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: cushioning impact, draining water, providing structural support, and defining track boundaries, which increases the value and spacing efficiency of each individual unit deployed
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
Enhances buffering and stopping performance by enabling flexible adjustment of compression stiffness curves, improving the buffer stop's ability to resist deformation and satisfy diverse operational demands.
Implementation Method 1
The buffer stop comprises a concrete body (1). The buffer stop is used for cushioning train carriages
Implementation Method 2
The buffer stop is particularly useful for cushioning train carriages on mining railways. It is simple, robust and inexpensive. It drains water effectively
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A buffer stop, comprising a mounting base and a buffer stop cap made of rubber material, the buffer stop cap and the mounting base being connected to one another to enclose a sealed accommodating cavity, and the accommodating cavity being filled with a fluid medium; and further comprising a buffer cylinder and an elastic member arranged in the accommodating cavity, the buffer cylinder comprising a cylinder body and a piston, the piston being provided with a damping hole, and the elastic member being connected to the piston; one of the cylinder body and the elastic member interacts with the buffer stop cap, and the other of the cylinder body and the elastic member interacts with the mounting base. The present buffer stop has better buffering and stopping performance, better facilitates adjustment, and can conveniently form compression rigidity curves of more shapes, so as to better meet usage requirements.