Fluidic Coupling Bellows for Adjustable Rail Chassis Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic coupling devices for rail vehicle wheel guiding systems face challenges in achieving optimal wear resistance and adjustable stiffness to manage wear and noise effectively across different track conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic coupling device featuring a deformable, rotationally symmetrical bellows that closes the fluid chamber fluid-tight, allowing for smooth relative movement between the core and housing, and a second bellows for fluid transfer, along with a spring device for static rigidity, enabling frequency-dependent and static stiffness adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid chamber is formed between the housing and core using traditional sealing methods, then fluid containment is achieved, but excessive resistance and wear occur during relative movement between core and housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bellows structure as a flexible membrane to seal the fluid chamber. The bellows can deform elastically during relative movement between the core and housing, maintaining fluid containment while accommodating motion without excessive friction or wear. This flexible sealing approach replaces traditional rigid seals that would cause high resistance and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows structure is designed to dynamically adapt its shape during operation. As the core moves relative to the housing, the bellows expands and contracts accordingly, maintaining fluid-tight sealing throughout the range of motion. This dynamic sealing capability ensures smooth relative mobility while preventing fluid leakage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling device uses fixed stiffness components, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust wheel guidance stiffness for different track conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a fluid chamber filled with compressible fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) to provide adjustable stiffness. By varying the fluid pressure, the coupling stiffness between the wheelset and chassis can be continuously adjusted to optimize performance for different track conditions, such as curved tracks requiring lower stiffness or straight tracks requiring higher stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffness characteristic of the coupling device is adjusted by changing the pressure parameter of the fluid in the chamber. This allows the same structural components to provide different stiffness levels without mechanical reconfiguration, achieving adaptability through parameter modification rather than structural change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sealing elements are used between core and housing, then fluid containment is achieved, but frequency-dependent stiffness adjustment is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure serves dual functions: maintaining fluid containment through its sealing capability and enabling frequency-dependent stiffness adjustment through its elastic deformability. The bellows can dynamically respond to different excitation frequencies, providing appropriate stiffness characteristics while maintaining reliable fluid sealing throughout the operational range.
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 device achieves reduced wear and noise, with improved wear resistance and adjustable stiffness, ensuring low wheel guide rigidity in curves and high rigidity on straight tracks, enhancing the rail vehicle's stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable first bellows which is connected to the housing and to the core, wherein at least the first bellows is designed to be rotationally symmetrical
Implementation Method 2
at least one first fluid chamber which can be supplied with fluid for adjusting coupling stiffnesses of the coupling device
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluidic coupling device for coupling components, in particular for a wheel guidance device or wheelset guidance device for a chassis of a rail vehicle, comprising a core (3), a housing (4) surrounding the core (3), and at least one first fluid chamber (5) which can be supplied with fluid for adjusting the coupling stiffness of the coupling device, wherein the at least first fluid chamber (5) is formed as the first cavity between the housing (4) and the core (3). It is proposed that the at least first fluid chamber (5) be fluid-tightly sealed by means of a deformable first bellows (9) which is connected to the housing (4) and to the core (3), wherein at least the first bellows (9) is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a bellows axis (11) which is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (12) of the coupling device.As a result, components of the coupling device exhibit smooth relative mobility without excessive wear on the first bellows (9).