Foldable Coupler Assembly for Straddle Rail Trains
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for rail vehicles are not suitable for low-floor rail vehicles with large head widths, as they require high opening and closing device requirements and are prone to damage due to non-uniform stress on curved and sloped railways, affecting aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly with a mounting base, buffering mechanism, folding mechanism, and coupler head that allows for easy folding and locking of a pull rod, reducing the need for a high-opening device and enhancing buffering and energy absorption capabilities, suitable for vehicles with large head widths and varying rail conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an existing non-foldable coupler is used for low-floor rail vehicles with large head widths, then the coupling surface must extend out of the head for a certain distance to avoid mutual interference on curves, but this affects aesthetics and requires a complex opening and closing device to cover the exposed portion
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is designed with a foldable pull rod that can dynamically change its configuration between extended and folded states. The pull rod includes first and second segments that can rotate relative to each other about a pivot point, allowing the coupler to adapt its length and shape based on operational requirements versus aesthetic considerations when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull rod is divided into multiple segments (first pull rod segment and second pull rod segment) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the coupler to be folded into a compact configuration while maintaining the necessary extended length during coupling operations, eliminating the need for a complex opening and closing device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling surface extends out of the head for a certain distance to avoid mutual interference on curves, then adaptability to horizontal curvilinearity is improved, but the exposed coupler end portion is long affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable pull rod provides dynamic adaptability, extending when needed for curve clearance and folding back when not in use to maintain aesthetic appearance. The mechanism allows the coupler to transition between functional and aesthetic states based on operational context.
3Reliability
If a non-foldable coupler is used, then coupling functionality is ensured, but the coupler is prone to damage due to nonuniform stress on curved and sloped railways
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable mechanism with pivot points allows the pull rod to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to nonuniform stresses from curves and slopes. This flexibility enables the coupler to accommodate varying stress distributions without rigid constraint, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining coupling functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses a coupler assembly and a straddle type rail train with the same. The coupler assembly includes a mounting base, a buffering mechanism, a folding mechanism, and a coupler head, one end of the buffering mechanism is interconnected movably with the mounting base, the other end of the buffering mechanism is provided with a pull rod, the pull rod is provided with a limiting portion, one end of the folding mechanism is interconnected movably with the pull rod, the folding mechanism is provided with a locking part, the locking part movably cooperates with the limiting portion to lock or release the pull rod, and the pull rod is fixed at a stretching position when the limiting portion is locked by the locking part, and is movable between a folding position and the stretching position when the limiting portion is released by the locking part; and one end of the coupler head is interconnected with the other end of the folding mechanism.