Automatically Foldable Coupler Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing central buffer couplings have complex designs and increased weight due to the need for multiple drives and components to achieve locking, unlocking, and pivoting, making them difficult to manufacture and mount.
Innovation Solution
A central buffer coupling with a pivoting mechanism that uses a slotted gate and cam disc interacting via a bolt, eliminating the need for a lifting magnet and linear drive, allowing a single drive to perform both locking/unlocking and pivoting functions, resulting in a more compact and simplified design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting magnet and linear drive are used to realize locking/unlocking and pivoting, then the coupling can achieve the required functions, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking/unlocking function and the pivoting function into a single integrated mechanism. The cam disc, when rotated, simultaneously performs both locking and pivoting actions through its interaction with the slotted gate and bolt, eliminating the need for separate lifting magnet and linear drive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam disc serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking element, a pivoting actuator, and a torque transmission component. By rotating the cam disc, the system achieves both locking/unlocking and inward/outward pivoting of the coupling shaft, making one component perform the work of multiple separate components.
2Reliability
If multiple drives are used to achieve locking/unlocking and pivoting, then the required functions are realized, but the weight of the coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lifting magnet and linear drive into a single cam disc rotation mechanism. This consolidation eliminates redundant components and their associated weights, while maintaining both locking/unlocking and pivoting capabilities through the cam disc's interaction with the slotted gate and bolt.
3Reliability
If a complex pivoting mechanism with multiple components is used, then the coupling can lock and pivot, but the manufacturing and mounting difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into fewer components, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. The cam disc, slotted gate, and bolt work together as an integrated mechanism, simplifying both manufacturing processes and assembly procedures compared to having separate lifting magnet and linear drive systems.
4Reliability
If separate lifting magnet and linear drive are used, then locking/unlocking and pivoting are achieved, but the space required for mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the lifting magnet and linear drive into a single cam disc mechanism that occupies significantly less space. The cam disc rotates in place and uses its profile geometry to simultaneously achieve locking and pivoting, eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces for multiple drive components.
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
This solution reduces the number of components and weight, simplifies the design, and enables space-saving integration while maintaining the functionality of pivoting the coupling head into and out of the vehicle profile.
Implementation Method 1
upon rotation of the cam disc about the rotational axis, at least a portion of the resulting torque can be transmitted from the cam disc to the slotted gate via the bolt
Implementation Method 2
a bolt connecting the one to the other of the two shaft components, the first end of which is received in a bolt guide in the sliding guide and its second end in the bolt guide in the cam disc guide
Data Source
AI summary
A central buffer coupling having a coupling head, a coupling shaft and a bearing block attachable to the front face of a car body. The coupling shaft includes a front shaft component supporting the coupling head and a rear shaft component coupled to the bearing block so as to be horizontally pivotable which are pivotable in the horizontal plane relative one another about a rotational axis defined by a connecting pin, and the central buffer coupling further includes a pivoting mechanism to pivot the front shaft component relative the rear shaft component. The pivoting mechanism includes a slotted gate fixedly attached to one of the two shaft components and having a sliding guide, a cam disc rotatably mounted about the rotational axis defined by the connecting pin and having a cam disc guide, and a bolt connecting the one to the other of the two shaft components.