Forged Coupling Head Housing for Compact Central Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling head housings for central buffer couplings are complex and costly to produce, requiring lengthy manufacturing processes and extensive quality control, with designs that do not efficiently distribute forces and result in longer overall lengths.
Innovation Solution
A coupling head housing designed as a single forged component with separate, finger-like contact surfaces for non-positive connections to the end plate, allowing for simpler assembly and reduced production time, with force distribution optimized through defined localized support areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coupling head housing is designed as a cast part with multiple screw connections and spacer elements, then the connection reliability between the housing and end plate is improved, but the production time increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling head housing into a single forged component that integrates multiple functions: the housing body, connection areas for the end plate and coupling rod, and force distribution structures. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cast parts, multiple screw connections, and spacer elements, thereby reducing production time while maintaining connection reliability through the inherent strength of forged material and integrated design.
2Reliability
If the coupling head housing is designed as a cast part with multiple screw connections, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (housing body, connection elements, spacer elements) into a single forged coupling head housing. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple casting operations, assembly steps with screw connections, and quality control processes for multiple parts, while the integrated design ensures connection reliability through monolithic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from casting to forging. Forging produces a denser, more uniform grain structure that inherently provides higher strength and reliability, eliminating the need for complex post-casting treatments, crack tests, and extensive quality control measures required for cast parts.
3Strength
If the coupling head housing is designed with increased wall thicknesses and specific geometry to absorb compressive and tensile forces, then the strength is improved, but the overall length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific geometric features (protrusions, recesses, and force distribution structures) at critical locations within the coupling head housing. These localized structures efficiently distribute compressive and tensile forces across the forged component, providing high strength without requiring increased wall thicknesses throughout the entire housing, thus maintaining a compact overall length.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling head (1) for a central buffer coupling for vehicles that can be coupled, comprising a coupling head housing (2) and an end-face plate (3), which terminates the coupling head housing (2) at an end face and is detachably connected to the coupling head housing (2), wherein the coupling head housing (2) has a first connection region (13) for coupling to the end-face plate (3) and a second connection region (11) for establishing the connection to a coupling rod. According to the invention, the coupling head housing (2) is designed as one piece as a forged component, wherein the first connection region (13) is formed on the coupling head housing (2) by at least two contact surfaces (9) arranged separated from each other for at least indirectly supporting on partial surfaces of the end-face plate (3) and the coupling head housing (2) is connected to the end-face plate (3) in the first connection region (13) by means of force-closed connections.