Gangway Support Beam Dynamics for Train Car Connections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gangway support systems in multi-car vehicles are often connected to the coupler, which restricts movement and leads to wear, and do not effectively manage the gangway's stretching or compressing during vehicle acceleration, deceleration, or bending.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising two beams connected by a connector that allows relative movement, enabling the gangway to extend and compress, providing support in both operational states, with the beams directly contacting the gangway structure and optionally using damping elements for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the gangway support system is connected to the coupler, then the support structure is simplified, but the movement is restricted and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structureVSAvoidmovement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the support function from the coupler system by introducing independent beams that contact the gangway structure directly. These beams are not connected to the coupler, allowing the gangway to move freely while maintaining support, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces damping elements as intermediaries between the beams and the gangway structure. These damping elements absorb movement forces and reduce wear while maintaining the freedom of movement, addressing both the reliability and wear issues simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the gangway support system uses fixed length beams, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate stretching or compressing during acceleration or bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam structureVSAvoidoperational state management

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the support structure dynamic by allowing beams to move relative to each other through the connector. This dynamic arrangement enables the system to adapt to stretching and compressing forces during acceleration and bending, while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of basic beam and connector components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the length parameter of the support structure dynamically by allowing beams to extend and compress relative to each other. This parameter change capability enables the system to accommodate various operational states without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If damping elements are added to the beam system, then wear is reduced and stability improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidbeam system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple damping elements that can be easily replaced rather than designing complex wear-resistant beam systems. These damping elements absorb wear and movement forces, providing reliable protection while maintaining overall system simplicity through their straightforward, replaceable design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 allows the gangway to move freely, reducing wear and providing consistent support during various operational conditions, such as straight-line travel and bending, by adjusting its length to accommodate the gangway's stretching or compressing, thus ensuring predictable movement and reduced rotation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one damping element (24) arranged between the first beam (2) and the second beam (3), said damping element (24) allowing said movement of the first beam (2) relative to the second beam (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3498565B1Device for supporting a load of a gangway structure between two cars, a gangway for connecting a first car with a second car and allowing passage of passengers from the first car to the second car, multi-car vehicle comprising a gangway and two cars which are connected by the gangway

Publication Date: 2023.01.25 DELLNER COUPLERS AB

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5B-B
Figure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for supporting a load of a gangway structure between two cars, the device having a beam, on which the load of the gangway structure can be supported, and two sliding means which are supported by the beam; each of the sliding means having at least one connecting structure to be connected to one of the cars; the beam and the sliding means are adapted such that the sliding means are compulsory coupled to the beam to move in opposite directions at least substantially the same distance relative to the beam in a translational direction along the longitudinal axis of the beam.