Hybrid Composite Bogie Frame for Strength and Electrical Conduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to reduce the weight of a bogie in rail vehicles without compromising its strength and electrical conductivity properties.

Innovation Solution

A composite frame body and metallic mounting seats are connected using threaded fasteners, rivets, and structural adhesives, with annular gaps filled with conductive media, and specific angular orientations to ensure stable electrical conductivity and strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a traditional metallic bogie frame is used, then the strength and electrical conductivity are ensured, but the weight is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebogie weightVSAvoidframe strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by using a hybrid frame structure that combines metallic components (for strength and conductivity) with non-metallic components (for weight reduction). Specifically, the frame includes both metal frame members and composite frame members, creating a lightweight yet strong structure that meets both weight reduction goals and strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If a traditional metallic bogie frame is used, then the strength and electrical conductivity are ensured, but the weight is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebogie weightVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by using a hybrid frame structure that combines metallic components (for strength and conductivity) with non-metallic components (for weight reduction). Specifically, the frame includes both metal frame members and composite frame members, creating a lightweight yet strong structure that meets both weight reduction goals and strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses conductive adhesive as an intermediary material to connect composite frame members to metallic frame members. This conductive adhesive serves as a mediator that transfers electrical current between the non-conductive composite material and the conductive metal, ensuring continuous electrical conductivity throughout the hybrid frame structure while enabling the use of lightweight composite materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If composite materials are used to reduce weight, then the weight decreases, but the electrical conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebogie weightVSAvoidelectrical conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses conductive adhesive as an intermediary material to connect composite frame members to metallic frame members. This conductive adhesive serves as a mediator that transfers electrical current between the non-conductive composite material and the conductive metal, ensuring continuous electrical conductivity throughout the hybrid frame structure while enabling the use of lightweight composite materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by using a hybrid frame structure that combines metallic components (for strength and conductivity) with non-metallic components (for weight reduction). Specifically, the frame includes both metal frame members and composite frame members, creating a lightweight yet strong structure that meets both weight reduction goals and strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If multiple connection methods are used to ensure strength and conductivity, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated solution by using conductive adhesive that simultaneously provides mechanical bonding and electrical conductivity. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical fasteners and electrical connectors, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall connection structure while maintaining both strength and conductivity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution achieves a lightweight bogie with high strength and reliable electrical conductivity, ensuring safe and efficient energy transfer.

Implementation Method 1

bonded with a structural adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an annular gap formed between a peripheral surface of the rivet member and a riveting hole is filled with a conductive medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4699890A1Bogie and rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO LTD
  • EP4699890A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4699890A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4699890A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A bogie, comprising a frame. The frame comprises a frame body (1) and a mounting base (2). The frame body (1) is made of a composite material. Part of the mounting base (2) is a composite material mounting base (2a), and part of the mounting base (2) is a metal material mounting base (2b). The composite material frame body (1) and the composite material mounting base (2a) are connected by means of threaded fasteners (5), and are electrically conductive at mounting positions of the threaded fasteners (5). The composite material frame body (1) and the metal material mounting base (2b) are connected by means of the threaded fasteners (5), are riveted by means of riveting members (4), are bonded by means of a structural adhesive, are insulated at the mounting positions of the threaded fasteners (5), and are electrically conductive at mounting positions of the riveting members (4). A railway vehicle comprises said bogie. In this way, the present application has the advantages of light weight, high strength, stable and reliable electric conduction, and the like.