Integrated Electromechanical Actuator for Rail Vehicle Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electromechanical drives for decoupling center buffer clutches in rail vehicles are not suitable for integration within the limited installation space due to their size, leading to external mounting and increased complexity in assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a complete electromechanical actuator with an electric motor directly within the center buffer coupling's housing, allowing for a standard, low-cost motor selection and robust connection to absorb vibrations and shocks, while minimizing external components and optimizing space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electromechanical actuators are mounted outside the coupling housing, then sufficient installation space is available, but assembly and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electromechanical actuator directly into the coupling housing, merging two previously separate components (actuator and coupling housing) into a single integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for external mounting, reduces the number of separate parts, and simplifies both assembly and maintenance operations while utilizing the available internal space of the housing effectively.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard electric motors are used, then costs are reduced, but integration within the coupling housing becomes difficult due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a compact electric motor design that can be nested within the coupling housing, utilizing the internal cavity space efficiently. The motor is positioned to fit within the housing boundaries, with its components arranged to maximize space utilization. This allows standard, cost-effective motor designs to be integrated without requiring custom oversized housings or expensive space-constrained specialized motors.
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 design reduces installation space requirements, lowers costs, enhances robustness, and simplifies assembly and maintenance by integrating the electric motor within the actuator housing, providing a compact, efficient, and cost-effective solution for electromechanical actuation.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical actuator with an electric motor integrated into the actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A central buffer coupler (1) of a rail vehicle comprises a housing (1a), a hook disc (2) with a pivot axis (2a), and an actuator (6) with an actuating element (7), wherein the actuating element (7) interacts with the hook disc (2), the actuator (6) being designed as an electromechanical actuator (6) with at least one electric motor (10, 100, 110, 120). The electric motor (10) of the electromechanical actuator (6) is rigidly connected to a housing (15) of the electromechanical actuator (6). A rail vehicle with such a central buffer coupler (1) is provided.