Kinematic Coupling for Rail Carriage Crash Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-unit rail vehicles, coordinating crumple zone forces across carriages of significantly different masses is challenging, leading to high force levels on lighter paths and unacceptable accelerations, making precise adjustment of crash elements difficult.
Innovation Solution
A kinematic coupling system with tension bands and a sleeve allows for relative movement between carriages, distributing deceleration forces across heavier adjacent cars, eliminating the need for precise coordination of crash elements on lighter segments by utilizing a predefined nominal stroke distance and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If independent crumple zones are arranged on either side of light cars, then energy absorption is improved, but acceleration control deteriorates due to high force levels compared to car mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the crumple zone functionality with the intermediate car body itself. The intermediate car body is designed to deform in a controlled manner during collisions, combining the functions of structural connection and energy absorption that were previously separate (crush elements on light cars plus deformation space between car bodies). This eliminates the need for high-force crush elements on light cars while maintaining energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate car body acts as a mediator between heavy and light cars. It absorbs collision energy through controlled deformation and limits the transmission of high forces to light cars, thereby protecting them from excessive accelerations while still providing effective energy absorption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If precise coordination of crash elements is implemented, then energy absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate car body performs energy absorption automatically through its own controlled deformation during collision. The structure is designed to deform in predetermined patterns without requiring active control systems, sensors, or complex coordination mechanisms. This self-service approach provides effective energy absorption while minimizing device complexity.
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 limits accelerations of lighter car bodies to the level of heavier cars, ensuring efficient energy absorption and stable coupling of car segments with varying weights during crashes without requiring precise crash element coordination.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first tension straps is connected with the first end to the first housing part and with the second end to the second housing part and is guided in a bend around the sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The position of the connection to the first housing part and the position of the connection to the second housing part are located with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second housing part between the sleeve and the second connection device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a kinematic coupling for kinematically coupling the car segments of multi-segmented rail vehicles, in particular multi-segmented rail vehicles with car segments having different dimensions, and a method for coupling the car segments by means of said coupling.