Modular Underfloor Fastening for Rail Vehicle Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle underfloor component systems require complex and costly adaptations for different vehicle types, leading to high development and assembly costs due to the need for vehicle-specific designs and fastening systems, which also occupy limited installation space.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with standardized underfloor components and interchangeable fastening elements that can be adapted to various car body types without altering the component, allowing for load-bearing attachment and reducing production and assembly costs by utilizing standardized interfaces and flexible fastening elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If underfloor components are adapted to specific vehicle types using additional support structures, then the components can be securely attached to different car bodies, but the installation space in the longitudinal direction is increased and the system complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal fastening element that can attach the same underfloor component to different car body types (e.g., flat bottom and bogie bottom vehicles) without modifying the component itself. The fastening element serves multiple functions: it provides load-bearing attachment, adapts to different car body geometries through interchangeable designs, and eliminates the need for vehicle-specific component adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is segmented into modular components: a standardized interface on the underfloor component, interchangeable fastening elements adapted to specific car body types, and mounting brackets. This segmentation allows the universal component to be paired with different fastening elements for different vehicle types, reducing overall system complexity and installation space requirements.
2Reliability
If underfloor components are adapted to specific vehicle types by redesigning components and fastening systems, then secure attachment is achieved, but development costs and assembly costs are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized interface design allows a single underfloor component design to be used across multiple vehicle types, significantly reducing development costs. The same component can be attached to different car bodies using interchangeable fastening elements, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific component redesigns and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic selection of fastening elements based on the specific car body type being assembled. This flexibility enables manufacturers to optimize the fastening system for each vehicle type without committing to permanent, vehicle-specific component designs, thereby reducing overall development and assembly costs across the product range.
3Ease of operation
If combined installation of underfloor components and side skirts is achieved using mounting brackets, then both components can be attached simultaneously, but more installation space in the longitudinal direction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket integrates multiple functions: it attaches the side skirt to the car body and simultaneously provides the mounting interface for the underfloor component. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, reducing the longitudinal installation space while maintaining combined installation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket serves as a universal interface that can attach both side skirts and underfloor components to different car body types. This multi-functional design allows a single bracket design to replace multiple specialized mounting structures, reducing space requirements while maintaining ease of operation for combined installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular system for fastening an underfloor component (1) to different vehicle bodies of rail vehicles has at least one underfloor component (1) with a container for receiving and fastening a rail vehicle component in the container, and at least first fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) for fastening the underfloor component (1) to a first vehicle body, and at least second fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) for fastening the underfloor component (1) to a second vehicle body which is different from the first vehicle body. Here, the fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) are designed for fastening the underfloor component in a load-bearing manner to the respective vehicle body. Moreover, the first and second fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) in each case have an identical interface (21, 22) for fastening the respective fastening element (2, 2a, 2b) to the container of the underfloor component (1). In addition, the first fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) in each case have a first interface (23, 24) for fastening the first fastening element (2, 2a, 2b) to the first vehicle body, and the second fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b) in each case have a second interface (23, 24) for fastening the second fastening element (2, 2a, 2b) to the second vehicle body. The modular system is designed in such a way that the container of the underfloor component (1) can be attached to the different vehicle bodies without further adaptation and by way of the selection of the respective fastening elements (2, 2a, 2b).