Movable Track Joint Cover for Articulated Vehicle Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movability of articulated vehicle bellows is restricted by traditional track joint covers, leading to increased material strain and reduced durability due to stabilization and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
The clamping ledges of the track joint cover are designed to be vertically movable, allowing the cover to float relative to the bellows side wall, with sheaths and edging elements to protect the bellows material and prevent removal, while being securely attached to end and central frames to maintain coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the track joint cover is rigidly stabilized to cover the track joint, then safety is improved, but bellows movability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The track joint cover is transformed from a rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with vertically movable clamping ledges that can displace relative to the bellows side wall. This allows the cover to adapt to bellows movements while maintaining track joint coverage, resolving the contradiction between safety and movability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment parameters of the track joint cover are changed by introducing vertical movability to the clamping ledges. The cover transitions from a fixed rigid attachment to a movable attachment that allows vertical displacement, enabling the bellows to move freely while the cover remains functional.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the track joint cover is rigidly stabilized, then coverage stability is improved, but material strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic design with movable clamping ledges allows the track joint cover to move with the bellows during operation, preventing rigid constraints that would generate high material strains. The cover maintains stable coverage while reducing stress on the bellows material.
3Strength
If the clamping ledges are rigidly fastened to the bellows side wall, then attachment security is improved, but bellows flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ledges are designed with vertical movability while maintaining secure attachment to the bellows side wall. This dynamic attachment allows the ledges to move with the bellows during flexing and rolling motions, preserving both attachment security and bellows flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment parameter of the clamping ledges is changed from fixed rigid attachment to movable attachment with vertical displacement capability. This allows the ledges to maintain secure connection while accommodating bellows movements, preserving flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (12) for covering the track joint between the rotary plate (7) and the bellows of the connection (1) between two hinge-linked vehicle sections (3a, 3b), said bellows comprising two side walls (2a) that are joined together through a bellows roof (2c) at least, said track joint cover (12) having, like the bellows of said connection (1), singular corrugations or pleats (13), neighboring corrugations or pleats (13) being joined together by clamping ledges (16) in the region of their one apex at least, and the clamping ledges (16) being fastened at their one end at least to the side wall (2a) of the bellows (2) so as to be vertically movable.