Pneumatic Spring Assembly for Low-Platform Rail Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air spring arrangements for low-floor rail vehicles face challenges in efficiently utilizing the limited space under the vehicle, particularly in low-floor designs where the interior space is maximized for passenger accommodation, making it difficult to accommodate air spring assemblies and other components.
Innovation Solution
An air spring arrangement that includes a pressure vessel arrangement fastened in the low-floor area of the rail vehicle, with a connecting line bridging the low-floor area to the bogie connection, allowing for a space-saving solution by placing the compressed air volume under the car body and freeing up space near the bogie for other equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the pressure vessel assembly is mounted in the low-floor section, then space under the car body is utilized efficiently, but the connecting line becomes longer and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary chamber that serves as a transition zone between the low-floor section and the bogie connection area. This intermediary space allows the connecting line to bridge the gap between the pressure vessel assembly mounted in the low-floor section and the air spring at the bogie connection, effectively mediating the spatial disconnect and enabling flexible routing of the connecting line.
2Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary air volumes are connected to air springs via connecting lines, then compliance of the air spring system is increased, but space requirements under the vehicle are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pressure vessel assembly from the traditional horizontal arrangement under the vehicle to a vertical arrangement in the low-floor section. By utilizing the vertical dimension and the available height in the low-floor area, the system accommodates the auxiliary air volumes without exceeding the limited horizontal space under the vehicle, thus maintaining compliance while respecting spatial constraints.
3Volume of moving object
If the interior floor is lowered to maximize passenger space, then passenger capacity is increased, but space for air suspension components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air suspension components (pressure vessel assembly and auxiliary air volumes) from the traditional location under the vehicle and relocates them to the low-floor section. This extraction allows the interior floor to be lowered for maximum passenger space while the air suspension components are housed in the newly created low-floor area, separating the passenger volume optimization from the component placement requirements.
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 configuration enables efficient use of the low-floor area, reducing the need for additional air volume attachments on the bogie and providing a compact installation that maintains the flexibility and functionality of the air spring system while optimizing space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure vessel assembly (10) which provides a volume of compressed air for the secondary suspension
Implementation Method 2
an air spring of the secondary suspension to the compressed air volume of the pressure vessel assembly (10)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An air spring arrangement for the secondary suspension of a low-floor rail vehicle is proposed, comprising a car body with a bogie connection and an adjoining low-floor section. The air spring arrangement includes: a pressure vessel arrangement (10) that provides a volume of compressed air for the secondary suspension of the low-floor rail vehicle, the pressure vessel arrangement being mountable in the low-floor section (31) of the rail vehicle; and a connecting line (20) for connecting an air spring of the secondary suspension to the compressed air volume of the pressure vessel arrangement (10), the connecting line (20) bridging the low-floor section (31) to the bogie connection (30). A car body and a rail vehicle are further proposed.