Rail Vehicle Bearing Block Universal Coupling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing blocks for rail vehicles are limited in their ability to accommodate differently dimensioned draw/buffing devices, as their design is adapted to specific damping properties and lengths, restricting their compatibility and increasing weight and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A bearing block design without a cage or housing structure, where flange areas are connected exclusively via bearing shells, allowing for universal compatibility with various draw/buffing devices, and featuring a simple construction suitable for forging, reducing weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing block is designed with a cage or housing structure adapted to specific draw/buffing devices, then the damping characteristics and length of the device can be accommodated, but the bearing block becomes incompatible with differently dimensioned devices and increases in weight
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing block is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate various draw/buffing devices of different dimensions and damping characteristics. The cage or housing structure is eliminated, and the flange areas are connected exclusively via bearing shells, creating a standardized interface that works with multiple device types without requiring structural modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage or housing structure that previously constrained the bearing block to specific device dimensions is removed. This extraction of the limiting structural element allows the bearing block to accommodate differently dimensioned draw/buffing devices while reducing the overall weight of the bearing block assembly.
2Reliability
If the bearing block includes a cage or housing structure to accommodate the draw/buffing device, then the device can be properly supported, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange areas are connected exclusively via bearing shells, merging the support function directly into the bearing assembly rather than requiring a separate cage or housing structure. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the necessary support and positioning functionality for the draw/buffing device.
3Ease of operation
If the flange plane is spaced horizontally from the rotation axis to accommodate the draw/buffing device length, then the device can be properly installed, but the bearing block length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows for dynamic adjustment or accommodation of the draw/buffing device within the bearing block structure. By connecting flange areas exclusively via bearing shells, the structure provides the necessary installation flexibility without requiring a fixed horizontal spacing that would increase the overall bearing block length.
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
Enables the use of the bearing block with different draw/buffing devices without structural modifications, reduces weight, and lowers production costs by allowing a more straightforward manufacturing process as a forged part, while ensuring unhindered horizontal pivoting and energy absorption capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing with a first bearing shell extending in a first horizontal plane and a second bearing shell vertically spaced from the first bearing shell
Implementation Method 2
a tension/impact device with elastic damping elements in the force flow transmitted via the coupling rod to absorb such shocks
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The block (1) has a flange (2) arranged in a vertical flange surface with two flange regions (2.1, 2.2) that are connected with a body of a track-guided vehicle. A bearing (3) is provided with bearing shells (3.1, 3.2) extending in horizontal layers, where one of the bearing shells is vertically spaced at distance from another bearing shell. The bearing shells include two openings (4.1, 4.2) for receiving vertical extended pivoted bolts or corresponding associated pivot pins, where the flange regions are connected with each other by the bearing shells. The flange regions and the bearing shells are formed as a forged structure e.g. single or multi-piece forged structure. An independent claim is also included for a coupling linkage for articulated-connecting a coupling rod to a body of a multiple-track-guided vehicle.