Rail Bogie Damping via Articulated Rod Linkage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tilting bogies for rail vehicles face challenges in adhering to dimensional constraints, particularly in avoiding interference with the bogie frame and maintaining efficient anti-yaw damping force, as the damping cylinder's angle with the longitudinal direction increases with roll and yaw angles.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an upper and lower connecting rod system with ball joints, allowing the damping cylinder to maintain a reduced angle with the longitudinal direction, ensuring compliance with gauge limits and preventing interference, while effectively damping yaw movements across various angular positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple damping device with a single connecting element is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping cylinder adopts large angles with the longitudinal direction, reducing damping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping device structureVSAvoiddamping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single connecting element is divided into two separate connecting rods (upper and lower), each performing a specific function in the kinematic chain. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each rod's position and function, enabling the damping cylinder to maintain a smaller angle with the longitudinal direction while still providing effective yaw damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the structure is allowed to rotate freely to the end of its rotational travel, then the adaptability for curve negotiation is improved, but the structure and feet exceed the gauge limits and interfere with the bogie frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational travel rangeVSAvoidgauge infringement and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The two connecting rods act as intermediary elements between the damping cylinder and the structure. They transmit the damping force while constraining the kinematic path of the structure, ensuring that during rotation the feet and structure remain within gauge limits and do not interfere with the bogie frame, yet still allow sufficient rotational travel for curve negotiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the damping cylinder angle with the longitudinal direction is kept small, then the anti-yaw damping efficiency is maintained, but the device requires a more complex kinematic mechanism to achieve this across all angular positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping efficiencyVSAvoidkinematic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting rods are designed to dynamically adjust their positions and orientations based on the structure's roll and yaw angles. This dynamic configuration ensures that the damping cylinder maintains a consistently small angle with the longitudinal direction throughout the range of motion, optimizing damping efficiency without requiring overly complex mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures efficient yaw damping without exceeding gauge limits, maintaining the cylinder's angle within acceptable limits and preventing interference, thus enhancing the bogie's operational efficiency and stability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one device for damping the yaw movements of the structure relative to the chassis, the device for damping the yaw movements comprising: a damping cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

connected by a first end to the chassis by a first ball joint; A connecting element connecting a second end of the damping cylinder to the structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical articulation: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2636570B1Pendular bogie for a railway vehicle, vehicle and corresponding train
Publication Date: 2015.08.19 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP2636570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2636570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2636570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The bogie (5) has a frame (13), and a structure (17) that is movable in rotation around a longitudinal axis with regard to the frame. The structure is intended to be linked with a case of a rail car. A damping jack (51) is connected by an end (53) to the frame by a connection kneecap (55). An upper rod (57) is related to another end (59) of the jack by another connection kneecap (61). A lower rod (65) is related to the upper rod and/or to the latter end of the jack by a third connection kneecap (67). The lower rod is related to the frame by a fourth connection kneecap (69).