Rail Brake Actuator Eccentric Control for Precise Spring Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway vehicle brake systems controlled by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure face complexity and inefficiency in generating and controlling service brake force, particularly in situations where these pressures are not available onboard.
Innovation Solution
A railway vehicle brake actuator featuring an eccentric mechanism interconnected with spring means and an electric motor to control the angular position of the eccentric, allowing for precise control of brake force transmission to the brake block or pad, reducing the need for high power and enhancing speed and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is used to control spring means for service braking, then brake force can be generated, but the control is complicated and not performed with necessary speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic or hydraulic control system with an electric motor-driven eccentric mechanism. The electric motor controls the angular position of the eccentric, which mechanically translates to precise control of brake force transmission from the spring means to the brake block or pad. This substitution eliminates the complexity of pneumatic/hydraulic control while achieving superior speed and accuracy in brake force modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from pneumatic/hydraulic pressure to electric motor angular position. By controlling the angular position of the eccentric mechanism, the system achieves precise control over the transmission of spring force to the brake element. This parameter change enables faster response times and more accurate brake force control compared to pressure-based systems.
2Speed
If pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is used to control spring means, then brake force can be generated, but the control is not performed with the necessary speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the slow-responding pneumatic or hydraulic control system with an electric motor-driven eccentric mechanism. Electric motors provide rapid response times for angular position adjustment, which directly translates to fast control of brake force transmission. This substitution achieves the necessary speed for modern railway vehicle braking while simplifying the control architecture.
3Force
If powerful spring means are used for creating brake force, then sufficient braking power is achieved, but the control of service brake force becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an eccentric mechanism as an intermediary between the powerful spring means and the brake block or pad. The eccentric mechanism acts as a force transmission modulator, converting the constant high force from the spring into a controllable variable force through angular position adjustment. This intermediary enables the use of powerful springs while maintaining simple and precise control through electric motor actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic eccentric mechanism that can adjust its angular position to modulate the transmission of spring force. By making the force transmission path dynamically adjustable through electric motor control, the system achieves both high brake force capability from powerful springs and simple, precise control through angular position variation.
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
The solution enables efficient and accurate control of brake force with limited power, improving the speed and accuracy of brake engagement and disengagement, and compensates for wear through a built-in slack adjuster device, ensuring reliable braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
Powerful spring means are frequently used in the braking art for creating a parking brake force. The spring means can for example be held compressed by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. When this pressure is lowered, the spring means are arranged to apply the brakes
Implementation Method 2
a motor for controlling the angular position of an eccentric in the eccentric mechanism and thus the brake force transmitted from the spring means
Implementation Method 3
an eccentric mechanism in a brake force transmitting chain from the spring means to the brake block or pad
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A brake actuator for brakingly engaging a brake block or pad (9) with a rotating part of a vehicle has spring means (24) creating a linear brake force. An eccentric mechanism (21, 23, 25) is arranged in a brake force transmitting chain from the spring means (24) to the brake block or pad (9), and there is a motor (2) for controlling the angular position of an eccentric (25) in this mechanism and thus the brake force transmitted from the spring means (24).