Rail Vehicle Buffer Coupling Metered Lubrication System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle buffers and couplings experience undesired wear and tear due to high contact pressure, and existing lubrication solutions are either costly or complex and unreliable, especially when navigating curves.
Innovation Solution
A device for metered lubrication of abutting surfaces using a lubricant dispenser with a connecting line and transverse passage openings, ensuring continuous or interval-based lubricant supply to reduce friction and wear, featuring a self-sufficient design with a refillable cartridge and protective housing for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic plate is used for abutting surfaces to reduce frictional forces, then wear and tear is reduced, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricant dispenser is introduced as an intermediary component between the buffer plate and the counterface. The dispenser automatically supplies lubricant to the abutting surface, mediating the interaction between metal surfaces and reducing direct friction and wear, thereby extending service life without requiring expensive plastic buffer plates
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant dispenser is designed with an automatic metered lubrication system that supplies lubricant based on the displacement of the impact surface relative to the vehicle frame. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention and ensures continuous protection without additional operational costs
2Reliability
If a dosing pump with storage chamber is used to supply lubricant, then lubrication is provided, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant supply system is segmented into simple components: a lubricant reservoir, a dispensing mechanism with a piston, and non-return valves. This segmentation avoids the need for complex integrated systems with multiple storage chambers and plunger mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining lubrication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant dispenser uses simple, replaceable components such as the piston and non-return valves that can be easily replaced when worn. This approach replaces complex, hard-to-maintain integrated systems with simpler components that are economical to replace, improving reliability without requiring complex construction
3Ease of operation
If lubricant is supplied only when rail vehicle moves through curves, then lubrication occurs, but service life is not maximized due to intermittent protection
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant dispenser is designed to supply lubricant continuously or at predetermined time intervals based on the displacement of the impact surface. This ensures continuous protection of the abutting surface during all operating conditions, not only during curve negotiation, thereby maximizing service life while maintaining automatic operation
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 significantly increases the service life and functionality of rail vehicle buffers and couplings by reducing wear and tear, while being cost-effective and easy to maintain, ensuring uninterrupted lubrication even during operation on curves.
Implementation Method 1
a device for metered lubrication of the abutting surface of the buffer head... lubricant is automatically supplied continuously or at predetermined time intervals in a respectively metered quantity
Data Source
AI summary
The buffer or coupler (10) has a dosing device (20) for metered lubrication of respective impact surfaces (17). The dosing device has a lubricant dispenser (25) equipped with a connecting line (21). A through-hole (22) is provided in a buffer plate (15) or in a coupling plate, and is connected to a connection line in a transverse manner. A lubricant (23) is guided to the impact surface through the through-hole.