Hydraulic Rail Collision Buffer for Reusable Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rail vehicle collision energy absorption devices are not reusable, leading to high deceleration peaks and inadequate safety for passengers, and existing reusable technologies from other fields do not meet the energy absorption requirements for rail vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A reusable collision energy absorption device for rail vehicles, comprising an impacted rod, outer tube, damping structure with a damping plug and guide tube, and return structure with a return piston, utilizing a damping fluid to create a non-constant damping process, allowing for smooth energy absorption and repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If metal crush energy absorption is used, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the device cannot be reused and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic buffer system with damping fluid, piston, and damping hole to create a reusable energy absorption mechanism. The hydraulic system allows the device to reset and be reused after collision, unlike metal crush structures. The damping fluid flows through the damping hole during compression and returns during rebound, enabling multiple cycles of energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and flow parameters of the damping fluid to control energy absorption. By adjusting the damping hole geometry, fluid viscosity, and pressure differential, the device achieves variable damping characteristics that allow reusable operation while maintaining effective energy absorption across different collision scenarios.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a high trigger threshold is used, then device stability is improved, but the deceleration peak value increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic trigger mechanism where the trigger force varies during the compression process. The trigger force starts at zero, increases gradually as compression progresses, and reaches maximum at full compression. This dynamic characteristic allows the device to remain stable during normal operation while providing smooth deceleration without sharp peaks, improving passenger safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a periodic action pattern in the energy absorption process through the hydraulic system. The damping fluid flows through the damping hole in a controlled manner during compression, then returns during rebound, creating a smooth periodic force profile. This periodic action eliminates sudden force spikes while maintaining device stability throughout the collision event.
3Reliability
If reusable oil buffers from automobile applications are used, then reusability is improved, but the bearable impact speed limits and absorbable energy levels are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key parameters of the hydraulic system including damping hole diameter, piston area, damping fluid viscosity, and pre-compression force to increase the absorbable energy level. These parameter adjustments allow the device to handle higher impact speeds and energies suitable for rail vehicle applications while maintaining reusability through the hydraulic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities in the hydraulic buffer system, allowing the damping characteristics to adapt during the collision process. The variable cross-sectional area of the damping hole and the dynamic pressure differential enable the device to absorb higher energy levels compared to fixed automotive buffers, while the hydraulic reset mechanism ensures reusability.
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 device achieves a smooth damping effect with zero trigger force, rapid resistance force increase, stable buffering power, and effective energy absorption, reducing passenger injuries and enabling cost reduction through reusability.
Implementation Method 1
damping structure includes a damping plug, a guide tube and a damping elastic element... A damping fluid is filled in a cavity between the rear end of the impacted rod and a front end of the return piston... so that a damping fluid can circulate between the front cavity and the rear cavity
Implementation Method 2
damping fluid can circulate between the front cavity and the rear cavity... The damping plug can move in a front-rear direction of the device when the device is impacted
Implementation Method 3
return structure includes a return piston and an elastic return element... the rear end of the damping plug is fixedly arranged on the end base through the damping elastic element... The return piston is fixedly arranged on the end base through the elastic return element
Implementation Method 4
A radial size of the rear end of the damping plug matches with an inner diameter of the guide tube so that the rear end of the damping plug can move frontward and rearward along an inner wall of the guide tube
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable collision energy absorption device for a rail vehicle includes an impacted rod, a damping structure including a damping plug, a guide tube and a damping elastic element, a return structure including a return piston and an elastic return element, an outer tube having a tubular structure, and an interior partitioned into a front cavity and a rear cavity through a partition plate provided with a damping hole in the form of a through hole. A portion of the damping plug is in the damping hole when the damping plug is in an initial position, and the damping plug can move in a front-rear direction when the device is impacted. A gap between a radial thickest portion of the damping plug and the damping hole allows the fluid to circulate between the front cavity and the rear cavity.