Rail Vehicle Coupler Crash Plate Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle couplers are prone to damage during collisions, especially when the pivotable front portion is not in the correct position for coupling, leading to potential severe damage due to malfunctions or operator oversight.
Innovation Solution
A protective crash plate with a substantially vertical front surface is integrated into the coupler design, arranged on a crash plate holder attached to the pivot anchor or non-pivotably connected parts, which acts as a shield to prevent damage from collisions and can be easily replaced if impaired.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the front portion is made pivotable to retract close to the underframe when not in use, then space is saved and collision with other parts is avoided, but the coupler becomes vulnerable to severe damage from accidental collision with mating couplers
Solution Approach 1:
A crash plate is arranged in front of the front portion, rear portion and joint to provide protective cushioning before collision damage can occur. The crash plate absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct damage to the pivotable joint and coupler components when the front portion is in the retracted position.
2Ease of repair
If the crash plate is integrated as a separate replaceable component, then repair costs are reduced and replacement is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crash plate is designed as a separate, detachable component from the main coupler assembly, allowing it to be independently replaced if damaged. This segmentation enables cost-effective repair by replacing only the crash plate rather than the entire coupler mechanism, while the modular design minimizes added complexity through straightforward attachment and detachment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coupler for coupling a railway vehicle to another railway vehicle, comprising a mounting arm for mounting the coupler to a railway vehicle, a coupling arm, a joint, wherein the mounting arm and the coupling arm are connected to each other via the joint in such a way that the mounting arm and the coupling arm are movable relative to each other and the coupling arm can be brought into a position ready for coupling; the coupling further comprises a protective device which is arranged and designed to prevent or reduce damage to the mounting arm and/or the coupling arm and/or the joint caused by impact forces.