Rail Vehicle Coupler Energy Absorption Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rail vehicle collision energy absorption systems are inadequate in effectively managing the energy from high-speed train collisions, posing a risk to passenger safety and vehicle structure integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body collision energy absorbing device featuring a coupler with an expansion pipe, a compression energy absorbing unit, a locking device, and a shear pin system that allows for sequential energy absorption through expansion and compression, enhancing the energy absorption capacity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a traditional coupler structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the energy absorption capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption system is divided into multiple independent components: expansion pipe, compression energy absorbing unit, guiding structure, and locking device. Each component performs a specific energy absorption function, allowing the system to handle large collision energy through sequential activation while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler structure transitions from a static traditional design to a dynamic system with multiple states. The expansion pipe can expand radially, the compression unit can compress axially, and the locking device can switch between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic behavior enables progressive energy absorption while adapting to collision forces.
2Loss of energy
If the coupler structure is strengthened to absorb more energy, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the structural weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state and parameters of materials during collision. The expansion pipe changes from a compact state to an expanded state, the compression unit transitions from uncompressed to compressed state, and the shear pin changes from intact to broken state. These parameter changes enable energy absorption without requiring permanently heavy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion pipe is nested within the coupler body, and the compression energy absorbing unit is nested within the energy absorbing cavity. This nested arrangement allows multiple energy absorption mechanisms to be integrated in a compact configuration, avoiding the need for separate heavy structures for each function.
3Reliability
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of energy absorption is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The shear pin acts as an intermediary component that connects the retreat support to the vehicle body structure. It provides a controlled failure point that reliably transmits and limits forces between components, ensuring predictable energy absorption behavior while simplifying the overall locking mechanism design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed with predetermined geometric features (trapezoidal block with specific angles) that create controlled engagement and disengagement points. The shear pin is pre-positioned to fail at a specific force threshold, providing beforehand determined energy absorption characteristics that enhance reliability.
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 effectively increases energy absorption during collisions, ensuring improved safety for passengers and reducing structural damage by utilizing sequential energy absorption mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion pipe that absorbs energy and expands relative to the coupler body
Implementation Method 2
a compression energy absorbing unit arranged in the energy absorbing cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle and a vehicle body collision energy absorbing device thereof are disclosed by this application. A coupler (8) of the vehicle body collision energy absorbing device includes a coupler body (81) and an expansion pipe (82) that absorbs energy and expands relative to the coupler body, and the coupler body (81) is arranged on a coupler mounting plate (1). A vehicle body structure (2) is provided with an energy absorbing cavity, and the coupler mounting plate (1) and the expansion pipe (82) are arranged in the energy absorbing cavity. The vehicle body collision energy absorbing device further includes a compression energy absorbing unit (6) arranged in the energy absorbing cavity, a locking device (3) that locks the coupler mounting plate (1) relative to the energy absorbing cavity, a retreat support (5) arranged between the coupler mounting plate (1) and the compression energy absorbing unit (6), and a shear pin (4) connecting the vehicle body structure (2) with the retreat support (5). One end of the compression energy absorbing unit (6) abuts against a rear plate of the energy absorbing cavity. The retreat support (5) is slidably arranged in the energy absorbing cavity, and is provided with a locking component and a linkage structure. The locking component unlocks the locking device (3) after being away from the coupler mounting plate (1), and the linkage structure has a positioning structure axially positioned with the expansion pipe (82). The vehicle body collision energy absorbing device improves the energy absorption effect and ensures the safety of passengers' lives and properties.