Rail Vehicle Coupling Device with Fibre-Reinforced Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for rail vehicles, such as curved tooth couplings, require extensive maintenance, generate noise, and are complex to assemble due to their structure, necessitating separate swiveling of the transmission and requiring lubrication, which complicates installation and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A thread-reinforced joint coupling device that allows for radial assembly and disassembly from a central connection area, eliminating the need for lubrication and reducing maintenance, with thread-reinforced joint devices providing torsional flexibility and increased power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curved tooth couplings are used to connect engine to transmission, then torque transmission is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling halves that can be assembled independently on the engine and transmission sides, then connected together. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex swiveling operations and allows straightforward assembly of each half separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining torque transmission capability.
2Reliability
If curved tooth couplings are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but maintenance time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling halves that can be assembled independently on the engine and transmission sides, then connected together. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex swiveling operations and allows straightforward assembly of each half separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining torque transmission capability.
3Reliability
If curved tooth couplings are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the curved tooth gearing mechanism with a flexible coupling mechanism using elastomeric elements. This substitution eliminates the meshing teeth that generate noise during operation, while the elastomeric elements provide torque transmission through flexible deformation, significantly reducing noise generation.
4Ease of manufacture
If transmission is swiveled out for coupling installation, then coupling assembly is possible, but installation time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling halves that can be assembled independently on the engine and transmission sides, then connected together. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex swiveling operations and allows straightforward assembly of each half separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining torque transmission capability.
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 thread-reinforced joint coupling device simplifies assembly, reduces maintenance, and minimizes noise, while its torsional flexibility mitigates torque buildup during engine short-circuits, ensuring the drive train can twist without damaging the gearbox, and it requires less space due to radial component insertion and connection.
Implementation Method 1
the thread-reinforced joint coupling device simplifies assembly, reduces maintenance, and minimizes noise, while its torsional flexibility mitigates torque buildup during engine short-circuits, ensuring the drive train can twist without damaging the gearbox
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coupling device (10) for connecting a motor to a gear mechanism of a vehicle, in particular of a rail vehicle, having at least one first flange (12), at least one second flange (14), at least one first fibre-reinforced articulation device (16), at least one second fibre-reinforced articulation device (20) and at least one connecting arrangement (18), which is arranged between the first and the second fibre-reinforced articulation devices (16, 20). The at least one first fibre-reinforced articulation device (16) and the at least one second fibre-reinforced articulation device (20) define between them, in the direction of the centre axis (M) of the coupling device (10), a connecting region (B), wherein, proceeding from this connecting region (VB), the first fibre-reinforced articulation device (16) can be connected to the at least one connecting arrangement (18) and to the first flange (12) and the second fibre-reinforced articulation device (20) can be connected to the at least one connecting arrangement (18) and the at least one second flange (14).