Rail Coupling Head Cover with Rigid Support and Detachable Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling head covers for rail vehicles are either expensive, difficult to attach, or provide inadequate protection for mechanical and functional components from environmental influences, especially during coupling and decoupling, and fail to effectively seal the coupling area.
Innovation Solution
A rigid support structure with a detachable cover element that encloses the coupling head, allowing for standardized attachment and protection of additional components, including electrical and pneumatic connections, while maintaining accessibility and sealing the coupling area even in the coupled state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible hood cover is used for the coupling head, then the cover can be adapted to almost any coupling size and installed without complex kinematics, but the cover cannot adequately protect additional functional units and their operations from environmental and weather influences
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a rigid support structure providing framework and protection, and a detachable cover element that can be customized for different coupling sizes. This segmentation allows the support structure to provide reliable protection while the cover element adapts to various coupling head dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the cover, offers protection for the coupling head and additional functional units, and enables standardized attachment across different coupling assemblies. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing universal protection while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid support structure with detachable cover element is used, then standardized attachment and protection is achieved, but the cover must be designed to allow access to the coupling head end face
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed to be detachable rather than fixed, allowing it to be removed when access to the coupling head end face is required. This dynamic design enables standardized attachment for protection while maintaining ease of operation when coupling or uncoupling is needed.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling head is left exposed in the uncoupled state, then access is maintained for coupling operations, but the coupling head and components are exposed to environmental contaminants causing functional impairments and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be in place before coupling operations occur, providing protection during storage and transport. The detachable cover element can be quickly removed when coupling is needed, minimizing exposure time to contaminants while maintaining protection during idle periods.
4Reliability
If existing cover designs are used, then protection is provided, but they are very expensive and cannot be practically fitted to all traction vehicles due to installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cover into a compact rigid support structure and a detachable cover element, the overall installation space requirement is reduced. The support structure provides the necessary protection framework in a space-efficient manner, while the detachable element can be stored when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable cover element is extracted from the permanent installation, allowing it to be removed and stored when not needed. This reduces the permanent installation space requirement on the vehicle while maintaining protection when the element is attached.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering (1) for a coupling head (2) of a coupling assembly (3) of a rail-borne vehicle in the separated or coupled state of a coupling head (2') of a counter coupling assembly (3'), comprising a cover for at least indirectly surrounding the outer circumference (5) of the coupling head (2) over at least one sub-region of the extension of the coupling head (2) in the longitudinal direction, when viewed in the circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis (L) of the coupling assembly (3), wherein, when viewed in the the longitudinal direction, in the extension direction, the cover has an opening (14) in a first end region (12) for releasing the access to the end side (10) of the coupling head (2) and has an opening (15) in a second end region (13) for passing through parts of the coupling assembly (3). The invention is characterised in that the cover is formed by a rigid support structure (6), having devices (18, 22a, 22b) for stationarily securing/mounting on the coupling assembly (3), and the covering (1) has a covering element (8) in the first end region of the support structure (6), when viewed in the longitudinal direction, for releasing or covering the opening (12) for releasing the access to the end side (10) of the coupling head (2), which is detachably connected to the support structure (6).