Rail Coupling Spacer Mount With Integral Cast Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for holding and buffering devices in rail vehicles are complex and costly to manufacture, with difficulties in assembly and disassembly, and lack optimal strength values under tensile or compressive stress.
Innovation Solution
A box-shaped spacer element is cast in one piece with the support element, providing a square cross-section made of nodular iron or cast steel, which tapers partially and includes a central bore for the pull rod, along with disc-shaped spring elements and adjustable fastening means for enhanced strength and assembly ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple bridging structure with separate support elements is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element and support element are merged into a single integrally cast component. The patent states that the spacer element 'is cast in one piece together with the support element supporting the tie rod', which eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these two elements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate support elements are used, then assembly is more difficult, but the device can be manufactured with simpler processes
Solution Approach 1:
By casting the spacer element and support element as one integral piece, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled. The integral construction eliminates alignment and fastening operations between separate support elements, making assembly easier despite requiring a casting process.
3Quantity of substance
If thin wall thicknesses are used to reduce material, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the strength under tensile or compressive stress is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the integrally cast spacer element and support element are made of 'nodular iron or cast steel'. These materials provide high strength-to-weight ratios, allowing thin wall thicknesses to achieve both material reduction and sufficient strength under tensile and compressive loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element is designed with a 'box-shaped' geometry and the support element includes a 'spherically designed swivel joint'. The curved spherical design distributes stress more effectively compared to sharp corners, enhancing strength while maintaining thin walls.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the spacer element is made as a separate component, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the spacer element and support element into a single cast component, which reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating separate production and assembly steps. The integral design maintains sufficient adaptability through the spherical swivel joint that allows articulation.
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
This design allows for easier assembly and disassembly, reduces manufacturing costs, and achieves optimal strength values with thin wall thicknesses, ensuring reliable operation under tensile and compressive forces while maintaining the device securely fastened within the vehicle recess.
Implementation Method 1
several disc-shaped spring elements 3 are placed in a row on the pull rod 2 to dampen the tensile and compressive forces generated during operation of the rail vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A device (20) for mounting a draw and buffer device of a coupling, particularly of a rail vehicle, serves to bridge a distance. This device (20) is connected at the front to a support element (4) which pivotally mounts a drawbar (2), and at the rear it can be fastened in a recess (33) of the rail vehicle. A box-shaped spacer element (21) is provided, which is cast in one piece together with the support element (4) that mounts the drawbar (2). This device (20) enables optimal assembly and disassembly of the draw and buffer device with the spacer element that holds it, and results in a cost reduction for the device.