Rail Vehicle Sliding Door Module Torque Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding door modules for rail vehicles face challenges in optimizing installation space and energy efficiency, particularly in transmitting torque from door leaves while minimizing tension in linear guides and accommodating deflections for improved durability and vibration control.

Innovation Solution

The proposed sliding door module design features guide carriages mounted on profile rails with a soft carrier structure, allowing for articulated or rigid connections to distribute loads effectively, and using linear roller guides with rolling elements to manage deflections and reduce tension, enhancing the module's ability to absorb torque and vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If guide carriages are spaced apart on the profile rail, then torque transmission from the door leaf is improved, but the linear guide becomes more susceptible to tension and deflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidlinear guide susceptibility to tension
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The door leaf is supported by multiple guide carriages (at least two) that are spaced apart along the profile rail. This segmentation distributes the torque transmission function across multiple contact points, improving overall torque transmission while reducing the load on individual guide carriages and minimizing tension in the linear guide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile rail is designed with specific local characteristics including contact surfaces aligned vertically to the carrier, and the guide carriages are positioned at optimized locations along the rail. This local optimization ensures effective torque transmission at critical points while maintaining guide stability and reducing susceptibility to tension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the carrier is made soft to accommodate deflections, then energy efficiency is improved, but the structural rigidity for precise door positioning may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcarrier rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier is designed with controlled flexibility to dynamically accommodate deflections during door operation. This dynamic design allows the carrier to flex within acceptable limits to absorb energy from vibrations and deflections, improving energy efficiency while the guide carriage system maintains precise positioning through its rolling contact mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier's structural parameters are optimized to achieve a balance between rigidity and flexibility. By carefully selecting material properties and cross-sectional characteristics, the carrier can accommodate necessary deflections for energy efficiency while maintaining sufficient rigidity for precise door positioning and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If linear roller guides are used for smooth movement, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to overload from impacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoidresistance to overload
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates shock absorption capabilities in the carrier and support structure to cushion against impacts before they reach the linear roller guide. This beforehand cushioning protects the roller guide from overload while maintaining its smooth movement characteristics during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier acts as an intermediary element between the door leaf weight and the linear roller guide. It transmits the door weight smoothly through its structured design while absorbing and dampening impact forces, protecting the roller guide from overload while maintaining ease of movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves efficient energy use, longer service life, and reduced vibrations by effectively distributing loads and absorbing torque, while maintaining smooth operation and durability through strategic mounting and connection configurations.

Implementation Method 1

Linear roller guides offer good ease of movement with little or no bearing play

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Implementation Method 2

due to the high surface pressure between the rolling element and profile rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

due to the soft design of the carrier, such shocks are very well dampened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock damping: Damping

Implementation Method 4

the torque caused by the weight of the door leaf can be easily transmitted to the carrier due to the (particularly spaced) guide carriages/guide carriages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3170715B1Push door module/push-pivot tower module for a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 KNORR BREMSE GMBH
  • EP3170715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3170715B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3170715B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A sliding door module/swing-sliding door module (1) for a rail vehicle is specified, comprising at least one door leaf (2) and a support (3) aligned longitudinally in the sliding direction of the door leaf (2). Furthermore, the sliding door module/swing-sliding door module (1) comprises a linear guide with at least one profile rail (15) and at least one guide carriage/guide slide (4), wherein the at least one profile rail (15) is attached to the support (3) or encompassed by it in the form of a profile section. The at least one guide carriage/guide slide (4) is mounted on the at least one profile rail (15), with two door leaves (2) being attached to the guide carriages/guide slides (4) of two superimposed linear guides via brackets.