Rail Vehicle Eccentric Absorber Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail vehicle absorber devices are inadequately designed in terms of effectiveness, flexibility, and complexity, leading to inadequate protection against collision forces and potential structural disintegration.

Innovation Solution

A rail vehicle design featuring eccentrically arranged upper and lower absorber devices, with the upper devices offset vertically from the lower device, allowing for efficient absorption of collision forces in the longitudinal direction without serial power transmission, and optimized for specific collision scenarios, enabling operation with different types of rail vehicles without incompatibility issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple absorber devices are arranged vertically with parallel force transmission paths, then collision force absorption effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision force absorption effectivenessVSAvoidabsorber device configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorber device is segmented into multiple independent absorber elements (first and second absorbers) arranged vertically, each capable of independently absorbing collision forces. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex collision scenarios more effectively while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single absorber element to multiple elements arranged in the vertical dimension. This dimensional expansion creates parallel force transmission paths that improve collision absorption effectiveness without requiring complex lateral arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If absorber devices are designed for specific collision scenarios with location-specific optimization, then collision protection effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to different rail vehicle types decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision protection effectivenessVSAvoidcompatibility with different rail vehicle types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The absorber device is designed with universal characteristics through symmetric arrangement and standardized connection interfaces, enabling it to function effectively with different rail vehicle types (trams, trains, locomotives) while maintaining location-specific optimization for collision protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific portions of the absorber device for different collision scenarios while maintaining overall universal compatibility. The vertical arrangement allows different height configurations to be optimized for specific applications while preserving adaptability through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If upper and lower absorber devices are vertically offset and arranged parallel, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy dissipation capacityVSAvoidvehicle frame integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorption function is segmented across multiple absorber elements arranged vertically at different heights. This segmentation allows kinetic energy to be dissipated through multiple independent pathways, increasing overall energy absorption capacity while maintaining simpler individual component designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple absorber elements into a unified vertical arrangement that functions as an integrated energy absorption system. The parallel force transmission paths combine to provide enhanced kinetic energy dissipation capacity while sharing common mounting structures with the vehicle frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively reduces collision consequences by allowing for location-specific optimization of absorber devices, preventing structural damage and enabling safe operation with diverse rail vehicles, including those with different buffer heights, thereby enhancing safety and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

absorber devices which, in the event of a collision, serve to dampen potential forces, compensate for corresponding displacements of the rail vehicle's structure, and dissipate kinetic energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

absorber devices which, in the event of a collision, serve to dampen potential forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

dissipate kinetic energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation:

Data Source

PatentEP3560787B1Rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA
  • EP3560787B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3560787B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rail vehicle with multiple absorber devices. The invention provides a safe, flexibly deployable rail vehicle with an absorber device. The rail vehicle comprises a vehicle frame and at least two eccentrically arranged upper absorber devices and at least one further lower absorber device. The absorber devices are designed, dimensioned, and connected to the vehicle frame such that significant collision forces can be transferred to the vehicle frame via the absorber devices. In intended use, the two upper absorber devices are arranged vertically offset from the lower absorber device of the rail vehicle and spaced apart by a vertical distance.In particular, all absorber devices are arranged parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle with regard to their effectiveness in absorbing energy and transmitting force.