Rail Floor Connection Device with Integrated Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for floor elements in rail vehicles face challenges in achieving mechanical stability, precise adjustment, vibration damping, and cost-effective assembly, often requiring multiple components and increased assembly time due to tolerance compensation and vibration transmission issues.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a latching element with a latching projection and a receiving element equipped with a vibration damper and a continuously adjustable leveling mechanism, allowing for form-fit or frictional connections that enable tolerance compensation and vibration reduction without the need for additional components, such as shims, and facilitating a clip connection for quick assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate spacers are inserted for tolerance compensation, then height deviations can be compensated, but assembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tolerance compensation function and vibration damping function into a single integrated receiving element. The receiving element includes an integrally formed vibration damper and leveling mechanism, eliminating the need for separate spacer components. This merging reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining the ability to compensate for height deviations up to 10 mm.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs vibration damping, tolerance compensation, and load transmission. The vibration damper and leveling mechanism are integrated into the receiving element itself, allowing it to serve multiple purposes without requiring additional separate components, thereby reducing assembly time and complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration dampers are added to reduce vibrations, then passenger comfort improves, but overall height of the connection device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damper is integrated into the receiving element rather than being a separate component. The receiving element's structure incorporates the vibration damping function directly, allowing it to reduce vibration transmission while maintaining a compact overall height suitable for the vehicle floor application.
3Manufacturing precision
If adhesive connection with spacers is used for tolerance compensation, then height deviations are compensated, but assembly time increases due to drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the adhesive bonding system with a purely mechanical connection system. The receiving element provides mechanical tolerance compensation through its integrated leveling mechanism and form-fit connection with the latching element, eliminating the need for adhesive drying time and enabling immediate structural stability upon assembly.
4Strength
If multiple separate components are used for connection, then mechanical stability can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (vibration damping, tolerance compensation, load transmission, and positioning) into a single receiving element that integrates these capabilities. This reduces the total number of components while maintaining mechanical stability through the form-fit connection between the latching element and receiving element.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving element is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dampens vibrations, compensates for tolerance variations, transmits loads, and provides precise positioning. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while ensuring mechanical stability.
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 solution provides mechanical stability, precise adjustment, and effective vibration damping while maintaining a low overall height, enabling rapid and cost-efficient assembly of floor elements with improved comfort and load transfer, reducing assembly time and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving element has a vibration damper for having reduction in the transmission of vibrations to the floor element
Implementation Method 2
a latching element with a latching projection and a receiving element with a receptacle for at least partially positively receiving the latching projection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connection device for attaching a base element to a support, comprising a locking element with a locking projection and a receiving element with a receptacle for at least partially positively engaging the locking projection. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system comprising a base element, a support, and a connection device according to the invention, as well as an assembly method for attaching a base element to a support with a connection device and the use of a connection device according to the invention.The object of providing a connection device, a system and a mounting method for connecting a floor element to a support, which enables good load transfer between the floor element and the support and allows the passenger a secure stance and safe movement within the largest possible passenger compartment and is easy to mount, is solved according to the invention by a connection device for connecting a floor element to a support (9), comprising a locking element (5) with a locking projection (51) and a receiving element with a receptacle for at least partially positively engaging the locking projection (51), in that the receiving element has a vibration damper (4) for reducing the transmission of vibrations to the floor element, and the receiving element is designed to level out height deviations.Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is solved by a system comprising a connection device according to the invention, an assembly method using a connection device according to the invention, and the use of a connection device according to the invention.