Rail Vehicle Deformation Zone Force Transmission Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicles face challenges in combining high static coupling or transverse beam pressure resistance with optimized deformation behavior during collisions, especially with geometrically incompatible opposing parties, and require improved energy dissipation to reduce passenger stress and injury risk, particularly in mixed-mode operations and with rigid locomotives.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle design featuring a deformation zone with a force transmission element that transmits longitudinal forces plastically without deformation until a specific value is exceeded, collapsing to allow energy dissipation, and incorporating transverse pillars and deformation elements that absorb kinetic energy during collisions, while maintaining structural integrity for operational and test loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rail vehicle is designed with high static coupling or transverse end beam pressure resistance, then the structural strength is improved, but the deformation behavior during collision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rail vehicle structure is divided into a rigid subframe construction for strength and a separate attached deformation zone for energy absorption. The deformation zone is further segmented into multiple deformation elements that can independently deform during collision, allowing the vehicle to maintain structural strength while achieving optimized deformation behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The attached deformation zone acts as an intermediary element between the rigid subframe construction and the external collision forces. This deformation zone absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation of its elements, protecting the rigid subframe and passengers from excessive forces while maintaining the vehicle's overall structural integrity.
2Force
If rigid subframe construction is used to withstand high axial pressure forces, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the energy dissipation capability during collision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into a rigid subframe for force resistance and separate deformation elements for energy dissipation. These deformation elements are positioned to engage during collision, converting kinetic energy into deformation energy while the rigid subframe maintains load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation elements are designed to convert the harmful kinetic energy from collisions into beneficial deformation energy. This controlled energy conversion reduces the forces transmitted to passengers and the rigid subframe, transforming the harmful impact into a protective mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the driver's cab is embodied as a rigid cell pushed into the inside during collision, then the structural integrity is improved, but the acceleration reduction for passengers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attached deformation zone serves as an intermediary between the rigid driver's cab and the external collision forces. This deformation zone absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation, reducing the acceleration forces transmitted to passengers in the driver's cab while maintaining the cab's structural integrity.
4Force
If the force transmission element is designed to transmit forces plastically without deformation, then the force transmission capability is improved, but the collapse behavior when exceeding specific value deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission element is designed with specific material and geometric parameters that allow it to transmit forces plastically without deformation up to a defined threshold. When the specific force value is exceeded, the element undergoes controlled collapse, transitioning from a force transmission state to an energy absorption state.
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 enables safe resistance to high longitudinal forces and minimizes forces on passengers during collisions, effectively managing energy dissipation even with incompatible collision partners, and is suitable for vehicles with vertical ends and mixed-mode operations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one force transmission element is arranged between the end transverse beam and the front transverse beam, which transmits longitudinal pressure forces between the end transverse beam and the front transverse beam up to a specific value plastically without deformation
Implementation Method 2
a deformation zone is provided on the front end face which has a front transverse beam at a distance in parallel to the end transverse beam in the end face direction and comprises at least one force transmission element
Data Source
AI summary
A rail vehicle having an attached deformation zone is presented. The rail vehicle has at least one end transverse beam provided in an end face region and corner pillars arranged substantially vertically and extend from the end transverse beam. The deformation zone is provided at the end face having a front transverse beam arranged parallel to the end transverse beam and spaced therefrom in an end-face direction and at least one force transmission element arranged between the end transverse beam and the front transverse beam. The element transmits longitudinal compressive forces between the end transverse beam and the front transverse beam without plastic deformation up to a defined value and failing when the defined value is exceeded.