Rail Vehicle Front Flap Coupling Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for moving front flaps of track-guided vehicles, such as rail vehicles, face challenges in adapting the pivoting movement and trajectory to limited installation spaces while maintaining structural simplicity and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A device that combines pivoting and sliding movements using a coupling mechanism with sliding guide devices and a drive system, allowing the front flaps to move along a non-circular path, which can be adjusted to fit cramped spaces by superimposing sliding and pivoting movements, enabling flexible movement curves and end positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If front flaps are pivoted into the interior of the vehicle using a simple rotary movement, then the structure is simple, but the available installation space is limited due to interference with functional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a simple rotary movement to a more complex movement trajectory that combines rotation with translation. The front flaps follow a curved path that allows them to move into the interior space while avoiding interference with functional components, thus adapting to the dynamic space constraints within the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by adding a translational component to the traditional rotary movement. Instead of purely rotating around a fixed axis, the flaps move along a curved trajectory that incorporates both rotational and linear displacement, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to resolve the installation space conflict.
2Volume of moving object
If the movement trajectory is adapted to fit limited installation space, then the installation space utilization improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple movement functions into a single integrated mechanism. The coupling mechanism combines the rotary movement for opening/closing the flaps with the translational movement for adjusting the trajectory, allowing both functions to be achieved through one coordinated system rather than separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables the front flaps to open and close, adjusts the movement trajectory to fit installation space constraints, and provides a means for synchronizing the movement of multiple flaps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling mechanism with sliding and pivoting movements is used, then the movement curve can be optimized for available space, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: sliding components for trajectory adjustment, pivoting components for rotational movement, and coupling links for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system adaptability to space constraints.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for moving one or more front flaps (2, 3) of a casing (4) of a coupling (5) of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle (10), from a closed state into an open state, and vice versa, wherein the device comprises the following: at least one support frame (6) that is or can be connected to the vehicle under-frame, and an actuation device (7, 8) which is assigned to an individual front flap, and which is connected to the at least one support frame on one side, and to the front flap to be pivoted on the other side, said actuation device being for moving the front flap relative to the support frame from the closed state into the open state, and vice versa. The invention is characterised in that the actuation device comprises at least one of the front flaps, a coupling mechanism (11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b) having at least one drive (13, 13a, 13b, 14, 14a, 14b) and one output, the front flap is coupled to the coupling mechanism between the drive and the output, and the coupling mechanism is arranged and designed in such a way that it describes a movement curve of the front flap connected to same when moving between the closed state and the open state, and vice versa, with a course deviating from a circle segment path by at least partially overlapping a pivot and shifting movement.