Rail Vehicle Guide Device With Elastically Deformable Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rail vehicle guide devices, which use rigid structures and shock absorbers to manage shock loads and vibrations, result in increased weight and reduced ride comfort due to the large stress and vibration loads from guide wheels and road surface ruggedness.
Innovation Solution
A guide device with elastically deformable arms, where guide wheels are mounted at the ends and the arm's center is offset from its centerline, allowing the arm to absorb reaction forces through bending, eliminating the need for shock absorbers and reducing weight by distributing stress more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid guide frame structure with shock absorbers is used to manage shock loads, then the guide device can withstand large stress from guide wheels and road surface ruggedness, but the weight of the guide device increases and ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arm changes from a rigid structure to an elastically deformable structure, fundamentally altering the mechanical parameter of stiffness. This allows the arm to absorb shock loads through elastic deformation rather than requiring a heavy rigid frame with shock absorbers, thereby reducing weight while maintaining stress resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformation of the arm, which could be seen as a weakness, is converted into a beneficial shock-absorbing mechanism. The arm's flexibility allows it to naturally absorb impact loads from guide wheel contact and road surface ruggedness, transforming potential structural damage into controlled elastic energy absorption
2Strength
If the guide frame size is increased to resist large stress, then the strength and stability of the guide device improve, but the weight of the guide frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm transitions from a rigid, heavy-framed structure to an elastically deformable component, changing the fundamental mechanical parameter from high stiffness to controlled flexibility. This eliminates the need for oversized frames while maintaining adequate strength through elastic energy absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorption function is extracted from the guide frame structure itself and embodied in the elastic deformation capability of the arm. This separates the shock absorption function from the structural support function, allowing a lighter overall design
3Ease of operation
If shock absorbers are added to reduce excessive shock load, then the deterioration of ride comfort is reduced, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arm provides its own shock absorption capability through its inherent elastic deformation properties, eliminating the need for separate shock absorber components. The structure serves dual purposes: structural support and shock absorption, thereby reducing device complexity while improving ride comfort
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 reduces the weight of the guide device, enhances ride comfort by minimizing vibrations, and improves the absorption of shock loads without increasing the size or weight of the guide frame, thereby improving overall vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
the arm having a central portion fixed to a stationary member, extending to both sides in the vehicle width direction, and being elastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
a center of each of the guide wheels is displaced from a center line of the arm, the center line extending in the vehicle width direction
Data Source
AI summary
The rail vehicle has a guide device configured to guide traveling of a bogie on a traveling track by rolling guide wheels in a state of bringing the guide wheels into contact with guide rails installed on both sides of the traveling track in a vehicle width direction perpendicular to a traveling direction, wherein: the guide device has an arm and the guide wheels, the arm having a central portion fixed to a stationary member, extending to both sides in the vehicle width direction, and having both end portions elastically deformable in a direction in which the guide rails extend, the guide wheels being mounted on the arm at the both end portions of the arm in the vehicle width direction; and a center of each of the guide wheels is displaced from a center line of the arm, the center line extending in the vehicle width direction.