Rail Vehicle Level Control Piston Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level control systems for rail vehicles are bulky and complex, requiring significant structural space and complicating installation and maintenance due to their design, which includes collars and multiple hydraulic connectors.
Innovation Solution
A level control system with a level control piston having a substantially continuous outer diameter and no collar, integrated with a multi-layer spring, and a hydraulically actuatable level control cylinder, optimized for reduced structural height and simplified production and maintenance by eliminating unnecessary components and integrating functional characteristics directly into the geometrical construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a level control piston with collars and multiple hydraulic connectors is used, then the level control system can perform level adjustment functions, but the structural space requirement increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes collars and multiple hydraulic connectors from the level control piston, extracting unnecessary components that increased complexity. The piston is redesigned with a substantially continuous outer diameter, eliminating the need for collars while maintaining sealing and functional capabilities through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the piston body itself. The piston head incorporates sealing surfaces, hydraulic connection points, and structural support functions directly into the continuous piston body, eliminating the need for separate collars and multiple connectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a level control piston with collars and multiple hydraulic connectors is used, then the level control system can perform level adjustment functions, but the structural space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing collars and redundant hydraulic connectors, the patent eliminates the additional axial length these components would require. The continuous piston design allows for a more compact arrangement, reducing the overall structural height of the level control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes functional elements from a multi-dimensional complex structure to a streamlined axial arrangement. The continuous piston design allows hydraulic connections and sealing surfaces to be positioned more efficiently along the axial dimension, reducing the overall structural height while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Reliability
If a level control piston with collars and multiple hydraulic connectors is used, then the level control system can perform level adjustment functions, but installation and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting unnecessary collars and multiple hydraulic connectors, the patent simplifies the piston to a single integrated component with a continuous outer diameter. This reduction in part count directly improves ease of manufacture, installation, and maintenance, as fewer components need to be assembled, aligned, and serviced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the piston body itself, creating a single integrated component that performs sealing, hydraulic connection, and structural support. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled during installation and serviced during maintenance, thereby improving ease of manufacture and operation.
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 results in a space-saving, cost-effective, and easily maintainable level control system with reduced structural height, allowing for efficient installation and operation, while maintaining effective level adjustment and vibration compensation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vibration compensation spring, in particular a multi-layer spring, for compensating vibrations between the bogie and the vehicle superstructure
Implementation Method 2
level control system for adjusting the level of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, having at least one level control cylinder and one level control piston, wherein the level control piston is at least partially movably received in the level control cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A level control system adjusting the level of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, and includes at least one level control cylinder and a level control piston, which is at least partially movably accommodated in the level control cylinder. Accordingly, the level control piston may have a substantially continuous outer diameter.