Rail Vehicle Underframe Pivot Bearing Modular Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle underframes are costly to maintain and operate due to the inability to replace or refurbish mechanically stressed components, leading to high capital costs when wear exceeds limits, as conventional screw connections are not durable for tensile loads and require significant adjustment efforts.
Innovation Solution
The underframe design features rotatably mounted head pieces via a pivot bearing with a horizontal axis perpendicular to the rail vehicle's longitudinal axis, allowing for improved force transfer and positional adjustment, enabling easy separation and replacement of components, and incorporating a screw-bolt connection for secure fixing, with additional lining elements for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the connecting flanges are bolted together to enable detachable connection, then the ease of repair and replacement is improved, but the reliability and durability under tensile loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a pivot bearing that allows the end piece to rotate relative to the central beam, transforming the rigid bolted connection into a dynamic articulation. This rotational capability enables the connection to adapt to dynamic loads during railway operation while maintaining detachability for maintenance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two connection mechanisms: a pivot bearing for rotational movement and load transmission, combined with a bolted connection for detachability. This hybrid approach combines the advantages of both mechanisms - the pivot bearing provides durability and load-bearing capacity, while the bolted connection enables easy assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If large bolted connections are used to transfer tensile loads, then the reliability is improved, but the weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot bearing transforms the load transmission mechanism from static bolted connections to a dynamic rotational joint. This allows tensile loads to be transmitted through the pivot bearing's rotational capability rather than requiring oversized bolts, reducing weight while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
3Strength
If permanent welding is used to assemble assemblies, then the structural integrity is improved, but the adaptability and ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the underframe into modular components (end pieces and central beam) connected by detachable pivot bearings with bolted connections. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced independently without requiring complete assembly disassembly, enabling adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivot bearing connection replaces permanent welding, allowing components to be assembled and disassembled while maintaining structural integrity during operation. The rotational capability ensures continuous load transmission while enabling component replacement when needed.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional bolted connections are used for end piece to central beam, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the load transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a pivot bearing mechanism with a bolted connection to create a hybrid joint. The pivot bearing provides superior tensile load transmission through its rotational capability, while the bolted connection maintains ease of assembly and disassembly, achieving both objectives simultaneously.
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 capital costs, enhances operational flexibility, and allows for modular, cost-effective production and maintenance by enabling the easy replacement of worn components and accommodating various superstructure types and sizes, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
mounting at least one end piece rotatably about a horizontal pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle by means of a pivot bearing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an underframe of a rail vehicle, comprising two head sections (1) which can be supported on wheels and a central carrier (2) of which the longitudinal axis forms the longitudinal axis (A) of the rail vehicle, wherein each head section (1) and the central carrier (2) are releasably connected to one another via a respective connecting flange (3.1, 3.2). This underframe is intended to allow cost savings in the construction and building of rail vehicles and a less capital-intensive operation of rail vehicles, in particular of rail goods wagons. This is achieved according to the invention in that at least one head section (1) is rotatably mounted by means of a pivot bearing (4) about a horizontal pivot axis (B) which is at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle, wherein the pivot axis (B) of the pivot bearing (4) lies in a plane defined by one of the two connecting flanges (3.1, 3.2).