Rail Vehicle Buffer Mounting Interface for Crash-Element Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting solutions for load-bearing components in the nose area of rail vehicles require significant space, are heavy, and complicate assembly due to poor accessibility, while impairing the deformation movement of crash elements, necessitating a more efficient and space-saving interface.

Innovation Solution

A buffer system with a mounting interface comprising a bracket body with distinct component and attachment areas, featuring a weakening mechanism that allows separation under force, enabling secure and flexible attachment to the buffer flange, reducing weight and assembly effort, and ensuring undisturbed deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If massive, overhanging attachment structures are used to ensure minimal elastic deformation, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and assembly accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidattachment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment structure is divided into two functional segments: a compact mounting body that attaches to the buffer flange, and a separate load-bearing component (step, stand, handle) that connects to the mounting body. This segmentation allows the mounting interface to be lightweight while the load-bearing component provides the necessary structural strength, resolving the contradiction between weight and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting interface acts as an intermediary element between the buffer flange and the load-bearing component. It provides a standardized connection point that distributes loads effectively, allowing lightweight construction while maintaining structural integrity through its strategic positioning and connection design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If forward-projecting bracket structures are attached to the front panel, then mounting capability is improved, but space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface is designed as a universal attachment solution that can be used for various load-bearing components (steps, stands, handles, access points) at multiple locations on the rail vehicle. By standardizing the mounting interface design, the patent enables multi-functional use without requiring different bracket structures for each application, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of projecting brackets forward from the front panel (horizontal dimension), the mounting interface attaches to the buffer flange (vertical/different spatial dimension), utilizing the buffer's structure as the mounting base. This dimensional shift allows mounting capability without requiring additional horizontal space projection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If attachments are dimensioned for minimal elastic deformation, then structural reliability is improved, but assembly effort increases due to poor accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface is pre-assembled and pre-positioned on the buffer flange during buffer installation. This preliminary action allows the mounting interface to be properly positioned and secured before the final load-bearing components are attached, improving accessibility and reducing assembly effort while maintaining structural reliability through proper pre-positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If handles or steps are welded to the crash element, then attachment strength is improved, but crash element deformation movement is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddeformation movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface extracts the attachment function from the crash element itself, providing separate mounting points on the buffer flange. This separation allows the crash element to deform freely during collisions while the mounting interface remains stationary and provides secure attachment points for load-bearing components, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and deformation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4259504B1Mounting interface and buffer system for a rail vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting interface (1) for attaching supporting components (2) to a buffer (10) of a rail vehicle (4), which comprises a mounting body (1) with a component fastening region (1a) and an attachment region (1b) that is different therefrom, wherein the component fastening region (1a) is equipped with fastening elements and/or bores (5) for attaching the components (2), and wherein the attachment region (1b) is formed in such a manner that it can be fastened to at least one fastening point at a front side of a buffer flange (11) using screws (12). The invention also relates to a buffer system and to a rail vehicle comprising such a mounting interface.