Rail Vehicle Wheel Centering Pins for Rim Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of railway vehicle wheels with integrated suspension is complicated and costly due to the need for precise machining of notches on the rim and the use of centering rods, which increases the cost and complexity of production.
Innovation Solution
A railway vehicle wheel design featuring a rim, tire, and elastic rings with centering holes and centering pins for assembly, allowing for easier and more economical manufacturing by using centering rods for precise alignment and subsequent removal or permanent insertion to prevent debris entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If notches are precisely machined into the rim to ensure centering of the elastic ring, then centering precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces centering pins as intermediary elements that fit into centering holes in the rim and corresponding holes in the elastic ring. These pins serve as mediators to achieve precise centering without requiring complex notching operations on the rim. The centering pins temporarily hold the elastic ring in the correct position during assembly, eliminating the need for precision-machined notches.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering holes are pre-drilled into the rim before assembly, and the centering pins are prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation of centering features allows for easier subsequent assembly compared to machining precision notches after the rim is formed. The centering functionality is built into the design from the beginning rather than added through complex post-processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If notches are precisely machined into the rim for centering, then centering accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering pins act as removable intermediaries that enable accurate centering during assembly without requiring expensive precision notching operations. The pins are simple cylindrical elements that can be easily manufactured and inserted into pre-drilled holes, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining centering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering pins are simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed. They are not permanent fixtures but temporary aids during assembly, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing compared to creating permanent precision notches in the rim structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If centering rods are used for assembly, then centering precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering pins are extracted (removed) after serving their purpose during assembly. They are not permanent parts of the final wheel structure but temporary tools that are taken out once the elastic ring is properly positioned and secured. This extraction eliminates the complexity of incorporating permanent centering mechanisms into the final design.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering pins function as temporary mediators during the assembly process, facilitating precise alignment between the rim and elastic ring. Once assembly is complete, the mediators are removed, leaving a simple final structure without the complexity of permanent centering rods or mechanisms.
4Ease of manufacture
If centering holes are provided in the rim and tire, then centering is simplified, but debris can enter the holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of open centering holes (debris entry) into a benefit by using the centering pins themselves to seal the holes. The pins, when inserted, not only provide centering functionality but also act as plugs to prevent debris from entering the holes. This transforms a potential vulnerability into an additional protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering pins serve dual functions as both centering tools and protective plugs. During assembly, they mediate the alignment process, and in the final assembled state, they remain in place to seal the centering holes, preventing debris contamination while maintaining the simplicity of having open holes for assembly.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and ensures precise centering of components without hindering the integrated suspension functionality, while also preventing debris entry into the wheel's centering holes.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic rings (8) interposed between the rim (4) and the tire (6)... the elastic rings (8) ensure the suspension of the rim (4) with respect to the tire (6) due to their elasticity
Data Source
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AI summary
The wheel has a central axis (Α-Α') of rotation and comprises a rim (4) having two coaxial crowns (10), a tyre (6) surrounding the rim (4) and comprising a bearing portion (22) engaged between the two crowns (10), and two resilient rings (8), each resilient ring (8) being interposed axially between the bearing portion (22) and a respective crown (10). The wheel comprises at least one set of centring ports (26), each set of centring ports (26) comprising a plurality of centring ports aligned along an alignment axis (Β-Β') parallel to the central axis (A-A'), each set of centring ports (26) including at least one centring port (10A) provided in a crown (10), at least one centring port (8A) provided in a resilient ring (8), and a centring port (22A) provided in the bearing portion (22).