Rail Vehicle Wheel Hub Toothing for Quick Body Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle wheels are difficult to replace quickly and efficiently, requiring the removal of entire wheel sets and increasing maintenance costs due to their inseparable design.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design featuring a toothing system between the wheel hub and wheel web allows for easy assembly and disassembly, enabling the wheel hub to remain attached while replacing the wheel body, eliminating the need to remove the wheel set from the chassis and simplifying maintenance processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wheels are connected to wheel sets via press fits with wheel set shafts and wheel webs and wheel hubs are designed as inseparable units, then the wheel structure is simple and robust, but the wheel replacement process becomes time-consuming and complex requiring removal of entire wheel sets
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into separable components: a wheel hub that remains on the wheel set shaft and a wheel body (including wheel web, wheel rim, and brake disc) that can be independently removed and replaced. The toothing connection between the wheel hub and wheel body enables this segmentation while maintaining functional integrity during operation.
2Productivity
If the entire wheel set must be removed to replace wheels, then the wheel connection is secure, but the maintenance time and service life costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the wheel into a stationary wheel hub and a removable wheel body, the invention enables replacement of only the worn wheel body components without removing the wheel set from the chassis. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace wheel bodies quickly while the wheel hub remains mounted on the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel body (including wheel web, wheel rim, and brake disc) is extracted as a separate replaceable unit from the wheel hub. This extraction allows the wheel body to be removed and replaced independently, eliminating the need to remove the entire wheel set for wheel replacement.
3Strength
If wheel hubs and wheel plates are fastened by multiple components (snap rings, locking rings, screws, nuts), then the connection is secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The toothing connection between the wheel hub and wheel body provides inherent mechanical engagement that maintains connection strength during operation. The self-aligning nature of the toothing reduces the need for additional fastening components while ensuring proper assembly through geometric constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel for vehicles, in particular for rail vehicles, wherein the wheel comprises a first wheel hub (1) and a first wheel body (2) with a wheel web (3), a flange (4) and a running surface (5). In order to create advantageous structural conditions, it is proposed that at least one toothing (12) is provided in at least one contact region between the first wheel hub (1) and the wheel web (3). As a result, a particularly simple wheel exchange is ensured.