Railcar Fiber-Reinforced Resin Absorber Buckling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The collision energy absorber made of fiber-reinforced resin does not absorb energy efficiently due to unintended buckling deformation, leading to inadequate destruction of reinforced fibers during collisions, which affects the absorption capacity and weight reduction requirements.
Innovation Solution
A collision energy absorbing device with a fiber-reinforced resin absorber extending in the rail direction, a base member supporting the rear end, a front plate member not fixed to the front end, and a holding device positioning the front plate to face the absorber from the front side, preventing strong restraint and promoting adequate fiber destruction during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the collision energy absorber is made of fiber-reinforced resin to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but unintended buckling deformation occurs and energy absorption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to fiber-reinforced resin, which has different mechanical properties (higher strength-to-weight ratio but different deformation characteristics). This material substitution enables weight reduction while maintaining energy absorption capacity through controlled fiber destruction rather than metal buckling
Solution Approach 2:
The front plate member acts as an intermediary element between the obstacle and the fiber-reinforced resin absorber. It distributes the collision load uniformly across the absorber's cross-section, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause unintended buckling, while allowing the fibers to destroy adequately for energy absorption
2Ease of manufacture
If the front plate member is fixed to the front end portion of the absorber, then positioning is simplified, but the reinforced fibers are strongly restrained and cannot be destroyed adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic movable connection. The front plate member is supported by the holding device rather than being rigidly fixed, allowing it to move with the absorber during collision. This dynamic positioning enables the fibers to destroy adequately while maintaining proper alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the front plate member from the absorber body, making them independent components. The plate is supported by a holding device rather than being integrally connected, allowing independent movement and deformation patterns that facilitate fiber destruction while maintaining positioning
3Reliability
If the capacity of the collision energy absorber is increased to absorb higher collision energy, then energy absorption capacity increases, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses fiber-reinforced resin as a composite material that combines the high strength of fibers with the matrix material. This composite structure provides superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional metals, enabling increased energy absorption capacity without proportional weight increase
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting fiber-reinforced resin with optimized fiber orientation, density, and resin matrix properties. These parameter optimizations enable the absorber to achieve higher energy absorption capacity per unit weight compared to conventional metal absorbers
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 configuration stabilizes and enhances energy absorption by preventing unintended buckling and ensuring adequate fiber destruction, achieving stable and efficient energy absorption while reducing weight and peak load variations.
Implementation Method 1
The collision energy absorber made of fiber-reinforced resin absorbs the energy mainly in such a manner that reinforced fibers of the collision energy absorber are continuously destroyed
Implementation Method 2
a holding device configured to position the front plate member such that the front plate member faces the front end portion of the absorber from the front side
Implementation Method 3
a base member supporting a rear end portion of the absorber in the rail direction
Data Source
AI summary
A collision energy absorbing device configured to realize stable and highly-efficient energy absorption by adequate destruction of reinforced fibers at the time of collision. A collision energy absorbing device of a railcar includes: an absorber made of fiber-reinforced resin and provided so as to extend in a rail direction; a base member supporting a rear end portion of the absorber in the rail direction; a front plate member not fixed to a front end portion of the absorber and provided so as to face the front end portion of the absorber from a front side; and a holding device configured to position the front plate member such that the front plate member aces the front end portion of the absorber from the front side.