Modular Acoustic Attenuation Device for Railway Air Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic attenuation devices for pneumatic brake systems in railway vehicles are bulky, heavy, difficult to handle, and not adaptable to legislative changes, leading to increased maintenance costs and safety concerns due to noise levels exceeding 135 dB during air evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A modular acoustic attenuation device with a coupling head and a removable sound attenuation member, featuring a compact design, universal connector, centering means, and clamping mechanisms to ensure secure alignment and sealing, allowing for easy assembly and replacement of acoustic attenuation members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional one-piece acoustic attenuation device is used, then noise attenuation is achieved, but the device has significant dimensions and weight making it difficult to handle and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic attenuation device is divided into two separate components: a connection member and an acoustic attenuation member. The connection member remains permanently installed on the air outlet, while the acoustic attenuation member can be removed and replaced. This segmentation reduces the weight and dimensions of the component that operators must handle during installation and replacement, while maintaining the noise attenuation function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional one-piece acoustic attenuation device is used, then noise attenuation is achieved, but the device cannot be adapted to legislative changes without redesigning the entire device
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the acoustic attenuation member from the connection member, the system allows the acoustic attenuation member to be independently replaced. When legislative requirements change, only the acoustic attenuation member needs to be swapped out, not the entire device, enabling quick adaptation to new regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed design to a dynamic, replaceable configuration. The acoustic attenuation member can be easily removed and replaced with different models or specifications according to changing legislative requirements, making the system flexible and adaptable.
3Productivity
If air is emptied quickly from the brake pipe, then maintenance time is reduced, but noise intensity reaches 135 dB which is unpleasant and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic attenuation member acts as an intermediary component between the air outlet and the environment. It allows rapid air emptying to maintain productivity while simultaneously attenuating the noise to safe and pleasant levels, resolving the contradiction between speed and noise control.
4Ease of operation
If the acoustic attenuation device is made compact and light, then handling is easier, but the noise attenuation performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of functions allows the acoustic attenuation member to be optimized for noise control performance while the connection member provides the mounting interface. This enables the acoustic attenuation member to be compact and lightweight for easy handling while maintaining effective noise attenuation through optimized acoustic design.
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
The solution reduces the device's size and mass by 50%, enhances handling safety, and allows for quick adaptation to legislative changes by enabling easy replacement of acoustic attenuation members, thereby reducing noise levels and extending the device's service life.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic attenuation member (3) comprising an air inlet (30), an attenuator (31) and first assembly means (32)
Implementation Method 2
a seal element (40) mounted on the connection member (2) and configured to create a sealing connection with a coupling head (9)
Implementation Method 3
clamping means (62) configured to clamp the connection member (2) with the pressurized air outlet of the railway vehicle
Implementation Method 4
centering means configured to align the axis of the through orifice with a pressurized air outlet of a railway vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An assembly of a coupling head (9) of a pressurized air outlet of a railway vehicle and an acoustic attenuation device (1), the acoustic attenuation device (1) comprising a connecting member (2), mounted in said coupling head (9), and an acoustic attenuation member (3), said members (2, 3) being independent and assembled in a removable manner.