Railway Bogie Flange Connection for Cost-Effective Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle underframes have high production costs and complex assembly processes due to precise manufacturing requirements, especially for swivel bearings, which limits cost-effectiveness and flexibility in manufacturing and adapting to changing transport needs.
Innovation Solution
The underframe design features two head pieces connected to a central girder via L-shaped flange plates, where the first flange plate forms a horizontal contact surface extending beyond the vertical contact plane and the second flange plate has a horizontal support surface set back from the plane, allowing for a simple and cost-effective connection that transmits both horizontal and vertical loads, and uses locking ring bolts for additional bracing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a swivel bearing is used to connect head pieces to the center girder, then larger longitudinal forces can be transmitted and head pieces can be tilted, but production costs increase due to precise manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The connection flange is segmented into two separate flange plates (first and second) that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation allows each plate to be produced using standard manufacturing processes without requiring expensive precision swivel bearings, while still achieving the desired force transmission capability through the combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive, precisely manufactured swivel bearing with a simpler, cheaper flange plate assembly that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The two flange plates form a robust connection without requiring the complex precision engineering of traditional swivel bearings.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional connecting flanges are used, then assembly is simpler, but vertical loads cannot be effectively transmitted and the connection lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is extended from a single-plane vertical contact to a three-dimensional arrangement with both vertical and horizontal contact surfaces. The first flange plate provides a vertical contact plane for longitudinal force transmission, while the second flange plate adds a horizontal contact surface that extends beyond the vertical plane, enabling effective transmission of vertical loads and providing enhanced stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assembly combines two different flange plate configurations (first and second) with complementary contact surfaces. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both vertical and horizontal load transmission paths, creating a connection that can handle multi-directional forces effectively while maintaining assembly simplicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If head pieces and center girder are permanently connected, then structural stability is maximized, but adaptability to changing transport needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between head pieces and center girder is segmented into detachable flange plate assemblies rather than permanent welded or riveted joints. This allows the connection to be easily separated and reconfigured for different transport needs while maintaining structural stability during operation through the robust flange plate design with multiple contact surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a chassis for a rail vehicle, comprising two end pieces (1, 2) supported on wheels and a central support (3) connecting the two end pieces (1, 2), wherein each end piece (1, 2) and the central support (3) are detachably connectable to one another via a connecting flange formed from a first flange plate (4) associated with the central support (3) and a second flange plate (5) associated with the end piece, wherein the first and second flange plates form a vertical contact plane (E) when connected, and to a rail vehicle with such a chassis. The chassis is intended to be simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture and to have lower life-cycle costs.According to the invention, this is achieved by the first flange plate (4) forming a horizontal support surface (6) projecting beyond the contact plane (E) and the second flange plate (5) forming a horizontal support surface (7) set back from the contact plane (E), wherein the support surface (7) is arranged to support the contact surface (6) in a vertical direction.