Railway Braking Piston Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway braking systems face inefficiencies in maintaining braking force when transitioning from service braking to parking braking, often resulting in reduced effort applied to the brake linkage due to the reliance on springs, which also increases system complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A railway braking system design where the braking piston is immobilized in the service braking position by a parking brake locking device, eliminating the need for springs and utilizing deformable arms for elasticity, with an electrically actuated control device to manage the locking mechanism, ensuring consistent braking force regardless of the locking device's force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are used to actuate the parking brake, then the parking brake can be activated, but the braking force is reduced and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the springs from the braking system. Instead of using springs to actuate the parking brake, the system uses a locking device that directly locks the piston rod in the retracted position. This removal of the spring component simplifies the system architecture while maintaining reliable braking force consistency through direct mechanical locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the elastic mechanical system (springs) with a direct mechanical locking system. The locking device with locking surfaces and locking elements substitutes the spring-based actuation mechanism, providing a more direct and controllable method for maintaining braking force without the complexity of elastic components.
2Reliability
If springs are used to actuate the parking brake, then the parking brake can be activated, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the spring components from the system, directly reducing the moving weight. The locking device replaces the spring mechanism, providing parking brake activation capability with significantly reduced mass since springs and their mounting hardware are eliminated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate parking brake body is used, then the parking brake can function independently, but the system becomes more complex and harder to lubricate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the parking brake functionality into the existing service brake cylinder body. The locking device is integrated within the same body that houses the piston and piston rod, eliminating the need for a separate parking brake body. This integration maintains functional independence while simplifying the overall system architecture and improving accessibility for lubrication and maintenance.
4Reliability
If the parking brake uses spring force, then braking can be maintained, but the braking force varies with spring elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the variable spring force system with a direct mechanical locking system. The locking device maintains braking force through rigid mechanical engagement of locking surfaces, eliminating the force variations that occur with spring elongation and compression. This provides consistent, predictable braking force throughout the parking brake's operational range.
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 system maintains or exceeds the braking force of traditional systems while being more compact, lighter, and easier to lubricate, with controlled recoil losses and improved protection of components, ensuring reliable and efficient braking performance.
Implementation Method 1
said locking device being in its second position and said control device in its stable position
Implementation Method 2
a mobile control device relative to said body, configured to be electrically actuated and assuming a stable position
Implementation Method 3
a service brake comprising a brake piston movable relative to said body to act on said brake linkage and delimiting with said body a service brake pressure chamber configured to be supplied by a first source of pneumatic pressure agent
Implementation Method 4
utilizing deformable arms for elasticity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a railway braking system comprising a service brake having a movable piston (8) delimiting with a body (2) of the system a service brake chamber (13) supplied by a first source, a piston rod (21) disposed in this chamber and fixed to a second side (32) of the piston facing this chamber, and a parking brake (7) disposed in said body and comprising a locking device (20) disposed in this chamber and movable to act on said rod, and a movable control device configured to be electrically actuated; with said locking and control devices which are configured to immobilize/unlock said rod so as to lock/unlock said piston in a position.