Railway Coupler Biasing Device for Single-Operator Uncoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing railway couplers require manual effort from two operators to reliably uncouple, which is cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A coupler design featuring a coupler shank with a through hole and a pin, where a biasing device, such as a mechanical spring, is used to bias the pin to one side of the through hole, ensuring that uncoupling forces cause rotation of the coupler head rather than movement of the coupler shank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual uncoupling force is applied to the coupler head, then uncoupling may be achieved, but it requires two operators and is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuncoupling operationVSAvoidnumber of operators
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing device pre-biases the pin to one side of the through hole before uncoupling is initiated. This preliminary positioning ensures that when uncoupling force is applied, the pin cannot move laterally and the force is directed entirely toward rotating the coupler head, enabling single-operator uncoupling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If uncoupling force is applied to the coupler head, then uncoupling should occur, but the force may cause movement of the coupler shank relative to the pin instead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuncoupling operationVSAvoiduncoupling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing device applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the pin from moving when uncoupling force is applied. By pre-biasing the pin against the force direction, the device ensures that uncoupling force rotates the coupler head rather than causing unwanted shank movement, improving uncoupling reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design allows for efficient and reliable uncoupling with a single operator, as the biasing device ensures that uncoupling forces are directed towards rotating the coupler head, preventing unwanted movement of the coupler shank.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing device, such as a mechanical spring, is used to bias the pin to one side of the through hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical spring biasing: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250162623A1Coupler for a railway vehicle with a biasing device, and method for overhauling a coupler
Publication Date: 2025.05.22 DELLNER COUPLERS AB
  • US20250162623A1 patent drawing
  • US20250162623A1 patent drawing
  • US20250162623A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a coupler for a railway vehicle, the coupler comprisinga front portion (20) comprising a coupler head (21),a rear portion (30) comprising a mounting structure (31) for mounting on a railway vehicle,a coupler shank (26) comprising a through hole (27) having a first width (w1), the coupler shank (26) being arranged on a pin (32) extending through the through hole (27) and the pin (32) having a second width (w2) that is smaller than the first width (w1) of the through hole (27),wherein one of the coupler shank (26) and the pin (32) is connected to the coupler head (21) of the front portion (20) and the other of the coupler shank (26) and the pin (32) is connected to the mounting structure (31) of the rear portion (30),and wherein the coupler (10) further comprises a biasing device (40) arranged in the through hole (27) of the coupler shank (26), the biasing device (40) being configured to bias the pin (32) to one side of the through hole (27).