Railway Coupler Assembly with Movable Rear Stop and Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway wagon coupler assemblies are inadequate in absorbing and damping large energy loads during high-speed coupling and collisions, particularly failing to effectively manage variable tensile and compressive forces and lateral forces from extreme braking.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly with a pulling apparatus between a rigidly fixed front stop and a movably mounted rear stop, featuring an increased energy absorption unit within the space defined by central girders, a support bracket, and machining knives on a bar that displaces in a guiding aperture, allowing for enhanced energy absorption and resistance to lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional shock absorbing elements are positioned between the stops and pulling apparatus, then the ability to dampen energy from compressive forces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shock absorbing head with the existing pulling apparatus into a single integrated unit. The shock absorbing head is positioned at the front end of the pulling apparatus and works together with the pulling mechanism to dampen both tensile and compressive forces, eliminating the need for separate shock absorbing elements positioned between the stops and pulling apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the primary pulling mechanism for tensile forces and incorporates the shock absorbing head to handle compressive forces. This multi-functional design allows a single component to address both types of loading conditions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable energy dampening capability.
2Reliability
If the coupler assembly is designed to absorb large energy loads during collisions, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the mass of the coupler assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the material properties and geometric configuration of the shock absorbing head and pulling apparatus. The shock absorbing head is designed with specific dimensional parameters and material characteristics that enable it to absorb large energy loads through controlled deformation, achieving high energy absorption capability without proportionally increasing mass.
3Ease of operation
If the rear stop is mounted in a moving manner between the central girders, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear stop is designed as a movable component that can shift position between the central girders along the longitudinal axis of the wagon frame. This dynamic positioning capability allows the rear stop to accommodate variations in coupling conditions and energy absorption requirements, improving operational flexibility through a relatively simple translational movement mechanism.
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 effectively absorbs and dissipates energy during collisions and extreme braking, ensuring proper force management and increased resistance to lateral forces, while maintaining a lightweight and simple construction.
Implementation Method 1
converting at least a part of impact energy into heat and plastic deformation work
Implementation Method 2
machining knives are fixed on the circumference of a guiding aperture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The coupler assembly for coupling railway wagons comprises a pulling apparatus (10) positioned between a front stop (6) and a rear stop (7) in space between central girders (1, 2) of a railway carriage. The front stop (6) is fixed rigidly to the central girders (1, 2) of the wagon frame. The solution is characterised by the fact that the rear stop (7) is mounted in a moving manner between the central girders (1, 2) of the wagon frame, and a support bracket (9), fixed permanently to the wagon frame, is positioned behind the rear stop (7), whereby an increased energy absorption unit (12) is positioned between the support bracket (9) and the rear stop (7).