Railway Coupling Buffer Overload Protection via Vertical Shear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railway vehicle coupling buffers face limitations in overload protection due to restricted space and uneven stress distribution, particularly with the first method requiring a small-sized mounting seat and insufficient retreat space, and the second method suffering from uneven shear pin stress and inadequate retreat space.
Innovation Solution
A front installed suspension system integrating the suspension and overload protection devices, featuring a cylindrical through hole in the mounting seat and four snap bolts as overload protection elements, allowing the coupling buffer to disconnect and move backward under impact, optimizing space usage and stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first method (breaking connection between mounting seat and vehicle body) is used for overload protection, then the coupling buffer can separate from the vehicle body, but the mounting seat and buffer must be small-sized or have enough space under the vehicle body which is difficult to enlarge
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the overload protection mechanism from horizontal separation (requiring space under the vehicle body) to vertical disconnection through the shear pin. The coupling buffer disconnects vertically from the mounting seat when the shear pin shears, eliminating the need for large horizontal retreat space under the vehicle body while maintaining effective overload protection.
2Reliability
If the second method (equipping buffer shell with shear pin) is used for overload protection, then the buffer core can retreat in coupler body, but the shear pin experiences uneven stress and the total length of coupling buffer influences retreat space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the overload protection function into two independent components: the shear pin for vertical disconnection and the coupling buffer length for horizontal retreat. This segmentation allows the shear pin to handle only the vertical shear force uniformly, while the buffer's horizontal retreat space is determined by its total length, decoupling the stress distribution issue from the retreat space requirement.
3Productivity
If a high-performance buffer device requires larger space for retreating, then the coupling buffer can better absorb energy, but the existing structure and strength restrict the opening size of the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension for overload protection through shear pin disconnection, freeing up the horizontal dimension for energy absorption. The coupling buffer can achieve high energy absorption capacity through horizontal retreat determined by its total length, without being constrained by the chassis opening size in the vertical direction.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a front installed suspension system having overload protection. The system comprises a mounting seat (1), a centring apparatus (2), a support apparatus (3) used for supporting a coupling buffer and a coupling end pin (4), wherein the mounting seat (1) is connected to a railway vehicle body, and the centring apparatus (2) and the support apparatus (3) are both installed on the mounting seat (1). The system further has a coupling connection seat (5) and an overload protection element (6), wherein the coupling connection seat (5) comprises a base and a coupling connection part connected as one with the base. The base is connected to a rear face of the mounting seat (1) by means of the overload protection element (6). The coupling connection part passes through a through hole (7) provided in the middle of the mounting seat (1) and is connected with the coupling buffer by means of the coupling end pin (4). The coupling connection part is closely fitted with the through hole (7). The front installed suspension system has a simple structure and is lightweight.