Railway Vehicle Coupling Device with Vertical Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for rail vehicles are costly and inefficient in transmitting vertical forces corresponding to a fraction of the weight of the second vehicle, as they require complex structures and high mass articulations, which negatively impact energy expenditure during movement.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a support member that rests on a structural element of the first vehicle, allowing it to absorb vertical forces via a sliding connection or deformable energy-absorbing components, reducing the mass and complexity of the first part and enabling efficient transmission of weight from the second vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling device uses a ball joint to connect two vehicles, then it allows relative rotational movements and resists traction-compression forces, but it cannot transmit vertical forces corresponding to the weight of the second vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into distinct functional components: a first part fixed to the first vehicle, a second part fixed to the second vehicle, a ball joint connecting them, and a support member extending downward to rest on a structural element of the first vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific forces independently, with the support member specifically addressing vertical force transmission without complicating the ball joint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member extends in a vertical direction below the ball joint, adding a vertical load-bearing dimension to the coupling device. This dimensional extension allows the device to transmit vertical forces from the second vehicle through the support member to a structural element of the first vehicle, while the ball joint continues to handle rotational movements and longitudinal forces in its original plane.
2Force
If a coupling device uses large mass articulation to transmit vertical forces, then it can support the weight of the second vehicle, but it increases the cost and energy expenditure to move the vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The function of supporting vertical forces is extracted from the main articulation components (ball joint and connected parts) and assigned to a separate support member. This allows the primary coupling components to remain lightweight and optimized for rotational movement, while the support member specifically handles vertical load transmission to a structural element of the first vehicle, reducing overall mass and energy expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary element between the second vehicle and the first vehicle's structure. It transmits vertical forces from the second vehicle through the coupling device to a structural element of the first vehicle, enabling weight support without requiring the main articulation components to be massively oversized, thus reducing energy expenditure during movement.
3Force
If a coupling device uses complex shaped parts to transmit vertical forces, then it can absorb the weight of the second vehicle, but it increases the manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into simple, standardized components: a support member with straightforward geometry extending vertically, a ball joint with conventional spherical geometry, and connection parts with basic shapes. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using standard processes without requiring complex machining or specialized forming operations, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining vertical load-bearing capacity.
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 coupling device effectively absorbs significant vertical forces, reducing the overall cost and energy expenditure by transmitting only a fraction of the second vehicle's weight to the first vehicle's structure, while maintaining stability and durability during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the support member is shaped and arranged so as to support the first part when a fraction of the weight of the second vehicle is transmitted to the first vehicle via the coupling device
Implementation Method 2
the energy absorber component comprises a metal part, calibrated to deform under a predetermined force, exerted in the longitudinal direction by the second vehicle on the first vehicle via the coupling device
Implementation Method 3
each pin of the joint passing through, on the one hand, a hole made in the one of the two branches of the yoke substantially in the transverse direction and, on the other hand, a slot provided in one of two lugs, said slots having an oblong shape so that, in the event of an impact causing displacement from the first part and from the joint towards the first vehicle in the longitudinal direction, the tenons and the fasteners can slide in said slots in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A device for coupling (5) two vehicles, in particular railway vehicles, comprising: - a first portion (201), intended to be attached to one end (7) of a first vehicle (1) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the two vehicles, and - a second portion, intended to be attached to one end of a second vehicle in a longitudinal direction, and - an articulation (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, 205e) forming a ball and socket joint between the first portion and the second portion. The coupling device comprises a support member (207) intended to rest on a structural element (27) of the first vehicle, the support member being shaped and arranged so as to support the first portion when a fraction of the weight of the second vehicle is transmitted to the first vehicle via the coupling device.