Railway Vehicle Floor Support Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing railway vehicle floor structures are prone to separation from the underframe during collisions due to impact loads, which are not effectively managed by conventional elastic supports like vibration-proof rubber, leading to the risk of the upper floor floating up.

Innovation Solution

A railway vehicle design featuring a protruding part on the underframe with an inverted L-shaped cross-section that locks the upward movement of the upper floor during impacts, while maintaining elastic support through vibration-proof rubber, preventing separation without obstructing normal deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only vibration-proof rubber is used to support the upper floor, then elastic support and vibration insulation are achieved, but the upper floor cannot resist impact loads during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the vibration-proof rubber (elastic member) with a support member having a locking structure into a single integrated support system. The support member includes a locking protrusion that engages with a groove in the underframe, creating a composite structure that provides both elastic vibration isolation and rigid impact resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure uses a composite approach by combining the elastic properties of rubber with the rigid mechanical locking structure. This composite system leverages the advantages of both materials: the rubber absorbs vibrations and allows normal elastic deformation, while the rigid locking structure prevents catastrophic separation during high-impact collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a rigid locking structure is added to prevent upper floor separation, then impact resistance improves, but elastic support function is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidelastic deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed to be dynamic rather than purely rigid. The locking protrusion and groove provide a mechanical constraint that engages only when necessary (during high-impact collisions), while allowing normal elastic deformation of the rubber during routine vibrations and movements. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to adapt its rigidity based on the magnitude of applied forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the vibration-proof rubber handles normal elastic support and vibration isolation, while the locking structure (protrusion and groove) handles impact resistance. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function without interfering with the other, maintaining elastic support capability while adding impact protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the bonding surface between vibration-proof rubber and upper floor is strengthened, then resistance to tearing off improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure is pre-installed on the underframe before the rubber is attached to the upper floor. The locking protrusion is formed as an integral part of the underframe structure, and the groove is pre-formed in the rubber or its mounting bracket. This preliminary preparation simplifies the final assembly process, as the components are designed to fit together without requiring complex bonding procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

Effectively prevents the upper floor from floating upward during impacts without compromising the elastic support, enhancing safety and vibration insulation while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member such as a vibration-proof rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3421318B1Railway vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3421318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3421318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3421318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[P roblem] A railway vehicle whose upper floor can be effectively prevented from floating upward when a large impact acts on the railway vehicle, without obstructing elastic support of the upper floor, is to be provided. [Solution] A railway vehicle in which an upper floor forming a floor is laid down on a top surface side of an underframe includes: a protruding part provided along a longitudinal direction of the underframe, on the top surface of the underframe; an elastic member arranged along the longitudinal direction of the underframe and having a bottom surface fixed to the top surface of the underframe or a top surface of a horizontal piece of the protruding part; and a support member fixed to a top surface of the elastic member and fixed to a bottom surface of the upper floor; wherein the protruding part and the support member are formed in such a way that the protruding part locks movement of the support member into a direction away from the top surface of the underframe.