Railway Gap Wind Deflector with Tapered Cross-Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind deflectors for articulated vehicles experience turbulence and noise at high speeds due to incomplete gap coverage and profile flutter, which increases drive power requirements and is aesthetically unsatisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A wind deflector with a conically tapering cross-section and an elastically flexible support body encased in a plastic-coated material, featuring a web connection between opposite panels to prevent lateral breakage and a support lamella for stability, ensuring the wind deflector remains flat and stable at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wind deflector elements are arranged flush with the outer skin to cover the gap between bellows and vehicle wall, then gap coverage is improved, but the profiles flutter at higher speeds causing turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflector element employs a conically tapering cross-section instead of a straight cylindrical profile. This curved, tapered geometry allows the element to flex and conform to aerodynamic forces without fluttering, while still effectively covering the gap between the bellows and vehicle outer wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the wind deflector by implementing a varying cross-sectional shape that tapers conically from base to tip. This parameter variation allows the structure to maintain stability at high speeds while covering the required gap area, resolving the contradiction between coverage and stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support body is made elastically flexible to allow movement, then adaptability to vehicle motion is improved, but the structure becomes unstable and flutters at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The conically tapering cross-section provides inherent aerodynamic stability that prevents fluttering even when the support body is elastically flexible. The curved tapered shape distributes aerodynamic forces more evenly, allowing the flexible element to adapt to vehicle motion without becoming unstable at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector combines an elastically flexible support body (such as rubber or foam) with an outer skin made of plastic-coated material. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed for movement adaptability and the structural stability required to prevent fluttering at high speeds.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer skin is placed at a distance from the support body to allow flexibility, then flexibility is improved, but structural integrity and color durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a plastic-coated material as an outer skin that is guided past the support body at a distance. This flexible skin provides UV resistance and color durability while the distance arrangement maintains flexibility. The plastic coating protects against environmental degradation without restricting the support body's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic-coated material acts as an intermediary layer between the support body and the external environment. It provides the necessary UV protection and color durability while being guided at a distance to maintain flexibility, mediating between the conflicting requirements of protection and movement.
4Area of stationary object
If wind deflectors are designed to completely cover the intermediate space, then gap coverage is improved, but turbulence and flow losses increase due to larger surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The conically tapering cross-section creates a streamlined profile that reduces turbulence and flow losses compared to straight-edged designs. The curved tapered shape allows the wind deflector to cover the intermediate space while minimizing aerodynamic drag and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector is designed to be flexible and dynamic rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to changing flow conditions. This dynamic behavior reduces turbulence and energy losses while maintaining effective gap coverage, as the element can flex with the airflow rather than creating fixed obstacles.
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 reduces turbulence and noise by maintaining a stable, flat surface against wind, enhancing drive efficiency and maintaining color and durability through UV-resistant silicone-coated materials.
Implementation Method 1
the support body is encased in a plastic-coated material, with the plastic-coated material being guided past the end face of the support body at a distance from it
Implementation Method 2
Area of the front side of the support body, the two opposite panels are connected to each other by a web
Implementation Method 3
enhancing drive efficiency and maintaining color and durability through UV-resistant silicone-coated materials
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The element (20) has an elastic support body (21) coated with a silicon-coated material and supported in a groove (22) that is formed at a front side of a vehicle, where the conducting element has a U-shaped cross-section or curve-shaped cross-section. The support body has a supporting lamella that extends over half of length of the support body, where the support body is designed as a hollow body. The supporting lamella has two side surfaces that run parallel to each other, and a rod (28) is arranged in an area of a front side of the support body.