Railway Vehicle Device Housing Reducing Rivet Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
The housing of a railway vehicle device has a longer longitudinal-direction length than common industrial power conversion devices, leading to an increased number of rivets required for assembly, which in turn increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing member with a first support member extending in the traveling direction and second support members fixed to it, along with at least one exterior member that covers the periphery of the reinforcing member, forming thin plate-like housing surfaces with cutouts that reduce the need for longitudinal rivets, thereby decreasing the number of rivets required and lowering manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rivets are used to fasten joints extending along the longitudinal direction, then the housing structure is strengthened, but the number of rivets increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple modular sections (first housing section, second housing section, third housing section) that can be assembled separately. Each section has its own fastening structure, allowing the housing to be constructed in segments rather than requiring continuous longitudinal fastening along the entire length, thereby reducing the total number of rivets needed while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening structure transitions from purely longitudinal rivet alignment to a three-dimensional configuration involving vertical plates and multi-directional fasteners. The vertical plates extend in the vertical direction and are fastened at multiple points, distributing fastening requirements across different spatial dimensions rather than concentrating them along the longitudinal axis.
2Length of stationary object
If the longitudinal-direction length of the housing is increased, then the device can accommodate larger components, but the number of rivets required increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The long housing is segmented into multiple manageable sections that can be manufactured and assembled independently. This modular approach allows the housing to achieve greater overall length without requiring a proportional increase in rivet count, as each segment uses a standardized fastening configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than providing continuous fastening support along the entire longitudinal length, the invention uses discrete fastening points at critical junctions between segments. This partial action approach provides sufficient structural support without the excessive rivet placement that would result from continuous longitudinal fastening.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple vertical plates are fastened to the longitudinal member, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical plates are designed to be pre-positioned or pre-assembled with their fastening features aligned, allowing for simplified subsequent assembly. The first housing section is assembled with its vertical plates, and then the second housing section is attached in a straightforward manner, reducing overall assembly complexity despite the multi-component structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of vertical plates extending in the vertical direction creates a three-dimensional fastening system that provides structural stability without requiring complex longitudinal arrangements. The vertical dimension offers an additional axis for force distribution and structural reinforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing of a railway vehicle device includes a reinforcing member and at least one first exterior member. The reinforcing member includes a first support member extending in a X-axis direction, and second support members that are fixed to the first support member while main surfaces are oriented in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction, the second support members being plate-like members. The first exterior members are thin plate-like members that are fixed to side surfaces of the second support members, cover a periphery of the reinforcing member, and form housing surfaces extending along the X-axis direction. In each of the first exterior members, cutouts each are formed extending in a direction intersecting the X-axis direction from the both ends in the direction intersecting the X-axis direction. An opening is formed, by the cutouts, in at least one of the housing surfaces extending along the X-axis direction.