Roll-Rigid Rail Vehicle Coupling With Axle Stub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle couplings for sedan chair designs face challenges in preventing rolling and tipping, especially in small vehicles with atypical cross-sections, as traditional measures like links in the roof space are not feasible, and ball joints do not effectively block the degree of freedom around the longitudinal axis.
Innovation Solution
A rolling-resistant rail vehicle coupling design featuring a joint eye with a vertically oriented stub axle that penetrates a spherical bearing, allowing the axis of rotation to run through the pivot point, and a multi-part bracket for simplified assembly, which blocks the degree of freedom around the longitudinal axis while maintaining freedom around the vertical and transverse axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical bearing is used to connect rail vehicles, then the coupling can pivot freely around vertical and transverse axes for traversing curves and crests, but the degree of freedom around the longitudinal axis is not blocked, causing rolling and tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the spherical bearing handles pivoting movements (vertical and transverse axes) while the separate axial constraint mechanism (cross member with transverse axis arrangement) specifically blocks rotation around the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member acts as an intermediary element that introduces a transverse axis arrangement between the spherical bearing and the coupling eyes. This intermediary mechanism selectively constrains the longitudinal axis rotation while permitting the necessary pivoting movements through the spherical bearing, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of freedom of movement and stability.
2Force
If a linkage is placed in the roof space to prevent tipping, then the lever principle reduces forces transmitted via the linkage, but this arrangement is not possible for small vehicles with unusually small cross-sections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the constraint mechanism from the vertical dimension (roof space linkage) to the horizontal dimension (underframe area with transverse axis arrangement). By arranging the cross member and spherical bearing in the underframe area with the transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the same anti-rolling function is achieved without requiring roof space, thus adapting to vehicles with small cross-sections.
3Ease of manufacture
If the axis of rotation of the axle stub does not pass through the pivot point of the spherical bearing, then constraint forces complicate the closing of the coupling, but if it does pass through the pivot point, the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an asymmetric arrangement where the axial constraint mechanism (cross member with transverse axis) is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling. This asymmetric configuration allows the axle stub's rotation axis to be aligned with the transverse axis, creating a natural pivot point that simplifies assembly while maintaining the anti-rolling function.
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
This design prevents rolling movement between coupled rail vehicles, ensuring stability and mobility through curves, crests, and troughs without the need for a link in the roof area, while simplifying assembly and optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontally oriented axle (6) which is connected to the joint fork (5) and which penetrates a spherical bearing (7) connected to the joint eye (4)
Implementation Method 2
Ball joints (spherical bearings) or elastomer layer spring bearings are particularly well-suited for this purpose
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a roll-rigid rail vehicle coupling (1) for connecting a rail vehicle (3) to a rail vehicle of coach construction (2), comprising an articulated eye (4) that is configured for the detachable connection to one of the two rail vehicles (2, 3), and comprising an articulated fork (5) that is configured for the detachable connection to the other of the two rail vehicles (2, 3), and a horizontally aligned axle (6) which is connected to the articulated fork (5) and which penetrates a spherical bearing (7) connected to the articulated eye (4). According to the invention, the articulated eye (4) comprises a vertically oriented axle stub (8), the axis of rotation of which passes through the pivot point of the spherical bearing (7), said axle stub (8) engaging in a rotationally movable manner into a bracket (9) and the ends of the axle (6) being supported in a rotationally movable manner in the bracket (9).