Adjustable Rubber Vertical Backstop for Steel Spring Fatigue Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The changing vertical pressure during locomotive operation causes metal fatigue in steel springs, leading to cracks and potential breakage, which existing elastic buffering devices fail to adequately prevent due to limited variable rigidity and adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vertical backstop with a rubber convex platform and pedestal system, where the diameter, height, and angle of the convex platform, along with the number of annular sections and pedestal height, are adjustable to provide variable rigidity, reducing metal fatigue and allowing the backstop to share vertical loads effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rubber blocks are used as vertical backstop with unified form and material, then the structure is simple, but the variable rigidity is limited and cannot adequately share vertical load
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber backstop is divided into multiple annular sections with different rigidity characteristics. Each section can deform independently under load, providing progressive rigidity adjustment. This segmentation allows the backstop to share vertical load more effectively while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rubber backstop are designed with different local properties - the annular sections have varying thickness and material composition to create localized rigidity differences. This enables the backstop to provide appropriate support at different locations and load conditions without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Reliability
If the variable rigidity range of vertical backstop is too big, then the steel spring break can be prevented, but the anti-vibration properties of the locomotive deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber backstop's rigidity is made dynamic through its multi-section design, allowing it to adapt its stiffness characteristics based on the applied load. Under normal vibration conditions, the backstop remains relatively flexible to maintain anti-vibration properties, while under heavy vertical loads, it progressively stiffens to share the load and prevent spring failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The backstop's effective rigidity parameter changes with load magnitude. The annular sections deform in sequence, transitioning the system from a softer state during light loads to a stiffer state during heavy loads. This parameter change enables the backstop to provide appropriate support only when necessary, preserving vibration isolation during normal operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the variable rigidity range of vertical backstop is too small, then the anti-vibration properties are good, but the vertical load sharing capability is insufficient and steel spring break cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented annular sections provide progressive load sharing capability. As vertical load increases, each section deforms and engages in load bearing, creating a cumulative effect that significantly increases total load sharing capacity without requiring a single overly stiff structure that would compromise vibration isolation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable parameters (diameter, height, angle, number of sections, pedestal height) are added to the vertical backstop, then the variable rigidity and load sharing capability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-parameter adjustable backstop design serves multiple functions simultaneously: the varying diameter and height of annular sections control both rigidity and load distribution, the angles define deformation characteristics, the number of sections adjusts total compliance, and pedestal height sets the engagement point. These parameters work together to achieve both vibration isolation and spring protection without requiring separate systems.
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 adjustable vertical backstop effectively reduces metal fatigue in steel springs by sharing vertical loads, prolongs the backstop's operating life, and ensures passenger comfort by adapting rigidity to load conditions, preventing steel spring breakage and providing a safe support in case of failure.
Implementation Method 1
a rubber main body (11), a rubber convex platform (12) and a pedestal (13), wherein the rubber convex platform (12) is provided above the rubber main body (11)
Implementation Method 2
The changing vertical pressure can produce metal fatigue in part of the steel spring after a long time accumulation, which produces small cracks in part of the steel spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A vertical backstop for preventing steel spring break, wherein the vertical backstop (1) is located in the steel spring (2), characterized in that the vertical backstop (1) comprises a rubber main body (11), a rubber convex platform (12) and a pedestal (13), wherein a revolve solid shaped rubber convex platform (12) is provided above the rubber main body (11), the rubber main body (11) is provided with an annular straight section and an annular arc section (115), the rubber convex platform (12) is connected with the rubber main body (11) via the annular arc section (115), a pedestal (13) is provided underneath the rubber main body (11), and the bottom of the rubber main body (11) is provided with a cavity (114), wherein the rubber main body (11), the rubber convex platform (12) and the pedestal (13) are an entirety.