Self-Centering Kingpin Securing Assembly for Intermodal Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transport of semi-trailers on railway wagons requires precise, rapid, and reliable securing mechanisms to prevent damage and ensure safe immobilization during rolling and parking, while also allowing for easy loading and unloading, as semi-trailers are large and cantilevered, necessitating three-axis immobilization and visual control.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering and self-locking safety assembly for the coupling pin of a semi-trailer, comprising a hood and a nacelle with tilting mobile elements, provides total immobilization through convergent ramps for self-centering, lateral and longitudinal locking, and vertical blocking, with visual indicators for secure positioning and easy release for unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure locking system with self-centering and visual inspection is implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hood is nested within the nacelle receiving support, with the hood containing the coupling pin and the nacelle providing the receiving volume. This nesting arrangement integrates multiple functions (locking, centering, visual indication) into a compact structure, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-centering through convergent ramps that automatically guide the hood into the correct position within the nacelle, and self-locking through the interaction between the hood's locking mechanism and the nacelle's retaining elements. This self-service capability enhances reliability while reducing the need for complex manual operation mechanisms
2Reliability
If three-axis immobilization with lateral, longitudinal, and vertical locking is implemented, then reliability of transport is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lateral retention (through the hood's lateral retention cavity), longitudinal locking (through the hood-nacelle engagement), and vertical blocking (through the tilting mobile elements) into a single integrated securing assembly. This merging of multiple locking functions into one unified structure achieves three-axis immobilization without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each axis
Solution Approach 2:
The hood serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral retention through its cavity, enables longitudinal locking through its engagement with the nacelle, and works with the tilting mobile elements for vertical blocking. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive immobilization while minimizing the number of separate components
3Ease of operation
If visual control indicators for self-centering and immobilization are added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual control indicators that likely use color changes or position-based visual cues to indicate the state of self-centering and immobilization. This allows operators to quickly assess the securing status without complex instrumentation, improving ease of operation with minimal added complexity
4Productivity
If rapid loading and unloading operations are enabled through easy release mechanisms, then productivity is improved, but reliability of immobilization during transport may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that the hood is pre-positioned on the coupling pin before transport, and the locking mechanism is pre-configured to engage automatically. This preliminary action ensures that the secure immobilization is established before the rapid unloading process begins, allowing quick release without compromising transport security
Solution Approach 2:
The securing system transitions from a static locked state during transport to a dynamic release state during unloading. The mechanism allows for rapid state change through the easy release feature while maintaining secure immobilization during the static transport phase, balancing productivity and reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a securing assembly (1) comprising a cap (6) that is locked on the semi-trailer kingpin (7), automatically centred and immobilised in the receiving volume (9) of a nacelle (8) provided with self-centring tilting mobile members (30) and supported by a lift bearing (19) being part of the structure of the railway unit (2) for mixed rail/road transport. The securing assembly ensures a self-centring and three-axis immobilisation of the kingpin in an automatic and secured manner, with a visual control indicator. The invention is particularly intended for constructors of hardware for intermodal rail/road transport.