Slotted Waveguide Rail Profile Connecting Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport systems face challenges in achieving simple and rapid production while ensuring precise alignment and minimal energy loss of electromagnetic waves, as well as accommodating thermal expansion, in rail vehicle systems.

Innovation Solution

The transport system employs slotted waveguide profile parts connected by an elastically deflected connecting part, which allows for precise alignment, minimal energy loss, and compensation for thermal expansion, with the connecting part forming a sliding bearing and being designed with thin walls and central elevations for easy insertion and reduced attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If profile parts are rigidly connected to ensure precise alignment and minimal energy loss, then electromagnetic wave transmission is improved, but thermal expansion compensation is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic wave energy lossVSAvoidthermal expansion compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part is designed with thin walls (less than 5% reduction in waveguide cross-sectional area) to provide flexibility for thermal expansion while maintaining electromagnetic wave transmission. The thin-walled structure allows elastic deflection to accommodate thermal length changes of profile parts while still forming an effective electrical connection for the cavity surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting part is designed to be elastically deflectable, allowing it to dynamically adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of the profile parts. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain both precise alignment for electromagnetic wave transmission and accommodation of thermal dimensional changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If profile parts are closely connected to minimize air gaps and reduce electromagnetic wave damping, then energy transmission is improved, but thermal expansion accommodation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic wave dampingVSAvoiddistance between profile parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thin-walled connecting part creates a minimal air gap (less than 5% cross-sectional area reduction) that sufficiently reduces electromagnetic wave damping while providing enough space for thermal expansion accommodation. The thin wall structure allows the connection to remain electrically effective for the cavity surface while physically accommodating dimensional changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If complex connection mechanisms are used to achieve precise alignment and thermal compensation, then system performance is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile part alignment precisionVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part automatically performs alignment and thermal compensation functions through its inherent elastic properties and geometric design, without requiring external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms. The elastic deflection and thin-walled structure self-adjust to maintain precise alignment while accommodating thermal changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting part achieves precise alignment and thermal compensation through carefully selected material and geometric parameters (thin wall thickness, elastic modulus, cross-sectional area ratio less than 5%), rather than through complex mechanical mechanisms. This parameter-based approach simplifies the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If thick-walled connecting parts are used to provide sufficient structural strength and electrical connection, then mechanical stability is improved, but electromagnetic wave attenuation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnecting part structural strengthVSAvoidelectromagnetic wave attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting part uses thin walls to minimize electromagnetic wave attenuation (keeping cross-sectional area reduction below 5%) while maintaining sufficient structural strength through optimized material selection and geometric design. The thin-walled structure reduces the electrical path length that waves must traverse, minimizing attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting part may utilize composite material structures or optimized material properties to achieve the required structural strength with reduced wall thickness, thereby maintaining both mechanical stability and low electromagnetic wave attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enables precise alignment, minimal energy loss, and effective thermal expansion compensation, facilitating efficient data transmission and stable suspension of rail vehicles with reduced material usage and production complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting part (1) is elastically deflected when it is connected to the two profile parts (2) that are closest to one another, with the elastic deflection acting in a transverse direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deflection: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

profile parts shaped as slotted waveguides are releasably connected to the rail profile parts, with electromagnetic waves propagating in the cavity of the profile part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Waveguide

Implementation Method 3

the connecting part is designed with thin walls, in particular as a stamped and bent part made of sheet metal, in particular with it being designed with such thin walls that the cross-sectional area of the waveguide is reduced by less than 5%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

the receiving sections are spaced apart from one another in the gravitational direction and in the transverse direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2812489B1Transport system
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2812489B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2812489B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2812489B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport system comprising rail profiled-sections arranged one behind the other, in the rail direction, for the rail guide of a rail vehicle. Profiled-sections shaped as slotted waveguides are detachably connected to said rail profiled-sections, and a connecting section is used to connect each profiled-section to the profiled-section that is adjacent and closest thereto, in the rail direction.