Traction Coupling With Flexible Hollow-Shaft Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional train couplings require external drives, increasing installation space and complexity, and suffer from weight force transfer issues due to bearing wear.
Innovation Solution
A train coupling design with a pivoting mechanism using a hollow shaft and flexible drive connection, incorporating a cycloidal gear unit and spring-loaded components to pivot the coupling head easily and compactly, decoupling weight forces from the transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external drive is installed on the coupling, then the coupling head can be pivoted, but the installation space increases and the design becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is merged with the coupling head by mounting the gear unit directly on the coupling head housing. The drive shaft is integrated into the coupling head structure, eliminating the need for separate external drive installations. This combining of functions reduces overall system complexity while maintaining pivoting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft is nested within the hollow shaft of the coupling head. The gear unit is positioned inside the coupling head housing, with components arranged in a nested configuration. This nesting approach minimizes installation space while providing all necessary pivoting functions.
2Reliability
If the hollow shaft bearing wears, then the hollow shaft can tilt, but weight forces are transferred to the gearbox output
Solution Approach 1:
The weight force transmission path is extracted from the gearbox output by introducing a separate support structure. The coupling head housing is supported independently on the vehicle frame, separating the weight bearing function from the drive transmission function. This allows bearing wear and resulting tilting without transferring weight forces to the gearbox.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary support structure (coupling head housing support) is introduced between the coupling head and the vehicle frame. This intermediary component absorbs the weight forces and isolates the gearbox from bearing wear effects, allowing the hollow shaft to tilt due to wear without compromising the drive transmission system.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is achieved, then installation space is reduced, but the drive connection must be flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The drive connection is made dynamic by allowing the hollow shaft to tilt relative to the drive shaft within certain limits. This dynamic capability enables the compact design to accommodate bearing wear and maintain functionality without requiring excessive installation space. The flexible connection adapts to wear conditions while preserving compact dimensions.
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
Achieves a compact, durable, and easy-to-use coupling design that minimizes weight force transfer to the gearbox, reducing wear-related tilting and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a cycloidal gear unit and spring-loaded components to pivot the coupling head easily
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a cycloidal gear unit and spring-loaded components to pivot the coupling head easily
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a train coupling with a coupling head that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis of rotation from a substantially horizontal coupling position into a stowed position oriented obliquely or perpendicularly to the horizontal coupling position. The train coupling according to the invention is characterized in that the coupling head is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner or in a drive connection on a hollow shaft that can be rotated about the axis of rotation; the train coupling has a pivoting device for pivoting the coupling head about the axis of rotation, wherein the pivoting device comprises a gear with a gear input and a gear output, and the hollow shaft is connected with an axial end in a drive connection to the gear output; and the drive connection is flexible radially to the axis of rotation.