Train Coupler Deflection Device Pivot Anchor Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupler deflection devices for train vehicles often require the coupler rod to accommodate drives, limiting design flexibility and increasing the risk of interference during movement.

Innovation Solution

A deflection device that interacts with the coupler pivot anchor instead of the coupler rod, allowing for a design that incorporates dampers or deformation elements without the need for drive attachments, and can be positioned horizontally above or below the coupler rod's plane of movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a drive is directly connected to the coupler rod, then the coupler rod can be actuated to swivel about the coupler pivot anchor, but the coupler rod design is constrained and requires attachment space for the drive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupler rod actuationVSAvoidcoupler rod design constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive is extracted from the coupler rod and relocated to interact with the coupler pivot anchor instead. This separation removes the constraint of drive attachment on the coupler rod, allowing the coupler rod to be designed with dampers or deformation elements without compromising drive integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupler pivot anchor serves as an intermediary element between the drive and the coupler rod. The drive acts on the pivot anchor, which in turn enables the coupler rod to swivel, thereby eliminating the need for direct drive-coupler rod connection and the associated design constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the drive is positioned in the horizontal plane of coupler rod movement, then it can directly actuate the coupler rod, but the coupler rod may hit drive elements during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupler rod actuationVSAvoidinterference-free movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive is repositioned from the horizontal plane to a vertical arrangement, either above or below the coupler rod's plane of movement. This dimensional shift eliminates potential interference between the coupler rod during its horizontal swiveling motion and the drive elements, ensuring reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4178844B1Device for deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle, coupler of a train, car of a multi-car vehicle and method for coupling a first car of a multi-car vehicle to a second car of a multi-car vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 DELLNER COUPLERS AB
  • EP4178844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178844B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4178844B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle, comprising a deflection arm adapted to be connected to a coupler pivot anchor and a drive connected to the deflection arm, whereby the drive is suitable to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor.