Electrical Train Coupling Decoupling Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic electrical train couplings pose a risk of electrical discharge when manually decoupled, as the insulation is compromised, potentially leading to operator safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates movable decoupling elements supported by a force accumulator, which disconnect electrical contact upon decoupling, ensuring no voltage is applied to the contact elements when the coupling halves are disengaged, and includes a safety interlock to prevent accidental reconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical contact elements are enclosed by a sleeve with force accumulator to ensure insulation in coupled state, then insulation reliability is improved, but operator safety in decoupled state deteriorates due to exposed live contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling half is divided into functional zones: the enclosed insulation area for coupled state and the exposed decoupling area for decoupled state. The decoupling element acts as a movable partition that segments the contact element from the housing interior during decoupling, allowing insulation where needed while exposing contacts for safe decoupling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling element is designed to be movable between two positions: enclosed position during coupling to maintain insulation, and exposed position during decoupling to allow safe operation. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by adapting the insulation state to the operational phase.
2Ease of operation
If manual coupling and decoupling operations are performed, then operational control is improved, but time expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling element is designed to be automatically actuated by the coupling mechanism itself during the coupling process. The coupling operation triggers the decoupling element to move to its decoupled position, enabling automatic decoupling functionality while maintaining simple manual coupling control.
3Reliability
If the decoupling element is moved into electrically conductive contact during coupling, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but the risk of electrical discharge increases during decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling element serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the electrical contact element and the housing. During coupling, it ensures reliable electrical contact; during decoupling, it acts as an intermediate barrier that can be safely exposed and manipulated without causing electrical discharge, as it is designed to be non-conductive or isolated during this phase.
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 prevents electric shocks and short circuits during decoupling, ensuring operator safety while allowing for automatic disengagement without manual intervention and maintaining a secure seal in both coupled and decoupled states.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one electrical contact element of at least one coupling half is supported by a decoupling element movable against the force of a force accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical train coupling having two coupling halves, each including at least one electrical contact element, which is electrically contactable with an electrical contact element of the particular other coupling half, including one electrical connection per coupling half. At least one electrical contact element of at least one coupling half is supported by a decoupling element movable against the force of a force accumulator at least also along a coupling direction of the coupling halves, the decoupling element, in a coupled state of the two coupling halves, being moved against the force of the force accumulator into an electrically conductive contact of the electrical contact element with the electrical connection of the coupling half and, in a decoupled state of the two coupling halves, moved by the force of the force accumulator with the electrical contact element, being lifted off of the electrical connection to disconnect the electrically conductive contact to the electrical connection.