Variable Sealing Body for Rail Vehicle Coupling Space Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for rail vehicles fail to provide reliable protection for components in the coupling space when the front hatch is open or malfunctioning, allowing weather elements to affect the central buffer coupling and its components during movement.
Innovation Solution
A device with a variable-sized sealing body and frame is used to seal the opening in the front area of the rail vehicle, allowing the sealing body to be adjusted to cover the area through which the coupling shaft of the central buffer coupling extends, ensuring protection even when the vehicle is in motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front hatch is opened to allow access to the coupling space, then the central buffer coupling can be extended or swiveled into the coupling plane, but the components in the coupling space are exposed to weather elements such as snow, moisture, and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body is designed with variable size that can be adjusted between extended and retracted states. When the front hatch is open and the coupling shaft needs to move, the sealing body retracts to allow access. When the coupling is in position, the sealing body extends to seal around the coupling shaft, protecting components from weather elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body changes its dimensional parameters (size) based on operational requirements. It transitions from a retracted state during coupling operations to an extended state during normal operation to provide sealing protection, thus adapting to different operational phases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing body is introduced to protect the coupling space, then protection from weather elements is provided, but the pivotability of the coupling shaft may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body is designed to be dynamically adjustable in size. When the coupling shaft needs to pivot or move, the sealing body retracts or opens to clear the path. Once the coupling is positioned, the sealing body extends to seal around the shaft without interfering with its position, thus maintaining both protection and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body is configured to nest around the coupling shaft when extended, conforming to its contours. This nested arrangement allows the sealing body to protect the coupling space while accommodating the shaft's presence and movement without restriction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing body is made variable in size to accommodate coupling shaft movement, then protection is maintained during operation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body utilizes flexible material construction that allows it to change size and conform to the coupling shaft. This flexibility is achieved through articulated joints, bellows structures, or collapsible segments that can expand and contract without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body employs pneumatic or hydraulic actuation to control its size changes. Inflatable or deflatable elements allow the sealing body to extend when protection is needed and retract when the coupling shaft needs to move, providing a simple and effective mechanism for size adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (1) has a frame (3) for carrying a sealing body (2) i.e. inflatable ridge-like bellows, of variable size, where the frame surrounds a region (4) together with the sealing body. A coupling shaft (12) of a central buffer coupling (11) is guided through the region. The body has an inflatable hollow chamber pneumatically or hydraulically controllable such that a surface covered by the body is enlarged during inflation of the chamber. The body is formed like a collar and has disks combinely rotatable by a mechanism towards the region, surrounded by the frame, for enlarging the surface. An independent claim is also included for a front end module for a track-guided vehicle.