Vehicle Spring Device with Detachable Cylindrical Protective Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring devices for vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, face challenges in protecting elastically deformable spring elements from external influences while allowing for easy visual inspection and maintenance, as previous protective elements are also elastically deformable and obstruct access to the spring elements.
Innovation Solution
A spring device design featuring a rim, an elastically deformable spring element, and fastening elements with cylindrical protective elements that form a detachable, form-fitting connection only under load, allowing access for visual inspection and maintenance while providing protection against mechanical and external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective element completely encloses the spring element, then the spring element is protected from external influences, but visual inspection and maintenance access is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is divided into two separate parts: a first protective element attached to the rim and a second protective element attached to the fastening element. These segments can move relative to each other, allowing the spring element to be accessible when not in use while providing protection during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The protective elements are designed to be dynamically positioned - they can enclose the spring element when the spring device is in a first load state (during operation) and separate when in a second load state (during maintenance), enabling both protection and inspection needs to be met at different times
2Adaptability or versatility
If the protective element is elastically deformable, then it provides flexibility, but it cannot provide direct evidence of spring element damage
Solution Approach 1:
A damage indicator element is introduced as an intermediary between the spring element and the protective element. This indicator can visually signal damage to the spring element, providing reliable damage detection while allowing the protective element to remain elastically deformable for flexibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective element completely encloses the spring element, then protection is maximized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective elements serve multiple functions: they protect the spring element from external influences, allow for visual inspection when separated, and can indicate damage through the damage indicator element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity
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
The design effectively protects the spring element from external influences and enables easy visual inspection and maintenance by creating a closed protective space during loading and separating to allow access when unloaded, preventing friction and wear.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable spring element (4)... made at least partially of rubber or another elastically deformable material
Implementation Method 2
a releasable, positive-locking connection is formed between the first connecting profile (20) and the second connecting profile (24)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a spring device (2) comprising: a rim (3), an elastically deformable spring element (4), and a fastening element (6), wherein a first end (8) of the spring element (4) is connected to an inner surface (10) of the rim (3) and a second end (12) of the spring element (4) is connected to the fastening element (6), such that the spring element (4) extends from the fastening element (6) to the rim (3), characterized in that the spring device (2) has a first cylindrical protective element (14) and a second cylindrical protective element (16), wherein the first protective element (14) is attached to an outer surface (18) of the rim (3), extends from the rim (3) in the direction of the fastening element (6), and is arranged on the outer surface of the spring element (4), wherein the first protective element (14) has a first connecting profile (20) at an end section facing away from the rim (3). (22) exhibitswherein the second protective element (16) is attached to the fastening element (6), extends from the fastening element (6) towards the rim (3), and is arranged on the outer side of the spring element (4), wherein the second protective element (16) has a second connecting profile (24) at an end section (26) facing away from the fastening element (6), wherein the spring element (4), the first protective element (14), and the second protective element (16) are designed such that a releasable, positive-locking connection (28) is formed between the first connecting profile (20) and the second connecting profile (24) when the spring device (2) is in a first load state. The invention also relates to a spring system with the spring device (2) and to a vehicle (42) with the spring device (2) and/or the spring system.