Vehicle Transition Electrical Coupling Inside the Passage Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transitions between movably connected vehicle parts, such as buses and rail vehicles, face challenges in protecting electrical connections from the weather and in allowing for the detachment of electrical connections without uncoupling the vehicle parts.

Innovation Solution

The electrical connecting device is arranged within the area enclosed by the coupling frame and on the coupling frame itself, with connecting and counter-connecting means positioned inside the passage area, enabling manual interruption or restoration of the electrical connection without disconnecting the coupling frames, and incorporating a bridge line for connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrical connection device is arranged outside the coupling frame, then the electrical connection can be established between vehicle sections, but the electrical connection device is exposed to the elements and weather

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection protectionVSAvoidweather exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection device is nested within the coupling frame structure, specifically integrated into the ceiling area of the coupling frame. This nesting arrangement protects the electrical connection device from weather exposure while maintaining its functional connection between vehicle sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the electrical connection device is integrated within the coupling frame, then the electrical connection is protected from weather, but the connecting element cannot be detached independently of the coupling frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather protectionVSAvoidelectrical connection detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling frame assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling frames for mechanical connection and the electrical connection device for electrical connection. This segmentation allows the electrical connection to be detached independently from the mechanical coupling frames, enabling separate operation of these functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection device is extracted as a separate detachable component from the coupling frame structure. The connecting element can be removed from the coupling frame while the coupling frames remain connected, allowing independent detachment of the electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the electrical connection device is located outside the coupling frame, then the electrical connection can be established, but the connecting element requires uncoupling the coupling frames for detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection establishmentVSAvoiddetachment procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independent mechanical coupling and electrical connection subsystems. This allows the electrical connection to be established and detached without requiring coupling frame uncoupling, simplifying the overall procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection device is extracted as a separate detachable component that can be removed from the coupling frame independently. This extraction enables simplified detachment procedures where only the electrical connection needs to be disconnected, not the entire coupling assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4098506B1Transition between two vehicle parts with an electrical connection device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 HUBNER GMBH
  • EP4098506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098506B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4098506B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a transition (100) for the arrangement between two movably connected vehicle parts (1, 2), in particular a bus or a rail vehicle, comprising at least one bellows (10, 11) that can be arranged on a vehicle part (1, 2), which defines a passage area (I) and on which a coupling frame (12, 13) is arranged at its end face, and an electrical connection device (14) with at least one connecting means (15) and at least one counter-connecting means (16) for the detachable electrical connection of the two vehicle parts (1, 2), wherein the connecting means (15) and/or the counter-connecting means (16) is arranged on an inner side (12a, 13a) of the coupling frame (12, 13) facing the passage area (I).Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical connection device (14) with at least one connecting means (15) and at least one counter-connecting means (16) as part of the transition (100) and a vehicle with two movably connected vehicle parts (1, 2) between which a transition (100) according to the invention is arranged.