Electromagnetic Wheelset Locking Sleeve for Faster Gauge Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional locking mechanisms for variable gauge rail vehicles are passive and have complex installation structures, requiring external auxiliary facilities for efficient operation, leading to high costs and low efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve and locking mechanism for gauge-changing wheelsets featuring a traction electromagnet and locking pins, allowing direct locking and unlocking of wheels without external apparatus, facilitated by a movable core controlled by the electromagnet, and an electrical connection system using brushes and chips for power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional passive locking mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the operation efficiency is low and external auxiliary facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional passive mechanical locking mechanism with an active electromagnetic locking system. The locking pin is actuated by an electromagnet that can be controlled to extend and retract, enabling active locking and unlocking operations without external auxiliary facilities. This substitution of mechanical passive systems with electromagnetic active systems resolves the contradiction by improving operational efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the wheelset structure, with the electromagnet integrated into the sleeve assembly. The system can perform locking and unlocking operations autonomously without requiring external equipment, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external auxiliary facilities during gauge changes.
2Ease of operation
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then the installation structure is simple, but external auxiliary facilities are needed for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet-based locking system replaces manual or externally-assisted mechanical locking operations with electrically-controlled actuation. The locking pin can be extended or retracted by controlling the electromagnet, enabling easy and quick locking operations that do not require external auxiliary facilities, thus improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If active locking mechanism with electromagnet is used, then the operation efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet is nested within the sleeve structure, with the locking pin integrated into the electromagnet assembly. The electromagnet housing is positioned within the sleeve body, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting principle allows the active electromagnetic locking system to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall structural complexity or external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism components are merged into a single integrated assembly. The electromagnet, locking pin, spring, and sleeve elements are combined into one cohesive unit that functions as a complete locking system, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall structure despite the added electromagnetic functionality.
4Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then the cost is low, but external auxiliary facilities are required causing high investment cost
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet-based active locking system replaces unreliable passive mechanical locking that requires external facilities. The electrically-controlled locking mechanism provides more reliable and consistent locking operations, eliminating the uncertainties associated with external auxiliary facilities and improving overall system reliability.
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
Simplifies the structure and operation of variable gauge systems, enhancing reliability and efficiency by eliminating the need for external apparatus, reducing costs, and improving the reliability of gauge changes through direct wheel control.
Implementation Method 1
a traction electromagnet and a locking pin, wherein the traction electromagnet is fixed at an inner side wall of the second end cover, the traction electromagnet includes a traction coil and a movable core being controlled to move by turning on and off of the traction coil
Implementation Method 2
at least one pair of electric brushes are provided at an inner wall of the annular cover body, chips corresponding to the electric brushes one by one are provided at an outer wall of the second barrel, a pair of annular mounting grooves surrounding the outer circumference of the second barrel are provided at intervals in an axial direction of the second barrel, and inner circumferences of the retaining rings are respectively mounted in the annular mounting groove and the sleeve body is rotated such that the chips rub is against the electric brushes to form an electrical connection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A sleeve and a locking mechanism (3) of a gauge-changing wheelset. The sleeve includes a sleeve body (31) including a first sleeve including a first end cover and a first barrel, the first barrel extending toward an axial side of the first end cover in a circumferential direction of the first end cover, the first end cover being provided with an axial through hole; a second sleeve being sleeved with the first sleeve, and the second sleeve includes a second end cover integrally connected with the first barrel in a circumferential direction of the first barrel and a second barrel extending toward the same side as that of the first barrel extending toward in a circumferential direction of the second end cover; the first end cover is securely fixed around an axle (5) of the gauge-changing wheelset, and is located inside of wheels (4) of the gauge-changing wheelset, and an inner hub of each of the wheels (4) is configured to extend into the first barrel and be in sliding fit with the first barrel, and a side wall of the first barrel is provided with a through hole.