Weight reduced running gear frame for a rail vehicle

摘要

The present invention relates to a running gear frame for a rail vehicle, comprising two longitudinal beams (104.2) and at least one transverse beam (104.1; 204.1). The beams form a substantially H-shaped configuration defining a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a height direction, the transverse beam (104.1; 204.1) providing a structural connection between the longitudinal beams (104.2) in the transverse direction. At least one of the beams (104.1, 104.2) and/or at least one further structural component (115, 116; 216) of the running gear frame is formed by a plurality of wall elements (104.3 to 104.6, 104.8, 104.15 115.2, 116.2). At least one of the wall elements (104.3 to 104.6, 104.8, 104.15 115.2, 116.2) is a weight reduced wall element showing at least one otherwise nonfunctional weight reduction recess (104.14, 115.3, 116.3) at a less mechanically stressed location. The less mechanically stressed location is a location where, in a reference wall element and under any load collective to be expected under normal operation of the rail vehicle unit, a reference stress occurs that is less than 5%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 15% to 20%, of a maximum reference stress. The reference wall element, apart from having a continuous, recess-free wall design, is substantially identical to and replaces the wall element showing the weight reduction recess (104.14, 115.3, 116.3). Finally, the maximum reference stress is a maximum mechanical stress occurring in the reference wall element under the respective one of the load collectives.