AU2011269509B2

AU2011269509B2 - Coupler knuckle and railway vehicle including said couple knuckle

Info

Publication number: AU2011269509B2
Application number: AU2011269509A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wenxue Bu; Yingjun Cui; Yan Jiang; Dan JING; Qingmin Meng; Hongji Sun; Changchun Wang; Junlong Wang; Yuebin Yu
Original assignee: CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co Ltd
Current assignee: CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-23
Filing date: 2011-06-07
Publication date: 2013-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-07
Also published as: AU2011269509A1; WO2011160544A1; CN102295012A; BR112012015978A2; ZA201204860B; BR112012015978B1; CN102295012B

Abstract

A coupler knuckle for railway vehicle has a draft surface (1) and a knuckle pivot pin hole (2). A bounce table (3) lies on the knuckle pivot pin hole (2), and a traction table (4) lies on the bounce table (3). A nose (5) of the coupler knuckle is provided in the lower part of the coupler knuckle. The bottom surface of the coupler knuckle's nose forms the coupler knuckle's face (6). There is a first groove (61) on the coupler knuckle's face (6). The coupler knuckle is a forging piece. The coupler knuckle has the advantage of high reliability, low cost and is easy to be transported.

Description

COUPLER KNUCKLE AND RAILWAY VEHICLE INCLUDING SAID COUPLE KNUCKLE [0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese patent application No. 201010213343.8 titled "COUPLER KNUCKLE AND RAILWAY VEHICLE INCLUDING SAID COUPLE KNUCKLE", filed with the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office on June 23, 2010. The entire disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present application relates to the technical field of railway vehicles, and in particular to a coupler knuckle for a railway vehicle. In addition, the present application also relates to a railway vehicle including the above coupler knuckle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Generally, the railway vehicle mainly includes carbody, running gear, braking system, coupler and draft gear, and auxiliaries. The coupler is a major part of the coupler and draft gear, and is used to realize the coupling between a railway locomotive and a railway vehicle or between two railway vehicles, to transfer the pulling force and the impact force and to keep a certain distance between the vehicles. [0004] Referring to Fig. 1, a structural schematic view of an automatic coupler for a railway vehicle is shown. 0 [0005] The coupler currently used on the railway vehicle in the world is mainly the automatic coupler. The so-called automatic coupler is a coupler by which the coupler uncoupling or coupling may be automatically done when the coupler lever is lifted or when two vehicles collide. Most of the automatic couplers used are articulated couplers. As shown in Fig. 1, the automatic coupler includes a coupler body 1', a coupler knuckle 5 2', a coupler knuckle pin 3', a lock 4', a coupler knuckle thrower 5' and a locklift mechanism. The main feature of the automatic coupler is that the coupler knuckle 2' capable of rotating around the coupler knuckle pin 3' is connected to a coupler head, and the lock 4' is lifted by the locklift mechanism such that the coupler knuckle thrower 5' may push the coupler knuckle 2' to rotate around the coupler knuckle pin 3'. [0006] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 2 is a structural schematic view of a coupler knuckle of the automatic coupler in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a structural schematic view of the coupler knuckle of the automatic coupler in Fig. I viewing from another perspective. [0007] For realizing the main function of the coupler knuckle 2', the coupler knuckle 2' includes a pin protector 2'1, a pulling curved surface 2'2, a coupler knuckle pin hole 2'3, a buffing shoulder 2'4, a pulling lug 2'5, a coupler lock shelf 2'6, a coupler knuckle tail end surface 2'7, a coupler knuckle front face 2'8, a coupler knuckle locking surface 2'9 and a couple knuckle thrower surface 2'0. In use, the coupler knuckle is mainly subjected to an alternate load caused by pulling and compressing. Once the coupler knuckle breaks, the vehicles may be uncoupled and the accident resulting from the emergency stopping may occur. Thus, the safety and reliability of the coupler knuckle is very important. In the prior art, the coupler knuckle for railway vehicles is made by casting process. However, fatigue crack sources such as sand holes, shrinkage cavities and shrinkage porosity may inevitably be produced in the casting process, thus it is very easy to crack or break the coupler knuckle in use. With the gradually increase of the running speed and pulling tonnage of the railway freight vehicle, the cracks and break accidents of the casting coupler knuckle for the railway vehicle are also gradually increased. [0007A] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. [0007B] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as 5 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a 0 coupler knuckle, which may effectively improve the operational reliability, may have low material costs and is easily carried. Further, another technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a railway vehicle including the coupler knuckle. 2 [0009] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a coupler knuckle for a railway vehicle, including a coupler knuckle pulling curved surface and a coupler knuckle pin hole; wherein a buffing shoulder is provided above the coupler knuckle pin hole, a pulling lug is provided above the buffing shoulder, a coupler knuckle nose is provided at a lower portion of the coupler knuckle, a bottom surface of the coupler knuckle 2A nose forms a front face of the coupler knuckle, the coupler knuckle is a forging part, and a first groove is provided on the front face of the coupler knuckle. 100101 Preferably, a first reinforcing rib is provided at a medium portion of the first groove, and extends in the same direction as the first groove. 5 [00111 Preferably, a distance between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole, closest to a bottom wall of the first groove, and the bottom wall of the first groove is more than or equal to 15 mm; and a distance between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface, closest to the bottom wall of the first groove, and the bottom wall of the first groove is more than or equal to 20 mm. io 100121 Preferably, at least one side of two sides of the coupler knuckle nose is provided with a second groove. [0013] Preferably, a distance between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole, closest to a side wall of the second groove, and the side wall of the second groove is more than or equal to 20 mm; a distance between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface, closest to 15 a side wall of the second groove, and the side wall of the second groove is more than or equal to 15 mm; a distance between a side wall of the second groove, closest to the front face of the coupler knuckle, and the front face of the coupler knuckle is more than or equal to 10 mm; and a depth of the second groove is smaller than or equal to 50 mm. [0014] Preferably, a transitional connecting portion is provided between the pulling lug and 20 the buffing shoulder, and a third groove is provided on the transitional connecting portion. A root portion of the pulling lug, a root portion of the buffing shoulder and a vertical central line of the coupler knuckle form a maximum outer contour of the third groove. [0015] Preferably, a thickness of a bottom wall of the third groove is more than or equal to 20 mm. 25 100161 Preferably, the pulling lug is provided with an upper tail end surface and a lower tail end surface. A fourth groove running through a top surface of the pulling lug is provided on the upper tail end surface, and a fifth groove is provided on the lower tail end surface. [00171 Preferably, there are two fourth grooves, and the two fourth grooves are separated by 3 a second reinforcing rib. [0018] Preferably, a depth of the fourth groove is smaller than or equal to 15 mm; a minimum distance between a side wall of the fourth groove, closest to the root portion of the pulling lug, and the root portion of the pulling lug is 10 mm; a depth of the fifth groove is smaller than or equal to 20 mm; and a minimum distance between a side wall of the fifth groove, closest to the root portion of the pulling lug, and the root portion of the pulling lug is 8 mm. [0019] In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a railway vehicle including the above coupler knuckles. [0020] The coupler knuckle provided by the present application is a forging part made by the forging process, thus avoiding the manufacturing defects such as the sand holes, the shrinkage cavity and the shrinkage porosity in the casting process, reducing the potential fatigue crack sources, substantially eliminating the security risks, and effectively improving the operational reliability. Further, the fatigue limit of forging parts is higher than that of the casting parts, thus the fatigue life of the coupler knuckle is also prolonged. The present application may be adapted to the gradually increased requirement on the running speed and pulling tonnage of the railway freight vehicle, reduce the cracks and break accidents of the coupler knuckle in use, and reduce the workload and costs for the application and maintenance. [0021] Further, a first groove is provided on the front face of the coupler knuckle. It should be noted that, the design of the groove could not affect the working performance of the coupler knuckle. The first groove provided may reduce the material costs for the coupler knuckle, and may also lighten the weight of the coupler knuckle. Further, the first groove may facilitate transporting the coupler knuckle for the workers, thus the carrying is 5 more convenient. Besides, the groove provided on the front face of the coupler knuckle may also help carry out the forging process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of an automatic coupler for a railway vehicle 4 in the prior art; [0023] Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of a coupler knuckle of the automatic coupler in Fig. 1; [0024] Figure 3 is a structural schematic view of the coupler knuckle of the automatic 5 coupler in Fig. I viewing from another perspective; [0025] Figure 4 is a structural schematic view of a coupler knuckle according to an embodiment of the present application; 10026] Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line E-E of Fig. 4; [0027] Figure 6 is a right view of the coupler knuckle in Fig. 4; and 10 100281 Figure 7 is a left view of the coupler knuckle in Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 100291 The object of the present application is to provide a coupler knuckle, which may effectively improve the operational reliability, may have low material costs and is easily carried. Further, another object of the present application is to provide a railway vehicle 15 including the coupler knuckle. 10030] For those skilled in the art to better understand technical solutions of the present application, the present application will be described in detail in conjunction with drawings and embodiments hereinafter. [0031] Referring to Figs. 4 to 7, Fig. 4 is a structural schematic view of a coupler knuckle 20 according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line E-E of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a right view of the coupler knuckle in Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a left view of the coupler knuckle in Fig. 4. 100321 In one embodiment, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the coupler knuckle provided by the present application includes a coupler knuckle pulling curved surface I and a coupler knuckle 25 pin hole 2. A buffing shoulder 3 is provided above the coupler knuckle pin hole 2, and a pulling lug 4 is provided above the buffing shoulder 3. A coupler knuckle nose 5 is provided at a lower portion of the coupler knuckle, with a bottom surface thereof forming as a front 5 face 6 of the coupler knuckle. 100331 On the basis of the prior art, the coupler knuckle provided by the present application is a forging part made by the forging process, thus avoiding the manufacturing defects such as the sand holes, the shrinkage cavity and the shrinkage porosity in the casting technology, 5 reducing potential fatigue crack sources, substantially eliminating the security risks, and effectively improving the operational reliability. Further, the fatigue limit of forging parts is higher than that of the casting parts, thus the fatigue life of the coupler knuckle is also prolonged. [0034] Further, on the basis of the prior art, a first groove 61 is provided on the front face 6 10 of the coupler knuckle. It should be noted that, the design of the first groove 61 would not affect the working performance of the coupler knuckle. The first groove 61 provided may reduce the material costs for the coupler knuckle, and may also lighten the weight of the coupler knuckle. Further, the first groove 61 may facilitate transporting the coupler knuckle for the workers, thus the carrying is more convenient. Besides, the first groove 61 may also 15 help implement the forging process. [0035] In the above embodiments, a further improvement may be made. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, a first reinforcing rib 62 is provided at a medium portion of the first groove 61, and an extending direction of the first reinforcing rib 62 is same as an extending direction of the first groove 61. The structural design of the first reinforcing rib 62, on the one hand, 20 may improve the working strength therein, and on the other hand, may further facilitate carrying the coupler knuckle. [00361 The nose 5 of the coupler knuckle is the weakest portion of the structure of the coupler knuckle product, and also is a key portion, thus the strength of the coupler knuckle nose 5 has to be ensured. The structural contour of the groove 61 may be various, as long as a 25 minimum distance between the first groove 61 and the coupler knuckle pin hole 2 and a minimum distance between the first groove 61 and the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface I are ensured, otherwise the strength and the service life may be affected. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, a distance dl between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole 2, closest to a bottom wall of the first groove 61, and the bottom wall of the first groove 61 is more than or 6 equal to 15 mm; and a distance d2 between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface 1, closest to the bottom wall of the first groove 61, and the bottom wall of the first groove 61 is more than or equal to 20 mm. 100371 Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, on the basis of any one of the above technical solutions, a 5 further improvement may be made to the coupler knuckle nose 5. For example, at least one side of two sides of the coupler knuckle nose 5 is provided with a second groove 51. The structural design of the second groove 51 may further reduce the weight and reduce the material costs. Further, the second groove 51 may also facilitate carrying the coupler knuckle for the workers and facilitate the forging. 10 [00381 For ensuring the working strength of the place where the second groove 51 is located, the distance between the second groove 51 and each of the coupler knuckle pin hole 2, the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface I and the front face 6 of the coupler knuckle has to satisfy the following requirements. [00391 As shown in Fig. 6, a distance d3 between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole 15 2, closest to a side wall of the second groove 51, and the side wall of the second groove 51 is more than or equal to 20 mm; a distance d4 between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface 1, closest to a side wall of the second groove 51, and the side wall of the second groove 51 is more than or equal to 15 mm; a distance d5 between a side wall of the second groove 51, closest to the front face 6 of the coupler knuckle, and the front face 6 of the 20 coupler knuckle is more than or equal to 10 mm; and a depth of the second groove 51 is smaller than or equal to 50 mm. [00401 Referring to Fig. 6, on the basis of any one of the above technical solutions, a further improvement may be made. For example, a transitional connecting portion is provided between the pulling lug 4 and the buffing shoulder 3, and is provided with a third groove 8. A 25 root portion 41 of the pulling lug, a root portion 31 of the buffing shoulder and a vertical central line 7 of the coupler knuckle form a maximum outer contour of the third groove 8. The design of the third groove 8 may further reduce the weight and reduce the material costs, and may facilitate implementing the forging. [0041] Further, for satisfying the requirement of the working strength, a thickness of a 7 bottom wall of the third groove 8 is required to be more than or equal to 20 mm. 100421 Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the pulling lug 4 is provided with an upper tail end surface and a lower tail end surface. Further, a fourth groove 42 running through a top surface of the pulling lug 4 is provided in the upper tail end surface; and a fifth groove 43 is provided in the 5 lower tail end surface. The design of the fourth groove 42 and the fifth groove 43 may further reduce the weight and reduce the material costs. 100431 As shown in Fig. 6, there are two fourth grooves 42 separated by a second reinforcing rib 44. Apparently, the design of the second reinforcing rib 44 may improve the working strength therein, thereby ensuring the performances of the coupler knuckle. 10 100441 Further, for further ensuring the strength and life of the places where the fourth groove 42 and the fifth groove 43 are located, the dimensions of the two grooves has to be set as follows. 100451 As shown in Fig. 6, a depth of the fourth groove 42 is smaller than or equal to 15 mm, and a minimum distance d7 between a side wall of the fourth groove 42, closest to the root 15 portion 41 of the pulling lug, and the root portion 41 of the pulling lug is 10 mm. As shown in Fig. 7, a depth of the fifth groove 43 is smaller than or equal to 20 mm; and a minimum distance d8 between a side wall of the fifth groove 43, closest to the root portion 41 of the pulling lug, and the root portion 41 of the pulling lug is 8 mm. 100461 Further, the railway vehicle provided by the present application includes the coupler 20 knuckle described in any one of the above embodiments, and other parts of the railway vehicle may refer to the prior art, which will not be described in detail herein. [0047] The coupler knuckle and the railway vehicle including the coupler knuckle provided by the present application are described in detail hereinbefore. The principle and the embodiments of the present application are illustrated herein by specific examples. The above 25 description of the examples is only intended to help understand the method and the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that, many modifications and improvements may be made to the present application by the person skilled in the art without departing from the principle of the present application, and these modifications and improvements are also deemed to fall into the protection scope of the present application defined by the claims. 8

Claims

1. A coupler knuckle for a railway vehicle, comprising a coupler knuckle pulling curved surface and a coupler knuckle pin hole, wherein a buffing shoulder is provided above the coupler knuckle pin hole, a pulling lug is provided above the buffing shoulder, a coupler knuckle nose is provided at a lower portion of the coupler knuckle, a bottom surface of the coupler knuckle nose forms a front face of the coupler knuckle, the coupler knuckle is configured as a forging part, and a first groove is provided on the front face of the coupler knuckle.

2. The coupler knuckle according to claim 1, wherein a first reinforcing rib is provided at a medium portion of the first groove, and extends in the same direction as the first groove.

3. The coupler knuckle according to claim I or 2, wherein a distance between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole closest to a bottom wall of the first groove and the bottom wall of the first groove is more than or equal to 15 mm; and a distance between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface closest to the bottom wall of the first groove and the bottom wall of the first groove is more than or equal to 20 mm.

4. The coupler knuckle according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of both sides of the coupler knuckle nose is provided with a second groove.

5. The coupler knuckle according to claim 4, wherein a distance between a hole wall of the coupler knuckle pin hole closest to a side wall of the second groove and the side wall of the second groove is more than or equal to 20 mm; a distance between a point of the coupler knuckle pulling curved surface closest to a side wall of the second groove and the side wall of the second groove is more than or equal to 15 mm; a distance between a side wall of the second groove closest to the front face of the coupler knuckle and the front face of the coupler knuckle is more than or equal to 10 mm; and a depth of the second groove is smaller than or 5 equal to 50 mm.

6. The coupler knuckle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein a transitional connecting portion is provided between the pulling lug and the buffing shoulder and is provided with a third groove, and wherein a root portion of the pulling lug, a root portion of the buffing shoulder and a vertical central line of the coupler knuckle form a maximum outer contour of the third groove

7. The coupler knuckle according to claim 6, wherein a thickness of a bottom wall of 9 the third groove is more than or equal to 20 mm.

8. The coupler knuckle according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the pulling lug is provided with an upper tail end surface and a lower tail end surface, a fourth groove running through a top surface of the pulling lug is provided on the upper tail end surface, and a fifth groove is provided on the lower tail end surface.

9. The coupler knuckle according to claim 8, wherein there are two fourth grooves, and the two fourth grooves are separated by a second reinforcing rib.

10. The coupler knuckle according to claim 8, wherein a depth of the fourth groove (is smaller than or equal to 15 mm; a minimum distance between a side wall of the fourth groove closest to a root portion of the pulling lug and the root portion of the pulling lug is 10 mm; a depth of the fifth groove is smaller than or equal to 20 mm; and a minimum distance between a side wall of the fifth groove closest to the root portion of the pulling lug and the root portion of the pulling lug is 8 mm.

11. A railway vehicle comprising a coupler knuckle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A coupler knuckle for a railway vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, excluding comparative examples.

13. A railway vehicle comprising a coupler knuckle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, excluding comparative examples. 20 10