CA1043167A

CA1043167A - Vehicle adapted to be coupled with a further vehicle

Info

Publication number: CA1043167A
Application number: CA237,194A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thomas T. Schegget
Original assignee: Bv Alpha Engineering
Current assignee: Bv Alpha Engineering
Priority date: 1974-10-08
Filing date: 1975-10-07
Publication date: 1978-11-28
Also published as: NL7413257A; DK450775A; DK137041B; NO147061B; DK137041C; IT1048751B; DE2543475C2; BE834066A; ES441558A1; NL176845C; SE419070B; DE2543475A1; SE7511219L; NO753382L; FR2287354B1; FR2287354A1; NO147061C; NL176845B; LU73530A1

Abstract

A b s t r a c t A vehicle attachable to a further vehicle wherein at the head the vehicle has an opening, out of which a sheath can be slipped, whose outer end can join a corresponding sheath of the further veclicle and whose inner eind communicates with the corridor across the vehicle, the sheath being supported by the vehicle so that the sheath is capable of performing a limited rotary movement about three orthogonal axes.

Description

: 10431~7 The invention relates to a vehicle such as a railway carriage, for example, adapted for attachment to an adjacent vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle of this kind which was important advantages in use.
The invention provides a vehicle attachable to a second vehicle, - characterised in that said vehicle at one end has an opening from which a sheath can be extended, said sheath having an outer end adapted for connection to a corresponding sheath of the second vehicle, said sheath having an inner end which communicates with a corridor extending along the vehicle, the sheath being supported by the vehicle so as to be capable of performing a limited rotary movement about three orthogonal axes, said sheath been telescopically journalled in a sheath-like inner ring, which is adapted to pivot about horizontal stub shafts extending transversely of the ring in a surrounding outer ring, said outer ring being j-ournalled on its under side in a tiltable pivot bearing and on its top side in a radial bearing which is supported by the top beam of a portal, said portal including substantially vertical columns which extend along the sidewalls of the outer ring and are journalled at the bottom end by means of elongated holes so as to be capable of turning about shafts extending in the direction of length of the sheath. With such an

2~ embodiment coupling between the vehicles can be established without the sheath being loaded due to relative movements of the vehicles, whilst it is possible to walk from one vehicle to the other without the need for passing troublesome, relatively movable parts.
The arrangement effectively permits the sheath to perfo~m rotary movement with respect to the vehicle about three orthogonal axes. The rotation about the horizontal axis is important in coupling vehicles of different heights with one another, for example, an empty vehicle with a fully loaded vehicle.
The rotation about the vehicle axis is required for the vehicles to travel through bends and switching points. Owing to the specific structure of the portal the -vehicles are capable of performing relative rolling movement.

,~ . ' 1(~43167 According to the invention the portal may be subjected to spring action tending to hold it in a central position in which the columns are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the floor of the vehicle. These springs allow a swinging movement of the portal in the event of the aforesaid rolling movements. However, it is important for the establish-ment of a coupling to have the sheaths in their central positions.
In accordance with the invention the outer wall of the outer ring may form part of a surface of revolution, whose axis passes through the bottom and top bearings of the outer ring, whilst the portal has elastic sealing means engaging under pressure the sidewalls and the top wall of the outer ring. In this way a satisfactory seal can be obtained between the portal -and the outer ring, which is maintained during the rotary move-ments of the ring relative to the portal.
According to the invention the extens-ible sheath may be surrounded by folding bellows joining at one end the outer rim of the sheath and at the other end the outer ring. This permits of ensuring a satisfactor~ seal between the various movable parts. The sealing means of the portal ~ -, -'' .

31f~7 adjoin the cylindrical surface of the outer ring and the outer ring is connected by the bellows with the extensible sheath.
In order to ensure a complete seal the portal can engage, in accordance with the invention, in sealing fashion the edges of an opening in a partition extending transversely across the vehicle. Such a seal can be very effectively obtained when at least the wall portion surrounding the opening is a double wall for receiving edge portions of the portal and for guiding these parts during a lateral swinging movement about the stub shafts.
According to the invention the inner ring adapted to pivot about the transverse axis can be held in a state of equilibrium by one or more springs for absorbing at least the major part of the moment exerted by the weight of the extended sheath. ~ith this structure the sheaths are free of a large part of the load so that the connection of the sheaths of vehicles to be coupled can be readily established.
According to the invention the extensible sheath may be provided with one or more springs which tend to hold the sheath both in the retracted end position and in the extended end position, whilst actuating cylinders are provided for retracting and extending the sheath respectively.
This provide~ great safety since the springs tend to hold the sh~ath always in the position once occupied so that no accidents can happen when the energizing pressure of the cylinders is failing.
According to the invention each spring can act upon two telescopically movable parts, one of which is pivoted to the sheath and the other is pivoted to the inner ring, whilst the distance between the two pivot junctions in the two end positions of the sheath is larger than in an ' s , ~ :

1~)43167 intermediate positon of the sheath. With such an embodiment the desired effect is obtained in a simple manner. During displacement the sheath has to move past a dead point and beyond this point each spring automatically urges the sheath into the desired position.
According to the invention there may furthermore be provided lock bolts adapted to co-operate with cams for maintaing the contact between the ends of the sheaths of two coupled vehicles, said bolts being urged by spring action into the locked position, whereas they can be released with the aid of an actuating cylinder. This also provides further safety since the lock bolts automatically become operative and cannot be released if, for example, the energizing pressure would fail.
According to the invention the ends of the sheaths may be provided with locating members, which can co-operate with one another for joining the ends of the sheaths of two vehicles to be coupled in the correct positions.
The invention also relates to a driven rail veh~cle of the kind set forth, which has in the self-propelled state, at least one closed end, by which it can be coupled with a further rail vehicle. According io the invention one or more doors may be provided, by means of which the opening for passing an extensible sheath can be closed at will or released. Such a rail vehicle may be employed separately, in which case the opening is closed, or 't may be coupled with a further vehicle in order to form a single set of wagons or a complete train. If, for example, two of such sets are coupled with one another to form a singlë train an uninterrupted communication can be established between the sets owing tc the steps of this inyention. This is very advantageous in view of the use of the trains since the~ same staff can then serve a .

1043~67 plurality of train sections. Travellers can move from one section to another, if they have taken the wrong compartment by accident or by lack of time, which is particularly important when train sections have to cover a given distance in common and have to be separated thereafter to travel separately to different destinations.
According to the invention such a driven rail vehicle may comprise a driver cabin at the end which is closed in the self-propelling state, the cabin being arranged so that sufficient space is left for the corridor joining the extensible sheath.
Finally in accordance with the invention the corridor in the train section may be closed by a door that can be electrically locked and can be opened not until have the two train sections been coupled with one another and the sheaths of the two sections been interconnected. This provides further safety.
The arrangement described is particularly suitable for automatic operation in establishing, for example, a coupling between the two train sections. A number of terminal switches may then be employed for carrying out the various operations in sequence.
The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 is partly an elevational view and partly a sectional view of two intercoupled train sections in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line II-II
in fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged sectional yiew of a detail of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV in Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of part of fig. 1.

.

1043~7 Referring to fig. 1, two train sections 1 and 2 are coupled with one another. The train section 2 is provided with a raised driver cabin 3, to which a door 4 gives access. At the head the train section 1 has an opening 5 and the train section 2 has an opening 6. These openings hold extensible sheaths 7 and 8 respectively, whose front rims join one another and whose rear rims are in connection with the corridor of the train sections. The train sections are coupled with one another by means of the coupling 9. As will be described more fully hereinafter the sheats 7 and 8 can be retracted and the openings 5 and 6 can be closed so that after discoupling the train sections may be employed separately. With referencP to the drawing it will be set out more fully how the sheats 8 and 7 are fastened in the train sections.
The sheath 8 is slidably guided within a corresponding sheat 10. The sheath 8 is supported from rollers 11 and guide members 12 so that it can be readily slid outwardly;
for this purpose pneumatic cylinders 13 and 14 are provided near the corners. The cylinders 13 are located near the lower rim and the cylinders 14 near the upper rim of the sheath. The sheath-like ring 10 is provided with stub shafts 15 and 16 extending horizontally and transversely of the di;ection of length of the sheath 8 and being journalled in bearings 17 and 18. Thus the ring 10 is capable of performing a movement about a horizontal, transverse axis. This means that the extended sheath 8 is capable of swinging up and down in a vertical sense.
The bearings 17 and 18 are secured in a sheath-like ring 19. The ring 19 may be termed the outer ring. On the outer side this outer ring 19 has the shape of a circular cylinder having a vertical axis. On the bottom side the -7- c . ~ . , 1~ 67 ring 19 is journalled in a tiltable pivot bearing 20. Fig. 3 shows the structure of said bearing. Owing to this bearing 20 the outer ring can perform a swinging movement in a lateral direction as is indicated by the centre line 21 in the positions 21' and 21". The bearing 20 is spherical and its inner ring 22 accommodates a stub shaft 23 forming part of the lower wall 24 of the ring 19. The outer ring 25 of the bearing is arranged in a seat forming part of the floor 26 of the carriage frame of the train section 2. On the top side the ring 19 is journalled by means of a bearing 27 in the top beam 28 of a portal having vertical columns 29 and 30. The outer ring of the bearing 27 forms part of the sheath-like outer ring 19, whereas the inner ring is secured to a stub shaft 31 arranged in the top beam 28. The columns 29 and 30 extend ver-tically and closely along the cylindrical outer walls 32 and 33 of the outer ring 19. At the lower ends the columns 29 and 30 have elongated holes 34 and 35 respectively, through which extend horizontal shafts 36 and 37 respectively, which are secured in consoles on the floor 26. The portal 28, 29, 30 is held in its central position by means of draw springs 38 and 39. On the inner wall the portal is provided with sealing means formed by brushes 40 rubbing along the outer ring 19.
The elongated holes 34 and 35 and the horizontal shafts 36 and 37 permit the portal of performing a swinging movement in a transverse direction. Since the outer ring 19 is journalled on the bottom side in a pivot bearing 20 and on the top side in the bearing 27 rigidly secured to the top beam 28, the ring 19 can also perform a swinging movement as indicated by the positions 21' and 21" of the centre line 21. Since the ring 19 has cylindrical sidewalls, it is capable of rotating inside the portal 28, 29, 30 about an axis defined by the bearings 20 and 27 through a given angle as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. The brushes 40 maintain the seal between the portal and the ring 19. Figs. 1 and 5 show that near the top side of the ring 10 a draw spring 41 is provided, which ensures that the ring 10 will not excessively sag under the action of the moment exerted by the extended sheath 8. If this spring were not provided, the ring 10 would turn as far as possible about the bearings 15, 17 and 16, 18.
Fig. 5 illustrates that by means of the cylinders 13 and 14 the sheath 8 can be moved outwardly into the position 8'. The outer rim of the sheath 8 is connected with the ring 19 by means of bellows 42. Figs. 4 and 5 furthermore show that the portal 28, 29, 30 is engaged by its outer rims in a U-shaped profile 43 forming part of a partition 44 extending transversely across the train section 2. Thus the portal can be readily closed also on the outer side. Owing to the bellows 42, the brushes 40 and the seal within the profile 43 a complete closure of the sheath 8 from the part of the train section communicating with the open air is obtained.
Fig. 5 shows furthermore that the botoom of the sheath 8 is provided at the inner end with a pivotable plate 45, whose edge bears on the floor of the carriage. Near the outer rim the sheath 8 is provided with a pivotable lock bolt 46, which is adapted to co-operate with a cam 47. The lock bolt 46 has an advanced rim 48 and is urged into the locking position by a spring 49. With the aid of an actuating cylinder 50 the lock bolt 46 can be released against the action of the spring 46. When the connection with the sheath 7 of the other train section is established the locked state will thus be maintained, if the air pressure fails to come up.

3~67 The front edge of the sheath 8 has secured to it a plate 51. A rod 52 is pivoted by one end to the plate 51 and is slidably guided at the other end in a sleeve 53, which is pivotally secured to a console 54, which is secured, in turn, to the ring 10. The sleeve 53 is surrounded by a compression spring 55, one end of which bears on a flange 56 forming part of the sleeve 53, whereas the other end bears on a flange 57, which is rigidly secured to the rod 52. A rod 58 is secured in the same manner as the rod 52 to the plate 51. The rod 58 is also arranged to slide in a sleeve surrounded by a spring 59, which bears on the flange on the rod 58 and on a flange secured to said sleeve. The sleeve is pivotally $ecured to a console 61, which is also secured to the rim of the ring 10. The springs 55 and 59 urge the rods 52 and 58 outwardly with respect to the sleeves so that the plate 51 and hence the sheath 8 are subjected to a force in the right-hand direction. When by means of the cylinders 13 and 14 the sheath 8 is urged outwardly, first the springs 55 and 59 are stretched and beyond the position in which the rods 58 and 52 are parallel to the rim of the sheath 8 the springs 55 and 59 slacken and thus exert a force urging the sheath 8 to the left into the position 8'. When the cylinders 13 and 14 loose pressure, the springs 59 and 55 continue pressing the sheaths 7 and 8 against one another. In the retracted position the sheath will be urged into said position 8 by the springs55 and 59, when the pressure in the cylinders 13 and 14 is lacking.
Fig. 4 shows for the train section 1 an additional - 1~)4~167 wall 62 comprising a sliding door 63, which can be actuated by a cylinder 64. The sliding door 63 may be provided with an electrical lock, which can be released only when a connection between two train sections is established by means of the sheaths 7 and 8. In all other cases the door 63 remains closed and cannot be opened. Fig. 4 shows that the openings 5 and 6 can be closed by means of swing doors 65 and 66 and 67, 68 respectively. When these doors are closed, the train sections 1 and 2 may be employed separately. Figs. 1 and 5 furthermore show that the sheath 8 is provided at the front edge with tapering locating members 69, whicn are adapted to co-operate with correspond-ingly shaped members 70 of the sheath 7. The locating member 70 is provided with a pin 71, which can be receîved in an opening 72. These locating members 69 and 7Q are important in establishing a coupling between two train sections. The sheath 8 is furthermore prouided on the outer edge with a pin 73, which can be received in a tapering slot of a member 74. This is important to ensure, in the case of slight deviations from the central positions, that the sheath 8 will be fixed in the correct position when it is retracted.
From Fig. 1 it will be apparent that in the outward position the sheaths 7 and 8 are capable of turning about the transverse axes 15, 16, in the event of a difference in height of the train sections 1 and 2. Fig. 4 shows thatthe ring 10 and hence the sheath 8 are freely rotatable about the vertical axes 20, 27. From Fig. 2 it is apparent how the portal 28, 29, 30 is capable of turning about the horizontal axes 36 and 37 extending in the direction of length of the vehicle. Since the portal can perform such .. . .

1a)4;~167 a swinging movement, also the ring 10 and hence the sheath 8 can perform such a swinging movement about the point of rotation formed by the bearing 20. The axis 21 of the - sheath 8 can move between bhe positons 21' and 21".

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A vehicle attachable to a second vehicle, characterised in that said vehicle at one end has an opening from which a sheath can be extended, said sheath having an outer end adapted for connection to a corresponding sheath of the second vehicle, said sheath having an inner end which communi-cates with a corridor extending along the vehicle, the sheath being supported by the vehicle so as to be capable of performing a limited rotary movement about three orthogonal axes, said sheath being telescopically journalled in a sheath-like inner ring, which is adapted to pivot about horizontal stub shafts extending transversely of the ring in a surrounding outer ring, said outer ring being journalled on its under side in a tiltable pivot bearing and on its top side in a radial bearing which is supported by the top beam of a portal, said portal including substantially vertical columns which extend along the sidewalls of the outer ring and are journalled at the bottom end by means of elongated holes so as to be capable of turning about shafts extending in the direction of length of the sheath.

2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the portal is urged by spring means towards a central position in which the columns are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the floor of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the outer wall of the outer ring forms part of a surface of revolution, the axis of which passes through the bottom and top bearings of the outer ring and in that the portal has elastic sealing means which engage by pressure the sidewalls and the top wall of the outer ring.

4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the ex-tensible sheath is surrounded by folding bellows extending between the outer rim of the sheath and the outer ring.

5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the portal engages in a sealing fashion the edges of an opening in a wall extending transversely across the vehicle.

6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that at least the wall portion surrounding the opening is a double wall receiving in its inters-tice edge portions of the portal and guiding the same when carrying out a lateral swinging movement about the stub shafts.

7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 4 characterised in that the inner ring adapted to pivot about the transverse axis is held in a state of equilibrium by one or more springs in order to absorb at least the major portion of the moment exerted by the weight of the extended sheath.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the extens-ible sheath is provided with spring means operative to urge it alternatively to the retracted end position the extended end position, and in that actuating cylinders are provided for displacing the sheath inwardly and outwardly.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said spring means comprises two springs each of which acts on two telescopically extensible and retractable parts, one of which is pivoted to the sheath and the other is pivoted to the inner ring, and in that the distance between the two pivot points in the two end positions of the sheath is larger than in an intermediate position of the sheath.

10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 9, characterised in that lock bolts are provided to co-operate with cams in order to maintain the engagement of the ends of the sheaths of two coupled vehicles, said bolts being urged into the locking position by spring action and being releasable with the aid of an actuating cylinder.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 9, characterised in that the ends or the sheaths are provided with locating members, the locating members of the sheaths of two vehicles to be coupled being adapted to co-operate in joining the ends of the sheaths in the correct positions.

12. A driven rail vehicle as claimed in claim 1, which has in the selfpropelled state, at least one closed end, where it can be coupled with a further vail vehicle, characterised in that one or more doors are provided by means of which the opening for passing the extensible sheath can be selectively closed or opened.

13. A driven rail vehicle as claimed in claim 12 characterised in that a driver cabin is arranged at the end which is closed in the self-propelled state in a manner such that sufficient space is left for the corridor com-municating with the extensible sheath.

14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 9 characterised in that the corridor in the vehicle is closed by a door which can be electrically locked and can only be opened when the two vehicles are coupled with one another and the sheaths of the two vehicles are interconnected.