CN118613414A - Electrical contact coupling device for automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric contact coupling device (1) for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler for a track-guided vehicle. The electric contact coupling device (1) comprises a coupling device housing and at least one centering device (5, 6) arranged on the coupling device housing (2), the centering device being designed to orient the coupling device housing (2) of the electric contact coupling device (1) relative to the coupling device housing (2') of the electric contact coupling device (1') of the counter coupling device. According to the present invention, it is particularly provided that the electrical contact coupling device (1) has at least one locking mechanism (7, 8) which is preferably arranged on the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1), and the locking mechanism is designed to lock the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) relative to the coupling device housing (2') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device in a particularly autonomous orientation achieved by means of at least one centering mechanism (5, 6) until the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) and the coupling device housing (2') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device are within a pre-determined range of action.

Description

Electrical contact coupling device for automatic center couplers or automatic center buffer couplers for track-guided vehicles

The present invention generally relates to a device for transmitting signals and/or energy between a plurality of adjacent carriages of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

In particular, the invention relates to an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

An automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of the type of interest here is used to mechanically and frictionally connect a first car body of a multi-carriage vehicle to an adjacent second car body. Such an automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler enables quick and simple coupling and decoupling of a track-guided vehicle, such as a car body of a rail vehicle.

An example of such an automatic center coupler is a "locking/AAR" type automatic center buffer coupler. With such an automatic center buffer coupler, when mechanically coupling two adjacent cars, the coupling hook of the center coupler of one car is frictionally connected to the coupling hook of the center coupler of the other car so as to be able to transmit traction and impact forces between the cars thus mechanically coupled.

In addition to the mechanical coupling between adjacent carriages, electrical lines such as power supply lines and data lines are usually coupled simultaneously via a plurality of contact terminals arranged in the electrical contact carrier. In addition, a simultaneous coupling process of compressed air lines can be provided.

The prerequisite for the coupling process of the lines (electrical lines and compressed air lines) carried out simultaneously with the mechanical coupling process, in particular for the contact terminals of the electrical connection, is that the mechanical coupling part consisting of two coupling joints of adjacent carriages is a rigid or rigidified system to ensure the required contact pressure, in particular to avoid the occurrence of arcs between the contact terminals to be coupled.

For example, it is known from document DE 2 414 384 A1 that a coupling head for mechanical coupling of adjacent carriages is designed so that the coupling head has a flat end face arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis in the coupling plane at the front end, which is in contact with a corresponding interface surface of a corresponding coupling device. A compressed air terminal for coupling a compressed air line is arranged on or in this interface surface.

However, this principle of a rigid and play-free end-face arrangement of the respective carriages known from the prior art cannot be used successfully in certain types of center couplers or automatic center buffer couplers. In particular, in hook couplings, such as couplings of the "AAR" or "Tightlock" type, no end faces or interface surfaces are usually provided that are oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, during the coupling process, each coupling connector of this type of construction still has a certain amount of play, so that longitudinal and transverse displacements between the respective coupling connectors can occur, which must be compensated accordingly in order to achieve a perfect coupling of the electrical contact carrier and, in particular, to prevent arcs that load the material at the contact terminals.

In order to solve this problem, document EP 1 102 696 A1 provides an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center buffer coupler or center coupler, in particular for a hook coupling device of the "AAR" type, wherein the electrical contact coupling device is arranged below the mechanical coupling head (or hook head) in such a way that the electrical contact coupling device can be longitudinally displaced in the longitudinal direction of the center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler. It is provided that the electrical contact coupling device is displaced behind the coupling plane in the uncoupled state. In this position, damage to the electrical contact carrier can be avoided if the coupling head moves beyond the coupling surface due to the play caused by its construction.

Although centering means and locking points are provided in the electrical contact coupling device for improving the contact pressure according to the method known from document EP 1 102 696 A1, the method known from the prior art does not address the problem of increased play in the mechanical coupling device. This leads to high loads on the electrical contacts on the one hand and to the inability to always ensure reliable contact between the two coupled electrical contact coupling devices on the other hand.

Another disadvantage of the method known from document EP 1 102 696 A1, in which the electrical contact coupling is supported so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the coupling head of the mechanical coupling, is that a relatively complex mechanism must be provided for the longitudinal mobility of the electrical contact coupling, which on the one hand results in disadvantages in relation to the weight of the center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler. On the other hand, the mechanism required for the longitudinal mobility of the electrical contact coupling is relatively complex and requires, in particular, additional construction space.

Document DE 24 14 384 A1 relates to an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center coupler or center buffer coupling device of a rail vehicle, wherein a coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device is arranged longitudinally displaceable on a mechanical coupling head of the center coupler or center buffer coupler and can be automatically or manually operated. After coupling the mechanical coupling head of the center coupler or center buffer coupler with a corresponding coupling device, the electrical contact coupling device is transferred into a coupling plane so that the electrical contact coupling devices can then be coupled to one another.

Document DE 199 21 611 A1 also relates to an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle. It is provided that after the mechanical connection between the mechanical coupling joints of the center couplers to be coupled to each other is established, the electrical contact coupling device is moved into the coupling plane.

Document DE 69 42 919 U relates to a universal suspension device for an electrical contact coupling device of an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle.

No. 3,249,239 A discloses a rigid arrangement of an electrical contact coupling device and a coupling connection of a mechanical coupling device, wherein the electrical contact coupling device has guide elements in order to orient the coupling connections to be connected to one another accordingly during the coupling process.

Document WO 2000/74994 A1 relates to an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle, which has a contact carrier which is fixed to a coupling head of a mechanical coupling device and is guided so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the coupling device.

The electrical contact couplings known from the above-mentioned prior art have the disadvantage that during the coupling process of the electrical contact couplings, the current-carrying or data-carrying connections coupled to the electrical contact couplings of two adjacent vehicle bodies or compartments tend to be mechanically worn. This applies in particular to electrical contact couplings which are rigidly connected to a mechanical coupling connection (see, for example, document US 3,249,239 A).

Although the arrangement of electrical contact couplings guided longitudinally above, to the side or below the mechanical coupling connection is known, the arrangements known from the prior art are relatively complex. When developing automatic center couplers or center buffer couplers with electrical contact couplings, it is particularly important to develop economical and flat solutions for designing and arranging electrical contact couplings that can be coupled together with the mechanical coupling of the coupling connection.

However, due to the large clearances of this type of coupling and the associated continuous movements, a corresponding solution often requires considerable technical or economic effort. In addition, such solutions often encounter difficulties or are restricted in practical application, because in particular for vertically high automatic center buffer couplers or center couplers, there is no construction space and clearance required for installing an electrical contact coupling.

In the systems known from the prior art, it is necessary to regularly maintain and check the current-carrying and data-carrying connections in order to ensure a perfect signal or data transmission. In particular, it is necessary to regularly check and replace the connections of the parts of the electrical contact coupling that move relative to the mechanical coupling connection, since these connections are subject to greater mechanical wear.

The solution therefore required is to ensure that, when coupling the electrical contact coupling, the mechanical coupling device (or mechanical coupler) forms a rigid or rigidified system, wherein the electrical contact coupling device can also be coupled in an easily implementable manner with the smallest possible construction dimensions, wherein the required contact pressure is ensured and, in particular, the occurrence of electric arcs between the contact terminals to be coupled is avoided.

Based on the above technical problems, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is, in particular, to provide a device for transmitting energy and/or signals between two adjacent carriages of a multi-section vehicle, in particular a track-guided vehicle, wherein the device is characterized by its simple design, sturdy implementation, high strength and low price.

Furthermore, the arrangement for transmitting energy and/or signals should be as universally applicable as possible, in particular for passenger trains and freight trains.

Therefore, in particular an effort is made to provide an electrical contact coupling device for a track-guided vehicle, in particular an automatic center coupler or center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle, which produces a solution that is as simple as possible to implement and economical for the above-mentioned technical problems that arise, in particular, in the automatic coupling of the electrical contact coupling device.

This object is achieved in particular by the subject-matter of independent claim 1 , wherein advantageous developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

The present invention therefore relates in particular to an electrical contact coupling device for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling device has a coupling device housing. A plurality of contact terminals are arranged on an end face of the coupling device housing on the coupling plane side, through which energy and/or signals can be transmitted to the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device.

According to the present invention, the electrical contact coupling device also has at least one centering mechanism arranged on the coupling device housing, which is designed to orient and center the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device in a particularly autonomous manner relative to the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device (corresponding electrical contact coupling device) of the corresponding coupling device.

The solution according to the invention is characterized in particular in that the electrical contact coupling device has at least one locking mechanism which is preferably arranged on a coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device, and which is designed to lock the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device relative to the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device in a particularly autonomous orientation achieved by means of at least one centering mechanism until the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device and the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device are within a pre-determined range of action.

The advantage that can be achieved by the invention is that by providing at least one locking mechanism, which is preferably arranged on the coupling housing of the electrical contact coupling, it is ensured that the centering mechanisms of the electrical contact couplings to be coupled to each other can interact to center or orient the respective electrical contact couplings only when it is ensured that the two electrical contact couplings are actually in their predetermined range of action. This prevents, in particular, the centering mechanisms of the electrical contact couplings to be coupled to each other from interacting and orienting the respective electrical contact couplings when the mechanical coupling joints of the automatic center coupler or the automatic center buffer coupler have not yet formed a mechanical connection that is at least sufficiently rigid. Therefore, the centering mechanism is only actually used when the mechanical coupling joints of the automatic center coupler or the automatic center buffer coupler have already provided a mechanically rigid connection between the couplings to be coupled.

This prevents the centering device of the electrical contact coupling from interacting with the mechanical coupling joint of the center coupler or the automatic center buffer coupler before a mechanically rigid connection is established. This ensures in a simple but particularly effective manner that the centering of the mechanical coupling joint does not occur when the electrical contact coupling is centered by means of the centering device.

Thus, by providing at least one locking mechanism, the longitudinal displacement of the electrical contact coupling device relative to the mechanical coupling terminal can be eliminated, wherein at the same time it is ensured that the contact terminals of the electrical contact coupling device are only subject to low wear during the coupling process. As a result, the complex and complex mechanisms known from the prior art for the longitudinal displacement of the electrical contact coupling device relative to the mechanical coupling terminal can be omitted.

In a preferred implementation of the electrical contact coupling device according to the present invention, it is provided that the electrical contact coupling device has at least one centering sleeve and at least one centering pin as a centering mechanism. The at least one centering sleeve of the electrical contact coupling device is at least partially designed to complement the centering pin of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device. On the other hand, the at least one centering pin of the electrical contact coupling device is at least partially designed to complement the centering sleeve of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device.

At least one centering sleeve and at least one centering pin of the electrical contact coupling device or at least one centering pin and at least one centering sleeve of the corresponding coupling device are arranged complementary to a mirror plane extending perpendicularly to the coupling plane. This corresponding complementary arrangement of the pin device and the sleeve device ensures that the correspondingly complementary arranged and designed centering pin can be accommodated in the centering sleeve of the electrical contact coupling device when coupling with the electrical contact coupling device of an adjacent car body.

According to one embodiment of the invention, for at least one locking mechanism of the electrical contact coupling device according to the invention, the locking mechanism has at least one region protruding in the direction of the coupling plane, in particular a nose-shaped region.

The region is designed to cooperate with at least one region of the electrical contact coupling of the counter-coupling device which is designed as a locking mechanism and protrudes in the direction of the coupling plane during the coupling process of the electrical contact coupling device to the electrical contact coupling device of the counter-coupling device.

In particular, provision is made in this connection for locking means of the electrical contact couplings to be coupled to cooperate in such a way that the cooperation and in particular the meshing of their centering means is locked until the centering means of the electrical contact couplings are within a predetermined range of action.

According to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device according to the invention, it is provided that the electrical contact coupling device has at least one centering sleeve and at least one centering pin as centering means.

In addition, in this implementation, it is provided that the electrical contact coupling device has at least one, preferably two first regions, in particular nose-shaped regions, which are assigned to the centering sleeve and protrude toward the coupling plane as a locking mechanism, and the electrical contact coupling device also has a second region, in particular nose-shaped region, which is assigned to the centering pin and protrudes toward the coupling plane as a locking mechanism.

The term "assigned protruding region" used herein should be understood to mean that, in a vertical top view of the electrical contact coupling device, a first region assigned to the centering sleeve protruding in the direction of the coupling plane is arranged adjacent to the centering sleeve. Similarly, the above term means that, in a vertical top view of the electrical contact coupling device, a second region protruding in the direction of the coupling plane is arranged adjacent to the centering pin.

In particular, it is provided that preferably two of these first areas protruding toward the coupling plane, i.e. locking mechanisms assigned to the centering sleeve or arranged adjacent to the centering sleeve in a top view of the electrical contact coupling device observed vertically, are arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing so that during the coupling process of these coupled electrical contact coupling devices, if the electrical contact coupling device is not within its predetermined range of action, these first areas abut against the protruding areas of the centering pin of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device that are assigned to the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device.

By the locking mechanisms of the electrical contact coupling devices to be coupled abutting against each other in this state, the corresponding centering mechanisms of the electrical contact coupling devices are advantageously prevented from interacting with each other, thereby effectively preventing the electrical contact coupling devices from being automatically centered by means of the centering mechanisms.

As an alternative or additional solution to the aforementioned embodiment, it can be provided that the second area protruding toward the coupling plane, that is, the locking mechanism assigned to the centering pin or arranged adjacent to the centering pin in a top view of the electrical contact coupling device observed vertically, is arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing so that during the coupling process of these coupled electrical contact coupling devices, if the electrical contact coupling device is not within its predetermined range of action, the second area abuts against the protruding area of the centering sleeve of the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device that is assigned to the electrical contact coupling device of the corresponding coupling device.

The mutual abutment of the corresponding locking means of the electrical contact couplings to be coupled also prevents an interaction of the corresponding centering means of the electrical contact couplings.

On the other hand, it is preferred that the locking mechanisms of preferably two first areas of the electrical contact coupling device protruding toward the coupling plane, i.e., the centering sleeves assigned to the electrical contact coupling device, are arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing so that when the electrical contact coupling device is within its predetermined range of action, the locking structures of the centering pins assigned to the corresponding coupling device can be at least partially accommodated between these locking mechanisms and the centering sleeves of the electrical contact coupling device.

Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the second locking mechanism, i.e. the locking mechanism of the centering pin assigned to the electrical contact coupling device, is arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing so that when the electrical contact coupling device is within its predetermined range of action, the above-mentioned locking mechanism can be at least partially accommodated between the locking mechanism of the centering sleeve assigned to the corresponding coupling device and the centering sleeve of the corresponding coupling device.

In this case, the locking means of the electrical contact coupling to be coupled no longer locks the cooperation of the corresponding centering means.

To ensure that the locking mechanism can effectively lock the centering function of the centering mechanism as required, at least one locking mechanism of the electrical contact coupling device protrudes in the direction of the coupling plane at least to the same extent and preferably to a greater extent compared to the centering mechanism of the electrical contact coupling device designed as a centering pin.

As mentioned above, with the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, the coupling housing of the electrical contact coupling no longer needs to be designed to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the coupling housing of the automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of the track-guided vehicle.

Alternatively, according to a preferred embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device of the present invention, it is provided that the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device has a holding portion, through which the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device is connected or connectable, in particular, to the coupling device housing of a mechanical coupling device of an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle.

In connection with this, the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device is connected to the coupling device housing of the automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of the track-guided vehicle via a retaining portion, in particular elastically, so that the coupling device housing of the electrical contact coupling device can be moved at least partially toward or against the direction of the coupling plane relative to the coupling device housing of the automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of the track-guided vehicle.

The invention also relates to a device for transmitting energy and/or signals between two adjacent carriages of a multi-carriage vehicle, in particular a track-guided vehicle, as claimed in the parallel claim 10 .

The device is characterized in that it has a first electrical contact coupling device of the type described above according to the invention, which is connected to a first car of two adjacent cars, in particular via an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler.

The device according to the invention also has a second electrical contact coupling device according to the invention of the type described above, which is connected to the second of the two adjacent carriages, in particular via an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler.

The present invention also relates to an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a rail-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, which has a mechanical coupling connector for forming a mechanical connection with a coupling connector of a corresponding coupling device, and also has an electrical contact coupling device of the aforementioned type according to the present invention for transmitting energy and/or signals between two adjacent carriages of a multi-section vehicle.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the attached picture:

FIG. 1 shows schematically and in an isometric view an electrical contact coupling device known at least in principle from the prior art for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle with an open protective cover;

FIG. 2 shows schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of an electrical contact coupling device according to the invention for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a rail vehicle with an open guard;

FIG. 3 a schematically and in a top view shows two electrical contact coupling devices during a coupling process, wherein the centering devices of the electrical contact coupling devices are located outside the range of action;

FIG. 3 b schematically and in a top view shows the electrical contact coupling device according to FIG. 3 a , wherein the centering device of the electrical contact coupling device is located within the range of action; and

FIG. 4 shows schematically and in front view a variant of the electrical contact coupling device according to the invention (not included in the claimed invention) with the protective cover open.

In the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same reference signs denote identical or functionally identical elements, components or parts.

1 schematically and in an isometric view shows an electrical contact coupling device 1 known from the prior art with an open protective cover 11. The electrical contact coupling device 1 schematically shown in FIG1 is suitable as an electrical contact coupling device 1 for an automatic center coupler or automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

The central coupler or central buffer coupler (not shown) comprises a mechanical contact coupling device, which can be designed in particular as A coupling device is provided, and is designed to form a mechanical connection between two adjacent carriages of a multi-section vehicle set through a mechanical corresponding coupling device.

The electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' shown in the figure are used to transfer energy and/or signals between adjacent carriages. Each electrical contact coupling device 1, 1' is assigned to a mechanical coupling device, i.e., a coupling device for forming a mechanical connection between two adjacent carriages. The corresponding electrical contact coupling device or the electrical contact coupling device 1' of the corresponding coupling device is correspondingly assigned to the corresponding coupling device.

The electrical contact coupling device 1, 1' has a coupling device housing 2, 2', wherein a plurality of contact terminals 4 are arranged on the end face 3 on the coupling plane side of the coupling device housing 2, 2', and energy and/or signals can be transmitted to the corresponding electrical contact coupling device or the electrical contact coupling device 1' of the corresponding coupling device through these contact terminals.

For this purpose, a contact carrier, which can also be referred to as an “interface unit”, is used which has a plurality of connecting elements in the form of contact terminals 4 .

In addition, the electrical contact coupling device 1 may also have a protective cover 11 for covering the entrance of the contact terminal 4. In addition, the electrical contact coupling device 1 may also have an operating device (not shown in the figure) to move the protective cover 11 between a first position in which the protective cover 11 covers the contact terminal 4 and a second position in which the protective cover 11 opens the contact terminal 4.

The contact terminals 4 of the contact carrier 3 are connected to electrical circuits, in particular power supply circuits and/or electrical signal circuits. The contact terminals 4 include corresponding connecting contacts, which constitute the free ends of the electrical circuits. The connecting contacts include sleeves and plugs.

Furthermore, the contact carrier 3 has at least one centering pin 6 , 6 ′ for additionally centering the electrical contact coupling 1 relative to an opposing electrical contact coupling 1 ′, ie, a counter-electrical contact coupling.

In addition, centering sleeves 5, 5' are provided. When coupled with the electrical contact coupling device 1, the centering pins 6, 6' are guided into the corresponding centering sleeves 5, 5 of the opposite electrical contact coupling device 1', and the centering pins 6, 6 of the opposite electrical contact coupling device 1' are guided into the centering sleeves 5, 5' of the electrical contact coupling device 1. The two contact carriers 3 or the coupling device housings 2, 2' of the two contact coupling devices 1, 1' are centered by interlacing the centering pins 6, 6' and the centering sleeves 5, 5'.

Alternatively, the contact carrier 3 can, for example, have only connection elements for power supply lines or electrical signal lines or for a combination of these lines.

During the coupling process, the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' to be coupled, i.e. the electrical contact coupling device 1 and the counter-electrical contact coupling device 1', are oriented relative to each other by corresponding centering means, in particular by centering pins 6, 6' and centering sleeves 5, 5'. The dimensions of the centering means 5, 5', 6, 6', and in particular the diameters of the centering pins 6, 6' and the centering sleeves 5, 5' determine the range of action of the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1'.

The fixed electrical contact coupling device 1 shown in the figure, that is, the electrical contact coupling device 1 is not designed with a separate operating device, and in particular is not designed to be able to perform longitudinal displacement relative to the coupling head of the mechanical coupling device. For the fixed electrical contact coupling device 1, the mechanical coupling head must be pre-centered, so that centering can be achieved at the electrical contact coupling device 1.

In other words, the range of action of the electrical contact coupling device 1 must be as large as the range of action of the mechanical coupling connection which has been pre-centered prior to the centering of the electrical contact coupling device 1 .

Range tests of mechanical coupling connections in extreme positions have shown that the range of the electrical contact coupling 1 is often insufficient.

Furthermore, it has been found that in the case of an electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the variant shown in FIG. 1 , if the electrical contact coupling device 1 is designed as a fixed electrical contact coupling device 1 , there is a risk that centering the electrical contact coupling device 1 also centers the mechanical coupling connection.

In order to solve this problem, according to the invention, an electrical contact coupling device 1 is proposed, which is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 2 as an exemplary embodiment.

As is known from the prior art and schematically shown in FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a coupling device housing 2, wherein a plurality of contact terminals 4 are arranged on an end face 3 on the coupling plane side of the coupling device housing 2, i.e., arranged on a contact carrier 3 of the electrical contact coupling device 1, and energy and/or signals are transmitted to a corresponding coupling device or an electrical contact coupling device 1 of a corresponding electrical contact coupling device via these contact terminals 4.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the present invention shown in Figure 2 is also equipped with centering means 5, 6, which are arranged on the coupling device housing 2. The centering means 5, 6 are designed to automatically orient, in particular center, the coupling device housing 2 of the electrical contact coupling device 1 relative to the coupling device housing 2' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1'.

As can be seen from the view of FIG. 2 , in the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the present invention, the centering sleeve 5 and the centering pin 6 are used as centering means. The centering sleeve 5 of the electrical contact coupling device 1 is designed to be at least partially complementary to the centering pin 6' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1' not shown in FIG. 2 . The centering pin 6 of the electrical contact coupling device 1 is designed in the same way to be at least partially complementary to the centering sleeve 5' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1' (not shown in FIG. 2 ).

The solution according to the invention, as shown in the embodiment example of FIG. 2 , is characterized in that the electrical contact coupling 1 has locking mechanisms 7 , 8 which are arranged on the coupling housing 2 of the electrical contact coupling 1 .

The locking mechanisms 7, 8 are designed to lock the orientation of the coupling device housing 2 of the electrical contact coupling device 1 relative to the coupling device housing 2' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1', in particular automatically, by means of a centering mechanism (centering pin 6, centering sleeve 5) until the coupling device housing 2 of the electrical contact coupling device 1 and the coupling device housing 2' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1' are within a predetermined range of action.

In this context, in the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 , it is provided that a plurality of regions (lugs) protruding in the direction of the coupling plane are provided as locking means 7 , 8 .

These protruding areas are designed to cooperate with the corresponding locking mechanisms 7', 8' of the corresponding electrical contact coupling device 1' during the coupling process of the electrical contact coupling device 1 with the electrical contact coupling device 1' of the corresponding coupling device, so that the cooperation, especially the mutual engagement, of the centering mechanisms 7, 8; 7', 8' of the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' to be coupled is locked until the centering mechanisms 5, 6; 5', 6' of the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' are within a predetermined range of action.

In the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 , the electrical contact coupling device 1 has two first regions 7 protruding in the direction of the coupling plane as locking means, which are assigned to the centering sleeve 5 .

Furthermore, the electrical contact coupling 1 has a second region 8 as a (further) locking mechanism, which protrudes in the direction of the coupling plane and is associated with the centering pin 6 .

The mode of operation of the locking mechanisms 7 , 8 ; 7 ′, 8 ′ will be described in detail below with reference to the views of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b .

3 a and 3 b show, in a top view from above or below in the region of the coupling plane, the coupling process of two corresponding electrical contact coupling devices 1 , 1 ′ according to FIG. 2 .

Fig. 3a shows a state in which the electrical contact coupling device 1, 1' is not within its predetermined range of action. In this state, the locking mechanisms 7, 8; 7', 8' of the two electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' to be coupled to each other abut against each other, thereby preventing the corresponding centering mechanisms 5, 6; 5', 6' from cooperating.

FIG. 3 b shows a state in which the electrical contact coupling device 1 , 1 ′ is located in a predetermined range of action and in which the corresponding centering means 5 , 6 ; 5 ′, 6 ′ of the electrical contact coupling device 1 , 1 ′ interact with each other.

3 b shows in detail that in this state the centering pins 6 , 6 ′ are accommodated between the two first locking means 7 , 7 ′. The blocking of the centering means can be eliminated by accommodating the corresponding locking means in a regional manner.

The electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the present invention, shown schematically in Figure 2 and according to an embodiment, is also characterized in particular in that the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the electrical contact coupling device 1 has a holding portion 9, through which the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the electrical contact coupling device 1 is connected or can be connected in particular to the coupling device housing 2, 2' of an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle, that is, it is connected or can be connected to the coupling device housing 2, 2' of a mechanical coupling device.

Specifically, the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the electrical contact coupling device 1 is connected to the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the mechanical coupling device in a particularly elastic manner via a retaining portion 9, so that the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the electrical contact coupling device 1 can move at least regionally toward or against the direction of the coupling plane relative to the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the mechanical coupling device.

In short, according to the present invention, the coupling device housing 2, 2' of the electrical contact coupling device 1 has a locking mechanism, in particular a locking mechanism in the form of a "bulge", which prevents the electrical contact coupling device 1 from being centered until the mechanical coupling connector of the coupling device to be coupled is pre-centered, thereby allowing the electrical contact coupling device 1, 1' to be centered.

If, as shown in Figure 3a, the mechanical coupling joint is not sufficiently centered (the centering device of the electrical contact coupling device 1 is located outside the range of action), the locking mechanisms of the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' to be coupled abut against each other, and the electrical contact coupling devices 1, 1' can be horizontally displaced by elastic suspension.

If the mechanical coupling joint is sufficiently centered (see FIG. 3 b ), the locking mechanisms slide past each other and the electrical contact coupling device 1 , 1 ′ is moved into its coupling plane by the spring preload and oriented by its centering mechanism. This ensures that the electrical contact coupling device 1 does not center the mechanical coupling joint.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of the electrical contact coupling device 1 according to the invention, which variant is however not included in the currently applicable claims.

In the electrical contact coupling device 1 schematically shown in Fig. 4, the centering sleeves 5, 5' are designed to be enlarged. The centering pins 6, 6' of the opposite electrical contact coupling device abut against the enlarged surface of the centering sleeves 5, 5' and only find the sleeve hole when the mechanical coupling joint is fully centered.

However, compared to the variant described above, in particular with reference to FIG. 2 , the variant shown in FIG. 4 is disadvantageous due to the lack of required space and the expected wear of the centering pins 6 , 6 ′.

However, the applicant reserves the possibility of protecting the variant shown in FIG. 4 within the scope of a divisional application.

The invention is not limited to the variants shown in the drawings, but rather results from an overall consideration of the disclosed technical features which are all contained therein.

Reference numerals list

1 Electrical contact coupling device

1' corresponds to the electrical contact coupling device

2 Coupling device housing for electrical contact coupling device

2': Coupling device housing corresponding to the electrical contact coupling device

3 Contact carrier 3/end face on coupling plane side

4 Contact terminals

5 Centering mechanism/centering sleeve for electrical contact coupling

5 Centering device/centering sleeve for electrical contact coupling

6 Centering device/centering pin for electrical contact coupling

6 Centering means/centering pin for corresponding electrical contact coupling

7. First locking mechanism of the electrical contact coupling device

7' first locking mechanism corresponding to the electrical contact coupling device

8 Second locking mechanism of the electrical contact coupling device

8' Second locking mechanism corresponding to the electrical contact coupling device

9. Holding part

10 Spring

11 Protective cover

Claims (10)

1. An electrical contact coupling device (1) for an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling device (1) comprises: - a coupling device housing (2), wherein a plurality of contact terminals (4) are arranged on an end face (3) of the coupling device housing (2) on the coupling plane side, through which energy and/or signals can be transmitted to an electrical contact coupling device (1') of a corresponding coupling device, and at least one centering device (5, 6) arranged on the coupling device housing (2), which is designed to orient and center the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) in a particularly autonomous manner relative to the coupling device housing (2') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the counter-coupling device, It is characterized in that the electrical contact coupling device (1) has at least one locking mechanism (7, 8) which is preferably arranged on the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1), and the locking mechanism is designed to lock the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) relative to the coupling device housing (2') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device in a particularly autonomous orientation achieved by means of at least one centering mechanism (5, 6) until the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) and the coupling device housing (2') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device are within a pre-determined range of action. 2. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contact coupling device (1) has at least one centering sleeve (5) and at least one centering pin (6) as a centering mechanism (5, 6), wherein at least one centering sleeve (5) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) is at least partially designed to complement the centering pin (6') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device, and at least one centering pin (6) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) is at least partially designed to complement the centering sleeve (5') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device. 3. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical contact coupling device (1) has at least one area protruding in the direction of the coupling plane as a locking mechanism (7, 8), and the area is designed to cooperate with at least one area of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device that is designed as a locking mechanism (7', 8') and protrudes in the direction of the coupling plane during the coupling process between the electrical contact coupling device (1) and the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device, so that the cooperation and especially the staggered engagement of at least one centering mechanism (5, 6) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) and the at least partially complementarily designed centering mechanism (5', 6') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device are locked until the centering mechanisms (5, 6; 5', 6') of these electrical contact coupling devices (1, 1') are within a predetermined range of action. 4. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical contact coupling device (1) has at least one centering sleeve (5) and at least one centering pin (6) as a centering mechanism (5, 6), and wherein the electrical contact coupling device (1) has a plurality of first areas (7) assigned to the centering sleeve (5) and protruding toward the coupling plane and a second area (8) assigned to the centering pin (6) and protruding toward the coupling plane as a locking mechanism (7, 8). 5. The electrical contact coupling device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first regions (7) protruding toward the coupling plane are arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing (2) so that during the coupling process of the electrical contact coupling device (1) with the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device, if the electrical contact coupling device (1, 1') is not within its predetermined range of action, the first regions abut against the protruding region of the centering pin (6') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') assigned to the corresponding coupling device; And/or wherein the second area (8) protruding toward the coupling plane is arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing (2) so that during the coupling process of the electrical contact coupling device (1) with the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device, if the electrical contact coupling device (1, 1') is not within its predetermined range of action, the second area abuts against a protruding area of the centering sleeve (5') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device and which is assigned to the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device. 6. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a plurality of first areas (7) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) protruding toward the coupling plane are arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing (2) so that when the electrical contact coupling device (1, 1') is within its predetermined range of action, a second area (8') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device protruding toward the coupling plane can be at least partially accommodated between these protruding first areas (7) and the centering sleeve (5) of the electrical contact coupling device (1), And/or wherein a second region (8) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) protruding toward the coupling plane is arranged and/or constructed on the coupling device housing (2) so that when the electrical contact coupling device (1, 1') is within its predetermined range of action, the second region can be at least partially accommodated between two protruding first regions (7') and a centering sleeve (5') of the electrical contact coupling device (1') of the corresponding coupling device. 7. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, compared with at least one centering mechanism (5, 6) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) designed as a centering pin (6), at least one area designed as a locking mechanism (7, 8) protrudes in the direction of the coupling plane at least to the same extent and preferably to a greater extent. 8. According to one of claims 1 to 7, the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) has a holding portion (9), through which the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) is connected or connectable, in particular, to the coupling device housing of a mechanical coupling device of an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler of a track-guided vehicle. 9. An electrical contact coupling device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) is connected to the coupling device housing (2) of the mechanical coupling device of the automatic center hook or the automatic center buffer hook of the track-guided vehicle through a retaining portion (9), in a particularly elastic manner, so that the coupling device housing (2) of the electrical contact coupling device (1) can be moved at least partially toward or against the direction of the coupling plane relative to the coupling device housing (2) of the mechanical coupling device of the automatic center hook or the automatic center buffer hook of the track-guided vehicle. 10. A device for transmitting energy and/or signals between two adjacent carriages of a multi-section vehicle, in particular a track-guided vehicle, wherein the device has a first electrical contact coupling device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the first electrical contact coupling device is connected to a first carriage of two adjacent carriages, in particular via an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler, and wherein the device also has a second electrical contact coupling device (1') according to one of claims 1 to 9, the second electrical contact coupling device is connected to a second carriage of two adjacent carriages, in particular via an automatic center coupler or an automatic center buffer coupler.