DE102014207689A1 - Transition coupling for adapting couplings of different design with a coupling head housing made of fiber composite material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transition coupling (1) for adapting couplings of different types, the transition coupling (1) comprising:
- A first connecting means (5) for releasably connecting the transition coupling (1) with a first coupling;
- A second connecting means (16) for releasably connecting the transition coupling (1) with a second clutch and
- A coupling head housing (10) for connecting the first connecting means (5) with the second connecting means (16), and
- The coupling head housing (10) is formed of a fiber composite with reinforcing fibers (17).
According to the invention, in the region of the second connecting device (16), the coupling head housing (10) is designed such that it has a substantially closed shape with two openings (19; 20), wherein the openings (19; 20) are suitable, to be able to receive a pull hook 21 of a coupling element, and the area around the openings (19; 20) has reinforcing fibers (17) which are unidirectionally aligned.

Description

The present invention relates to a transitional coupling for adapting couplings of different types, wherein the transitional coupling having a first connection portion for releasably connecting the transition coupling with a first clutch, a second connection portion for releasably connecting the transition coupling with a second clutch and a coupling head housing for connecting the first connection means the second connecting device and a coupling head housing made of a fiber composite material.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a transition coupling for mixed coupling between an automatic central buffer coupling and a screw coupling or AAR coupling, wherein the first connection portion may be formed as a dome closure for releasably connecting the transition coupling with the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling, and wherein the second connection portion as a in The coupling hooks of a screw coupling or AAR coupling insertable coupling bracket can be designed for releasably connecting the transitional coupling with the coupling head of a screw coupling or AAR coupling.

The term "connection area" as used herein generally means an interface between the coupling head housing of the transition coupling on the one hand and the coupling to be connected to the transition coupling. The connection region may be formed, for example, as a dome closure or have a dome closure for releasably connecting the transition coupling with the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the connecting portion has a coupling bracket which can be used in the towing hook of a screw coupling or AAR coupling. Of course, other embodiments for the connection area come into question.

A transition coupling of the type mentioned above is generally known from railway engineering and is used to connect rail vehicles equipped with different coupling systems (e.g., Scharfenberg coupling on AAR head or towing hook). The placement of the transition coupling, for example, on the towing hook or AAR head is usually done manually, while the dome operation can take place automatically with the central buffer coupling.

A conventional transition coupling for mixed coupling between an automatic central buffer coupling and, for example, a screw coupling usually has a coupling head housing, in which a dome closure can be accommodated as the first connection means for mechanically connecting the transition coupling with a coupling closure provided in the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling. In the coupled state, the front plate of the coupling head housing of the transitional coupling then bears against the end plate of the coupling head of the automatic central buffer coupling.

At the end face of the transition coupling opposite end may be provided as a second connection means a coupling bracket which is receivable, for example, in the towing hook of a screw or an AAR coupling and thus can ensure a mechanical connection of the transition coupling with the screw or the AAR coupling.

In operation, tensile and compressive forces are introduced into the second connecting device of the transitional coupling designed as a coupling bracket by the towing hook of the screw coupling or AAR coupling. The introduced into the coupling bracket or second connection means pressure forces are passed through the wall of the coupling head housing to the face plate of the transition coupling and transmitted from there to the face plate of the mechanically connected to the transition coupling coupling head of the automatic central buffer.

On the other hand, traction forces are transmitted via the first connection means, such as the mechanically interconnected dome closures of the transition clutch and the automatic center buffer clutch. The dome closures may, for example, have a centerpiece rotatably mounted relative to the coupling head housing via a main bolt with a coupling eye articulated thereto. In this case, there is a tensile force transmission via the respective coupling eyes, which engage in the corresponding frogs.

Since in the generic transition coupling, the first and the second connecting means are each connected to each other via the coupling head housing are - when the transitional clutch is used to adapt the first type coupling with the second type coupling - the tensile and compressive forces occurring during operation of the first connection device via the coupling head housing to the second connection device transmitted.

Accordingly, since the housing of the transition coupling is used for power transmission both under tensile and compressive stress, this must have correspondingly high compressive and tensile strengths. For this reason, provided in a conventional transition coupling coupling head housing is usually carried out in metal construction (precision casting). Accordingly, conventionally a material is used which has comparatively high tensile and compressive strengths and, in particular, isotropic, ie has the same properties in all spatial directions.

The disadvantage of a conventional known from railroad technology and the transition coupling described above is the fact that due to the particular selected for the coupling head metal construction manual insertion of the transition coupling in the interface between the couplings to be adapted, such as in the towing hook of a screw or AAR coupling, is difficult.

Accordingly, it has long been endeavored to make lightweight construction a transition coupling, which is easier to handle manually.

Known approaches to the realization of a lightweight construction in the construction of a coupling head housing a transition coupling are not or not readily applicable. This is due to the fact that the transition coupling only a defined, limited space is available, so that the geometric dimensions of the executed in lightweight construction transition coupling must substantially correspond to the dimensions of a conventional transition coupling. On the other hand, a transitional clutch is a relatively heavily loaded component in the power flow, to which not only compressive forces, but in particular also tensile forces act. For this reason, as a material for the coupling head housing of the transition coupling, for example aluminum is out of the question, since aluminum has only comparatively low tensile strengths. As a possible approach, a coupling head housing made of fiber composite material is proposed.

Fiber composite plastics are based on reinforcing fibers embedded in polymeric matrix systems. While the matrix holds the fibers in a predetermined position, transfers stresses between the fibers and protects the fibers from external influences, the reinforcing fibers gain the supporting mechanical properties. Aramid, glass and carbon fibers are particularly suitable as reinforcing fibers. Since aramid fibers have only a relatively low stiffness because of their extensibility, glass and carbon fibers are found in rigid structural components. For highly loaded components, such as the coupling head housing of a transition coupling, only carbon fibers are to be used because they show the highest specific strength.

Although it is already known in the aerospace industry, for example, that carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) have a high specific strength and rigidity and could therefore be of interest for structural or load-bearing structures, the problem is that the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics are anisotropic, ie are directional. The tensile strength transverse to the fiber direction is depending on the type of fiber only about 5% of the tensile strength in the fiber direction. Accordingly, at first glance, a coupling head housing designed in fiber composite construction seems to be unsuitable for use in a transitional coupling.

Based on this problem, the present invention seeks to further develop a transition coupling in the type mentioned in lightweight construction, such that the forces occurring are taken from the coupling head housing without further additional made inside the coupling head housing constructive measures.

This object is achieved with a transition coupling according to claim 1.

In the present invention it has been recognized that in order to construct the coupler head housing of the transition coupling a certain fiber architecture must be realized in order to obtain adapted properties to the expected load cases. For this purpose, it is proposed to use at least predominantly reinforcing fibers, which are to be aligned unidirectionally, instead of reinforcing fibers which are present in the fiber composite criss-cross. This has the considerable advantage that the tensile forces (occurring in the fiber direction) can be passed through the coupling head housing. The reinforcing fibers occupy the positions that have been determined, for example, by a finite element calculation. It can also - depending on the design and fiber composite - be dispensed with so-called "inserts" within the coupling head housing. "Inserts" are inserts that serve to divide the introduction of force into the coupling head housing and forward it to tensile and compressive forces.

The transition coupling according to the invention comprises a first connecting means for releasably connecting the transitional coupling with a first coupling; and a second connecting means for releasably connecting the Transition coupling with a second clutch. Both connecting devices are enclosed by the coupling head housing. In a particular embodiment, the further connecting device is designed such that it can receive a pull hook. For this purpose, the coupling head housing is formed in this area predominantly closed and has two openings through which the tow hook can penetrate or escape. The reinforcing fibers that form part of the coupling head housing are designed in this area so that these reinforcing fibers are loadable to train. For this purpose, the reinforcing fibers are designed at least predominantly unidirectional.

Specifically, the invention proposes to use as the material of the coupling head housing a carbon fiber reinforced plastic substantially in the formation of unidirectional reinforcing fibers, in the area of the tow hook receptacle, wherein at least the majority of the reinforcing fibers is laid in the direction of the previously calculated load paths. The remaining coupling head housing has layers of fabric that are not directional. These fabric layers preferably also consist essentially of a fiber composite material.

A preferred embodiment provides that the transition coupling further comprises an end plate which is formed either of metal or of a fiber composite material. In order to allow a simple attachment frontally, but also to simplify the construction in terms of the frontal stress, it is intended to glue these frontally.

Accordingly, it should be noted that due to the special construction of the coupling head housing, in particular in the area of receiving the tow hook the use of fiber composites is possible, whereby a maximum weight advantage over metal structures with the same specific strength and rigidity is achieved even in the highly loaded coupling head housing.

Further advantageous developments of the transition coupling according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the transition coupling according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It shows:

1 a perspective view of a transition coupling according to the invention.

The illustrated in the drawing embodiment of the transition coupling according to the invention 1 is designed in lightweight construction.

The transition clutch 1 for adapting couplings of different types, has the following elements, a first connecting device 5 for detachably connecting the transition coupling 1 with a first coupling, a second connecting device 16 for detachably connecting the transition coupling 1 with a second clutch and a coupling head housing 10 for connecting the first connection device 5 with the second connection device 16 , wherein the coupling head housing 10 made of fiber composite material with reinforcing fibers, in particular carbon fiber composite material.

In the coupling head housing 10 is the first connection device 5 a dome closure was added, which for releasably connecting the transition coupling 1 with the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling is used.

The coupling head housing formed of fiber composite material 10 recorded dome closure has in particular a heart 6 on which a vertical main bolt 8th relative to the coupling head housing 10 is rotatably mounted. At the heart 6 is a dome 7 hinged, which serves to be in the heart of one with the transition clutch 1 Intervene to be coupled automatic central buffer coupling.

Although not explicitly shown in the drawings, it is of course conceivable that the dome closure in addition to the already mentioned heart 6 which over the main bolt 8th rotatable in the coupling head housing 10 is stored, and on which the dome eyelet 7 is articulated, further comprises tension springs, spring bearings and a pawl rod with punch guide to an automatic coupling and decoupling of the transition coupling 1 to allow an automatic central buffer coupling for example of the Scharfenberg ^®. Accordingly, it is preferred that in the coupling head housing 10 recorded dome closure 5 designed as a conventional rotary closure and is designed to be mechanically releasably connected to the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling.

In the embodiment of the transition coupling according to the invention shown in the drawings 1 are the centerpiece 6 , the main bolt 8th as well as the dome eyelet 7 executed in metal construction (precision casting). To a greater weight saving of the transition coupling 1 Of course, it is conceivable, if at least some of the dome closure forming components - such as the coupling head housing 10 - Are executed in fiber composite construction.

The in the coupling head housing 10 absorbed dome closure is used to transmit tensile forces when the transition coupling 1 is mechanically connected to the coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling not explicitly shown in the drawings.

The coupling head housing 10 includes a top 10a and a bottom 10b and consists of a fiber composite 17' , which are designed like a fabric (not unidirectional) to achieve a higher direction independent strength. In 1 is exemplary on a part of the top 10a the fabric-like formation of the fiber composite 17' shown. The respective fibers intersect to form a tissue-like structure.

In the area of the second connection device 16 is the coupling head housing 10 formed so that it is substantially a closed mold with two openings 19 and 20 having. The openings 19 and 20 are suitable, a tow hook 21 a coupling element, this first through the first opening 19 penetrates, the coupling head housing 10 penetrates and from the further opening 20 exit. The reinforcing fibers 17 are around the openings 19 . 20 arranged such that they are charged to train substantially. For this purpose, the reinforcing fibers 17 , in contrast to the rest of the coupling head housing 10 unidirectionally aligned. These reinforcing fibers 17 are in 1 exemplary only on the top 10a shown. Preferably, these reinforcing fibers extend 17 from the fabric-like fiber composite 17' in such a way that exclusively only the fibers are continued, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the coupling head housing, ie in the pulling direction.

Advantageously, the second connecting element 16 designed such that it with the first connecting element 5 is coupled. Part of the pulling forces caused by the tow hook 21 , are from the other connecting element 16 and a part of the tensile forces from the coupling head housing 10 added.

Pressure forces, however, are on the flat face plate 11 of the coupling head housing 10 in the area of the first connection device 5 transfer. As for example the representation in 1 can be removed, this has the coupling head housing 10 a profile consisting of a wide, flat edge 13 and conical and funnel-shaped guide surfaces. This profile directs the transition coupling 1 in terms of one with the transition clutch 1 The automatic central buffer coupling to be mechanically connected centers these and allows them to slide into each other even in tight bends and when displaced vertically.

In particular, it is integral with the coupling head housing 10 formed face plate 11 of the coupling head housing 10 with a wide, flat edge 13 provided on the addition of a common flat wreath 12 is attached. This compared to a coupler head housing in metal construction additionally provided wreath 12 increases the contact area between the face plate 11 the coupling head housing formed from fiber composite material 10 with the face plate one with the transition coupling 1 mechanically connected coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling. As a result of the enlarged contact area thus achieved, a concentration of the force flow vectors on the face plate is achieved 11 of the coupling head housing 10 prevents or reduces pressure transmission.

As it is in particular the representation in 1 can be seen, the formed in fiber composite construction coupling head housing 10 the transition clutch 1 a trained also in fiber composite construction face plate 11 having, in one piece with the coupling head housing 10 is trained. This face plate 11 preferably has a funnel 14 for receiving the coupling eye one with the transition coupling 1 mechanically to be connected automatic central buffer coupling on. Adjacent to that in the face plate 11 of the coupling head housing 10 trained funnel 14 is at the in 1 illustrated transition coupling 1 also on the front plate 11 of the coupling head housing 10 a cone 15 molded in fiber composite construction. Accordingly, the face plate 11 the transition clutch 1 a profile which is compatible with the profile of a coupling head of an automatic central buffer coupling.

To easily assemble the face plate 11 on the coupling head housing 10 to ensure, is preferably a wide flange 18 intended. The flange surface 18 is part of the coupling head housing 10 , This in turn brings with it the advantage that screwing on the face plate 11 with the coupling head housing 10 can be waived. Instead, a simple gluing process can bring about the attachment. In terms of design, the additional receiving areas for the screws, which in turn leads to the construction of the end plate 11 simplified and thereby a cost-effective design is possible.

As the presentation in 1 can be removed, has the trained in fiber composite coupling head housing 10 total one to a coupling head housing 10 adapted in metal construction, but rounded shape on. In this way, the geometric dimension of the transition coupling according to the invention corresponds 1 essentially the dimension of a conventional transition coupling in metal construction, so that for the use of the transition coupling 1 available installation space is not exceeded. The rounded shape of the executed in fiber composite coupling head housing 10 serves to avoid sharp-edged creases, beads, etc. In this way it is possible in the formation of the coupling head housing 10 fiber-composite design of the fibers along the expected force flow vectors, avoiding abrupt changes of direction in sharp edges. Such changes of direction would lead to a notch effect on the fibers and failure of the structure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Transition coupling

5

 connecting device

6

 heart

7

 coupling eye

8th

 main pin

10

 Coupler head housing

10a

 top

10b

 bottom

11

 faceplate

12

 wreath

13

 edge

14

 funnel

15

 cone

16

 connecting device

17

 Reinforcing fibers (unidirectional)

17

 Fiber composite (tissue-like)

18

 Flange surface (of the coupling head housing)

19

 opening

20

 opening

21

 Hitch

Claims (5)

Transition coupling ( 1 ) for adapting couplings of different design, wherein the transition coupling ( 1 ) comprises: - a first connection device ( 5 ) for releasably connecting the transition coupling ( 1 ) with a first clutch; A second connection device ( 16 ) for releasably connecting the transition coupling ( 1 ) with a second clutch; and - a coupling head housing ( 10 ) for connecting the first connection device ( 5 ) with the second connection device ( 16 ), and - the coupling head housing ( 10 ) of a fiber composite with reinforcing fibers ( 17 ; 17' ), characterized in that in the region of the second connecting device ( 16 ) the coupling head housing ( 10 ) is formed such that it is substantially a closed mold with two openings ( 19 ; 20 ), wherein the openings ( 19 ; 20 ), a tow hook 21 to be able to receive a coupling element, and the area around the openings ( 19 ; 20 ) Reinforcing fibers ( 17 ) which are unidirectionally aligned. Transition coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing fibers ( 17 ) around the openings ( 19 . 20 ) are arranged such that they are charged to train substantially. Transition coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling head housing ( 10 ) an upper side ( 10a ) and a bottom ( 10b ), outside the region of the openings ( 19 ; 20 ) the fiber composite ( 17' ) are arranged tissue-like. Transition coupling according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling head housing ( 10 ) in the first and / or second connection device ( 5 . 16 ) an end plate ( 11 ) with a broad, flat edge ( 13 ) and one in addition to the edge ( 13 ) attached wreath ( 12 ), wherein the face plate ( 11 ) on a flange surface ( 18 ) and this flange surface ( 18 ) in one piece with the coupling head housing ( 10 ) connected is. Transition coupling according to claim 4, characterized in that the front plate ( 11 ) with the flange surface ( 18 ) is glued.

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