EA028163B1 - Vehicle and method for assembling a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a vehicle containing a bottom part that comprises a wheel truck containing at least one axle, wheels, a bearing and a bearing support that is detachably fixed to the truck and supports the bearing from below. The vehicle further contains a top part in the form of a platform, a case or a body, including a pivot pin extending from its bottom surface, and a pivot pin extension bar fastened detachably to the outer end of the pivot pin, the pivot pin being inserted into the bearing to provide the possibility of the top part rotation relative to the bottom part. Also disclosed is a method of assembling such vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the railway industry, rail vehicles are used to transport passengers and / or cargo from point to point by rail. A conventional rail vehicle comprises a body in which the engine and its other components are located. The weight of the body at both ends is supported by trolleys that transfer weight to the rails on which the trolleys rest. In particular, each trolley is designed so that it supports the main platform of the body with the possibility of rotation. Carts, as a rule, contain cast or welded steel frames, providing support for axles, traction motors and a number of wheels, providing traction for driving forward and braking the vehicle. Electricity can be supplied to engines from a generator to provide traction to a rail vehicle.

It is known that, as a rule, the body or its main platform is equipped with a hinge rod extending from them from below, placed in the heel of the trolleys and providing the possibility of transmitting traction from the trolleys to the platform or body. However, it should be understood that mounting the body on trolleys requires special attention.

With existing mounting methods, to keep the thrust bearing of each trolley in the required position for placing the hinge rod of the main platform in it as the platform is lowered onto the trolley, it is usually necessary to use a special type of lifting device. In this case, the mechanic must crawl into narrow gaps inside the carriage in order to manually facilitate the alignment of the hinge rod with the thrust bearing, and then attach the thrust bearing to the trolley. Accordingly, installation using this method is a tedious and time-consuming process, requiring strict adherence to safety rules during the movement and alignment of such large and heavy components.

In an attempt to facilitate installation, the preliminary assembly of the thrust bearing on the trolley before lowering the main platform was also considered. However, with this method, it is possible to affect the integrity of the liners located inside the secondary traction links of the bogie, bearing the weight of the hinge rod and platform, which can lead to problems related to the service life of the components.

From the above it follows that there is a need for a trolley assembly and a method that facilitate the assembly and connection of the body platform with the trolley.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a lower part comprising a wheeled trolley comprising at least one axle, wheels, a thrust bearing and a thrust bearing, detachably attached to the trolley and supporting the thrust bearing from below. In addition, the vehicle includes an upper part, which is a platform, body or body and contains a hinge rod extending from its lower side, and an extension of the hinge rod attached to the outer end of the hinge rod with the possibility of detachment, and the hinge rod is inserted into the thrust bearing to ensure the possibility of turning the upper part relative to the lower part.

The vehicle trolley may further comprise a frame inside which a thrust bearing is located and to which a thrust bearing is attached with the possibility of detaching.

The hinge rod extension may be in the form of a truncated cone.

The support for the thrust bearing and the extension of the hinge rod can be made with the possibility of removal from the specified device after placing the hinge rod in the thrust bearing.

The lower part of the vehicle may further comprise at least one secondary traction link connecting the thrust bearing to said lower part.

The vehicle may be a rail vehicle.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for assembling the above vehicle. When performing this method, attach the support for the thrust bearing to the bottom of the vehicle with the possibility of disconnection, then place and support the thrust bearing on the specified support. After that, an extension cord is attached with the possibility of detachment to the outer end of the hinge rod. Then, the upper part of the vehicle is mounted over its lower part so that the extension of the hinge rod enters the thrust bearing, and the upper part of the vehicle is lowered to the lower part from above so that the extension automatically aligns the thrust bearing with the hinge rod of the platform, and this rod is placed in the thrust bearing.

When performing the specified method, the specified extension cord is additionally disconnected from the hinge rod and the support for the thrust bearing is removed from the lower part. Then, the lower plate is further attached to the outer end of the hinge rod and a rotation limiter is mounted on the thrust bearing.

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If the vehicle is a rail vehicle, before lowering the top of the rail vehicle to the bottom, place the bottom on the rails.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative rail vehicle; FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective view of a trolley of a rail vehicle device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view in section of a thrust bearing of the trolley shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main platform and an articulated rod of said device;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the proposed device, illustrating the hinge rod of the main platform, placed in the thrust of the cart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible for similar or similar parts, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described with respect to locomotives or other rail vehicles traveling on rails or railways, however, embodiments of the invention can also be applied for use with vehicles in general, for example, off-road vehicles and like them.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of assembling a vehicle. The specified method includes attaching a support for the thrust bearing to the trolley with the possibility of release, placing and maintaining the thrust bearing on the specified support and lowering the platform of the rail vehicle onto the trolley from above so that the hinge rod of the platform is placed in the thrust bearing. Other embodiments relate to the trolley assembly of a rail vehicle. The trolley assembly comprises a trolley and a main platform. The trolley comprises a frame, at least one axle, wheels, a thrust bearing located inside the frame, and a thrust bearing, removably attached to the frame and supporting the thrust bearing from below. The main platform comprises a hinge rod extending from its lower side, and an extension of the hinge rod, removably attached to the end of the hinge rod remote from the attachment point. The hinge rod is placed in the thrust bearing with the possibility of rotation of the main platform relative to the trolley.

As shown in FIG. 1, an illustrative rail vehicle, such as a locomotive 10, comprises a body 14 in which the engine 16 and other vehicle components are located. The weight of the body 14 (and the components placed therein) at both ends is supported by trolleys 18 that transfer weight to the rails 20 on which the trolleys are supported. In particular, each trolley 18 is configured to support the main body platform 14. The trolleys 18 typically comprise cast or welded steel frames that support the axles 22, traction motors 24 and a set of 26 wheels providing traction for moving forward and braking the vehicle 10. Traction motors 24 can receive electricity from the generator to provide traction to the vehicle 10.

Turning to FIG. 2-5, which show that the trolley assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a trolley 110 and a main body platform 140 (called, in general, the main platform or rail vehicle body) placed on the carriage 110 with connection thereto the possibility of rotation. As shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the trolley 110 is formed by a frame and comprises at least one axle 112 and wheels 114, intended for movement along rails (not shown) of a railway track. Trolley 110 also includes a thrust bearing 116 located within the frame of the trolley 110 and attached to the trolley 110 by secondary pull links 118. The thrust bearing 116 is a substantially cylindrical body having a substantially open upper end and lower end, an inner sleeve 120 and a top cover 122. As best shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the lower end of the thrust bearing 116 is supported by a support 124 temporarily bolted or otherwise attached to the frame of the bogie 110 until connected to the main platform 140, as discussed in detail below.

In this document, the wording of the lower part refers to the part of the vehicle containing a node of the wheels and the axis of the vehicle. The lower part comprises, without limitation, a rail vehicle trolley. The wording of the upper part refers to the part of the vehicle located at the top of the vehicle, such as a supporting platform, body or body. The upper portion includes, without limitation, a main platform or body of a rail vehicle.

In the embodiment shown specifically in FIG. 3, a thrust bearing 124 represents

- 2 028163 itself, essentially an L-shaped bracket made of steel or other metal capable of supporting the weight of the thrust bearing 116 (which may exceed approximately 95 kg). The support 124 is removably attached to the bogie 110 under the secondary links 118 with bolts or other suitable fastening means and extends beneath the thrust bearing 116 to support the weight of the thrust bearing 116 from below. In an embodiment, the support 124 and thrust bearing 116 are pre-mounted on the trolley 110 prior to installation of the platform 140 and / or bodywork on trolley 110. In this document, the wordings are removably attached, secured with the possibility of removal, attached with the possibility of release or the like means that the component ene to be attached to another component or structure so that said component can subsequently be disconnected and removed from the other component or structure without causing any damage to such components or constructions.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an enlarged detailed view of the main platform 140 is shown. In an embodiment, the platform 140 may be of any shape known in the art and is configured to support the body of a rail vehicle and its components, such as engines, generators, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the platform 140 (shown upside down) comprises a pivot axis or pivot rod 142 extending from the underside of the platform. The rod 142 comprises an extension 144, removably attached to the lower end of the rod 142 by bolts, screws or other suitable fastening means. As shown in this case, the extension 144 has a substantially truncated cone shape.

Turning now to FIG. 5, which shows the trolley assembly 100 in an assembled state. In the assembled state, the hinge rod 142 is placed in the thrust bearing 116, so that the platform 140 is pivotally attached to the trolley 110 and mounted on it. The following describes the installation of the trolley assembly with reference to FIG. 5. Prior to pairing the platform 140 with the trolley 110, secondary traction links 118, a thrust bearing 116, a sleeve 120 and a support 124, as well as the corresponding equipment for creating the trolley assembly, are first connected to the latter. Similarly, an extension 144 is attached to the hinge rod 142 prior to attaching the platform 140 to the carriage 110 to form the platform assembly.

After assembling the respective assembly subassemblies, the trolley 110 is placed on the rail, and the platform and / or body are lowered in the direction of the trolley using a crane, as is known in the art. The platform 140 is gradually lowered until the extension 144 is in contact with the thrust bearing 116. Further lowering of the platform 140 in the direction of the trolley 110 causes the extension 144 and the rod 142 to automatically align the thrust 116 and the trolley 110 with the hinge 142. After placing the rod 142 in the thrust bearing 116, the extension 144 is removed from the hinge rod and fasten the bottom plate 146 with bolts or other suitable fixing means to the end of the rod 142 remote from the attachment point. At this stage, the thrust bearing 116 is mounted a rotation limiter 148 is provided, and the support 124 is removed. It should be understood that the support 124, extension cord 144 and related equipment can be reused for mounting another rail vehicle or locomotive.

It should be understood that the proposed trolley assembly and mounting method eliminates the need for a lifting device to support the thrust bearing 116 until it is attached to the trolley 110. In particular, by maintaining the weight of the thrust bearing 116 by the removable support 124, the thrust bearing 116 can be held in position inside the trolley 110 until connected 140 platforms with a trolley. Holding the thrust bearing 116 in this manner also essentially eliminates the possibility of deterioration of the integrity of the spherical liners inside the secondary links 118, due to displacements and unintended loads on the liners during assembly.

In addition to the foregoing, extension cord 144, due to its shape in the form of a truncated cone, provides self-alignment to help align and assemble the main platform 140 and / or body with the carriage 110 to an unknown degree.

In connection with the foregoing, the proposed trolley unit and method eliminate the need for lifting devices during assembly and facilitate the connection of the platform 140 with the trolley 110, thereby reducing assembly time and installation costs compared to current trolley units and methods. The proposed assembly and method are also more reliable compared to known methods, and also reduce the possibility of damage to the components before the rail vehicle is put into operation.

In one embodiment, a method of mounting a vehicle is provided. This method includes attaching the support for the thrust bearing to the lower part of the vehicle with the possibility of removal, placing and maintaining the thrust bearing on the specified support and lowering the upper part of the vehicle to its lower part from above so that the hinge rod of the platform is placed in the thrust bearing.

In one embodiment, said method may include attaching an extension cord to an end of the hinge rod remote from the attachment point, with the possibility of releasing the upper part of the vehicle to the lower part before said lowering.

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In one embodiment, said method may also include disconnecting the extension cord from the hinge rod and removing the thrust support from the bottom.

In one embodiment, the method may also include attaching the bottom plate to the end of the hinge rod remote from the attachment point and installing a rotation limiter on the thrust bearing.

In one embodiment, the extension of the hinge rod has a substantially truncated cone shape.

In one embodiment, the lower part is placed on the rails until the upper part of the vehicle is lowered to the lower part.

In one embodiment, the vehicle is a rail vehicle, the lower part being its trolley and the upper part being its main platform.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device that has lower and upper parts of a vehicle. The lower part comprises a frame, at least one axle, wheels, a thrust bearing located inside the frame, and a thrust bearing, removably attached to the frame and supporting the thrust bearing from below. The upper part comprises a hinge rod extending downward from its lower side, and an extension of the hinge rod, removably attached to the end of the hinge rod remote from the attachment point. The hinge rod is placed in the specified thrust bearing with the possibility of rotation of the upper part relative to the lower part.

In one embodiment, the extension of the hinge rod has the shape of a truncated cone.

In one embodiment, the thrust bearing and the hinge rod extension can be removed from said device after the hinge rod is placed in the thrust bearing.

In one embodiment, the upper portion further comprises at least one secondary traction link connecting the thrust bearing to the lower portion.

In one embodiment, the lower part is a rail vehicle trolley, and the upper part is its main platform.

It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the considered embodiments (and their aspects) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, it is possible to make modifications to the invention in accordance with a specific situation or materials without deviating from its scope. Despite the fact that the sizes and types of materials described in this document are intended to determine the parameters of the invention, nevertheless, they are in no way restrictive, but are illustrative embodiments. When reading the description, other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The terms including and in which are used as equivalents of the corresponding terms containing and where. In addition, the terms upper, lower, lower, upper, etc. are used only as a name and do not determine the numbering or location of the objects designated by them.

The above description uses examples characterizing various embodiments of the invention, including preferred options, as well as enabling a specialist to put them into practice, including the implementation and use of any devices or systems, as well as the implementation of any related methods.

As applied to this document, it should be understood that an element or a step represented in the singular does not exclude a plurality of elements or steps unless such an exception is specified explicitly. In addition, it is understood that a reference to one embodiment of the invention should not be construed as excluding the presence of additional embodiments also containing the listed details. In addition, embodiments comprising, including, or having an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property, may further include such elements not having this property, unless the opposite is stated exactly.

Since the above embodiments can be made some changes without deviating from the essence and scope of the invention, it is understood that all the options discussed in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as examples illustrating the idea of the invention and not limiting it.

Claims (10)

CLAIM 1. A vehicle comprising a lower part comprising a wheeled trolley comprising at least one axle, wheels, a thrust bearing and a thrust bearing, detachably attached to the trolley and supporting a thrust bearing from below, an upper part comprising a platform, a body or a body and containing a hinge rod extending from its lower side, and an extension of the hinge rod attached to the outer end of the hinge rod with the possibility of detachment, - 4 028163 and the hinge rod is inserted into the thrust bearing with the possibility of rotation of the upper part relative to the lower part. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, in which the trolley further comprises a frame, inside of which there is a thrust bearing and to which the thrust bearing is detachably attached. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, in which the extension of the hinge rod has the shape of a truncated cone. 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, in which the support for the thrust bearing and the extension of the hinge rod are made with the possibility of removal from the specified vehicle after placing the hinge rod in the thrust bearing. 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, in which the lower part further comprises at least one secondary traction link connecting the thrust bearing to the specified lower part. 6. The vehicle according to claim 1, which is a rail vehicle. 7. The method of assembling a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the support for the thrust bearing is attached to the lower part of the vehicle with the possibility of detaching, the thrust bearing is mounted and supported on said support, the extension cord is attached with the possibility of disconnecting to the outer end of the hinge rod, set the upper part of the vehicle over its lower part so that the extension of the hinge rod enters the thrust bearing, lower the upper part of the vehicle to the lower part from above so that the extension of the machine It combines the thrust bearing with the hinge rod of the platform and this rod is placed in the thrust bearing. 8. The method according to claim 7, in which the specified extension cord is disconnected from the hinge rod and the support for the thrust bearing is removed from the lower part. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the lower plate is attached to the outer end of the hinge rod and a rotation limiter is mounted on the thrust bearing. 10. The method according to claim 9, in which, if the vehicle is a rail vehicle, before lowering the upper part of the rail vehicle to the lower part, place the lower part on the rails.