EP0459857A1 - Switch for grooved guiding track - Google Patents

Abstract

The switch comprises a frame consisting of, among other things, a preferably mechanically welded single end tongue plate (21) for retaining the stock rails (101) originating on the main route (P), a preferably mechanically welded double heel endplate (22) for retaining each of the two stock-rail (101)/blade-heel (102) pairs of each of the direct (D) and diverted (d) routes, spacers (30, 31, 32) for keeping apart the stock rails (101) of the main route (P) and the stock-rail (101)/blade-heel (102) pairs of each of the direct (D) and diverted (d) routes, sole plates (40) for supporting these stock rails (101) and/or blades (102), inner stops (50, 51) located between the blades (102) in the vicinity of their heel and carried by sole plates (40), and outer stops (50, 52) located between the stock rails (101) and blades (102) in the vicinity of their tongue and carried by the stock rails (101). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to track devices for guided vehicles and more particularly guided by a guide track with a rut separate from the raceway on which wheels circulate ensuring the vertical lift of the vehicle.

More particularly, the invention relates to a switch for a rut guide track which consists of a switch frame formed from two fixed counter needles and two partially movable needle blades.

Transport vehicles which move on tracks on which circulate wheels supporting the vehicle, the guidance of which is provided by rollers which follow a rut guide track are known. For this type of vehicle, the conventional switches used for means of transport on conventional railways cannot be used as such. Indeed, this would require moving heavy and bulky parts whose operating time would be relatively long and would require significant efforts.

One type of solution of a switch for a rut guideway is, for example, described in French patent 2,307,689. The switch described in this document consists, essentially, of a fixed sub-assembly whose faces facing internal verticals constitute the external faces of the guide ruts and of a mobile sub-assembly, maneuverable in the manner of needle blades of a traditional switch, the opposite external vertical faces of which serve as internal faces for the ruts of guide which orient, in one direction or another, a guide roller independently of any action on the wheels used to support the vehicle. As explained in this document, the fixed sub-assembly consists of a single entity made of cast steel, coming from foundry, and comprising in itself parts serving for the sliding support of the mobile sub-assembly and parts serving to the embedding of the mobile sub-assembly as well as of the parts allowing the fixing of the control, engagement and immobilization systems of the mobile sub-assembly in each of the positions that it can take.

Obtaining complex parts directly from the foundry first requires the manufacture of molds which must, of course, be adapted to each type of device to be manufactured. It is therefore necessary to have a collection of molds to obtain deviations to the right and deviations to the left, for example.

In addition to the fact that it is necessary to have a large collection of molds, the cycle of manufacturing molded parts is particularly long and delicate.

It is therefore understood that if this solution gives, in general, technically satisfactory, it is an expensive, painful and difficult implementation.

The object of the invention is to remedy most of the drawbacks previously briefly recalled by the use of a mechanically assembled or mechanically welded manufacturing technique which makes it possible to obtain quickly and with a very small number of elementary constituents different types of switches for rut guideways.

The subject of the invention is a switch for a rut guideway consisting of two lateral rails, each preferably having a shoe, a core. and a mushroom between the opposite sides and spaced from which can freely circulate a roller mounted on a vehicle to be driven by this way, where this switch intended to be carried by crosspieces or the like, has a switch frame formed from two fixed counter-needles and two partially movable needle blades which each have a point and a heel and which are arranged between these counter-needles so that their heels are immobilized and their points can be moved simultaneously by bending of the needle blades so that alternatively one or the other of these is applied to one or the other of these counter needles to, from a main route, give access to a direct route or a deviated route. The switch according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a chassis consisting, inter alia, of a simple end plate of mechanically-assembled or mechanically-welded tip to maintain the counter-needles having their origin on the route main, of a double end plate of mechanically-assembled or mechanically-welded heel to maintain each of the two pairs of counter-needle-heel of the needle blade of each of the direct and deviated routes, spacers to keep apart the counter- needles of the main route and the counter-needle-heel pairs of the needle blade of each of the direct and deviated routes, saddles to support these counter-needles and / or needle blades, internal stops placed between the blades of needle near their heel and carried by saddles, and external stops placed between the counter-needles and blades of needle near their point and carried by the counter-needles .

• la Figure 1 est une vue de dessus schématique d'un aiguillage selon l'invention;
• les Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D et 2E sont des vues en coupe selon les plans A, B, C, D et E respectivement, de la Figure 1;
• la Figure 3 est une vue de détail de la platine terminale simple de pointe; et,
• la Figure 4 est une vue de détail de la platine terminale double de talon.

Other characteristics of the invention will emerge from reading the description and the claims which follow, and from examining the appended drawing, given only by way of example where:

• Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a switch according to the invention;
• Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E are sectional views along planes A, B, C, D and E respectively, of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a detail view of the simple tip end plate; and,
• Figure 4 is a detail view of the double heel end plate.

Track devices and, in particular, turnouts, whether for traditional railways or for rut guideways are well known in the art. This is why, in what follows, only that which relates directly or indirectly to the invention will be described. For the rest, the specialist in the technique considered will draw on the current conventional solutions at his disposal to deal with the particular problems with which he is confronted.

In the following description, the same reference number always designates one and the same homologous element, whatever the embodiment.

The vehicles which circulate on a raceway which supports, the levitation wheels and whose direction is ensured by lateral guide tracks are well known.

The subject of the invention is a track device and, more particularly, a switch which makes it possible to direct and change the direction followed by a vehicle which travels on a "clean" track or on a unmarked track using wheels which provide its lift by running on tracks and whose guidance is ensured, for example, using at least one roller moving in a rut when changing lanes. As we know, this type of solution is compatible with traditional standard solutions and allows the crossing of vehicles such as cars or trucks. The word "clean" here has its particular meaning associated with means of transport.

For the convenience of the description, each of the constituents of the invention or which cooperate with it will be described successively.

A rut guideway is, for example, made up of two lateral rails 10 each having a shoe 11, a core 12 and a mushroom 13. These mushrooms have sides 130 of which those facing each other are kept apart distance and between which can freely circulate at least one guide roller G of a vehicle V on which it is mounted in order to steer it along this path. It is these two sides which delimit an O rut.

The purpose of the switch according to the invention is to allow the vehicle V which follows a main route P to be able to be steered either on a direct route D or on a deviated route d . As seen in the embodiment of Figure 1, the deviated route d is a curved track directed to the right. It is clear that with the necessary transpositions, this curved deviated route could also be directed to the left.

The switch according to the invention is intended to be carried for example by crosspieces, beams, slabs or any suitable suitable supports, not shown, on which it is held by common fixing means not shown such as lag screws. For mounting the switch according to the invention, assembly means 15 are used which include, for example, bolts 151 or screw-nuts and toads, struts 152 or the like, as is conventional.

This switch has a switch frame formed from two fixed counter needles 101 and two partially movable needle blades 102 which each have a point and a heel and which are arranged between these counter needles 101 so that the heels are immobilized by embedding and that the points can be moved simultaneously together by bending the needle blades which behave like a beam embedded by one of its ends. A control, latching and immobilization system 17 makes it possible, alternatively, to place one or the other of the needle blades 102 against one or the other of the counter-needles 101 in order, from main route P, give access to direct route D or diverted route d . The control, engagement and immobilization system 17, motorized or manual, is of any known type. It includes, for example, a rod 171 for maneuvering terminated by a lug 172 which grips the tip of at least one of the needle blades to maneuver them.

As can be seen by examining the various figures of the drawing, the switch according to the invention comprises a frame made up, inter alia, of end plates 20, spacers 30, saddles 40 and stops 50.

The plates 20 comprise a simple tip end plate 21 mechanically assembled for example using HUCK bolts or mechanically welded to hold the counter needles 101 having their origin on the main route P. As can be seen, the simple tip end plate 21 comprises a base 200, approximately rectangular, with a face 201 intended to support the counter needles 101.

This base 200 has on two of these opposite sides which are parallel to the track of the extensions 210 aligned transversely. In this base is formed an opening 211 piercing it and arranged in the axis of the extensions 210 for the passage of the lug 172 of the rod 171 of the control, engagement and immobilization system 17 of the blade tips needle 102. On its face opposite to face 201, the base is provided in the area of the two extensions 210 with a tunnel 212 in U made of two lateral cheeks 213, perpendicular to the faces of the base, and d 'a floor 214 approximately parallel to the faces and joining the cheeks 213 for the passage of the rod 171 of the control, engagement and immobilization system 17. A base 215 allows, if necessary, the fixing of this system 17. Thanks with the practically symmetrical construction which appears on examination of the drawing, it is possible to ensure control on one side or the other of the track. The base 200 is also pierced with holes 202 intended to receive the fixing means such as lag screws or the like and with holes 203 for the assembly means 15.

These bases, cheeks and floors are made of steel and are joined to each other for example by welding.

The plates 20 comprise a double end plate of heel 22 mechanically assembled, for example using HUCK bolts or mechanically welded to maintain each of the two pairs of counter-needles 101-heel of the needle blade 102 of each of the direct routes. D and deflected d . This double heel terminal plate comprises a base 200, approximately trapezoidal, the face 201 of which is intended to support these counter-needles 101 and heels of the needle blades 102.

As can be seen by examining the figures of the drawing, in this base 200 are formed two cutouts 221, open, which are placed close to the oblique sides of the trapezoid and which are oriented parallel thereto. The base 200 carries, on its face 201, on each of the edges of the cutouts 221 parallel to the oblique sides of the trapezium of the wings 222, which are parallel to the sides in question, and reinforcements 223, which are perpendicular to these sides and s' extend from these to the wings 222. This base is also pierced with holes 202, preferably in the vicinity of the wings 222, to receive the means for fixing the plate on crosspieces.

These base, wings and reinforcements are made of steel and are joined to each other, preferably by welding.

The spacers 30, whether the toe spacer 31 or the heel spacers 32, have the configuration of elongated U-shaped beams. As can be seen by examining the figures in the drawing, these spacers comprise a curvilinear bridge 301 which connects two parallel branches 302.

These branches are pierced with holes 303, preferably internally laminated and intended to receive mounting means 16 such as prismatic non-circular head screws and nuts. The counterbore makes it possible to house the heads of the screws as is conventional.

As can be seen, the tip spacer 31 is mounted on the counter-needles 101, while the heel spacers 32 are mounted on the counter-needles 101 and the needle blades 102. As can be seen, the heel spacers 32 are asymmetrical and have unequal parallel branches while, preferably, the toe spacer 31 is symmetrical and has equal parallel branches.

According to the invention, the toe spacer 31 and the heel spacers 32 are preferably made of cast iron or steel.

The saddles 40 are made of practically rectangular plates 41, one of the faces 401 of which is intended to support the counter-needle 101 and the needle blades 102. These plates are pierced with holes 402, preferably near their small opposite sides, to receive the means of fixing to the crosspieces. As can be seen, especially in Figure 1, the length of the long opposite sides of the plates increases from one saddle to another, from the tip to the heel of the switch.

Preferably, the saddles are made of steel.

The stops 50 include internal stops 51 and external stops 52.

The internal stops 51 are arranged between the two needle blades 102 and preferably have the configuration of a T-beam section with a table 510, trapezoidal, and a base 511, parallelepiped. These table and base are pierced with a hole 502 to receive the means of attachment to the crosspieces. As can be seen, the length of the parallel bases of the trapezoidal table 510 increases from one internal stop to the other, from the point to the heel of the switch.

The table and base of the internal stops are made of steel and are joined to each other preferably by welding.

The outer stops 52 preferably have the configuration of cylindrical pins which are axially pierced with a blind bore 503, preferably tapped, to receive mounting means on the counter needles 101. As can be seen, the axial length of the outer stops 52 increases from one stop to the other from the tip to the heel of the switch.

These outer stops are preferably made of steel.

Preferably, steel E 24-2, A 50 and E 26-1 are used to manufacture the plates, saddles and stops and spacers.

The rails 10 which are made against the needles 101 and the needle blades 102 are, for example, traditional VIGNOLES rails in carbon steel.

The components which have been described above are brought together, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, to manufacture a switch according to the invention.

We start by placing the counter-needles 101 on an assembly table and joining them using the point spacer 31, as well as with the double end plate of heel 22; preferably proceed in this order since this allows position precisely, at the tip and in the heel, the counter-needle 101 curved with respect to the straight counter-needle 101. The radius, along its length, of the curved counter-needle 101 is obtained by the installation of saddles 40 which make it possible to fix with precision the ordinates of the curve to be obtained. Then, we put in place the simple tip end plate 21 which has the essential role of ensuring one of the ordinates of the counter-needle 101, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, possibly supporting the control system, of engagement and immobilization of the needle blades which can differ from one switch to another.

The points of the needle blades 102 are joined together, preferably, with the interposition of a pad of a material which facilitates the relative sliding of the two needle blades against one another during their bending in order to reduce the maneuvering force to be applied to change direction. These pads are, for example, made of polyamide or polyethylene.

The needle blades 102 thus united are placed between the counter-needles 101 and are fixed in the heel on the double end plate of the heel 22. To do this, use is made, on the one hand, of the heel spacers 30 which make it possible to associate the heels of each counter-needle and needle blade pair. This thus makes it possible to fix with great precision the spacing of the sides of the mushrooms which define the guide rut. Once this is done, the inner heel stops 51 are then fixed, then the tip outer stops 52 are put in place.

The switch according to the invention is particularly suitable for tracks for automatic vehicles of transport of people.

From the above, it is easy to understand the advantage of a switch according to the invention which is obtained from a minimum number of components which are essentially joined together by mechanical assembly or mechanical welding. This makes it possible in particular to eliminate the preparatory time for manufacturing the molds and the duration of execution of the casting while allowing significant gains in mass and size.

Claims (13)

1 - Switch for rut guide track (0) consisting of two lateral rails (10) each preferably having a shoe (11), a core (12) and a mushroom (13) between the flanks (130) facing opposite and apart from which a roller (G) mounted on a vehicle (V) can be moved freely, to be steered by this route, where this switch intended to be carried by cross members has a switch frame formed from two counter fixed needles (101) and two partially movable needle blades (102) each having a point and a heel and which are arranged between these counter-needles (101) so that their heels are immobilized and that their points can be moved simultaneously by bending the needle blades (102) so that alternatively one or the other of these (102) is applied to one or the other of these counter needles (101) to from a main route (P) give access to a direct route (D) or to a route deflected area ( d ), characterized in that it comprises a frame consisting, inter alia, of a simple terminal plate (21) of point to maintain the counter-needles (101) having their origin on the main route (P ), a double heel end plate (22) to hold each of the two pairs of needle-counter (101) - needle blade heel (102) of each of the direct (D) and deflected ( d ) routes, spacers (30, 31, 32) to keep the counter-needles (101) of the main route (P) and the counter-needle pairs (101) - needle blade stub (102) of each of the direct routes apart (D) and deflected ( d ), saddles (40) to support these counter needles (101) and / or needle blades (102), internal stops (50, 51) placed between the needle blades ( 102) near their heel and carried by saddles (40), external stops (50, 52) placed between counter-needles (101) and blades of oil (102) near their point and carried by the counter-needles (101) . 2 - Referral according to claim 1, characterized in that the simple tip end plate (21) comprises a base (200) approximately rectangular with a face (201) intended to support these needles and with on two opposite sides parallel to the way of the extensions (210) aligned, an aperture (211) piercing this base (200) in the axis of these extensions (210) for the passage of a lug (172) of a rod (171) a control, engagement and immobilization system (17) of the points of the needle blades (102), on the face opposite that (201) intended to support these counter-needles (101) of these two extensions (210) a U-shaped tunnel (212) made of two lateral cheeks (213) perpendicular to the face of the base and a floor (214) approximately parallel to this face and joining these cheeks (213) for passage of this rod (171) of the control, engagement and immobilization system (17), and holes (202, 203) piercing this base (200) near these sides carrying these extensions (210) to receive means for fixing to the crosspieces and assembly means (15). 3 - Referral according to claim 2, characterized in that these base (200), cheeks (213) and floors (214) are made of steel. 4 - Referral according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the double heel end plate (22) comprises a base (200) approximately trapezoidal with a face (201) intended for support these counter-needles (101) and heels of needle blades (102), and two open cutouts (221) placed near its oblique sides and oriented parallel to these, on this face (201) and on each edges of these cutouts (221) parallel to these oblique sides of the wings (222) parallel to these sides and reinforcements (223) perpendicular to these sides and extending from these to these wings (222), and holes (202, 203) piercing this base (200) in the vicinity of these wings (222) to receive means for fixing to the crosspieces and assembly means (15). 5 - Referral according to claim 4, characterized in that these base (200), wings (222) and reinforcements (223) are made of steel. 6 - Referral according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spacers (30) are elongated U-shaped beams with a curved bridge (301) and two parallel branches (302) which are connected by this bridge and which are pierced with holes (303) internally laminated to receive mounting means (16) on these counter-needles (101) and / or needle blades (102). 7 - Referral according to claim 6, characterized in that the branches (302) of the heel spacers of the direct (D) and deviated ( d ) routes are uneven. 8 - Referral according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spacers (30) are made of steel. 9 - Referral according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the saddles (40) are practically rectangular plates (41) one of the faces (401) of which is intended to support these counter-needles (101) and / or needle blades (102), which are pierced with holes (402, 403) near their short opposite sides to receive fixing means to the crosspieces and assembly means (15) and the length of the opposite long sides increasing from one saddle to the other, from the point to the heel of the switch. 10 - Referral according to claim 9, characterized in that the saddles are made of steel. 11 - Referral according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the internal stops (50, 51) have the configuration of a T-beam section with a table (510) trapezoidal whose length of the bases goes increasing from one stop to another, from the point to the heel of the switch and a parallelepiped base (511) pierced with a hole (502) to receive means for fixing to the crosspieces. 12 - Referral according to claim 11, characterized in that the table (510) and the base (511) are made of steel. 13 - A switch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the external stops (50, 52) have the configuration of cylindrical pins pierced axially with a bore (503) tapped blind to receive mounting means ( 16) on the counter-needles (101) and the length of which increases from one stop to the other, from the tip to the heel of the switch.

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