EP0584026B1 - Coupling assembly between two successive wagons and a common bogie - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly for coupling to the same bogie the two opposite ends of two successive wagon structures having a V-shaped front end (18) articulated on the bogie and an open rear end (13) consisting of two parallel arms (14, 15) has a crossmember (26) which pivots on the bogie and is integrated in the V-shaped front end of the first wagon structure and by means of which the preceding wagon structure is coupled, the said pivoting crossmember (26) comprising, at each of its ends, a receiving support (30, 31) equipped with an immobilising means for each of the ends of the arms of the rear end (13) of the preceding wagon structure. The ends of the arms (14, 15) each have a junction means cooperating with each receiving support. This invention is useful to the manufacturers of road or rail transport stock. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling assembly between two wagon structures successive and a common bogie.

The considerable development of transport in industrialized countries has forced manufacturers to find conversion solutions fast rail / road and vice versa or transport road units totally or partially set up to offload the road network without lose the benefits of road transportation.

We know many coupling sets separable between two successive wagon structures.

The invention described in US Patent No. 4,750,431 YATES relates to a train convoy made up of several wagons including two end wagons and three wagons intermediaries.

Two successive wagons are linked in an articulated way to each other by their ends facing each other in such a way that they are supported by only one of the two wagons.

This invention implements a shaped end in platform and mounted on a rolling assembly. This platform end pivotally receives the end opposite of the adjacent wagon.

The connection is of the cooperation type of means performing a pivoting assembly after a movement longitudinal required from each end of the wagon.

Under these conditions, the system according to this invention is condemned to an association-dissociation by a movement longitudinal with the many known drawbacks and especially the main drawback of the lack of access by one of its ends open after dissociation.

European publication n ° 0403021 in the name BV ALPHA Engineering aims either to transport parts on a platform link connecting two bogies, either to carry semi-trailers heavily modified with the chassis serving as a platform of connection between two bogies. The ends of these platforms are carried by both interfaces equipping two successive bogies.

These interfaces in the form of tables constitute real functional units which are pivotally mounted on the bogie plate by a central support. They require specific links with structures platform type loaders or chassis semi-trailers connecting the bogies.

Each interface unit has the form of an asymmetrical mechanical assembly, presenting on one side a ball joint 49 coupling with the end of a structure carrier or semitrailer chassis and on the other side one end engaging in a support structure and frame mounting. This end includes on its face upper two distinct and symmetrical supports in the form of two cylinder ends (figure 5) on which rests the underside end of the chassis.

The mechanical assembly forming the interface table carries a vertical locking mechanism with finger blocking 51.

The coupling is therefore immobilized in the direction of a side by the interface table and on the other in movement vertical by the locking finger 51.

This directional lock also appears on the variant of the convoy end shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, as we can read on page 3 column 3 in lines 47 to 55: the blocking is done using the pin lock 51 movable by lever 52.

So we notice that in one or the other variant, the coupling of the chassis or structure on the rear side is blocked in direction relative to the interface table, i.e. that it pivots with the swivel pivot while the front side can pivot on its own pivot (ball joint 49) in pivoting movements relative to the pivot of the basket.

We note that the upper part carrying a end of a wagon structure must be removed entirely to allow release of the end of the structure adjacent wagon during a dissociation.

There can be no possibility of dissociation independent vertical between the ends of two structures adjacent wagon. One, the superior, must be must be removed before the other.

This supporting structure cannot receive an entire road vehicle for its transport as well that this must be the case for the present invention.

On the contrary, this invention requires the use a rail / road semi-trailer specially built for this system, and the use of the suspension bellows of this semi-trailer to lift the chassis and couple it.

In addition, the wagon structures are not really independent and vehicles (trailers) are carried and not not transported in load-bearing structures.

Finally, the coupling must be carried out, either offset, either at two different levels from each other as in the case of figure 6.

European patent No. 0 528 741 on behalf of the Company LOHR INDUSTRIE covers a wagon structure at bottom lowered with integrated lifting means and means for coupling the adjacent ends of two successive wagon structures on the same bogie, allowing to implement various methods of loading and unloading on an area of handling or at a marshalling yard.

The wagon structure described in these depots has most of the many desired benefits, particularly by the simplicity of construction, as well as lateral transfer possibilities.

However, the couplings between the wagon structures and approach maneuvers, junction and locking require manipulation precise and delicate requiring a certain address and sustained attention. Indeed, the coupling of each rear end of a wagon structure on the bogie requires prior centering before installation.

This affects the speed and security of transhipment operations, handling and constitution convoys.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages so as to satisfy the whole requirements for this type of wagon structure.

To this end, the invention relates to a coupling assembly between successive wagon structures and a common bogie as specified in claim 1, each wagon structure having on the one hand a front end formed of two branches converging at a point, and one open rear end delimited by two arms parallel to the way of a stretcher. A set articulated joint on the bogie pivotally receives the tip of the front end and a pivoting cross member comprising at each of its ends a support for reception for the arms of the open rear end of the previous structure which present to their ends of the joining means cooperating with the receiving brackets for quick coupling of this rear end.

The means of establishing and maintaining the connection with the previous wagon structure may consist of each end of the pivoting cross member transverse immobilization finger rappelled elastic opening transversely into each receiving support and receiving mechanism and existing at each end of the arms from the rear end of the wagon structure previous.

In this way, the coupling maneuvers and uncoupling are both simpler and faster. In fact, we totally freed ourselves the need to perform organ coincidences or mechanical parts before the mating phase.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective d'une structure wagon perfectionnée, en position inverse, montrant à son extrémité avant la variante principale de l'ensemble d'accouplement selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'extrémité avant et de l'interface de bogie sur laquelle elle est montée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'extrémité arrière et du bogie sur lequel elle est destinée à être montée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective des deux extrémités opposées de deux structures wagon successives avant jonction de liaison ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de détail en perspective d'un des bras et de l'extrémité arrière coupée par un plan médian au niveau de l'ensemble commun articulé ;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective, parois latérales transparentes, des moyens de jonction et de réception, avant accouplement d'un des bras, de deux structures successives ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective partiellement en coupe d'un support de réception de la traverse pivotante montrant un doigt rétractable d'immobilisation ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective du moyen de jonction formé du dispositif de dégagement et d'une pièce de réception.

The technical characteristics and other advantages of the invention are set out in the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example on an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a general perspective view of an improved wagon structure, in the reverse position, showing at its front end the main variant of the coupling assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front end and the bogie interface on which it is mounted;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear end and the bogie on which it is intended to be mounted;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the two opposite ends of two successive wagon structures before connecting junction;
• Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of one of the arms and the rear end cut by a median plane at the joint articulated assembly;
• Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view, transparent side walls, joining and receiving means, before coupling of one of the arms, of two successive structures;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view partially in section of a support for receiving the pivoting cross member showing a retractable immobilization finger;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the joining means formed of the release device and a receiving part.

The coupling assembly according to the invention is intended for specific wagon structures, in particular of the type described in the repositories above mentioned.

It is a load-bearing structure to railway standards intended to mate with dissociable by each of its ends with the opposite end of an adjacent structure previous and next and through an interface on a common bogie, the bogie interface being identical for all the bogies of the same railway convoy.

Without limitation and without limitation in the application, we will first describe below, for reasons of clarity and adequacy of description, the general means of bogie interface subject to parallel protection and likely to receive dissociably by its ends the wagon structure according to the invention, and simultaneously the general characteristics of this wagon structure.

A front 1 or rear 2 bogie consists of traditional way of two axles 3 and 4 which carry brake discs, where applicable.

The ends of the axles are mounted in bearing boxes such as 5 and 6 supporting twinning blocks 7 and 8 constituting with various other mechanical elements a chassis not shown in detail. This chassis conventionally supports at least one ball joint called crapaudine 9.

This ball joint commonly receives pivoting the lower end structure of the classic wagon supported by the bogie.

For reasons of clarity of the drawing, it has not been shown in the figures that the structures main bogies. So some media existing linkage mechanisms are invisible.

This common bogie interface, adaptable to all common railway rolling bases, is used to articulate and connect the front ends and rear of two successive wagon structures on one same bogie via coupling according to the invention.

We will now describe briefly in reference to figure 1 a wagon structure intended for integrate into a convoy between two structures similar and to be mounted on the two bogies before 1 and rear 2 via couplings according to the invention.

It consists of two side pieces 10 and 11 joined together at their base by a lowered bottom 12.

The flank pieces extend towards the rear end 13 to a higher level by two parallel arms 14 and 15, like a stretcher delimiting with the adjacent edges flank pieces and the transverse end of the bottom an opening access 16 for a charge.

The general conformation of the extremity rear visible in the figures is such that the plane opening point is located far behind relative to the ends of the arms.

Thus, the rear transverse edge 17 of the bottom 12 is shifted forward so as to allow the tractor of a semi-trailer to stay on the ground when loading / unloading.

The flank pieces extend towards the front end 18 by two converging branches 19 and 20 arranged at approximately the same level higher than the arms of the rear end. They have a general "V" shape converging towards a point 21 directed forwards in an area median determined by the general median vertical plane of the wagon structure and an upper horizontal plane can be the one bounded by the two edges upper parallels of the flank pieces.

The front end 18 shaped as a "V" with two branches come together on a central unit hinged joint joint 22 with geometric axis common 23. This articulated assembly 22 shown schematically in Figure 5 is composed so limiting of a pivot cylinder 24 on which is secured to the point 21 of the front end 18 in a "V" shape and on which a hinge is pivotally mounted inner 25 of the single bearing or rolling type with ball joint effect, the articulated assembly 22 being mounted on the clamp 8.

A pivoting cross member 26 is integrated mechanically at the front end, namely that this front end is made by two spaced plates 27 and 28 kept apart by a spacer 29, mounted on the joint articulated assembly 22, and namely that the pivoting crossmember is also mounted on this articulated assembly 22 by the interior articulation 25, and is housed in the space between the two front end plates.

Depending on the construction method used for the basic variant, the two plates 27 and 28 forming the front end are secured to the pivot cylinder 24 itself pivoting relative to the bogie.

In an elaborate version, the front end 18 can be carried out separable from the whole articulated 22.

The internal articulation 25 allows the pivoting movements of the crosspiece. As indicated, this articulation 25 may have a degree of additional freedom by being of the joint pivot-ball type in order to allow small deflections in tilt such as those caused by movements roll and pitch.

The pivoting crosspiece 26 will therefore mechanically free especially in movements of independent pivoting. However, it is found sandwiched between the two spaced plates 27 and 28 of the front end 18 and limited in travel angular by the spacer 29.

As mentioned above, the joint pivoting from the end of the supporting structure and the upper and lower joints have an axis common 23.

The pivoting cross member 26 each has from its ends a receiving support 30.31 to ensure the establishment, maintenance and dissociation of the junction between the ends of the pivoting crossmember and the ends 32,33 of the arms of the rear end of an adjacent wagon structure.

Each reception support 30.31 is shaped according to a cradle 34 or a housing 35 made of sheet metal folded (figure 6) in each of which a finger emerges transverse such as 36 mounted movable transversely and in elastic return to its extended position. Each cradle or housing affects the general shape of a gutter with lower entry ramps inclined 37 and also lined with entry ramps converging lateral 38.39.

These ramps thanks to the guidance function they provide allow to engage and place by the same movement the ends of the arms in the receiving media and automatically adjust the ends of the stretcher slightly elevated to be brought level with the pivoting cross-member, i.e. in the driving position.

In a simplified variant, the end before 18 is made of a single plate and can be dissociate vertically from the bogie. In this case cross is free because not sandwiched and the loading / unloading by vertical dissociation fully applies.

We will now examine more particularly with reference to Figures 6 to 8 the joining means provided at the end of each stretcher arm, intended to cooperate with reception-immobilization means provided at each end of the pivoting cross member for the establishment of a dissociable bond.

First, the means of reception-immobilization consist of receiving supports and transverse immobilizing fingers such as 36 movable transversely between a retracted position and an exit position to which they are forced by a return spring.

Each immobilizer finger can have a cylindrical body 40 sliding in a housing cylindrical 41 and a head with two chamfers 42 and 43, for example slightly inclined, as shown on Figure 7. In this figure, we also see a guide rod 44 and a housing 45 in which is mounted a return spring (not shown).

The joining means relate to them first of all the convergent shape of the ends of each arm of the stretcher made for example by several ramps converging towards a tapered end 46.

In each of these ends is housed a engagement-extraction mechanism such as 47 visible in Figures 6 and 8.

It consists of a reception room 48 in the opening of which comes to engage the finger immobilizer and a release device formed a rocker 49 actuated by an articulated element 50 to adjustable rod 51 or equivalent. The rocker 49 includes a pivoting angled release piece 52 articulated on the one hand to a pivot axis 53 and on the other hand at the end of the connecting rod 51 by a side yoke 54.

The support of the end of the bent part of clearance 52 on the head of the retractable finger immobilizer 36 allows the part to be extracted from reception 48 and release the corresponding end stretcher. The complete dissociation is then performed by a short longitudinal translation.

Thanks to these automatic joining means and reception-immobilization with mechanical release, during coupling operations, the multiple pre-centering adjustments required with centering pin devices for example. In effect, the height adjusts automatically and the centering-guidance is ensured, thanks to the entry ramps provided at the ends of the receiving supports and at the tapered end of each arm.

To allow pivoting and a first height adjustment from either end or of both simultaneously, the wagon structure has optionally in the vicinity of its ends of the individual means of lifting, possibly while rolling integrated or not, preferably autonomous, for example crutches 55,56 provided at each end of each flank piece and this at one end of the wagon structure or at both ends at the same time.

The type of crutches targeted is that of a retractable and extendable stand for example telescopic. The crutches can be hydraulic, or manually operated.

In order to allow totally autonomous travel of the wagon structure of the convoy by oblique transverse movement, we can equip the base of each crutch 55,56 of rolling means with directional or fixed axis.

In the case of a fixed axis, the direction general constant of it will be radial that is to say passing through the pivot center.

According to an advantageous embodiment, we can combine these rolling means with crutches expandable.

So the lower ends of the crutches will be mounted on a pivoting undercarriage.

To allow loading of containers, standardized or not, we plan on the upper edge side pieces, twistlocks such as 57 and 58 cooperating with the lower corner pieces of the containers for securing to the structure car.

In order to admit large containers size, four additional twistlocks are planned, including two at the front such as 59 and two at the rear such as 60. These twistlocks are supported by a retractable plate which allows to erase the whole in the wall of each of ends of each of the flank pieces.

Generally speaking, several ways to load / unload operations are possible with the rail transport unit coupled by the coupling assembly according to the invention.

We distinguish the loading / unloading modes following.

First of all, loading / unloading in line or longitudinal, depending on which train of rail transport units is dissociated at the level of couplings between structures carriers without other movement than that of Longitudinal connection and separation joining means.

Then it's loading / unloading obliquely, said on the cob, according to which the ends back of the supporting railway structures are released from the neighboring supporting structure by a movement consisting of withdrawal-release then rotation to a position offset obliquely allowing oblique longitudinal penetration into the supporting structure by its transverse opening end for loading / unloading.

It is finally loading / unloading vertical by means of external handling possible in the case of a variant with front end separable and more particularly at the front end single plate.

The following will be described in more detail. different loading / unloading modes.

The first mode concerns loading / unloading in line or longitudinal.

This loading / unloading mode requires a loading area called rails integrated in the ground.

In accordance with this mode, the transport unit rail is joined or separated by a longitudinal longitudinal movement of sound translation open end brought in by external means. The road unit is loaded or unloaded, either directly along the load-bearing linear structures of displacement, either indirectly, through one or more transverse structure (s) mobile carrier (s) on which rests his road running gear.

We will now examine the operations of oblique loading / unloading said on the cob, allowing to carry out all these operations without in no way modify the rail convoy, i.e. independently of other railway units which may constitute it.

Loading / unloading takes place in bringing the rear end obliquely after separation with the neighboring supporting structure by all means, for example using crutches, then shifting obliquely by rolling on the loading dock, operation during which the supporting structure swivels as a whole around its front end by taking pivoting support on the front bogie.

After loading, for example, a vehicle road, the supporting structure is brought back laterally towards its initial position by a pivoting movement in the same way as before, but in reverse order.

Lifting means, for example integrated in the form of crutches, raise the front ends flank pieces, and come to place them opposite means for securing-locking the end before the next supporting structure.

After coupling and locking, the supporting structure is ready in the convoy with its re-loading for rail transport.

All unloading operations are carried out in reverse order of the operations of loading.

On the other hand, thanks to the lifting means of the two ends when provided it is possible to deposit the wagon structure by transverse offset or longitudinal in the case of separable variants vertically also from the front.

Means for lifting the rear end integrated into the wagon or exterior structure will allow, after opening additional locks security (not shown), to separate the means of joining and obtaining the dissociation of the wagon structure of the bogie interface. A movement of rotation around the front end will ensure the rear end clearance by offset oblique.

The front end is then disconnected and brought out of alignment with the convoy.

The simplest and most classic mode concerns vertical decoupling and transport by an external lifting device which is not possible here than with vertically dissociable variants.

Just release any blockages or interlocks, to separate the means of joining the ends of adjacent wagon structures and make a slight longitudinal translation (elaborate variant) then lift the assembly by a lifting device, the elements and organs of which grip are supported by technical forms and structures specially designed for this purpose.

This overall lifting makes it possible to extract convoy the rail transport unit with its loading, drop it somewhere else pending, or insert it with its load in another convoy rail.

Lifting means at both ends allow the removal of the wagon structure by transverse or longitudinal shift.

The means described above will provide the possibility to choose and carry out the loading / unloading best suited to the load (container, road unit or other) and at the configuration of the station handling area, train and constraints and peculiarities of the sorting operation.

It is understood that beyond the means described, various obvious modifications and variations simple fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie (1), the coupling being effected by the two opposite ends of the two successive wagon structures having frames, which are each delimited longitudinally by two side members (10) or (11) which are connected to each other by an underslung base (17), the two successive wagon structures each having a front end (18) which is in the shape of a "V" (21) and a rear end (13) which is formed by two parallel arms (14) or (15), the front end (18) being articulated for pivoting at the upper portion of a common articulated assembly (22) and the rear end (13) being coupled to a pivoting crosspiece (26), which itself is mounted on the common articulated assembly (22) which is mounted on the pivot bearing of the common bogie (1), characterised in that the pivoting crosspiece (26) is integrated into the "V"-shaped front end (18) of the first wagon structure, and in that the pivoting crosspiece (26) has, at each of the ends thereof, a receiving support (30) or (31) which is fitted with an immobilisation means for each of the ends (46) of the arms (14) or (15) of the rear end (13) of the second wagon structure which is adjacent to the first, the ends (46) of the arms (14) or (15) each comprising a connection means.
2. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 1, characterised in that the front end (13) in the shape of a "V" (21) of the first wagon structure is formed by two spaced plates (27) or (28) which are maintained spaced from each other by a brace (29), between which spaced plates (27) or (28) is arranged the pivoting crosspiece (26).
3. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 1 and claim 2, characterised in that the pivoting crosspiece (26) is free to move independently in rotation relative to the front end (13) in the shape of a "V" (21) of the first wagon structure.
4. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each receiving support (30) or (31) present at each of the ends of the pivoting crosspiece (26) assumes the shape of a cradle (34) and is fitted with a transverse immobilisation finger (36) which is arranged transversely relative to the body of the cradle (34) and which protrudes into the cradle (34) in the extended position.
5. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 4, characterised in that the immobilisation finger (36) is mounted to be resiliently returned to the position in which it extends into the receiving support (30) or (31).
6. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 4, characterised in that the receiving supports (30) or (31) are fitted at their entrance with ramps (37) or (38) or (39) which converge towards the entrance.
7. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each end (46) of the arms (14) or (15) is formed as a point which comprises ramps which converge towards the end of the point and which is fitted with an engaging-disengaging mechanism (47) which co-operates with the immobilisation finger (36) with a view to coupling with immobilisation.
8. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 7, characterised in that the engaging-disengaging mechanism (47) comprises a receiving element (48) which has an opening, into which reaches the immobilisation finger (36) and a disengaging device of the immobilisation finger.
9. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to claim 8, characterised in that the disengaging device is a rocker (49) which is formed by a connecting rod (51) and a pivoting disengaging element (52), whose end exerts a disengaging thrust on the end of the immobilisation finger (36) with a view to moving it out of the receiving element (48).
10. Coupling assembly comprising two successive wagon structures and a common bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front end (18) is formed by a single plate and can be dissociated vertically from the bogie (1) without causing the pivoting crosspiece (26) to be displaced vertically.

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