EP0672001B1 - Passage device between two coupled vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The passage device with its bellows-like surround (7, 8) between two coupled vehicles (1, 2) is supported by variable-length, horizontally acting supports (17, 18, 19, 20) via a central frame (9, 10) and an auxiliary frame (7', 8'). The horizontal linkage between the supports and the vehicles (1, 2) and, where appropriate, the vertical coupling of the ends of two opposite supports (17, 19,; 18, 20) provides rigid supports which are necessarily able to adopt the angle between the coupled vehicles.

Description

The present invention relates to a transition device between all coupled vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, which is closed on all sides by means of a bellows-type envelope, which device consists of two length-adjustable base parts, each of which is connected at one end to one of the vehicles, while at least parts of the free one The ends of the two base parts are separably connected to one another, each base part having foldable transition bridge parts, a bellows-like covering part, and optionally a ceiling cladding, and circumferential central frames which are coupled to one another and are arranged on the free ends of the covering parts and which are connected either from below or above by at least two between them supports extending or changing in length and acting essentially in a horizontal plane are supported or carried, the bellows-like covering part of each transition base part between its central frame at the free end and the end connected to each of the vehicles, a peripheral subframe is provided as a support or stop for transition bridge parts and transition cladding parts, which subframe is also carried by the variable-length supports.

Transition devices between two coupled rail-bound vehicles are known in a wide variety of designs. Also known are the many problems that occur with such transition devices.

Vehicle transfer devices of the type described at the outset are known from FR-A-451 518, the variability of the length of the supports and their active arrangement in a horizontal plane being derived from EP-A-0 206 583.

One of the problems is to support the device, which now consists of one or two basic parts, in such a way that the transition is as simple as possible and problem-free for the user. The transition facility must either be supported from below or, if necessary, be hung from a complex facility. With this type of support, problems have recently arisen in that the transitions are relatively short and are used between vehicles which are also used for relatively small curve radii. The problem arises here that the support from below of the transition, at least in the important central part, becomes sufficient or at least unreliable.

The object of the present invention is to provide a transition device of the type defined in the introduction, which ensures a largely problem-free transition regardless of the curve radii with a simple design effort. This object is achieved according to the invention in a transition device of the type mentioned at the outset by the features defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The arrangement according to the invention of auxiliary frames and their interaction with the supports designed for the scissors results in reliable carrying either from below or above the central frame, the auxiliary frame and thus the transition covering parts and above all the hinged bridge parts, thanks to the design as scissors and / or telescopic carriers Supports, regardless of the curve radius or the angular position between the two coupled vehicles, an inevitable angular transmission takes place on these supports, which in turn ensures optimal support of the actual transition device. This effect can be achieved with telescopic support structures using additional guiding elements in the form of scissors.

Fig. 1

eine Uebergangseinrichtung nach der Erfindung, welche zur Verdeutlichung des Aufbaus und der einzelnen Bauteile in auseinandergezogener Ansicht dargestellt ist;

Fig. 2

eine rein schematische Darstellung einer der Stützscheren;

Fig. 3

eine kardanische Anlenkung einer Schere an einem Fahrzeug, und

Fig. 4

rein schematisch eine Ankupplung von zwei freien Scherenenden im Bereich des Dreh- und Stützpunktes unterhalb der zentralen Rahmen.

Particular embodiments of the transition device according to the invention are defined in claims 2-13. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a transition device according to the invention, which is shown in an exploded view to illustrate the structure and the individual components;

Fig. 2

a purely schematic representation of one of the support scissors;

Fig. 3

a gimbal linkage of a pair of scissors to a vehicle, and

Fig. 4

schematically, a coupling of two free scissor ends in the area of the pivot and base below the central frame.

1 is to be installed between two vehicle parts 1, 2. It consists of two basic parts, each of which is connected at one end to one of the vehicles 1 and 2, respectively. The free ends of the base parts are separable.

Each base part has foldable transition bridge parts 3 and 4, furthermore a ceiling cladding 5 and 6 as well as a bellows-like covering part 7 and 8, respectively.

The enveloping parts 7, 8 each have a peripheral central frame 9 or 10 at their free ends, which are connected to one another via suitable coupling means, for example coupling rods 11 or 12. In the middle of each wrapping part 7, 8 there is a peripheral auxiliary frame 7 ', 8', which guarantees the optimal functioning of the transition.

Each transition bridge part 3 or 4 in turn consists of two parts 3 ', 3' 'or 4', 4 '', one of which is 3 'or 4' on the associated vehicle 1 or 2 and the other on the central frame 9 or 10 is articulated. In the case of coupled vehicles 1, 2 and the transition device set up, the part 3 'or 4' hinged to the vehicle 1 or 2 rests on the associated subframe 7 'or 8', while the second part 3 '' or 4 '' folded down rests on the first part 3 'or 4'.

According to the invention, the central frames 9, 10 and the auxiliary frames 7 ', 8' are supported in this way from below by supports. that they are able to absorb both the weight of the transition facility and the maximum loads that can occur (by the people using the transition). The type of these supports is explained in more detail below.

Swinging wings 13, 14 and 15, 16 are articulated to the vertical posts of the door openings of vehicles 1 and 2, which swivel wings 13 ', 14' and 15 ', 16' on the vertical bars of the frames 9, 10 overlap against the envelopes 7, 8 or the auxiliary frames 7 ', 8' as soon as the device is assembled. These pivoting wings also have elastomeric parts which bear against the transition bridge parts 3, 4 or the ceiling cladding 5, 6.

A transition device is thus formed, in which the passage through the swivel wing or bridge parts and ceiling formwork is completely boarded and the whole is surrounded by a bellows-like covering.

As already mentioned, the central frames 9, 10 and the auxiliary frames 7 ', 8' of the transition device are supported by supports which can be changed in length, preferably by multi-section scissors 17, 18 and 19, 20, respectively. The multi-section scissors 17, 18 and 19, 20 act in a horizontal plane and are each coupled via a cardan joint (see Fig. 3) to one of the vehicles and, on the other hand, with their free ends coupled with scissors directly opposite each other via a vertical joint pin ( Fig 4). The vertical hinge bolts at the connection point and the likewise vertical hinge bolts of the scissors per se, with suitable dimensioning of the scissor arms, result in a support that is absolutely rigid in the vertical direction between the two vehicles 1, 2. Due to the fact that the scissors are articulated to the vehicles themselves via horizontal bolts of the cardan joint (FIG. 3), height differences between the two vehicles that occur during operation can be absorbed without any problems. It has been shown that this construction, which inevitably is able to transmit all angles between the vehicles 1, 2, forms an optimal support for the transition device. An uncoupling of the Both vehicles are possible with a relatively simple effort, in that the coupling pin between the scissors on the one hand and the coupling between the central frame 9, 10 on the other hand can be released. Each base part can then be pushed back and fastened against the associated vehicle part.

As the drawing shows, the central frames 9, 10 are articulated between the casings 7, 8 and the ceiling claddings 5, 6 with a guide 21, 22 or 23, 24 which can be changed in length on the associated vehicles. These guides are preferably also designed as scissors, these scissors centering the auxiliary frames 7 ', 8' and guiding the central frame 9, 10.

Thanks to this simple construction with a central and auxiliary frame and the supports 17, 18 and 19, 20, which are preferably designed as scissors, the transition device is properly supported in practically every conceivable angular position of the two vehicle parts with respect to one another. The transition supported in this way is perfectly closed on all sides, thus protected against all external influences (drafts, noise).

As already mentioned, Fig. 2 shows the schematic structure and the effect of the support scissors in the horizontal plane. The scissor arms 25, 26 intersect in the joint 27 and are designed as continuous rigid supports. The arms 28, 29 and 30, 31 are articulated on the one hand via vertical hinge pins on the arms 25, 26 and, on the other hand, are coupled with their other ends via corresponding joints 32, 33 either to the vehicle 1 or to the scissors opposite (FIG. 4).

Fig. 3 shows the coupling point between a pair of support scissors and the vehicle 1 (enlargement of the left end of Fig. 2). Gimbals of the type shown are known and consist of a horizontal hinge pin 34 which is arranged in an elastomeric mass 35 in the carrier 36 (the hinge is thus a type of gimbal suspension). The two arms intersect in the joint 39 and are connected to the pin 34 via the tab 40.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows, purely schematically, one of the possibilities of coupling two free ends of the scissors to one another, in such a way that there is also a rigid (in the vertical direction) support at the connection point.

Instead of the support scissors, telescopic supports of suitable construction could be used to support or suspend the central and auxiliary frames, or scissors and telescopic supports could be used. The scissors have the great advantage that the support point for the subframe shifts proportionally and thus always takes the subframe into the optimal position (without relative sliding movement).

Claims (12)

1. A gangway device entirely closed by a bellow type covering, between two coupled vehicles (1 ; 2), especially rail vehicles, said device comprising two base parts with a variable length, one end of which is connected to one of the vehicles (1 ; 2) while at least parts of the free ends of both base parts are connected to each other in a separable way, each base part comprising hinged gangway bridge elements (3 ; 4), a bellow type covering element (7 ; 8) and, if need be, a ceiling casing (5 ; 6) and central frames (9 ; 10) which surround the free ends of the covering elements (7 ; 8), which are coupled to each other and which are supported by at least two rests (17, 18 ; 19, 20) which extend between the vehicles (1 ; 2), which have a variable length and which act generally in a horizontal plane, a surrounding auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') being provided in the bellow type covering element (7 ; 8) of each gangway base part, between the latter's central frame (9 ; 10), at the free end, and the end connected to one of the vehicles (1 ; 2), as a rest or stop for the gangway bridge elements (3 ; 4) and the gangway casing elements, said auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') being also supported by the rests (17, 18 ; 19, 20) with a variable length, characterised in that the rests (17, 18 ; 19, 20) with a variable length have the form of multi-unit scissors acting in a horizontal plane, at least one such scissor type rest (17, 18 ; 19, 20) being tightly articulated to each coupled vehicle (1 ; 2) with its free end being coupled either to the vehicle opposite (2 ; 1) or to the free end of a scissor type rest (19, 20 ; 17, 18) tightly articulated to the vehicule opposite (2 ; 1).
2. The gangway device according to claim 1, characterised in that each scissor type rest (17, 18 ; 19, 20) has at least two parallelepiped scissor elements whose scissor arms (25, 26) directed in the same direction and adjacent to each other in the articulation (27) are continuous rigid supports.
3. The gangway device according to claim 1 or 2, with two scissor type rests (17, 18 ; 19, 20) which are articulated to each vehicle (1 ; 2) and the free ends of which are coupled to the respective free ends of a scissor type rest (19, 20 ; 17, 18) of the vehicle opposite, characterised in that each arm (30, 31) of a scissor type rest is rigidly connected to an arm of the scissor type rest opposite in the coupling articulation (33) so that in the coupling articulation (33), too, the scissor arms crossing in an articulated way form continuous rigid supports.
4. The gangway device according to claim 1, characterised in that the auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') is arranged on the covering element (7 ; 8) approximately halfway between the ends of each gangway base part.
5. The gangway device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rests (17, 18 ; 19, 20) with a variable length have the form of telescopic supporting elements and are additionally equipped with multi-unit scissors which act in a horizontal plane.
6. The gangway device according to claim 5, characterised in that at least one rest (17, 18 ; 19, 20) is rigidly articulated to each coupled vehicle (1 ; 2), the free end of said rest being coupled either to the vehicle opposite (2 ; 1) or to the free end of a scissor type rest (19, 20 ; 17, 18) tightly articulated to the vehicule opposite.
7. The gangway device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that each gangway bridge element (3 ; 4) comprises two parts, one being hinged and articulated to the vehicle and resting on the lower beam of the auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') while the other is hinged and articulated to the corresponding central frame (9 ; 10) and rests on the first part.
8. The gangway device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that each rest (17, 18 ; 19, 20) is articulated to the vehicle (1 ; 2) with a gimbal mounting.
9. The gangway device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each central frame (9 ; 10) is connected to the corresponding vehicle (1 ; 2) with its upper frame beam by means of at least one guide with a variable length which also acts in a horizontal plane, for example in the form of scissors (21, 22 ; 23, 24).
10. The gangway device according to claim 9, characterised in that each base part has two guides (21, 22; 23, 24).
11. The gangway device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that each auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') is connected with its upper beam to the guide (21, 22 ; 23, 24) formed like scissors, for example.
12. The gangway device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that pivoting wings (13, 14 ; 13', 14'; 15, 16 ; 15', 16') are provided on the vertical beams of the central frames (9 ; 10) and on the vertical stays of the vehicle gangways, said wings fitting against the inner wall of the corresponding bellow type covering element (7 ; 8) or against the auxiliary frame (7' ; 8') and/or being guided by the latter and overlapping each other with their free ends.

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