EP0858938B1 - Device for moving and locking in end positions of relatively movable elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The setting and locking actuator includes a piston-cylinder unit able to be pressurised by working fluid, with a two-way cylinder (10) and a fixed piston rod (14). The cylinder can move along the piston rod. It can be locked in the end positions. There is a connecting element to set this element. The piston rod has a longitudinal boring (24) which can be pressurised by the working fluid. It contains at least one switching cylinder (26,28) which can be moved axially against the force created by the working fluid by a first spring element (34,36).

Description

The invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking in end positions of mutually movable elements, in particular movable track sections such as Turnout and frog tip parts, including one to which a working fluid can be applied Piston-cylinder arrangement with double-acting cylinder and stationary, one of the working fluid actable longitudinal bore having a piston rod, along the the cylinder is displaceable, the end positions corresponding to the end positions is lockable and of which a connecting element leading to the adjustment of the element emanates.

In order to adjust movable track parts such as switch tongues or frog tips, are actuators that can be actuated via spindle drives or hydraulic cylinders known from which pushrods start. The push rods act on switches Example with clasp tip closures to lock or switch the switch tongues Unlock. Known actuators which can be actuated via spindle drives are, for example, the DE 31 06 708 C1, US 4,637,579 or WO 95/08672.

EP 0 684 174 A1 describes a device for locking movable switch parts known. For this purpose, parts in the form of a tube and are movable relative to one another a bolt guided in the tube is provided, the tube over part of it Axial length in the axial direction slots forming spring tongues has, which can engage with their free ends in a stationary outer tube to enable a lock. The bolt in turn is with a switch tongue to the tongue Adjust connected. About the bolt itself, the pipe is taken, which in the desired end positions are locked.

Hydraulic turnout drives are known from DE 25 57 574 B2 and DE 27 44 969 B2 known, in which cylinders are displaceable along a fixed piston rod to switch switch tongues via a transmission linkage. One of the control and locking parts independent release of the holding force of the point machine can be achieved when opening the switch.

The present invention is based on the problem of a device at the beginning mentioned type in such a way that a piston-cylinder arrangement enables safe adjustment and locking and thus fixing of the movable elements is, at the same time a low wear of the elements used and thus Maintenance should be reduced. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the leverage occurring when adjusting are kept as low as possible. Also supposed to be guaranteed that when the element is locked, regardless of the fluid exposure an uncontrolled adjustment is not possible in the piston-cylinder arrangement.

Finally, the possibility should be created of several piston-cylinder arrangements to be arranged in a row in such a way that even if an arrangement is not working properly the remaining ones can be operated properly.

According to the invention, the problem is essentially solved in that within the Piston rod at least one shift cylinder is arranged axially displaceably, via a first spring element displaceable against the application of force generated by the working fluid is, and that the piston rod starting from the longitudinal bore of at least one radially displaceable locking element is penetrated, which is in an end position located cylinder extends in areas in a receiving chamber of this and in this is held by contact with the shift cylinder.

According to the invention the locking of the double-acting cylinder and thus that Set the movable element such as switch tongue or frog tip in their End positions due to the fact that the shift cylinder, which is displaceable within the piston rod, ad locking element engaging in a cavity of the cylinder acts in such a way that it cannot be moved out without adjusting the shift cylinder. So is ensures that the cylinder is in an immovable position with respect to the piston rod occupies.

Characterized in that the locking element mechanically, namely by external contact is held on the switching element in the receiving chamber of the cylinder, a lock of the cylinder even if, for example, the working fluid should be missing. Furthermore, the locking remains even when those assigned to the end position Switching cylinder from the working fluid with the same force or almost the same force Experienced.

In addition to these salient advantages, the teaching according to the invention also offers the possibility of several adjustment devices designed according to the invention one behind the other and to be arranged in a working fluid circuit, with functional reliability of the circuit is also guaranteed if the cylinder is not in one of the facilities End position can be moved by jamming, for example. For this, the Invention before that an auxiliary piston with an axial opening within the shift cylinder is displaceable, one end area of which is connected to the longitudinal bore of the piston rod and the other end area can be closed via a check valve. It also works on the auxiliary piston a spring element such as a disc spring assembly to seal the auxiliary piston opposite the shift cylinder. The force caused by the disc spring assembly can then be overcome when the fluid pressure is a predetermined and determined by the Spring force of the disc spring assembly exceeds the specified value. In this case the Auxiliary piston moved to the shift cylinder so that working fluid over the auxiliary piston and the shift cylinder to another device, d. H. the interior of another Piston rod can flow along which another cylinder is slidable.

To equalize pressure between sections of the longitudinal bore of the piston rod, inside of which the shift cylinders are arranged to be axially displaceable a development of the invention that a within the piston rod wall Connection runs from an interior surrounded by a switching cylinder to another switching cylinder limited by the longitudinal bore predetermined outer space with cylinder locked in an end position and with the same or approximately the same working fluid supply of the first and second shift cylinders.

Furthermore, each shift cylinder can have a preferably axially extending in the longitudinal bore Switch rod to be connected to monitor the respective position.

The locking element itself has an axial extent that is smaller than that of Admission chamber is. This ensures that when fluid is applied and from the Displacement of the locking element remote switching cylinder of the cylinder along the Piston rod can be moved radially after the locking element itself moved and removed from the receiving chamber.

To interact or move the switching cylinder, locking element and To design cylinders themselves with low friction, it is intended that the interacting with each other and surfaces sliding on one another at an angle to the direction of displacement of the shift cylinder run. Accordingly, the sliding end walls preferably have a frustoconical geometry.

The auxiliary piston, which functions as a pressure relief valve, is mentioned supported against the shift cylinder, preferably via a plate spring assembly, on the in turn, the spring element is supported, by means of which the shift cylinder counteracts that of the Working fluid-induced force application is displaceable. This spring element is furthermore on an intermediate wall of the longitudinal bore of the Piston rod supported.

The check valve closing the opening or bore of the auxiliary piston comprises a third spring element, the spring force of which is smaller than that of the spring element, which acts on the shift cylinder. The spring force of this spring element is again smaller than that of the spring element acting on the auxiliary piston, such as a disk spring assembly.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention result not only from the Claims, the features to be extracted from them - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of one of the drawings preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1

eine Einrichtung zum Verstellen und zum Verriegeln eines mit beweglichen Elementen wie Gleisabschnitten verbundenen Zylinders zu Beginn eines Verstellens aus einer ersten (linken) Endlage,

Fig. 2

die Einrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, jedoch nach weiterer Bewegung des Zylinders,

Fig. 3

die Einrichtung nach den Fig. 1 und bei zwischen Endstellung befindlichem Zylinder,

Fig. 4

die Einrichtung nach den Fig. 1 bis 3 bei erreichter zweiter (rechter) Endlage,

Fig. 5

die Einrichtung nach den Fig. 1 bis 4 bei erreichter zweiter (rechter) Endlage in ihrer Ruhestellung,

Fig. 6

eine den Fig. 1 bis 5 entsprechende Einrichtung bei geklemmter Bewegung,

Fig. 7

eine Detaildarstellung eines Schaltzylinders mit Hilfskolben und

Fig. 8

ein Ausschnitt einer Kolbenstange mit in dieser axial verschiebbaren Schaltzylinder und Hilfskolben.

Show it.

Fig. 1

a device for adjusting and locking a cylinder connected to movable elements such as track sections at the beginning of an adjustment from a first (left) end position,

Fig. 2

1, but after further movement of the cylinder,

Fig. 3

1 and with the cylinder between the end position,

Fig. 4

1 to 3 when the second (right) end position has been reached,

Fig. 5

1 to 4 when the second (right) end position has been reached in its rest position,

Fig. 6

1 to 5 corresponding device with clamped movement,

Fig. 7

a detailed view of a switching cylinder with auxiliary pistons and

Fig. 8

a section of a piston rod with axially displaceable shift cylinder and auxiliary piston.

In the figures, in which the same elements are provided with the same reference symbols, there is one Device for adjusting and locking in the end positions of mutually movable Elements, especially moving track sections such as turnout and centerpiece tip parts shown, namely in the section. The facility includes a double acting Cylinder 10 with cylinder heads 12 and 13. The cylinder 10 is along a stationary Piston rod 14 slidable, which passes through the cylinder heads 12 and 13. So that Cylinder 10 is displaceable along the piston rod 14, are used as receiving chambers designated working spaces 16, 18 in the cylinder heads 12 and 13 with working fluid such as Hydraulic oil can be acted upon via sections 20, 22 of a longitudinal bore 24 of the piston rod 14 is flowable. Furthermore, the sections 20, 22 are over a radially extending partition 30 divided with central bore 32. Sections 20, 22 are axially displaceable Shift cylinders 26, 28 arranged.

First spring elements 34, 36, which rest on the shift cylinders, are supported on the partition wall 30 26, 28 act to axially within the sections 20, 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 of the Piston rod 14 and against the working fluid flowing in the direction of arrow 39, 41 adjust. The first spring elements designed as helical springs are preferably 34, 36 supported on second spring elements 38, 40 in the form of disk spring assemblies, which in turn between an insert 42 and an auxiliary piston 44, 46 axially displaceable in the shift cylinder 26, 28 are. In this regard, reference is made in particular to the detailed illustration in FIG. 8.

The auxiliary piston 44, 46 in turn, like the shift cylinder 26, 28, has a central one Bore 48 on, one end opening 50 through an end opening 52 of the interior 54 of the shift cylinder 26, 28 with the section 20 or 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 of the Piston rod 14 is connected. The opposite opening 56 of the bore 48 of the Auxiliary piston 44 is via a third spring element acting on a ball 58 and on it 60 check valve formed can be closed. The third spring element is supported for this 60 on the one hand on the ball element 58 and on the other hand on the opposite one Opening 50 surrounding edge of the auxiliary piston 44.

Working fluid from which can be opened via the opening 56 when the check valve is open Switch cylinder 26, 28 enclosed interior 54 through the opening 32 of the partition 30 to the section 22 of FIG Flow piston rod 14 and vice versa.

The piston rod 14 is radially displaceable by locking elements or segments 62, 64, 66, 68 interspersed. As a result, connections 70 and 74, 76 become the work rooms 16, 18 are manufactured in order to actuate the cylinder 10 in dependence on the fluid application to the right - as shown in the figures - or to move to the left.

Furthermore, run between the sections 20, 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 of the piston rod 14 Connection bores 78, 80 via the working fluid as described below can flow between the sections 20, 22.

The end walls 82, 84 of the sections 20, 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 facing respective shift cylinders 26, 28 and auxiliary pistons 44, 46 have a peripheral surface such as Truncated cone, are therefore inclined to the direction of displacement of the shift cylinder 26, 28 or auxiliary pistons 44, 46. The facing ones have a congruent course End faces 86 of the locking elements or segments 62, 64, 66, 68 to a low-friction interaction between the end wall 82 of the shift cylinders 26, 28 and the sliding surfaces 86 of the locking elements or segments 62, 64 along these 66, 68 to ensure. Furthermore, the outer end face 88 of the auxiliary piston 44 runs parallel to the inner surface 90 of the shift cylinder 26 in order to allow a flat contact.

Furthermore, control rods leading to the outside extend from the end regions of the shift cylinders 26, 28 27, 29 from which the position of the cylinder can be checked.

The functioning of the device according to the invention is now as follows.

1, the cylinder 10 is shown in its left end position. In this end position are the locking segments 62, 64 in the preferably ring-shaped Working chamber 16, which is also referred to as the receiving chamber. Around the cylinder 10 To shift to the right, the section 20 of the longitudinal bore 24 with working fluid applied. This causes the shift cylinder 26 to move in the direction of the partition 30 moved against the force caused by the spring 34. The shift cylinder 26 comes - as shown in Fig. 1 - in engagement with the locking segments 62, 64, so that this is radially displaceable, that is adjustable in the direction of the axis of the piston rod 14 are. Via the channels 70, 72 within which the locking segments 62, 64 can be moved are working fluid flows into the work space 16. Because of the working fluid available standing surfaces, the cylinder 10 can be shifted to the right, as shown in FIG. Clarify 2 to 4. For simple radial adjustment of the locking segments 62, 64 to enable, the receiving chamber 16 in the direction of the sliding movement sloping face 92. the course of a peripheral surface of a truncated cone corresponds to the corresponding end face 86 of the locking element 62, 64.

If fluid is applied continuously, the cylinder 10 can be shifted further to the right become. The locking segments 62, 64 and the locking elements 66, 68, via the the cylinder is locked in the right end position (Fig. 5), lie on the inner wall of the cylinder 10. This is particularly illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3. As a Comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 further shows is at the beginning of the adjustment of the cylinder 10, the spring element 34 is tensioned more than the spring element 36. Between the end positions on the other hand, there is approximately the same spring tension.

If the right end position (FIG. 4) is reached, the locking segments 66, 68 come in the annular receiving chamber 18. Another movement is caused by the application of a Step 94 of the piston rod 14 on a boundary wall 96 running parallel thereto the receiving chamber 18 prevented. The switching cylinder 28 comes below the locking segments 66, 68, which rest on the outer wall. In this way it is Cylinder 10 locked and thus a locked end position of the mutually movable Elements ensured. Unlocking is only possible if not closer to the designated end face of the switching cylinder 28 acts on a working fluid with a force that overcome the force caused by the spring 36 and thus the shift cylinder 28 can be moved in the direction of the partition 30 in order to adjust the axial To enable locking segments 66, 68, whereby the cylinder 10 is released.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a pressure equalization between the left and right sections 20, 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 of the piston rod 14 then take place if, for example, the compression spring 34 is largely compressed and the compression spring 36 is largely relaxed, each acting on one of the shift cylinders 26 and 28 or the other way around. This offers the possibility of several adjustment devices according to the invention to be connected in series, d. H. in a single working fluid circuit without there is a risk that the circuit may be blocked by one of the devices.

This is not the case even if, for example, one of several cylinders is jammed should be, as this is illustrated purely by way of example with reference to FIG. 6. In this In this case, the cylinder 10 does not reach any of its end positions. The compression springs 34, 36 equally pressurized so that the bores 78, 80 of the piston rod 14 are closed by the switching cylinders 26, 28. Still, working fluid from that Flow section 20 into section 22. So for example by jamming of the cylinder 10 conditional working fluid pressure build-up in the embodiment of Fig. 8- the auxiliary piston 44 against the force caused by the plate spring assembly 38 moved so that the surfaces 88, 90 of the auxiliary piston 44 and the shift cylinder 26th be spaced apart. In this case, working fluid can flow through the opening 52 formed between the auxiliary piston 44 and the switching cylinder 26 annulus 100 flow another annulus 102, which is between the outer wall of the shift cylinder 26 and inner wall of the piston rod 14 extends. Flows through the annular space 102 then working fluid in the interior 54 of the shift cylinder 26 and passes through the Opening 32 of the partition 30 in the section 22 of the longitudinal bore 24 of the piston rod 14 so as to flow to another piston, not shown.

This fluid flow is also not due to that within the in the embodiment auxiliary piston 46 shown on the left hinders existing check valve because of the force acting on the spherical element spring element at normal working fluid pressures can be easily overcome.

Claims (13)

1. Device for adjusting and locking in end positions elements which are movable relative to one another, in particular movable track portions such as points and nose of crossing parts, comprising a piston/cylinder arrangement with dual-acting cylinder (10) which can be loaded with an operating fluid and stationarily arranged piston rod (14) having a longitudinal hole (24) which can be loaded by the operating fluid, along which piston rod (14) the cylinder (10) can be displaced, which cylinder (10) can in turn be locked in end locations corresponding to the end positions and from which a connecting element issues leading to adjustment of the element, characterised in that inside the piston rod (14) at least one switching cylinder (26, 28) which can be displaced via a first spring element (34, 36) against force loading produced by the operating fluid is arranged to be axially displaceable, and in that the piston rod, starting from the longitudinal hole (24), is penetrated by at least one radially displaceable locking element (62, 64, 66, 68) which, when the cylinder (10) is in an end location, can be extended thereby in certain regions in a receiving chamber (16, 18) and is held therein by resting on the switching cylinder.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that an auxiliary piston (44, 46) with an axial opening (48) can be displaced inside the switching cylinder (26, 28) which can preferably be axially displaced inside the longitudinal hole (24), the opening (48) passing into the longitudinal hole (24) of the piston rod (14) in one end region and the other end region thereof being closable by a return valve (58, 60).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that a second spring element (38, 40), in particular a cup spring, for sealing the auxiliary piston with respect to the switching cylinder (26, 28) acts on the auxiliary piston (44, 46).
4. Device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that if the seal is missing between the auxiliary piston (44, 46) and the switching cylinder (26, 28) the former releases a connection to a further switching cylinder associated with a further end location of the cylinder (10) or to a further device connected in series with piston/cylinder arrangement.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that when the cylinder (10) is in an end location it can be stopped by at least one of the locking elements (62, 64, 66, 68) located in the receiving chamber (16, 18) and held by one of the switching cylinders (26, 28) when the pressure of the operating fluid acting on each switching cylinder is equal or virtually equal.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a switching rod monitoring the location of the switching cylinder (26, 28) issues therefrom and extends at least in portions inside the longitudinal hole of the piston rod (14).
7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that inside the piston rod wall extends a connection (78, 80) which leads from an internal space (54) surrounding the switching cylinder (26, 28) to an external space delimited by another switching cylinder and predetermined by the longitudinal hole when the cylinder (10) is stopped in an end location and when the loading of the switching cylinders by operating fluid is equal or virtually equal.
8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the locking element (62, 64, 66, 68) has an axial extension which is smaller than that of the receiving chamber (16, 18).
9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the switching cylinder (26, 28) has a truncated cone-shaped end face which interacts with a corresponding truncated cone-shaped end face of the locking element (62, 64, 66, 68).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the receiving chamber (16, 18) has a geometry corresponding to the truncated cone-shaped end face of the locking element in one end region and is delimited in the opposite region by a wall extending perpendicular to the displacement path of the switching cylinder (26, 28).
11. Device according to claim 3 or claim 3 and one of claims 4 to 10, characterised in that the first spring element (34, 36) extending inside the switching cylinder (26, 28) is supported on the second spring element (38, 40) like a cup spring, which is clamped between the auxiliary piston (44, 46) and the switching cylinder.
12. Device according to claim 3 or claim 3 and one of claims 4 to 11, characterised in that the return valve comprises a closure element like a sphere (58) loaded by a third spring element (60), the third spring element having a spring force which is smaller than that of the first spring element (34, 36), the spring force of which is smaller than that of the second spring element (38, 40).
13. Arrangement for adjusting and locking in end position at least two movable elements, in particular movable track portions such as point and nose of crossing parts, comprising a plurality of piston/cylinder arrangements which can be loaded with an operating fluid each with dual-acting cylinder (10) and stationarily arranged piston rod (14) having a longitudinal hole which can be loaded by the operating fluid, along which piston rod (14) the cylinder can be displaced, which cylinder can in turn be locked in end locations corresponding to the end positions and from which a connecting element issues leading to adjustment of the element, characterised in that the piston/cylinder arrangements are connected in series, in that inside the respective piston rod (14) at least one switching cylinder (26, 28), being displaceable via a first spring element (34, 36) against force loading produced by the operating fluid is arranged to be axially displaceable, and in that an auxiliary piston (44, 46) with axial opening (48) is displaceable inside the switching cylinder (26, 28) which is axially displaceable inside the longitudinal hole (24), the opening (48) passing into the longitudinal hole (24) of the piston rod (14) in one end region and the other end region thereof being closable by a return valve (58, 60), and in that when the seal is missing between the auxiliary piston (44, 46) and the switching cylinder (26, 28) the former releases a connection to a further (second) switching cylinder associated with a further end location of the cylinder (10) or to a further one of the piston/cylinder arrangements connected in series.

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