EP1060968B1 - Railway wagon with a platform displaceable vertically to its plane - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform (4), movable between two walls (5) extends in the wagon longitudinal direction. It is joined by links (7) to the lifting motor (60) in order to be raised or lowered. The links include two rods (70) each fixed to a motor and chains (71) each fixed to a rod and to the other end of the platform. The fixing points of the chains and the rod and to the platform are regularly spaced. Each chain is supported by a return pulley carried by the side wall along which the rod extends so that when the rods are displaced longitudinally the platform is displaced perpendicularly to its plane.

Description

The invention relates to a railway wagon comprising a space intended for the storage of heavy and bulky objects for transport extending in the longitudinal direction of the wagon, this space being defined by a platform extending in this longitudinal direction and parallel walls extending in the same direction on both sides of the platform, which is movable in translation perpendicular to its plane between the side walls.

Such railway wagons are used in particular for transport vehicles such as trucks with or without trailers, semi-trailers, construction machinery, and other road vehicles or any terrain. Indeed, to allow the transfer of such vehicles between a platform or ramp loading or unloading the platform, it is necessary the upper surface of the latter is at the level of that of the quay or ramp; on the other hand, given the high height of the vehicles, the convoy would not fit into the standard gauge if the platform remained at this level during transport, and so it is necessary that she can be lowered as low as the rules allow, the rules safety, and the structure of the wagon; that's why, so known, the platform is connected to motor means, by means of binding, in order to be selectively lowered or raised.

On wagons currently equipped with such a platform mobile, lifting points are located at the ends of the length of this a mechanism allowing a vertical translation of the platform, is for example described in the document DE-A-1270067. To avoid or at least minimize the bending of the platform between these end lifting points, the platform presents a fairly large thickness (of the order of 200 mm). As, during the circulation of wagon on the railway, it is necessary to respect a ground clearance the height remaining available in the jig known in the art under the name of UIC rail gauge hardly exceeds 3.8 meters, while to satisfy the demand, it would be necessary to be able to transport vehicles four meters high (European standard).

The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback and for this purpose a railway wagon according to claim 1, comprising a space storage extending in a longitudinal direction of the wagon and defined by a platform extending in this longitudinal direction and parallel side walls extending in the same direction from one side to the other on the other side of the platform, the platform being connected by connecting means at least one motor means to be able to be actuated in translation perpendicular to its plane, wagon characterized in that the means of connection comprise, along each side wall, at least one rod secured to a motor means and extending in the longitudinal direction by being mobile in translation in this direction, and at least three chains joined together each in one of their end regions at the bead wire, in regularly spaced locations along it, and in the other end region to the platform, in locations regularly spaced along it, each chain being supported by a return pulley carried by the side wall along which extends the rod, so that when the rods are displaced in translation in the longitudinal direction by the motor means, the platform is driven in translation perpendicular to its plan, through the chains running in synchronism on the pulleys of referral.

Thanks to the fact that the platform is supported in locations approximately evenly spaced along the be as close together as the length and the load require that it is intended to support, the flexing of the platform is minimized even if its thickness is reduced. As a result, the available height is partially increased by the value of which the thickness of the platform is reduced.

• la plate-forme s'étend, dans la direction longitudinale du wagon, entre deux régions d'extrémités comprenant chacune des organes de roulement au-dessus desquels est disposé un plateau approximativement parallèle à la plate-forme, et la plate-forme est mobile en translation entre une position dans laquelle sa surface supérieure s'étend au même niveau que celle des plateaux, et une position dans laquelle cette surface supérieure est au dessous de ce niveau, par exemple au-dessous de l'axe de rotation des organes de roulement ;
• il comporte des moyens moteurs comprenant les moyens moteurs respectifs des tringles et une centrale hydraulique, chaque moyen moteur auquel est solidarisé une tringle est un bloc de levage à vérin(s) hydraulique(s) comportant un dispositif formant piston auquel est solidarisée une tringle, et les blocs de levage sont reliés à la centrale hydraulique pour être actionnés et entraíner les tringles en synchronisme ;
• les moyens moteurs comprennent au moins un dispositif de blocage pour, en cas de défaillance d'un bloc de levage, bloquer l'autre bloc de levage ;
• les blocs de levage sont fixés à des supports respectifs par des moyens de fixation amovible pour pouvoir être remplacés en cas de défaillance ;
• la centrale hydraulique est disposée sous l'un des plateaux et comprend un groupe moto-pompe ;
• les blocs de levage sont disposés au-dessus de l'un des plateaux le long de deux bords respectifs de celui-ci, et comportent chacun un dispositif formant piston approximativement centré en alignement avec une tringle de liaison ;
• les moyens de liaison comprennent des tendeurs par l'intermédiaire desquels les chaínes sont solidarisées à la tringle ;
• la plate-forme est reliée à chaque tringle par au moins sept chaínes ;
• chaque tringle repose sur des rouleaux porteurs, chaque rouleau porteur étant porté par l'une des parois latérales de l'espace d'entreposage ;
• chaque tringle est solidarisée à un dispositif formant piston d'un moyen moteur par une chape ;
• chaque chaíne est solidarisée à la tringle par l'intermédiaire d'un palonnier auquel est attelé un tendeur ;
• il comporte des régions dans lesquelles sont disposés des ensembles comprenant des organes de roulement et formant bogies.

According to advantageous features of the invention, the wagon may also have one or more of the following characteristics:

• the platform extends, in the longitudinal direction of the wagon, between two end regions each comprising rolling members above which is arranged a plateau approximately parallel to the platform, and the platform is movable in translation between a position in which its upper surface extends at the same level as that of the plates, and a position in which this upper surface is below this level, for example below the axis of rotation of the rolling ;
• it comprises motor means comprising the respective motor means of the rods and a hydraulic unit, each motor means to which is secured a rod is a lifting block hydraulic cylinder (s) comprising a piston device which is secured to a rod, and the lifting blocks are connected to the hydraulic unit to be operated and drive the rods in synchronism;
• the motor means comprise at least one locking device for, in case of failure of a lifting block, blocking the other lifting block;
• the lifting blocks are fixed to respective supports by removable fixing means to be replaced in case of failure;
• the hydraulic unit is disposed under one of the trays and comprises a motor-pump unit;
• the lifting blocks are disposed above one of the trays along two respective edges thereof, and each comprise a piston device approximately centered in alignment with a connecting rod;
• the connecting means comprise tensioners through which the chains are secured to the bead wire;
• the platform is connected to each rod by at least seven chains;
• each rod rests on carrier rollers, each carrier roller being carried by one of the side walls of the storage space;
• each rod is secured to a piston device of a motor means by a yoke;
• each chain is secured to the rod by means of a rudder which is coupled a tensioner;
• it comprises regions in which are arranged assemblies comprising rolling members and forming bogies.

• la figure 1 est un schéma de profil d'un wagon selon l'invention représenté plate-forme abaissée,
• la figure 2 est un schéma de dessus du wagon de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective du wagon représenté sur les schémas précédents, plate-forme abaissée, et
• la figure 4 est une coupe schématique du wagon de la figure 3 selon le plan défini par la ligne IV-IV de cette figure 3.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a profile diagram of a wagon according to the invention represented lowered platform,
• FIG. 2 is a top diagram of the car of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the car represented in the preceding diagrams, lowered platform, and
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic section of the wagon of FIG. 3 along the plane defined by the line IV-IV of FIG.

The wagon illustrated by the figures includes, worn by sets forming bogies 1 comprising wheels 2 as members of rolling and arranged in end regions of the wagon considering the longitudinal direction thereof, respective chassis plates 3 arranged above the bogies, and between these trays, a space storage intended to receive for the purpose of transporting one or more objects such as in particular a truck or motor vehicles. This storage space is defined by a platform 4 and two side walls 5 approximately vertical and parallel on either side of the platform, extending in the longitudinal direction of the wagon.

The set is arranged so that the platform 4 and the trays 3 being parallel, for example horizontally if the wagon rests on a horizontal track, the platform can be raised and lowered in a direction perpendicular to its plane, between the two trays and the sidewalls 5 held fixed relative to the trays.

In order to be moved, in one piece, in translation perpendicularly at its plane between a position in which its upper surface extends to the same level as the trays 3, and a position in which this upper surface is below the axis of rotation wheels 2, the platform is actuated by motor means 6. More precisely, it is connected to at least one motor means constituted by a lifting block 60 with hydraulic cylinder (s) by connecting means 7, which will be described later.

Preferably, the platform is connected by the connecting means 7, with two lifting blocks 60 with hydraulic cylinders, fixed on supports 31 respective ones carried by the same chassis tray 3 along the two opposite edges thereof located on either side of the longitudinal vertical plane median of the chassis; the lifting blocks are thus arranged above of the plate, and comprise respective piston devices extending longitudinally, approximately centered in alignment an upper region of the side walls 5.

The connecting means 7 comprise, along each wall 5, at least one rod 70 secured to the piston device of the corresponding lifting block 60, extending in the longitudinal direction wagon and mobile in translation in this direction.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each side wall 5 is provided with a single rod, and this rod extends over approximately the totality of the distance separating the two plates 3, that is, the length of the side wall, approximately in the alignment of a central axis of the piston device of the lifting block 60. Preferably, this rod 70 is housed and slidably mounted in the upper region of the side wall 5, in the form of a channel elongated 51 consisting of sections of canal succeeding one another along the wall lateral section 5 (two of these sections are not shown in FIG. make visible organs housed inside).

The rod 70 rests on carrier rollers 52 housed in the channel 51, mounted idle about an axis of rotation carried by the lateral flanks of the channel 51 constituting the upper region of the side wall 5 of storage space.

The connecting means 7 also include chains 71 whose end region is secured to the rod and the region opposite end is secured to the platform. The locations of the rod and the platforms of the platform to which are joined the ends of the chains connecting the platform to the rods are approximately regularly spaced along the rod 70, and along the platform 4, respectively. The chains 71 are each supported by a return pulley 53 carried by the side wall along which extends the rod. The return pulleys 53 and the securing locations chains 71 respectively on the rods 70 and along the platform are arranged so that the strands of the chains that extend idler pulleys to the platform are approximately vertical, and the strands that extend pulleys to the corresponding rod preferably approximately horizontal; the chains of the two rods are divided into pairs comprising a chain of a rod and a chain of the other, whose respective vertical strands are in one and the same plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the wagon extends. Although three chains on each side of the platform allow already to reduce the flexion of it, it is preferable that their number be higher, especially if the platform is long and thin; for a platform 4 about 20 meters to support a mass of fifty tons, seven chains 71 on each side of the platform allow to reduce the thickness of it to about 5 cm instead of about 20 cm for the classic platforms.

For the joining of each chain 71 to the rod 70, the connecting means 7 comprise a tensioner 72 for adjusting the hitched chain at one of its extremities to an ear 73 fixed under the rod and to its other end to a chain hoist 74 attached to one end thereof; the joining each chain to the platform is carried out by means of an ear attached to the platform and to which is hooked the other end chain ; the ears can for example be fixed by screws against the longitudinal outer edges of the platform, protruding the outside of the outline of it, and inserted in vertical slides respective in the side walls 5 to receive the chains 71 and guide the translation of the ears, therefore of the platform.

Each rod 70 is secured to the piston device the corresponding lifting block 60 by a connecting yoke.

The motor means 6 also include a central 61, and the lifting blocks 60 are connected to this hydraulic unit common to be operated and drive the rods 70 in synchronism, so that the platform 4 remains horizontal in the transverse direction when lifting. This hydraulic unit 61 has a group motor pump and is arranged under the chassis tray 3 carrying the blocks lift 60, which protrudes forward and backward of the wheels; more precisely, it is mounted between the wheels 2 and the platform 4, when one refers to the longitudinal direction of the wagon. The motor means 6 include also at least one locking device (not shown) adapted for, in the event of a failure of one lifting block, block the other lifting block.

The lifting blocks 60 are attached to the supports 31 by means of removable fastening means (eg bolts) so that one can easily replace them in case of failure.

In order to load the platform, for example by a vehicle such as a truck with trailer on a loading dock with which the wagon is aligned longitudinally, the lifting blocks 60 are retracted and the platform 4 is placed in the up position. The truck is presented at the end of the wagon, and it is rolled on the plateau of chassis 3 immediately next, then on the platform, up to the end of it which is close to the opposite chassis plate. Then, the blocks of lifting 60 are extended and thus the rods 70 are actuated in translation on their carrier rollers 52 in the longitudinal direction of the wagon towards the end of it opposite the lifting blocks; simultaneously, chains 71 each run synchronously on their return pulley 53 and so the platform descended in a perpendicular directional translation to his plane, to his low position of circulation.

In order to unload the platform, the lifting blocks 60 are retracted and thus the rods 70 are actuated in translation on their carrier rollers 52 in the longitudinal direction of the wagon towards the end of the wagon in the region of which are arranged the blocks of lifting; simultaneously, the chains 71 run each in synchronism on their pulley 53, and the platform is raised in a translation direction perpendicular to its plane, to its high position of loading and unloading.

A platform 4 about twenty meters long and long standard (approximately 2.75 m wide) can transport vehicles approximately 4 m high, 2.55 m wide, the length of which is the order of 12 m to 19 m, and whose mass is of the order of 26 tons (truck from 12 m) to 45 tons (18.75 m truck and trailer).

In an embodiment suitable for such use, the platform has a mass of 7 tonnes and is lifted by both long sides in seven locations on each side, spaced apart from each other of 3.16 meters. The position of the platform in high loading position and unloading is approximately 1.35 m above the rails, and low circulating position about 19 cm above the rails, and the platform run, 1.16m, can be accomplished in good conditions of safety and reliability, in about five minutes.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment above described and represented, and it may be possible to provide other without departing from its scope, as defined in the claims attached.

Claims (13)

1. A rail wagon having a load-carrying area extending in a longitudinal direction of the wagon and defined by a flat bed (4) extending in said longitudinal direction and by parallel side walls (5) extending in the same direction on either side of the flat bed, the flat bed being connected by link means (7) to at least one drive means (6) to enable it to be driven in translation perpendicularly to its plane, the wagon being characterized in that the link means (7) comprise, along each side wall (5), at least one rod (70) secured to respective drive means (6) and extending in the longitudinal direction, being movable in translation along said direction, and at least three chains (71) each secured in one end region to the rod at locations that are regularly spaced apart therealong, and in another end region to the flat bed (4), at locations that are regularly spaced apart therealong, each chain (71) passing over a deflector sheave (53) carried by the side wall (5) along which the rod extends, such that when the rods (70) are moved in translation along the longitudinal direction by the drive means (6), the flat bed (4) is driven in translation perpendicularly to its plane by means of the chains (70) running synchronously over the sheaves (53).
2. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat bed (4) extends in the longitudinal direction of the wagon between two end regions each having running members (1) above which there is located a frame plate (3) approximately parallel to the flat bed, and the flat bed (4) is movable in translation between a position in which its top surface lies at the same level as the top surfaces of the frame plates (3), and a position in which said top surface is at a lower level, e.g. below the axis of rotation of the running members (2).
3. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective drive means (6) of the rods (70) comprises a hydraulic unit (61), and a hydraulic-actuator hoist unit (60) including a piston-forming device which is secured to a rod (70), and the hoist units (60) are connected to the hydraulic unit (61) to be actuated synchronously so as to drive the rods (70) synchronously.
4. A wagon according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive means (6) include at least one locking device to act, in the event of one of the hoist units failing, to lock the other hoist unit.
5. A wagon according to claim 3, characterized in that the hoist units (60) are fixed to respective supports (31) by removable fixing means to enable them to be replaced in the event of failure.
6. A wagon according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the hydraulic unit (61) is placed beneath one of the frame plates (3) and comprises a motor-and-pump assembly.
7. A wagon according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the hoist units (60) are located above one of the frame plates (3) along two respective edges thereof, each having a piston-forming device approximately in alignment with a corresponding link rod (70).
8. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that the link means (7) include turnbuckles (72) via which the chains (71) are secured to the rods (70).
9. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat bed (4) is connected to each rod (70) by at least seven chains (71).
10. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that each rod (70) rests on support wheels (52), each support wheel being carried by one of the side walls (5) of the load-carrying area.
11. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that each rod (70) is secured to a piston-forming device of a drive means (6) via a fork.
12. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that each chain (71) is secured to a rod (70) via a chain adapter (74) to which a turnbuckle (72) is coupled.
13. A wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that it has regions receiving bogie-forming assemblies comprising running members (2).

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