EP1100994B1 - Guide rail with engaging-releasing slots for a roller guide assembly in particular with inclined rollers - Google Patents

Abstract

A guide rail for guiding a pair of angled or horizontal guide wheels (17,18) of a guide assembly. The guide rail comprises a rail base (2), a rail head (4), and a rail web (3) interconnecting the rail base (2) with the rail head (4). The rail head (4) has at least one zone facilitating engagement and disengagement of the guide wheels with the guide rail. The zone has a narrowed area in which the guide head (4) has a narrower transverse width dimension which is less than the larger transverse width dimension on opposite sides of the zone and less than a normal engagement spacing of the guide wheels from one another such that the pair of guide wheels (17,18) are only movable vertically into and out of engagement with the guide in the zone while the pair of guide wheels (17,18) are prevented from moving vertically into and out of engagement with the guide rail, relative to the guide rail, by the larger transverse width dimension of the guide head (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a rail guidance for guiding a road vehicle by a guide assembly with rollers, in particular inclined or even horizontal, which work in pairs to ensure the guide.

Guide rails by vehicle rollers road show different technical forms conditioned by the type, inclination and shape of section of the rollers as well as their conformation General.

The invention applies more particularly, but not exclusively to rollers inclined in v to tip pointing downwards each with a peripheral shoulder classically said mentonnet to the way of a railway wheel.

To provide guidance, the rollers of a couple of inclined rollers are in rolling contact on the sides of a guide rail and in some case they enclose each of the sides of this rail.

We are looking to improve the quality and guiding security. In previous achievements, these are all the better provided that the rollers are forced into close rolling contact with the sides of the guide rail. There is also often a vertical preload whose main purpose is to avoid occasional accidental lifting during operation.

According to these previous achievements, the extraction was carried out by spreading the rollers or by taking advantage of the elastic return force in bringing the rollers together or making them unlocking to temporarily separate them by pulling up. This movement requires resources designed to spread the rollers enough to release from their grip on the rail or a constitution and a conformation of these allowing their extraction using a single force vertical.

The quality and safety of the guidance can be significantly improved by using rollers of which the peripheral projection or part of their body moves under the linear border of the mushroom. These are mainly pebbles with chuck whose inclined rolling position brings the chin under this border. It can also be single rollers which roll under the mushroom by example on the soul.

If these rollers make it possible to secure the guide, the protruding structures of the rail, namely the sides of the fungus obstruct their lift. To meet them, means must be provided which allow either to modify their inclination, or to move them aside, or to proceed with the two movements simultaneously or successively.

These functions result in a more complex realization of the guide device and by adding additional functions in difficult areas and reduced available volume.

If the concern of manufacturers of this type of material is limited to the simplification of means and functions while not neglecting reliability and the security and guidance required by public transport common and operating companies requires that several conditions are met simultaneously.

First of all the acquisition costs and which are considered to be elements important purchase conditions.

Then, a guarantee of reliability and safety that the rollers cannot materially escape from the rail in operation of guide.

Finally, an ease of operation according to which the operation of releasing the rollers from the rail and the subsequent raising of the entire guide should be simple and quick.

The present invention aims to provide an interesting solution allowing free passage rollers during engagement movements and rail clearance, when stopped or running, in the case of guide assemblies with a pair of rollers, in particular but not exclusively inclined in V and of the type to lug.

To this end, the invention relates to a guide rail as defined in claim 1. Modes of Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The multiple advantages of the invention concern the simplification of constitution of the guide assembly, those of the maneuvers of release or engagement of the rollers with the rail, the reliability and simplification of the road circuit self-guided.

First, the guide assembly becomes simpler because the means of spacing the rollers are deleted.

Then, the maneuvers of engagement or rail rollers only require one simple vertical lowering or lifting force which occurs in specific, small areas of presence of notches that can be visually signaled or identified by any other means.

Then again, reliability is ensured by the use of pebble rollers and a limited number of active components.

Then again, it becomes useless to plan specific areas specifically equipped for engagement or clearance operations because it just insert a rail or a section of rail to notches in any given location to allow changing the guidance mode.

Finally, the notches are simple to realize and they don't disturb the movement by bearing of the guide rollers because the depth of these notches can be small and their length limited and therefore the width of the running track of pebbles is only slightly reduced.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un tronçon de rail de guidage avec deux encoches opposées ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du rail de la figure 1 agrandie sur la zone des encoches ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale au niveau des encoches du rail de guidage représenté ci-dessus ;
• la figure 4 est une vue frontale du rail avec encoches avec deux galets obliques de guidage en contact de roulage sur le rail ;
• la figure 5 est une vue mixte frontale et en coupe analogue à celle de la figure 4 illustrant le dégagement des galets de guidage vers le haut ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de détail agrandie en coupe transversale au niveau des encoches montrant l'espace libre pour le passage du mentonnet ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant un rail de guidage à profil en I avec encoches ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe transversale du rail de guidage de la figure 7 au niveau d'une encoche montrant des galets de guidage en contact de roulement sur l'âme du rail ;
• les figures 9 et 10 sont des vues analogues respectivement aux figure 7 et 8 dans le cas d'un rail de guidage à âme trapézoïdale et partie supérieure plane ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une variante à champignon plat et à galets de guidage à mentonnet ;
• la figure 12 est une vue agrandie en coupe transversale au niveau d'une encoche de la variante représentée sur la figure 11.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention are set out in the description which follows, given without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of guide rail with two opposite notches;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rail of Figure 1 enlarged on the area of the notches;
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view at the notches of the guide rail shown above;
• Figure 4 is a front view of the rail with notches with two oblique guide rollers in rolling contact on the rail;
• Figure 5 is a mixed front view in section similar to that of Figure 4 illustrating the release of the guide rollers upwards;
• Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view in cross section at the notches showing the free space for the passage of the chin;
• Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an I-profile guide rail with notches;
• Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail of Figure 7 at a notch showing guide rollers in rolling contact on the web of the rail;
• Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figures 7 and 8 respectively in the case of a guide rail with trapezoidal core and flat upper part;
• FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a variant with a flat mushroom and guide rollers with a chin;
• FIG. 12 is an enlarged view in cross section at the level of a notch of the variant shown in FIG. 11.

The guide rail according to the invention can assign different technical forms.

The general inventive idea consists in having provided on localized areas of this rail and in its upper structure or fungus at least one shrinkage transverse to the rail open outwards through which one of the guide rollers can pass during lifting movement of the arm which carries them to avoid any movement of separation or modification of inclination of these. The length of these notches may vary depending on whether the movement is performed of engagement or release when stopped or running.

The guide rail according to the invention has a body 1 of different technical forms. It is invariably consists of common elements of a rail namely a sole 2 with a lower seat plane. This sole is extended by a core 3 terminated by a mushroom 4.

The sole 2 and the core 3 have shapes relatively classic.

On the other hand, the forms of the mushroom of the first variant, (Figures 1 to 6) are assumed to be perfectly original.

These shapes consist of two sides symmetrical convex domes 5 and 6 joined linearly in their upper part by a linear area of flat or slightly convex junction 7 forming the central part of a tread table 8.

In space, the bulge of each side is consists of a succession of two inclined ramps of reverse slope separated by a domed central projection convex 9 or 10. Preferably, these ramps and the central projection are curved and connected between them and to neighboring areas by rounding 11 or 12 developing linearly in space.

Regarding the upper part of each side, this is shaped according to a upper bearing ramp 13 or 14 constituting each a track for one of the rollers. Each of the flanks continues downward through the domed central projection 9 or 10 followed by a ramp lower oblique stop 15 or 16 tilt opposite to that of the upper ramp 13 or 14 forming on each side a lateral projection. Each lower stop ramp has at its end a connection area constituting the junction with the web 3 of the rail. Each track of bearing according to an upper bearing ramp 13 or 14 is inclined downwards towards the outside of the rail while each lower stop ramp 15 or 16 is inclined rising towards the outside of the rail.

Although not highly specialized, this rail has a conformation that makes it more suitable particularly for guidance and this through a pair of rollers 17 and 18 horizontal or inclined V-shaped with downward pointed tip and 19 20 that is to say pebbles having on their large outer face a peripheral shoulder constituting an abutment contact surface with the sides of the mushroom 4 to limit lateral offset. This conformation prevents transverse exhaust or vertical rollers, but also untimely lifting of the guide assembly.

These mints 19 and 20 can each come in rolling bearing contact with the underside of the rail i.e. against the lower inclined ramp 15 or 16.

According to the preferred embodiment shown on the figures, the conformation of the rounded end of each side is complementary to the profile shape of the transition between the tread of each guide roller and the chuck.

The guide rollers 17 and 18 are worn by a guide assembly (not shown) with support mechanical formed by a lifting swivel arm.

The essential characteristic of the invention concerns the existence of localized engagement-clearance zones each materialized by at least one removal on at least one of the sides of the fungus 4.

More particularly, it is at least one, but preferably two opposite notches 21 and 22, each formed by a recess or a recess linear lateral, at bottom 23 for example but not necessarily flat, practiced transversely in the mass of at least one of the rounded sides of the fungus 4 to a limited depth but sufficient for the passage of the lower part opposite the notch a 19 or 20 chuck or two chucks opposite rollers without modification of presentation, in particular of inclination or spacing of these during lifting.

The depth of the notches leaves on the upper part of the mushroom sufficient space for smooth rolling of the guide rollers. Thus, the depth of the notches should not reduce the width of the roller tracks too much.

The bottom 23 of the notches can be flat or curved concave according to an opening of shape adapted to the vertical passage of the moving part of the chin vertically and transversely to the notch.

The bottom notch-like withdrawal shown flat has two longitudinal ends each limited by an entry ramp 24 and 25 according to surfaces with progressive or concave curved slopes of connection to the sides of the rail.

The length of the bottom of each notch depends goals. In the case of an operation of engagement-clearance performed at a standstill, limit the length of the notch to its most value weak possible, that is to say, it will be preferably slightly higher than required functional of the passage of the chin without modification of inclination of the rollers for their lifting.

In the case of a commitment-release operation performed while running, preferably at small speed, the length of the notches will be greater and function of the linear path traveled over time raising or lowering of the guide assembly. he these are areas for raising or lowering the arm as little guidance as possible in space.

We can also plan for maneuvers of engagement and release of the notches of longer length reduced if the lifting force is applied or lowering already before the notch.

According to the invention, the notches decrease the width of the rail enough to allow the raising or lowering the guide arm without require modification of the relative inclination rollers or unlocking them from each other the other. The smallest width of the rail in these areas allows easy extraction or engagement of the rollers in all cases by a simple vertical movement.

The limit trajectory when raising the end of the rollers is shown in FIG. 6 by a vertical line in dashed lines.
It is important for this variant with release or engagement in operation to provide notch exit ramps shaped so that they serve as a rolling track for the rollers during their notch exit movement. It is the same for the entry in the notch. Of course, the shape of the bottom of the notches must be adapted to the movement of engagement or disengagement when it is carried out while in motion.

We have mainly described so far two opposite notches. It is understood that the invention also relates to variants of a single notch.

Rail can affect technical forms different in profile. These different forms relate to both known forms and forms original to date.

By way of example, there is shown on the Figures 7 to 12 an I-profile guide rail to flat mushroom 26 of the flat rolling table type, then another with a profile of the same general shape but slightly varying by a trapezoidal core 27.

For these rails with this type of profile, single guide rollers 28 and 29 roll on the flanks of the core 3 or 27. It is advantageous to constrain them closer to each other to ensure good guidance accuracy.

They are in horizontal presentation in the case of an I-shaped profile or inclined in the case a core 27 with a trapezoidal profile.

On these two variants, provision is made for notches in the form of cross cuts in withdrawal 30 and 31 in opposite arrangement in the part top of the flat table 26 serving as mushroom. Unlike the previous variants, the depth of the notches can and should extend in the first case up to the junction with the extension of the upper part of the core and in the second case, up the vertical projection towards the top of the innermost border of each roller in its rolling position. We thus define a part remaining 32 of mushroom to the right of the notches 30 and 31.

Here also the entry and exit ramps outlet as well as the bottom of the notches can be curved for example according to concave bulges like shown in figure 9.

Another variant with flat mushroom is illustrated as a whole by FIG. 11 and shown in enlarged view in FIG. 12. This variant is used with guide rollers 17 and 18 to chin 19 and 20 similar to those already described.

Each guide roller rolls over the area upper edge 33 or 34 of the adjacent lateral edge 35 or 36 of the flat mushroom 26 produced in this variant in the form of a flat table. The pebbles of guides are tilted so that the chin 19 or 20 of each of them is placed under the corresponding lower edge of the side edge adjacent 35 or 36 causing the same difficulty in lifting as resolved by the invention.

As before, we can proceed to lifting the rollers avoiding their separation or modification of their inclination thanks to the presence of the notches 30 or 31 described above.

The drawing shows the relative depth of these and the line drawn in a mixed line indicates the limit lift trajectory of the lower end of the chin bar during movements of lift.

According to this variant, the rollers do not roll more on the sides of the soul, but on the edge top of edges 35 and 36 of edges of the table plane 26 which are rounded for this purpose.

Claims (20)

1. A guide rail for guiding a road vehicle along a rail using a guide assembly formed of a pair of angled or horizontal guide wheels (17,18) contacting a rail and guided in motion along said rail, said rail comprising a rail cushion (2) and a rail web (3) extending into a rail head (4) and a pathway for each of the guide wheels (13,14), characterized in that the rail head (4) has two lateral projections and at least one zone for the engagement-disengagement of the guide wheels consisting of at least one locally narrowed area in the guide head (4) towards the central portion of the guide head for the purpose of forming a passageway for at least one guide wheel 17,18) during the operation of engaging or disengaging the guides wheels from the guide rail.
2. A guide rail according to claim 1 characterized in that the pathways (13),(14) for the guide wheels (17,18) exist even within the narrowed areas provided for at least one guide wheel (17,18) to pass transversely relative to the rail during engagement-disengagement.
3. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the pathways (13,14) for the guide wheels (17,18) in the narrowed areas are extensions of the material existing between the lateral walls of the narrowed portions and the upper median zone of the rail head (4).
4. A guide rail according to claim 1 characterized in that the narrowed area or areas are locally recessed areas toward the central portion of the rail head (4).
5. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the recessed areas are lateral slots (21,22).
6. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the recessed areas are lateral slots (21,22) with flat bases (23).
7. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the flat base is parallel to the general longitudinal direction of the rail web (3).
8. A guide rail according to any one of the preceding claims 5 through 7 characterized in that the slots (21,22) oppose each other on either side of the central median longitudinal plane of the rail.
9. A guide rail according to any one of claims 1 through 7 characterized in that there is only one narrowed area in each engagement-disengagement zone.
10. A guide rail according to any one of the preceding claims 5 through 9 characterized in that the each slot (21,22) is slightly longer than the section provided for passage of the peripheral shoulder or the flange of the guide wheel.
11. A guide rail according to any one of the claims 5 through 9 characterized in that each slot (21,22) is long enough to allow engagement-disengagement to take place during operation.
12. A guide rail according to any one of the preceding claims 5 through 11 characterized in that the longitudinal extremities of the slots (21,22) are two inclined surfaces with transverse extremities (24,25) forming a pathway for the guide wheels (17,18) that leads to the top or the bottom in order to position the guide wheels after the engagement-disengagement maneuver.
13. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the inclined surfaces with transverse extremities (24,25) are inwardly curved surfaces.
14. A guide rail according to the preceding claim characterized in that the inwardly curved surfaces are concave rounded areas.
15. A guide rail according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the rail head (4) is formed of two convex, rounded symmetrical sides (5, 6), the upper portions of which form pathways (13, 14) for the angled guide wheels (17, 18) and which are joined by a connection zone to form the entire upper movement table (8), each side extending downward into a curved convex central projection (9, 10) followed by an angled stop (15, 16) and a zone connecting to the web (3) of the rail.
16. A guide rail according to any one of preceding claims 1 through 14 characterized in that the rail head (4) is in the shape of a flat table.
17. A guide rail according to claim 16 characterized in that the upper longitudinal edge of the flat rail head (4) serves as a pathway (13, 14) for the guide wheels (17, 18).
18. A guide rail according to any one of preceding claims 1, 4 through 9, 16 characterized in that the rail web (3) serves as a pathway (13, 14) for the guide wheels (17, 18).
19. A guide rail according to claims 16 and 18 characterized in that the rail web (3) is rectangular in cross-section.
20. A guide rail according to claims 16 and 18 characterized in that the rail web (13) is trapezoidal in cross-section.

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