EP1247714A1 - Bogie for railway vehicles with variable gauge wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

Bogie for railway vehicles with wheels (4) with variable spacing, comprising a chassis (1) carrying the body of the vehicle and four wheels (4) connected to said chassis (1) by articulated arms (5), said arms (5) able to pivot about a hinge pin (3) according to a movement damped by primary suspensions (13), each wheel (4) being movable transversely relative to the articulated arm (5) supporting it so as to occupy at least two positions corresponding to two different track widths, characterized in that at least one articulated arm (5) comprises means (61, 64) for transmitting the rotational movement of the wheel (4) to a secondary shaft, said secondary shaft being integral in rotation with a braking and / or traction system. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a bogie for railway vehicles with spacing wheels variable and more particularly to a bogie comprising a chassis carrying the vehicle body and four wheels connected to the chassis by articulated arms, each wheel being movable transversely relative to its support arm so as to ability to quickly adjust bogie wheel spacing to different width track existing between certain rail networks.

EP-B1-0 591 088 discloses a carrier bogie for a vehicle rail allowing a variable spacing between the wheels and comprising a chassis central and four swing arms joined to the central chassis, the arms each supporting a set of transversely movable bearings for positioning the wheels of the bogie in two positions corresponding to two different track widths. Such bogie has the disadvantage of not being suitable for receiving traction motors. So, if it is possible with such a bogie to modify the spacing wheels of towed vehicles, it is however necessary to change the drive advantage of a power train adapted to the new gauge of the tracks when a train is preparing to pass on a network having a different track width. Such a change of motor considerably complicates logistics and is not compatible with optimal use of equipment.

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a bogie allowing a variable wheel spacing which can, without modification of its structure, be used as a simple carrying bogie or as a driving bogie in order to be able indifferently equip traction vehicles and towed vehicles.

Another object of the invention is also to propose a bogie allowing a variable wheel spacing which is suitable for equipping railway vehicles traveling at high speed (over 300 km / h) and in particular new vehicles with an engine distributed over all of the vehicle's bogies.

The subject of the invention is a bogie for railway vehicles with spacing wheels. variable, comprising a chassis carrying the vehicle body and four wheels connected to the chassis by articulated arms, the articulated arms being able to pivot around a articulation axis in a movement damped by primary suspensions, each wheel being movable transversely relative to the articulated arm so as to occupy at least two positions corresponding to two different track widths, characterized in that at least one articulated arm comprises transmission means of the rotational movement of the wheel towards a secondary shaft, the secondary shaft being integral in rotation with a braking and / or traction system.

• le système de freinage et/ou de traction est porté par un élément se trouvant suspendu par rapport au bras articulé ;
• le système de freinage et/ou de traction est fixé directement au châssis du bogie ;
• l'arbre secondaire est relié au système de freinage et/ou de traction par l'intermédiaire d'un cardan ;
• le système de freinage et/ou de traction comporte au moins un frein à disque ;
• le système de freinage et/ou de traction comporte un moteur de traction ;
• le moteur de traction est fixé directement à la caisse du véhicule ;
• chaque bras articulé supporte un demi-essieu monté sur un ensemble de roulements mobile transversalement permettant de déplacer les roues du bogie ;
• une barre entretoise est fixée entre deux bras articulés;
• les moyens de transmission sont constitués d'un train d'engrenages disposé dans le bras articulé, ce dernier comportant une structure creuse formant un carter de transmission ;
• l'arbre secondaire est disposé à proximité de l'axe d'articulation du bras articulé.

According to particular embodiments, the bogie according to the invention can comprise one or more of the following characteristics taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:

• the braking and / or traction system is carried by an element which is suspended relative to the articulated arm;
• the braking and / or traction system is fixed directly to the chassis of the bogie;
• the secondary shaft is connected to the braking and / or traction system by means of a gimbal;
• the braking and / or traction system comprises at least one disc brake;
• the braking and / or traction system comprises a traction motor;
• the traction motor is fixed directly to the vehicle body;
• each articulated arm supports a half-axle mounted on a set of transversely movable bearings enabling the wheels of the bogie to be moved;
• a spacer bar is fixed between two articulated arms;
• the transmission means consist of a gear train arranged in the articulated arm, the latter comprising a hollow structure forming a transmission casing;
• the secondary shaft is disposed near the axis of articulation of the articulated arm.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus, d'un bogie à quatre roues selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention, les roues étant dans une position correspondant à la largeur de voie la plus faible ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue externe, de coté, d'une partie du bogie de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est en vue coupe d'une partie du bogie selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une section schématique selon la ligne V-V de la figure 1 montrant les logements des ensembles de roulements des roues ;
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 lorsque les roues sont dans la position qui correspond à la largeur de voie la plus grande ;
• la figure 7 est une section similaire selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6.

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention, presented by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. , wherein :

• Figure 1 is a top view of a four-wheel bogie according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the wheels being in a position corresponding to the smallest track width;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is an external side view of part of the bogie of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of part of the bogie along the line IV-IV of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 is a schematic section along line VV of Figure 1 showing the housings of the wheel bearing assemblies;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 when the wheels are in the position which corresponds to the widest track width;
• Figure 7 is a similar section along line VII-VII of Figure 6.

To make the drawing easier to read, only the elements necessary for understanding of the invention have been shown. The same elements have the same references from one figure to another.

Figures 1 and 2 show a four-wheel bogie 4 for a rail vehicle comprising a chassis 1 carrying the vehicle body consisting of a cross member central 11 connected by its ends to a rectangular frame 12 delimiting the periphery of the chassis 1 of the bogie, the frame 12 being formed by two longitudinal members longitudinal and two cross bars. The connections between the wheels 4 and the chassis 1 are produced by four articulated arms 5 extending under the chassis 1, these four arms 5 each comprising a first 51 and a second branch 52 connected together by a cross member 53, the first branch 51, second branch 52 and cross member assembly 53 forming a fork open towards the outside extending longitudinally to the bogie in which a wheel 4 is interposed.

In accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4, each first branch 51 extends in the vertical extension of one of the longitudinal beams of the frame 12 and includes a articulated end on the frame 1 by means of a bearing 2 receiving an axis articulation 3 integral with the frame 12 and disposed near the central cross member 11. The first branches 51 extend from their hinge axis 3 to the longitudinal end of the chassis 1, the free end of the first branches 51 supporting, on their upper face, a helical spring 13 on which the frame 12.

The second branch 52 of the articulated arms 5 is shorter and less bulky than the first branch 51 and extends parallel to the first branch 51, being arranged inside the bogie, from cross-member 53 to near the end longitudinal of the chassis 1. The free end of the second branches 52 supports also a helical spring 13 on which the frame 12 rests, all of the helical springs 13 of the articulated arms 5 constituting suspension members primary.

The articulated arms 5 arranged side by side on the bogie are interconnected by a spacer bar 14 coming to be fixed laterally on the second branch 52 and serving to both to increase the structural rigidity of the articulated arms 5 and to guarantee a constant spacing between the two articulated arms 5.

In accordance with FIG. 3, the first branch 51 comprises a body having a large volume which constitutes a transmission casing in which a gear train 6 ensuring the transmission of the rotational movement between the wheel 4 and a secondary shaft 16 disposed near the hinge axis 3.

This secondary shaft 16 of each articulated arm 5 opens towards the inside of the frame 12, as shown in Figure 1, and is connected, via a gimbal 7, to an output shaft of a traction motor 8 fixed directly under the vehicle body by silentblocs 19. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the traction motor 8 can also be fixed directly to the bogie frame 1 and in particular to the central cross member 11.

Advantageously, and in accordance with the particular embodiment shown in the figures, a single traction motor 8 is used to drive the wheels 4 of the two articulated arms 5 arranged side by side on the bogie, the motor of traction 8 being centered on the longitudinal axis of the bogie and comprising an output shaft on each of its two sides.

Each of the output shafts of the traction motor 8 has a cooperating disc 9 with a brake caliper 10 fixed directly to the central cross member 11 of the chassis 1, or fixed to the structure of the traction motor 8 in the alternative embodiment not shown where the traction motor 8 is fixed directly to the chassis 1, the assembly constituting a disc brake system for braking the output shaft of the traction motor 8 and therefore the wheel 4 which is connected to it via the train gear 6 and gimbal 7.

In accordance with FIG. 2, the upper face of the frame 12 of the bogie supports secondary suspension members 20, shown in phantom in this figure, interposed between the body and the chassis, the drive and the rotation of the body being provided by conventional means such as a central drive pivot, not shown in the figures, taking place in a housing 18 of the cross central 11.

FIG. 5 represents a section of an articulated arm 5 at the level of the axis of the wheel 4. According to this figure, each arm 5 supports a half-axle, integral with the wheel 4, mounted on two sets of bearings 22 movable transversely to the interior of housings made inside the first 51 and the second branch 52, these sets of mobile bearings 22 allowing the movement of the half axle, and therefore wheel 4, in two positions corresponding to two widths different lanes.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, the wheels 4 are shown in the position corresponding to the narrowest track width and in Figures 6 and 7 the wheels 4 are shown in the position corresponding to the widest track width. Wheel lock 4 in a determined position is achieved by immobilizing transversely the sets of bearings 22 by locking means not shown in the figures, such as locking fingers that can be manipulated from the outside and inserted into the body of the first and second branches 51 and 52 so as to constitute stops laterally blocking the bearing assemblies 22. Such blocking means are for example described in patent application FR 1 558 329.

In accordance with FIGS. 5 and 7, the half-axle comprises a gear wheel 61 belonging to the gear train 6 ensuring the transmission of the movement of rotation of the wheel 4 towards the secondary shaft 16. This gear wheel 61 is located in the transmission casing formed by the body of the first branch 51 and accompanies the half-axle in its transverse movement. The gear wheel 61 cooperates with a second gear wheel 62, shown schematically in dotted in Figures 1 and 6, which is immobile transversely and has a wider width allowing the drive with the gear wheel 61 in the two transverse positions of the half-axle. The second gear wheel 62 has an axis which is integral with another gear wheel 63, the latter cooperating with a complementary gear wheel 64 secured to the shaft secondary 16.

The bogie thus produced can adapt to two different track widths by operating from in a manner known per se using a fixed installation provided for example with rails and against rails and located at the place where one passes from one track width to another. The wheel spacing change will be achieved by releasing the sets of bogies bearings from their locking means and by moving the train at speed reduced on the installation, the rails and the counter-rails then come to guide the wheels in their transverse displacements. Such a type of installation is for example described in patent FR 1,548,462.

The bogie according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be used as a bogie motor by connecting the secondary shaft of the articulated arms to a traction motor, according to the particular embodiment described above, but also to be able to be used as a simple carrying bogie while retaining the same bogie structure and connecting the secondary shaft to a simple device braking consisting for example of a shaft provided with brake discs, the latter being then coupled to the universal joints in a similar manner to what has been described above. In the case where the bogie according to the invention is used as a simple carrying bogie, the shaft supporting the brake discs will for example be guided by one or more bearings which will advantageously be directly connected to the chassis and in particular to the central crosspiece.

Such a bogie also has the advantage of being adapted to equip the new high-speed trains with motorization distributed on each of the bogies, this distribution motorization with the advantage of better weight distribution and allow more passengers to board thanks to the transport of passengers on all the vehicles making up the train.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only as an example. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without however leaving the field of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the bogie with spacing wheels variable according to the invention may be equipped with a traction motor per wheel. In in such a case, the motor could advantageously be fixed directly to the articulated arm, the motor output shaft then being connected directly to the secondary shaft of the articulated arm.

Claims (11)

Bogie for railway vehicles with wheels (4) with variable spacing, comprising a chassis (1) carrying the body of the vehicle and four wheels (4) connected to said chassis (1) by articulated arms (5), said arms (5) able to pivot about an articulation axis (3) according to a movement damped by primary suspensions (13), each wheel (4) being movable transversely relative to the articulated arm (5) so as to occupy at least two corresponding positions at two different track widths, characterized in that at least one articulated arm (5) comprises means (6) for transmitting the rotational movement of the wheel (4) to a secondary shaft (16), said secondary shaft being integral in rotation with a braking and / or traction system. Bogie for a rail vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said braking and / or traction system is carried by an element which is suspended relative to the articulated arm (5). Bogie for a railway vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said braking and / or traction system is fixed directly to the chassis (1) of the bogie. Bogie for a railway vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said secondary shaft (16) is connected to the said braking and / or traction system by means of a gimbal (7). Bogie for a railway vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said braking and / or traction system comprises at least one disc brake (9). Bogie for a railway vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the braking and / or traction system (8,9) comprises a traction motor (8). Bogie for a railway vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said traction motor (8) is fixed directly to the body of the vehicle. Bogie for a rail vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each articulated arm (5) supports a half-axle mounted on a set of bearings (22) movable transversely enabling the wheels (4) to be moved from the bogie. Bogie for a railway vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that a spacer bar (14) is fixed between two articulated arms (5). Bogie for a rail vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the said transmission means (6) consist of a gear train (61,62,63,64) arranged in the said articulated arm ( 5), the articulated arm (5) comprising a hollow structure forming a transmission casing. Bogie for a railway vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the said secondary shaft (16) is arranged near the articulation axis (3) of the articulated arm (5).

Images