EP1292475B1 - Lifting and swivelling device for railway structure bearing a combined transport railway/road car - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a lifting and swivelling device for a combined transport railway/road car with pivoting carrier railway structure (6) having at least lifting means and at least motorised running means (20) and (21) on the ground urged in lifting and running support contact with at least a support and running track (11) present on the underside of at least one end of the railway structure (6) bearing the road car load. Said invention is of interest for manufacturers of equipment in the field of combined railway/road transport.

Description

The invention relates to a device for lifting and pivoting drive for the load-bearing swivel rail structure of a combined road / rail transport car.

The rail / road combined transport wagons at swivel rail structure carrying a load most of them use internal motors to ensure training pivoting of the carrying railway structure Swivel.

These are usually simple means embedded, specific to the wagon using energy available on board.

The PCT deposit can be mentioned for this purpose No 8102142 in the name of BEHRENS.

These previous solutions also provide for reducing and coupling mechanisms for transform the rotary motion of the mechanical source in pivoting motion.

These solutions present several significant disadvantages.

The first concerns energy consumption on board that can not be consistent and therefore brings a slowness in the maneuvers because of the under-motorization of equipment. In addition, this energy consumption is penalizing for others aircraft on board and in particular those related to safety.

The second concerns the cost of these organs. The system requires at least one copy per wagon not reusable for other wagons.

The third disadvantage is the amplitude of the pivoting maneuver. Indeed, none of the previous devices can release all the ends of the railway structure carrier and therefore to arrive at a greater amplitude in pivoting movements. The importance of this amplitude of pivoting conditions comfort in maneuvers and thereby even the efficiency, safety and speed of them.

The last disadvantage relates to the specific maintenance of these bodies which leads to a significant additional cost of maintenance of the wagons.

The invention aims to remedy all these disadvantages simultaneously while keeping a good flexibility of use.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a combined lifting and driving device in pivoting for the railway structure carrying the road load as part of combined transport rail / road.

This device is characterized by at least one elevation means and at least one rolling means motorized on the ground coming in contact with support and lifting then rolling drive in pivoting with at least one underside area of at least least one end of the railway structure carrier for pivoting movement of at least this end for the operations of loading / unloading of the road load in or out of the carrying railway structure.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un poste de chargement/déchargement montrant le dispositif de levage sur la voie et les rouleaux porteurs motorisés sur le quai ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'ensemble du dispositif de levage selon l'invention vu en oblique et de dessus ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'ensemble du dispositif de levage selon l'invention vu en oblique et de dessous ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective montrant le dispositif selon l'invention, la piste d'appui et de roulement et schématiquement l'extrémité de la structure porteuse du wagon avec laquelle entrent en contact de levage et de roulement les rouleaux motorisés du dispositif selon l'invention ;
• les figures 5 à 8 sont des schémas montrant les différentes phases de fonctionnement :
  • en position basse escamotée de repos (figure 5)
  • mouvement d'élévation sans charge (figure 6)
  • contact avec la sous-face du wagon (figure 7)
  • mouvement d'élévation sous charge (figure 8)
• la figure 9 est une vue schématique correspondant à la figure 8 sur laquelle a été représenté un dispositif de retenue d'une plate-forme d'extrémité.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, given by way of example and accompanied by the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a loading / unloading station showing the lifting device on the track and the motorized carrier rollers on the platform;
• Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of the lifting device according to the invention seen obliquely and from above;
• Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of the lifting device according to the invention seen obliquely and from below;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the device according to the invention, the bearing and rolling track and schematically the end of the carrier structure of the wagon with which the motorized rollers of the device come into contact with lifting and rolling. according to the invention;
• Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams showing the different phases of operation:
  • in low retracted position of rest (figure 5)
  • lifting motion without load (Figure 6)
  • contact with the underside of the car (Figure 7)
  • lifting motion under load (Figure 8)
• Figure 9 is a schematic view corresponding to Figure 8 on which has been shown a device for retaining an end platform.

The elevation device described below also realizing the lowering of the structure carrier, it would be more comprehensive call it lifting-lowering device. To avoid heaviness and in a spirit of simplification we will only qualify hereafter as lifting device for this function. He rocks also the training in pivoting of the structure railway carrier.

Referring to Figure 1, the device combined lifting and pivoting drive 1 is intended to be installed on a railway line 2 presenting two platforms 3 and 4 loading / unloading developing on both sides of track 2. The device 1 is preferably mounted between the two rails of a loading / unloading station shown in its generality in Figure 1. According to the type of wagon, like the one used for the post shown in Figure 1, it may be necessary to provide two lifting devices such as 1, one for each end of a supporting structure 6. In fact, in the case represented, this carrier structure is raised simultaneously by its two ends and rotated around a center of central pivoting not shown. It can also be pivoting around a pivot center end.

For reasons of simplification two devices 1 lifting and training in pivoting are identical, it will not be described below only one device.

This device 1 is completed by a series of several carrier rollers and preferably coaches for example two trains 7 and 8 of three rollers mounted on a dock respectively 3 and 4 and intended to receive, to resume and possibly but not necessarily to continue to rotate the carrier rail structure 6 by its bottom as soon as its cantilevered towards the dock exceeds some limit, this to achieve good stability and safety of pivoting movements. The rolls of these trains 7 and 8 of rollers are housed in a obviously of the structure of the wharf as depicted on Figure 1 at a suitable distance from the edge of the wharf. They slightly exceed the surface of the wharf for take back the bottom of the cantilever support structure on the dock. These preferably motorized rollers are sets each formed of a rotating cylinder 9 of slightly frustoconical shape to benefit from differences in circumferential speeds of a end to each other to prevent slippage. Their lateral surface is preferably covered of a metal strip rolling 10 arriving in contact with a support and rolling track 11 (FIG. 4) specific to at least one end of the carrier rail structure 6 of the wagon. They include an electric motor block 12 drive of the roller rotating in the axis of the roller.

As indicated, the railway structures carriers 6 present to at least one of their ends on the underside a plane support and bearing 11, for example in the form of a plate reported or any other embodiment. In because of the pivotal nature of the movement, these tracks 11 have a generally curved shape whose radius curvature is the same or close to the distance the separating from the pivot center of the structure carrier rail 6 as shown in the figure 4.

Although a realization with two devices of lifting and pivoting drive has been represented, the invention must be considered also reports to achievements to a single device, for example those with a center of pivoting at the end or at an off-center any of the wagon.

In this case, the combined lifting device and pivoting drive is substantially identical or equivalent to that which will be described below and therefore a new description is not not necessary.

In general, the lifting device and pivoting drive according to the invention is present in the form of a mechanical assembly 13 mounted on track 2 between the two rails at level a place reserved for loading / unloading hereinafter called item 5 loading / unloading. The lower parts of this mechanical assembly 13 are housed in a pit adapted to render minimum the height of the projection that represents this together relative to the ground. The part housed in the soil is preferably protected from the weather and external aggression by a separating plate.

We can also consider climbing the mechanical assembly 13 on a carriage movable along of the track in a trench between the rails of the way.

Removable protection against bad weather can also be expected for the party for example in the form of a hood (no represent).

The mechanical assembly 13 of the device according to the invention is further mounted on a base plate ensuring the mechanical base and its mounting on the pit or on a support support between the rails. For some reasons for simplification these last means do not have been represented.

The mechanical assembly 13 of the device 1 according to the invention consists on the one hand of a swivel casing 14 around a horizontal axis 15. The swivel casing 14 is divided into two branches 16 and 17 or more bearing each end a motorized unit 18 and 19 formed of motorized rollers 20 and 21 joined together through a transverse tubular element 22. Each motorized roll 20 or 21 is worn also by an articulated rocking support 23 and 24. The transverse tubular element 22 passes through the end branches 16 and 17 in a sleeve supported at snap in a receiving room 25 input V shaped profile. Each tilting articulated support 23 and 24 is connected to the drive rod of a lift cylinder respectively 26 and 27 whose body is mounted pivoting about an axis 28 and 29 with deformable bearing on auxiliary supports respectively 30 and 31 formed for example two parallel copings such as 32 and 33 giving them an opportunity to absorb the gaps side.

These lift cylinders 26 and 27 act each pushing up on the supports articulated carrying the motorized roller units in to cause their simultaneous movement of elevation.

The motorized rollers 20 and 21 are of the same type than those already described because forming the trains of rollers located on the dock. They are each made up of a rotating cylinder 9 covered with a band rolling metal 10 of slightly shaped truncated. They are mounted on a longitudinal axis radial to the pivot center of the carrier structure 6 around which is carried out the rotation under the effect of a drive motor 12. Their layout is slightly converging towards the pivot center of the carrier structure 6 chosen central in our example. This arrangement avoids the risk of shifting transverse during lifting contact and movement pivotal training of this structure carrier 6.

These motorized rollers 20 and 21 are intended to come at first in push contact vertical with the runway 11 of support and rolling that present on the underside at least one end of the carrier rail structure (Figure 4) for lifting under the effect of elevation cylinders. After elevation of the bearing structure, their rotation causes the training in pivoting of the structure carrying railway by a rolling train on the support and running track.

A catch-up mechanism ensures to the motorized rollers 20 and 21 a complete contact to flat with the bearing track and rolling 11. This catch-up mechanism is shown schematically by a succession of profile views illustrating the operation in FIGS. 5 to 8.

To avoid premature wear, it was necessary to ensure a final movement of approach and movement lifting in a vertical or near-vertical trajectory vertical so as to avoid shifts between motorized roller and the track at the moment of contact and during lifting.

To do this, an example of a solution is described below. Other equivalent solutions are within the scope of the invention.

According to this variant, the pivot axis 15 of the pivoting box 14 is movable relative to its starting position corresponding to the position retracted horizontal rest of the box. His displacement makes it possible to obtain a trajectory approximately vertical provided by the cylinders elevation for the end of the box and therefore for the motorized rollers and this on the portion of trajectory corresponding to the final phase of approach and lifting.

The means envisaged are as follows.

The pivot axis 15 of the pivoting box 14 is mounted for example at each of its ends on two links themselves pivoting about an axis secondary 34.

During the dead race, that is to say during the empty thrust of the lift cylinders before the contact of the motorized rollers with the support track and of rolling, no major pushing effort acts on these. Elevation cylinders simply elevate motorized rollers. The casing 14 pivots only around its pivot axis 15 which remains fixed by compared to its original position (Figures 6 and 7).

This pivot axis 15 being mobile is going to move forward under the effect of traction oblique by the caisson subjected to elevation by the cylinders. The arrangement described ensures by the weak displacement of the pivot axis 15 of the casing 14 the necessary elongation of the geometric lever arm to transform the circular arc of trajectory into almost rectilinear segment on the final part of the trajectory (Figures 8 and 9).

We have described above a form of realization of the device in which the means of lifting and rolling means are combined in one same mechanical assembly 13.

It should be noted that all equivalent achievements in which the means of lifting and rolling means are not combined, that is, are juxtaposed or separated, enter into the same inventive concept.

The combination of lifting and rolling can also intervene. In all these cases, the corresponding achievements are part of of the invention.

We can thus add to the swivel casing an additional function. It can include a means support and maintenance in position of the platform corresponding end of the wagon during loading / unloading operations. A picture of this means is given in Figure 9 in which the upper face of the casing 14 has a structure receiving and blocking 35 V in which comes lock housing the end 36 of the return 37 downwards of the body of the end platforms.

The operation comprises the phases following general

The combined rail / road transport car is immobilized with some tolerance to the location 5 loading / unloading station in view by example of a load.

The stopping position of the car at the location expected matches platform positions endpoint that must be safeguarded in the case of immobilization of these, each from a device located on the track. We operate these devices if they are independent devices. In the other cases considered, the relative positions are automatically maintained by a link between the end platforms or by an auxiliary function of the lifting device (s) and pivoting as described above.

We therefore proceed to the implementation of the lifting and pivoting device (s). The cylinders elevations are operated to allow the bringing the motorized rollers 20 and 21 closer to the bearing track and corresponding bearing 11 of end soffit of the railway structure carrier 6. Motorized rollers 20 and 21 are raised until soft contact and flat with the support track and 11 by the play of the catching mechanism. Then follow, after unlocking the links dissociable assembly between the supporting structure and the end platforms, the movements of Coordinated lifting of both ends of the structure carrying rail or the only end corresponding.

The lifting movement breaks down into two parts. The first concerns a fraction of displacement corresponding to the relaxation of suspensions end platforms. The second concerns the lifting itself that stops shortly after the dissociation of the ends between the supporting structure 6 and the reception conformations of the platforms end, the additional elevation being general weak because there is no obstacle to pivoting on the end platforms.

The motorized rollers 20 and 21 are then rotated by their own motors way to rotate the ends of the structure pivoting carrier of the body of the car in the same direction pivoting until corner resumption corresponding ends of the supporting structure 6 by trains 7 and 8 motorized means of support-rolling on the platform.

Pivoting is performed until release complete ends of the railway structure carrier of each end platform by a pivotal movement of sufficient amplitude for the clearance of the ends of the railway structure carrier and oblique positioning of sufficient angle to provide some ease in maneuvers loading / unloading.

Loading or unloading can then take place. The road load accesses the structure railway carrier by its own means, by example for a semi-trailer by the tractor that the moves.

Closing movements of the wagon in the opposite direction.

Claims (12)

1. Device for lifting and moving with a pivoting movement at least one end of a pivoting rail transport structure (6) which carries road freight for operations for loading/unloading a wagon in a loading/unloading station for combined rail/road transport, characterised by at least one elevating means and at least one motorised rolling means which are arranged on the ground and which come into contact, so as to support, lift and then move with a pivoting movement, with at least one track (11) at the lower face of at least one end of the carrying rail structure (6) in order to displace the pivoting of at least this end during the operations for loading/unloading the road freight into or out of the carrying rail structure (6).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one elevating means and the at least one rolling means are combined in the same single mechanical assembly (13).
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the rolling means are carried by a pivoting assembly (14).
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rolling means can be displaced substantially vertically under the action of a pushing means.
5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the pivoting movements of the pivoting assembly (14) which carries the rolling means are corrected by means of a compensation mechanism in order to achieve a substantially rectilinear and vertical final approach and lifting trajectory.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pivoting movements of the pivoting assembly (14) and the pushing movements of the lifting operation are combined.
7. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the compensation mechanism consists in making the pivot axis (15) of the pivoting assembly (14) displaceable.
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rolling means are motorised rollers (20) and (21) which have a slightly frustoconical metal rolling surface and which form part of a motorised assembly and which each have a drive motor (12) in the axis of rotation of the rollers.
9. Device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the axes of rotation of the rollers are orientated radially relative to the pivoting centre of the carrying rail structure.
10. Device according to claims 2 to 9, characterised in that the single mechanical assembly (13) has the additional function of retaining in position the adjacent end platform of the wagon on which the carrying rail structure is supported.
11. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the single mechanical assembly (13) is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the rail track.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the track (11) at the lower face of at least one end of the carrying structure is in the form of a circular arc which is centred on the pivoting centre between this carrying structure and the wagon.

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