EP1350703A1 - Cover for coupling head and method for pivoting said cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling head (12) is protected by a hood (6) which can be swung using pivots (7, B, C, D), between two positions. The upright covering position in front of the coupling head, is used when the coupling is out of use. The horizontal upper position above the coupling, is used when the coupling (11) is in use. The hood executes simultaneous linear and circular motions during swinging, causing its opening to face the coupling at all times. An Independent claim is included for the corresponding method of swinging the cover, in which a seal (10) at the end face of the frame (9) rests on the seal of the coupled wagon or coach.

Description

The invention relates to a cover for a coupling head, in particular for a coupling head for an automatic center clutch or central buffer coupling of a wagon at a multi-unit rail vehicle, as well as a method for pivoting the coupling head cover.

A device for protecting components or components Coupling arrangements is basically based on rail vehicle technology known. German Patent DE 43 12 405 A1 for example, describes a central buffer coupling for rail vehicles with a protective device, the protective device also with detachable or coupled rail vehicles without additional modifications a protection in the area of Zugund Shock guaranteed. It is envisaged that the coupling head of the respective central buffer coupling with both sides arranged guards is equipped with which are articulated to the frame of the rail vehicle. Due to the articulated arrangement of the guard on the central buffer coupling Although these can be the pressure or tensile loads join in occurring longitudinal movements of the coupling head while protecting the clutch assembly from mechanical impact, the hereby disclosed protective device makes it possible but not, the components or components of the clutch assembly also against environmental influences, such as dirt, ice or icing to protect.

Also, from DE 199 26 058 A1 an electrical contact coupling for automatic central or middle buffer couplings for rail vehicles known in the case of a lever mechanism a horizontally pivotable on the contact carrier of the coupling head fastened protective flap is actuated, wherein in retracted Location a guide slide the protective flap in front of the contact carrier panned and in forward, ready to go position is pivoted down. The pivoting takes place the protective flap continuously with the longitudinal movement of the guide carriage. For this purpose, it is provided that the lever mechanism can be tensioned by a spring. This from the state The technique known protection device is designed so that they only contain the contact carriers, i. the carrying unit for electrical terminals, protects. The other components of the Coupling arrangement, such as the centering, air line couplings or jaw assembly are used by the protection device not covered and are therefore the mechanical and environmental influences delivered free. The known protection device, consisting of a protective flap with guide carriage, Lever mechanism and various other components are included additionally in the coupling arrangement firmly integrated components, which does not guarantee that by a simple assembly the coupling replaced this protective device or subsequently can be installed.

A disadvantage of the known protective devices of the above It is said that these are not sufficient protection against mechanical loads but also against environmental influences of the Ensure component or components of the entire clutch assembly. Furthermore, it is in the known protection devices have not yet succeeded, a cover or the like Specify device or such in the Clutch assembly to arrange that by a simple Assembly on the coupling quickly and without any special effort exchanged or can be retrofitted. From can be retrofitted. The from the state of the art known protective devices are fixed, in the clutch assembly built-in components only by swapping removed or added to the entire clutch assembly can be.

Out of the described problem arises the present invention, the object of a device for protecting a coupling head, in particular the therein movable components against environmental influences such as Indicating dirt, snow, ice but also mechanical loads, wherein an automatic coupling process between two Clutch assemblies should continue to be guaranteed. A Another object of the invention is to be as light as possible specify to be implemented method in which the protective device pivoted so that an automatic coupling process between two vehicles is still guaranteed.

The technical underlying the present invention Problem is solved by a cover for a coupling head, in particular for a coupling head of an automatic center clutch or central buffer coupling of a wagon at a solved mehrgliedrigen rail vehicle, with the protection of the Coupling head the cover marked by a hood is, wherein the hood from a working or uncoupling state, in which the hood in a substantially vertical position is arranged in front of the coupling head, in a rest or coupling state is pivotable above the coupling.

The subject of the present invention procedural Task is further according to the invention by the following method steps solved: When swinging the hood out of the working area or uncoupling state in the rest or clutch state the frame is pivoted by a few degrees and with swung back after the coupling process, then the seal on the front edge of the frame then rests against the seal of the coupled wagon.

The advantages of the device according to the invention are in particular in that with the hood, the one from a working or Entkupplungszustand in which this in substantially vertical Location is arranged in front of the coupling head, a special easy to implement and thereby very effective device for protecting the coupling head, in particular the therein movable components and electrical contact arrangements, from environmental influences such as dirt, snow, icing and Moisture, as well as to protect against mechanical influences, such as unforeseen shocks can be achieved. It is intended that this hood is in a rest or clutch state above the coupling is pivotable, so that an automatic coupling process between two vehicles with integrated coupling head cover continues to be guaranteed. By the invention Execution of the hood in front of the coupling head is achieved that the cover the entire coupling head with all integrated components or components in the protected area includes. Thus, it not only ensures that the in the coupling arrangement possibly existing air line couplings and / or electrical contact couplings virtually maintenance-free and fully operational in any weather conditions, but also located in the clutch assembly movable components especially against coarse dirt and icing are permanently protected, so that these too are virtually maintenance-free and are fully operational. This allows it is that such coupling arrangements much more efficient and cheaper to use than conventional ones Coupling arrangements that are periodically serviced or cleaned Need to become. The protection of the coupling arrangement against icing in the winter eliminated further only with considerable technical or economic effort and difficulty De-icing process of the clutch assemblies.

The method according to the invention indicates a possibility the coupling head cover according to the invention especially easy to implement and also very effective in the automatic To integrate coupling process in clutch assemblies. It is particularly advantageous that by the Pivoting movements during the coupling process a seal on the front side Edge of the frame on the seal of the coupled Wagons rests, so that a clutch assembly in durchkkuppelten Condition from moisture and the like environmental influences is protected.

Preferred developments of the invention are with respect to Device in the dependent claims 2 to 11 and with respect to Method specified in the dependent claim 13.

So is an advantageous development of the invention Device for pivoting the hood a joint arrangement provided, on the one hand with the hood and the other with the clutch or with a frame arranged on the clutch connected is. Because of that to the coupling head cover belonging components exclusively attached to the coupling are no further mounts or attachment points provided on the vehicle body or on the vehicle underframe, which in a particularly advantageous manner a simple Mounting the coupling head cover on the coupling allows. Due to the selected self-supporting construction of the coupling head cover is the simple construction of the coupling head cover of the given further. This can be damaged if the coupling head cover the whole assembly very fast and easy change. This leads to a retrofitting of a Coupling arrangement with a coupling head cover according to the invention easy to implement and without particularly technical and financial effort is possible. Also it allows the Self - supporting frame construction, a far - reaching pre - assembly of the Assembly in the manufacturing process. This causes an efficient and thus cost-effective production and implementation of the invention Coupling head cover. In particularly advantageous Way tab-like devices are provided on the hood, as the organs for attaching or contacting components serve, which are provided for pivoting the hood. Of course, other solutions are also conceivable here.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the hinge assembly in the coupling head cover a Three-jointed joint with three pivot points and one articulated arm. This ensures that the number of moving parts in the coupling head cover according to the invention to a minimum is reduced, whereby the wear of the coupling head cover or the joint arrangement this kept as low as possible and thus an almost unlimited usability ensures the coupling head cover according to the invention. Also features a three-jointed joint with three pivot points and one articulated arm only a largely linear possibility of movement, so that the movement when pivoting the hood is linear, in particular takes place in the coupling direction and a horizontal pivoting this is largely prevented. Of course Here are also other embodiments of the hinge assembly conceivable.

A possible realization of the coupling head cover according to the invention provides that the articulated arm with one end to the Clutch or hinged to the arranged on the clutch frame and thus forms a first fulcrum, and with his other end on the hood, creating a second pivot point is formed, and that a third fulcrum by hinging a Actuator on the working or uncoupling state The upper end of the hood is shown. In this Embodiment is particularly advantageous that the inventive Coupling head cover in a particularly simple and lightweight integrated manner to be implemented in the clutch assembly is. It is provided in a particularly advantageous manner that the three pivot points are arranged such that on the one hand a simple installation of the coupling head cover on the coupling is possible and on the other an extensive pre-assembly of the Assembly is guaranteed in the manufacturing process. This embodiment One way is to attach to the coupling head cover belonging components exclusively at the To enable coupling, eliminating any other brackets and Attachment points are needed on the vehicle. This can especially the coupling head cover as a whole assembly very quickly and easily installed on the clutch assembly or be replaced.

As an advantageous development of the above embodiment it is provided that the actuating device is a piston / cylinder arrangement is that with her free end at the Clutch is attached. Such piston / cylinder arrangements are known and have because of their maintenance-free use in similar applications, especially in vehicle technology already proven. Of particular advantage is the piston / cylinder arrangement with its free end on the clutch too fasten, as this makes space-saving and easy to realize the actuator to the clutch assembly is integrable.

It is also particularly preferred that the piston / cylinder arrangement by means of a cylinder recording at the Clutch is mounted. This will achieve that integration the actuator of the particular application especially can be well adjusted.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided the hood has a roller on both sides at the pivot point D, when pivoting the hood in each case in a guide rail is forced. The combination of a roll with a guide rail is a particularly easy to implement and at the same time very effective device to when pivoting the hood to perform linear motion occurring. By using these components can thus the implementation and realization of the coupling head cover according to the invention be implemented particularly easily and efficiently. Of course But here are other embodiments conceivable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the frame is pivotally connected to the coupling head and thus forms on its two sides a pivot point A. This proves especially when pivoting the coupling head cover to the advantage, since in a collapse of the Actuator the entire frame around the pivot point A. can be swiveled.

Particularly preferred in the latter embodiment are at least a tension spring between the coupling head and the frame provided during pivoting of the hood from the working or uncoupling state in the rest or clutch state is stretched by the force of the actuator, intended. As a result, in a particularly advantageous manner very simple movement for pivoting the coupling head cover reached. Starting from the closed coupling head cover is achieved by moving the actuator together pulled the coupling head cover in the direction of this, taking the coupling head cover through the rollers in the guide rails guided and forcibly pivoted about the pivot point C. becomes. At the end of the guide rails, the rollers drive against a stop. By another collapse of the cylinder then the entire frame is pivoted about the pivot point A, at the same time the tension springs are tensioned.

Particularly preferred is a seal between the frontal Edge of the frame and the edge of the hood provided. The Gasket ensures reliable protection against the effects of weather, especially from moisture, as in the work or Uncoupling state of the hood whose edge with the provided Seal with the edge of the frame opposite to the attachment comes.

It is particularly advantageous if an elastic covering is provided between the frame and the wagon lining, as a result, optimal protection of the internal vehicle components is guaranteed. As an advantageous development the inventive method is provided that the pivoting back of the frame by the spring force of the tensioned tension spring is effected when the actuator that return pivoting movement releases. In the embodiment of the invention Solution in which the actuator as a Piston / cylinder device is realized, it is only required to release the cylinder pressure to this reverse pivoting movement of the frame. Of course But here are other process steps conceivable.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Kupplungskopfabdeckung in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht in der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform im Ruhezustand der Abdeckung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of the coupling head cover according to the invention in a preferred embodiment; and

Fig. 2

a schematic side view in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in the idle state of the cover.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of the invention Coupling cover in a preferred embodiment. Here, the cover is in working condition, in which the hood 6 the coupling head 12 and in particular the therein movable components against environmental influences such as dirt, snow, Icing etc. protects. In this embodiment, the actuator is executed as a cylinder 1, over the Cylinder holder 2 is fixedly mounted on the clutch 10.

The piston rod of the cylinder is connected via a joint D with the Hood 6 connected. The hood 6 is about the pivot points B and C. via an articulated arm 7, which is executed like a lever, pivotally stored and is linear by the rollers 4 in guide rails 3 led. The hood 6 is about the pivot points B and D. designed for pivoting with a joint arrangement 7, B, C, D, wherein tabs 14, 15 are provided on the hood 6, the above with D and below with B are connected.

The guide rails 3, the spring mounting point F and the Fulcrum C form a unit with the frame 9. The frame 9 is rotatable at point A with the coupling head 12 and at the other Side in spring clip F attached to the frame 9. To the Protection of the internal vehicle components is an elastic Covering 13 between frame 9 and vehicle trim.

The coupling head cover shown in Figure 1 is used in the working state for the protection of the coupling head 12, in particular the movable components contained therein, against environmental influences such as dirt, snow, icing, etc. as well as mechanical Shocks. The components belonging to the coupling head cover are attached exclusively to the coupling 11. Thus are no further mounting and attachment points on the vehicle intended. Due to the selected self-supporting construction of the Coupling head cover is a simple mounting on the coupling 11 possible. This can be damaged if the coupling head cover the whole assembly very fast and easy change.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the invention Coupling head cover in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, at the hibernation of the cover shown is. The idle state of the cover is present when the coupling head 12 with the coupling head 12 of an adjacent car is coupled together. Starting from the closed Hood 6 will do this by moving the cylinder in the direction of Cylinder pulled. In this case, the hood 6 through the rollers 4 guided in the guide rails 3 and forcibly to the Pivoted pivot point C. Drive at the end of the guide rails 3 the rollers 4 against a stop 5. By another collapse of the cylinder is now the entire frame 9 to the Pivot pivoted A, while the tension springs 8 stretched become.

The pivoting process is completed when the cylinder is its Setting has reached. In this position, the frame serves 9 Among other things, the hood 6 in the working state a sealing To offer investment. For this purpose, a seal 10 between the frontal edge of the frame 9 and the edge of the hood 6 is provided. These edges come in the working or uncoupling state the hood 6 with the edge of the frame 9 opposite to the plant. The seal 10 ensures safe protection against penetration of moisture into the coupling head 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 '

actuator

Second

cylinder intake

Third

guide rail

4th

role

5th

attack

6th

Hood

7th

articulated arm

8th.

mainspring

9th

frame

10th

poetry

11th

clutch

12th

coupling head

13th

covering

14th

flap

15th

flap

A.

Pivot frame coupling head

B.

Pivot Lever Dome

C.

Pivot lever frame

D.

Pivot actuator hood

E.

Federeinhängepunkt coupling head

F.

Federeinhängepunkt frame

Claims (13)

Cover for a coupling head (12), in particular for a coupling head of an automatic middle coupling or coupling of a wagon in a multi-unit rail vehicle, characterized by a hood (6) for protecting the coupling head (12), wherein the hood (6) consists of a working or Uncoupling state, in which the hood (6) is arranged in a substantially vertical position in front of the coupling head (12) in a rest or coupling state above the coupling (11) is pivotable. Coupling head cover according to claim 1,
characterized in that for pivoting the hood (6) a joint arrangement (7, B, C, D) is provided, on the one hand with the hood (6) and on the other hand with the coupling (11) or with a on the coupling (11). arranged frame (9) is connected. Coupling head cover according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the joint arrangement (7, B, C, D) is a three-jointed joint with three pivot points (B, C, D) and an articulated arm (7). Coupling head cover according to claim 3,
characterized in that the articulated arm (7) is articulated at one end to the coupling (11) or to the frame (9) arranged on the coupling (11) and thus forms the fulcrum (C), and at its other end to the Hood (6), whereby the pivot point (B) is formed, and that the pivot point (D) by articulation of an actuating device (1, 1 ') at the working or in the coupling state upper end of the hood (6) is formed. Coupling head cover according to claim 4,
characterized in that the actuating device (1, 1 ') is a piston / cylinder assembly which is attached with its free end to the coupling (11). Coupling head cover according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in that the piston / cylinder arrangement (1, 1 ') is mounted on the coupling (11) by means of a cylinder receptacle (2). Coupling head cover according to one of claims 4 to 6,
characterized in that the hood (6) at the pivot point (D) on both sides of a roller (4) which is forcibly guided during pivoting of the hood (6) in each case in a guide rail (3). Coupling head cover according to one of claims 2 to 7,
characterized in that the frame (9) is pivotally connected to the coupling head (12) and thus forms on its two sides a pivot point (A). Coupling head cover according to claim 8,
characterized by at least one tension spring (8) between the coupling head (12) and the frame (9), the pivoting of the hood (6) from the working or uncoupling state in the rest or coupling state by the force of the actuating device (1, 1 ') is stretched. Coupling head cover according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by a seal (10) between the front edge of the frame (9) and the edge of the hood (6), which comes in abutment with the edge of the frame (9) in the working or uncoupling state of the hood (6). Coupling head cover according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by an elastic covering (13) between the frame (9) and the wagon lining. A method for pivoting a coupling head cover according to claim 9 or 10 or 11,
characterized in that the frame (9) during pivoting of the hood (6) from the working or uncoupled state in the rest or coupling state pivoted by a few degrees and swung back after completion of the coupling process, whereupon the seal (10) on the front edge of the frame (9) then bears against the seal of the coupled wagon. Method according to claim 12,
characterized in that the pivoting back of the frame (9) is effected by the spring force of the tensioned tension spring when the actuating device (1, 1 ') releases this return pivoting movement.

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