EP1350703B1 - 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 coupling with a cover, in particular for an automatic middle clutch or middle buffer clutch a wagon in a multi-unit rail vehicle, with a coupling head and a hood for protection the coupling head, which by means of a joint arrangement from a Working or uncoupling state in which the hood in arranged essentially vertically in front of the coupling head is in a resting or coupling state above the Coupling is pivotable.

The invention also relates to a method for pivoting a coupling head cover.

A device to protect parts or components Coupling arrangements are basically from the rail vehicle technology known. The German patent DE 43 12 405 A1 describes, for example, a central buffer coupling for rail vehicles with a protection device, the protection device also with detachable or coupled rail vehicles Protection in the area of the train without additional modifications and pushing device guaranteed. It is provided that the coupling head of the respective middle buffer coupling with both sides arranged safety bars, which is equipped with the frame of the rail vehicle are articulated. Due to the articulated arrangement of the protective bars on the central buffer coupling they can be used for pressure or tensile loads Join the longitudinal movements of the coupling head while protecting the clutch assembly from mechanical shock, the protective device disclosed here makes it possible but not, the parts or components of the clutch assembly also against environmental influences such as dirt, ice or icing to protect.

From DE 199 26 058 A1 there is also an electrical contact coupling for automatic middle or middle buffer couplings for rail vehicles known in which a lever mechanism horizontally pivotable on the contact carrier of the coupling head attached protective flap can be actuated, in retracted Place a guide slide the protective flap in front of the contact carrier swiveled and in an advanced, ready-to-fit position is pivoted downwards. 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 a standing start The protective device known in the art is designed so that they are only the contact carriers, i.e. the carrying unit for electrical terminals, protects. The other components of the Coupling arrangement, such as the centering elements, air line couplings or claw arrangement, are from the protection device are not covered and are therefore subject to mechanical and environmental influences delivered free. The well-known protective device, consisting of a protective flap with guide slide, Lever mechanism and various other components are included additionally integrated components in the coupling arrangement, which does not guarantee that by simple assembly the coupling, this protective device is replaced or retrofitted can be installed.

A disadvantage of the known protective devices of the beginning It is said that this does not provide adequate protection from mechanical loads but also from environmental influences Ensure component or parts of the entire clutch assembly. Furthermore, it is with the known protective devices not yet been able to cover or the like Specify device or such in the clutch assembly to arrange that by a simple installation on the Coupling exchanged quickly and without any special effort or can be retrofitted. The state of the art Known protective devices are fixed in the coupling arrangement integrated components that can only be replaced removed or added to the entire clutch assembly can be.

From EP-A-0811539 there is also a cover for a coupling head known with a hood to protect the coupling head, being used to pivot the coupling head cover the working or disengaging state into a resting or coupling state a relatively complicated sequence of movements is provided is, in which the cover first towards the clutch is tightened to the coupling head cover from a locking device to solve. Then there is a circular movement instead, at which the cover after a pivot point is pivoted below. The disadvantage of this from the prior art Technology known system can be seen in particular in that for the movement sequence for pivoting the cover relatively Large joint or hydraulic arrangements necessary are, so that on the one hand the mechanism for pivoting the Cover and on the other hand, the actual pivoting of the Cover takes up a lot of space, which is not a compact design of the system.

From the problem outlined, the present invention the object of a device to protect a coupling head, especially the one inside moving components against environmental influences such as Specify dirt, snow, ice but also mechanical loads, with an automatic coupling process between two Coupling arrangements should continue to be guaranteed. A Another object of the invention is to be as light as possible Specify the method to be implemented in which the protective device pivoted such that an automatic coupling process between two vehicles is still guaranteed. Further Another task is to see that the mechanism for pivoting the coupling head cover as well as the actual one Swiveling the cover in the smallest possible Space should be realizable to a compact design of the Allow clutch.

The technical basis of the present invention Problem is solved by a coupling of the type mentioned at the beginning, being used to pivot the hood on the in the working state trained top pivot at the top of the hood by articulating an actuator in a linear Movement to this is used, while the Hood forcibly swings circularly around you second pivot point, with the opening of the hood continuously is facing the coupling head

The process engineering on which the present invention is based The object is further achieved by the method step the articulation of an actuating device, to use the first pivot point in a linear motion and at the same time the hood is forcibly circular to pivot a second pivot, the frame at Swiveling the hood from the working or uncoupling state in the resting or coupling state by a few degrees with pivoted and pivoted back after the coupling process , whereupon a seal on the front Edge of the frame then on the seal of the coupled wagon is applied.

The advantages of the device according to the invention are in particular in that with the hood that comes from a working or Decoupling state, in which this is in a substantially vertical Location in front of the coupling head is a special easy to implement and very effective device to protect the coupling head, especially the one inside movable components and electrical contact arrangements, against environmental influences such as dirt, snow, icing and Moisture, as well as protection against mechanical influences, such as unforeseen impacts can be achieved. It is provided that this hood is in a rest or clutch condition above the coupling is pivotable, so that an automatic coupling process between two vehicles with integrated coupling head cover is still guaranteed. By the invention Execution of the hood in front of the coupling head is achieved that the cover covers the entire coupling head with all Integrated parts or components in the protection area includes. This not only ensures that the in the coupling arrangement possibly existing air line couplings and / or electrical contact couplings almost maintenance-free and fully operational in all weather conditions, but also those in the coupling arrangement movable components, especially against coarse dirt and icing are permanently protected, so that they are almost maintenance-free and are fully operational. This enables it that such clutch assemblies much more efficient and are cheaper to use than conventional ones Coupling arrangements that are periodically serviced or cleaned Need to become. Protection of the clutch assembly against icing furthermore, in winter, this is only eliminated with considerable technical or economic effort and difficulties De-icing process of the clutch assemblies.

The method according to the invention specifies a possibility the clutch according to the invention with a cover easy to implement and also very effective in the automatic Integrate coupling process in coupling arrangements. It is particularly advantageous that the Swiveling movements during the coupling process a seal on the front Edge of the frame to the seal of the coupled Wagons abuts, so that a clutch arrangement in the coupled Condition from moisture and similar environmental influences is protected.

Preferred developments of the invention are related to Device in the subclaims 2 to 11 and with respect to the Procedure specified in the dependent claim 13.

So is an advantageous development to the invention Device for pivoting the hood a joint arrangement provided that on the one hand with the hood and on the other hand with the coupling or with a frame arranged on the coupling connected is. The fact that the coupling head cover belonging components only attached to the coupling are no further brackets or attachment points provided on the vehicle body or on the vehicle undercarriage, which in a particularly advantageous manner is a simple one Mounting of the coupling head cover on the coupling enables. Due to the selected self-supporting design of the coupling head cover is the simple construction of the coupling head cover of the given further. This means that if the coupling head cover is damaged the entire assembly very quickly and easily change. This leads to retrofitting or retrofitting a clutch arrangement with a clutch according to the invention easy to implement with cover and without special technical and financial effort is possible. Also enables it the self-supporting frame construction, an extensive Pre-assembly of the assembly in the manufacturing process. This does an efficient and therefore inexpensive production and implementation the invention. Coupling with cover. Especially are advantageously tab-like devices on the Hood provided as organs for attaching or contacting of components that serve to pivot the hood are provided. Of course there are others here too Solutions conceivable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, that the hinge assembly in the clutch head cover Has three joints with three pivot points and an articulated arm. This ensures that the number of moving parts in the coupling according to the invention with cover to a minimum is reduced, causing wear on the clutch head cover or the hinge arrangement of these is kept as low as possible and thus an almost unlimited usability the coupling according to the invention with cover guaranteed. Also has a three-bar linkage with three pivot points and an articulated arm only a largely linear movement possibility, so that the movement when pivoting the hood is linear, in particular in the coupling direction and a horizontal pivoting this is largely prevented. Of course here are other embodiments of the joint arrangement conceivable.

A possible implementation of the clutch according to the invention Cover provides that the articulated arm has one end on the Coupling or articulated on the frame arranged on the coupling and thus forms a first fulcrum, and with its other end to the hood, creating a second pivot is formed, and that a third pivot point by articulating one Actuator on the in the working or disengaging state upper end of the hood is shown. In this Embodiment is particularly advantageous that the invention Coupling with cover in a particularly simple and easy to be implemented in the coupling arrangement is. It is provided in a particularly advantageous manner that the three pivot points are arranged such that, on the one hand easy assembly of the coupling head cover on the coupling secondly, extensive pre-assembly is possible the assembly is guaranteed in the manufacturing process. This Embodiment is one way of attaching the Components belonging to the coupling head cover only to allow the coupling, which means no additional brackets and attachment points on the vehicle are required. hereby especially the clutch head cover as an entire assembly installed very quickly and easily on the clutch assembly or be replaced.

As an advantageous development of the above-mentioned embodiment it is provided that the actuating device is a piston / cylinder arrangement is that with its free end at the Coupling is attachable. Such piston / cylinder arrangements are known for their maintenance-free use and have similar applications, particularly in automotive engineering already proven. The piston / cylinder arrangement is particularly advantageous with its free end on the coupling attach, as this is particularly space-saving and easy to implement the actuating device on the clutch arrangement can be integrated.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferably provided that the piston / cylinder arrangement by means of a cylinder holder on the Coupling is mountable. This ensures that integration the actuator of the respective application can be adapted particularly well.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, that the hood has a roller on both sides at the pivot point D, each when the hood is pivoted in a guide rail is forced. Combining a role with A guide rail is particularly easy to implement and very effective device to the when pivoting linear movement of the hood. By using these components, the implementation can and realization of the coupling according to the invention with cover can be implemented particularly easily and efficiently. Of course however, other embodiments are also conceivable here.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, that the frame is pivotally connected to the coupling head and thus forms a fulcrum A on its two sides. This is particularly evident when the coupling head cover is pivoted to advantage, because when moving the Actuator the entire frame around the pivot point A can be pivoted.

At least are particularly preferred in the latter embodiment a tension spring between the coupling head and the frame provided that when swiveling the hood out of the working or decoupling state in the idle or coupling state is tensioned by the force of the actuating device, intended. This is a particularly advantageous very simple movement to swivel the coupling head cover reached. Starting from the closed coupling head cover is done by moving the actuator the clutch head cover is pulled towards this, where the coupling head cover through the rollers in the guide rails guided and forcibly pivoted about the pivot point C. becomes. The rollers move at the end of the guide rails against an attack. By moving the cylinder together again the entire frame is then pivoted about the pivot point A, the tension springs being tensioned at the same time.

A seal between the front is particularly preferred Edge of the frame and the edge of the hood provided. The Sealing provides reliable protection against the weather, especially from moisture, as in the working or Uncoupled state of the hood with its edge provided Seal with the edge of the frame opposite the system comes.

It is particularly advantageous if an elastic covering provided attachable between the frame and the wagon trim is because this provides optimal protection for the inside Vehicle components is guaranteed. As beneficial Further development of the method according to the invention is provided that the swinging back of the frame by the spring force of the tensioned Tension spring is caused when the actuator releases this swing back movement. In the embodiment of the solution according to the invention, in which the actuating device as a piston / cylinder device, it is only required to release the cylinder pressure to to enable this pivoting back movement of the frame. Of course but here are other procedural steps conceivable.

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

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Kupplung mit Abdeckung 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 according to the invention with cover in a preferred embodiment; and

Fig. 2

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the invention Coupling with cover in a preferred embodiment. Here, the cover is in the working state, in which the Hood 6 the coupling head 12 and in particular those located therein movable components against environmental influences such as dirt, Protects snow, icing, etc. In this embodiment the actuator is designed as a cylinder 1, the over the cylinder holder 2 is fixedly mounted on the clutch 10.

The piston rod of the cylinder is connected via a joint D to the Hood 6 connected. The hood 6 is above the pivot points B and C. pivotable about an articulated arm 7, which is designed like a lever 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, tabs are provided on the hood 6, the top connected to D and below to B.

The guide rails 3, the spring mount point F and the Pivot point 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 Fastened to the frame 9 in the spring attachment point F. To the Protection of the vehicle components inside is used (not explicitly shown) elastic covering between Frame 9 and vehicle trim.

The coupling head cover shown in Figure 1 is used in the working state to protect the coupling head 12, in particular the moving components inside, against environmental influences such as dirt, snow, icing, etc. and against mechanical ones Shocks. The components belonging to the coupling head cover are only attached to the coupling 11. So are no further mounting and fastening points on the vehicle intended. Due to the chosen self-supporting construction of the Coupling head cover is an easy assembly on the coupling 11 possible. This can damage the coupling head cover the entire assembly very quickly and easily change.

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the invention Coupling with cover in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, at which the hibernation of the cover is shown is. The cover is at rest when the coupling head 12 with the coupling head 12 of an adjacent wagon is coupled together. Starting from the closed Hood 6 is this by moving the cylinder in the direction Cylinder pulled. The hood 6 is through the rollers 4 out in the guide rails 3 and forcibly around the Pivot point C pivoted. Drive at the end of the guide rails 3 the rollers 4 against a stop 5. By moving together again of the cylinder is now the entire frame 9 around the Pivot point A pivoted, the tension springs 8 being tensioned at the same time become.

The pivoting process is complete when the cylinder is its Setting has reached. The frame 9 serves in this position among other things, the hood 6 a sealing in the working state To offer facility. For this purpose, a seal 10 between the provided front edge of the frame 9 and the edge of the hood 6. These edges come in the working or disengaging state the hood 6 with the edge of the frame 9 opposite to the facility. The seal 10 ensures reliable protection before moisture penetrates 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

A.

Pivotal point frame - coupling head

B.

Pivotal point lever - hood

C.

Pivots lever - frame

D.

Pivotal actuation device - hood

E.

Spring attachment point - coupling head

F.

Spring mount point - frame

Claims (13)

1. A coupling with a cover, in particular for an automatic central coupling or central buffer coupling, respectively, for a car of a multi-unit rail vehicle, comprising a coupling head (12) and a hood (6) for protecting the coupling head (12), which can be swivelled by means of an articulation arrangement (7, B, C, D) from a working or decoupling condition in which the hood (6) is arranged in an essentially vertical position in front of the coupling head (12), into a rest or coupling condition above the coupling (11),
   characterised in that
   for swivelling the hood (6), a first pivot (D) formed at the upper end of the hood (6) in the working condition is pulled by hinging an actuation means (1, 1') towards same in a linear movement, while at the same time the hood (6) positively carries out a circular swivelling movement about a second pivot (C), with the opening of the hood (6) continually facing the coupling head (12).
2. The coupling according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the articulation arrangement (7, B, C, D) is connected with the hood (6) on the one hand, and the with coupling head (12) or with a frame (9) arranged on the coupling head (12), on the other hand.
3. The coupling according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that the articulation arrangement (7, B, C, D) is a three-point articulation with a first, second, and third pivot (D; C; B) and an articulated arm (7).
4. The coupling according to Claim 3,
   characterised in that
   the articulated arm (7) is hinged with one end at the coupling head (12) or at the frame (9) arranged on the coupling head (12) thus forming the second pivot (C), and with its other end at the hood (6), thus forming the third pivot (B), and that the first pivot (D) is formed by hinging an actuation means (1, 1') at the upper end of the hood (6) in the working or decoupling condition.
5. The coupling according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the actuation means (1, 1') is a piston/cylinder arrangement which can be secured with its free end at the coupling (11).
6. The coupling according to Claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the piston/cylinder arrangement (1, 1') can be installed at the coupling (11) by means of a cylinder support (2).
7. The coupling according to one of Claims 4 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the hood (6) in the first pivot (D) comprises a roller (4) at either side, each of which being restrictedly guided in a guide rail (3) upon swivelling the hood (6).
8. The coupling according to one of Claims 2 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the frame (9) is pivotably connected with the coupling head (12), thus forming a fourth pivot (A) at either side of same.
9. The coupling according to Claim 8,
   characterised by
   at least one tension spring (8) between the coupling head (12) and the frame (9), which is tensioned by the force of the actuation means (1, 1') upon swivelling the hood (6) from the working or decoupling condition into the rest or coupling condition.
10. The coupling according to one of Claims 2 to 9,
    characterised by
    a seal (10) between the face edge of the frame (9) and the edge of the hood (6), which in the working or decoupling condition of the hood (6) comes into engagement opposite the edge of the frame (9).
11. The coupling according to one of Claims 2 to 10,
    characterised by
    an elastic cover between the frame (9) and the car panel.
12. A method for swivelling a coupling head cover of a coupling, in particular an automatic central coupling or central buffer coupling, respectively, of a car of a multi-unit rail vehicle, which comprises a coupling head (12) and a hood (6) for protecting the coupling head (12), which hood (6) can be swivelled by means of an articulation arrangement (7, B, C, D) from a working or decoupling condition in which the hood (6) is arranged in an essentially vertical position in front of the coupling head (12), into a rest or coupling condition above the coupling (11), with a first pivot (D) being formed at the upper end of the hood (6) in the working condition,
    characterised by
    the process step of hinging an actuation means (1, 1'), in order to pull the first pivot (D) in a linear movement towards same and simultaneously swivelling the hood (6) positively in a circular movement about a second pivot (C), with the frame (9) upon swivelling the hood (6) from the working or decoupling condition into the rest or coupling condition being also swivelled through several angular degrees and swivelled back again after the coupling operation, whereupon a seal (10) at the face edge of the frame (9) engages the seal of the coupled car.
13. The method according to Claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the swivelling back of the frame (9) is effected by the tensile force of a tensioned tension spring if the actuation means (1, 1') releases this return swivelling movement.

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