EP1375291B1 - Electrical connecting device for automatic railway couplings - Google Patents

Description

The invention an automatic traction coupling with an electric coupling device as well as a coupling procedure for the automatic traction coupling.

Automatic pull couplings allow the automated connection of two Railway vehicles, wherein in the coupled state, two such couplings make a rigid connection between the vehicles.

• Peter Nolle, Hans Friedrich "Die automatische Kupplung in Europa", ETR Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, Heft 4/92
• Adolf Felsing, Eberhardt Hoffmann "Die automatische Zugkupplung - Stand der Entwicklung und Versuchsprogramm", ETR Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, Heft 4/95.

Automatic draft couplings are described in detail in the following articles, the disclosure content of which is fully incorporated into the present application:

• Peter Nolle, Hans Friedrich "The automatic coupling in Europe", ETR Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, issue 4/92
• Adolf Felsing, Eberhardt Hoffmann "The automatic towing system - state of development and test program", ETR Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, Issue 4/95.

If air lines and electrical lines are automatically coupled, This is what we call fully automatic pull couplings.

In the case of A. Felsing, E. Hoffmann "The automatic towing coupling - state of the art Development and test program ", ETR Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, Issue 4/95 in Figure 2 became known automatic traction coupling, was the Electric clutch still formed as a separate clutch, after the domes of the Coupling body was manually connected.

From EP 05 01 244 an automatic traction coupling has become known, comprising a coupling head and a line coupling with upright, elastically rückdrückbarem and pneumatically in the coupling state forward, in the direction of pressure to a negative conductor coupling head loaded Line coupling head.

DE 43 10 741 shows an automatic traction coupling with a Coupling body and an electrical coupling, the subsequent, i. to Completion of the mechanical coupling, is coupled. Such The clutch needs to be balanced to compensate for some cross between the mechanical couplings are moved only in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, from DE 43 10 741 known electrical coupling is such designed to release the electric clutch before mechanical uncoupling becomes, so by that by the mechanical clutch forced Transverse movements, the longitudinal guidance of the electric clutch is not damaged.

From DE 15 63 964 an electric coupling device has become known with two retractable coupling halves, with out of the housing halves extendable shift rails are equipped. After centering the Coupling halves become this with the help of the shift rods and piston drives electrically connected to each other.

US-A-3499545 describes an electric coupling with blade contacts.

A disadvantage of the prior art electric coupling devices is, inter alia, that the coupling of the line elements or the electrical coupling must be done either mechanically or after completion of the mechanical coupling process.
A further disadvantage of the prior art electric coupling device is that the couplings are often susceptible to interference since they are exposed unprotected to temperature and environmental influences.

The object of the invention is therefore an electric coupling device for a specify automatic traction coupling, with the disadvantages of the prior Technology can be avoided, in particular to a safe and automated coupling of the electric clutch simultaneously with the mechanical Coupling be enabled, on the other hand, the electric clutch in both the coupled as in the uncoupled position sufficient protection have against weather and environmental influences.

This task is accomplished by an automatic traction coupling and a procedure solved according to the independent claims. The dependent claims describe particularly advantageous developments.

For a sufficient redundancy as well as a high reliability of a To ensure uninterrupted flow of current, it is envisaged that the Clutch via a plurality of plug contact devices, in particular two has eight plug contact devices, without being limited thereto. Around regardless of how a car to be coupled is on the train, a clutch To allow constantly, is provided with advantage, the electric clutch Symmetrically designed, that is, with 50% plug pins and 50% Connector sleeves.

It is particularly preferred if all the plug pins or plug sockets of are the same size, making the same size contacts are provided and a good passage of current for both maximum currents as well as the train bus signals provides.

In particular, the electric clutch is designed such that in UIC Mb 541-5 certain electrical functions except the emergency signal can be realized.

In a preferred embodiment of an electric clutch with protective plate the plug contact devices according to the invention designed as blade contacts.

When using blade contacts instead of pin and socket contacts, needs a parallel feed in the axis, as necessary with pin and socket, not considered. Furthermore, eliminates a drive for the Blades.

If only a few blade contact points are provided, then the drive lever can be adjusted with the protective plate summarize. In such an embodiment the protective plate is designed so that these only from the protective plate of the Counter coupling can be opened.

In one embodiment for solving the problem of the invention provided that is omitted on the protective plate and the Plug contact devices are designed as blade contacts. Such Embodiment is because of the very robust design of the blade contacts possible without affecting the operational safety of the electric clutch.

In a further embodiment of the invention is also on the Guard plate omitted and the contact devices in the uncoupled Position sunk protected in a recess of the centering.

When coupling the contact devices are pivoted in the coupling plane.

The preferred trained as a side contacts contact devices For example, pressed with spring force to the centering frame and rubbed bare. When separating, the process repeats. By the blank rubbing is the Increased contact reliability of the electric clutches of this embodiment. forms in an advantageous embodiment, the drive lever of the electric clutch as a pivoting lever, so is the inertia of the socket at Casserole joint thrown the socket towards the dome plane. Furthermore the momentum of the Gegenkuppung acts on the drive lever in a form-fitting manner the dome direction. This will also be with icing or heavy pollution broke the socket and increased the security of the dome.

Arranged in a development of the invention, the spring bearing in Drive lever in such a way that when Auflaufstoß the Vordrückfedem the socket cushioned when entering the dome level and, if necessary, the socket can be additionally damped, so is the centering and dome security elevated.

By an arrangement of the spring bearing on the drive lever and on the socket in Centering frame is the predrilling for the centering simultaneously as Return spring used for the socket. This will result in a special Design constant force ratios of Vordrückkraft, the Interlocking force, the return force and the Abfederkraft reached. Spring force tolerances by an additional return spring are avoided and increases the coupling and separation safety.

In a particular embodiment of the third embodiment of the invention the contact devices formed as Seitensteckkontakteinrichtungen.

Occurring wear on the polished side brushes or on the opposite Zentrierrahmenkontur is continuously through the Plug spring compensated up to approx. 2 mm abrasion, since side plug with one Forward flow of about 2.5 mm can be performed. Due to the arrangement of Schwenklagem at the spring bearing, frame mounting and Drive lever bearing, is in the third embodiment of the invention a Great ease of movement and robustness achieved.

An embodiment with side contacts reduces the frictional force Knife contacts or pin and socket essential. Another advantage is that the side contacts are executable as Gleichbauteile. In a further education According to the third embodiment of the invention, a sealing ring seals the contacts in the coupled and uncoupled state relatively waterproof and dustproof.

The sockets with the sealing ring have a tendency in the coupled state of about 6 °.

It when the centering of the Electric coupling device a guide frame and a height and Self-centering device, so that the electric clutches of two be centered automatically on each other, without pulling on each other the two electric couplings come into contact with each other.

Advantageously, the elevation and page centering using a Achieved impact surface, wherein the baffle a first, a second and a third section and the baffles of the first and third sections parallel offset from each other and the baffles of the second Section with the baffle of the first and third sections an angle 0 <α <90 °.

It has been found that the angle α, which includes the baffle surface of the second portion with that of the first and third section, preferably in the range 30 <α <45 °. Particularly preferred is an arrangement at an angle α = 45 °.
In an advantageous embodiment, the baffle is part of a baffle frame, which is guided by a guide frame of the centering device. A sufficient mobility of the baffle and protection of the electric clutch from damage during the dome operation is achieved in that the centering device comprises a link assembly with a Vordrückeinrichtung, which is designed such that the baffle before coupling in the ready-coupling position with a flow in front of the coupling plane of the electric clutch is held.

Particularly preferably, this flow is 10 to 60 mm.

Advantageously, a delay device is provided which is such is configured that they are casserole forces when running up the baffles of the Electric coupling occur, delay.

To ensure sufficient mobility of the coupled electric clutch while ensuring a secure connection in the coupled state, is provided with advantage that the locking and release device at least a projection and at least one undercut comprises.

To prevent the baffle frame from centering on each other when centering creeping electrical couplings are pushed together, without hook, is provided with advantage that the locking and release device of the further comprises a fishing hook.

Such a shift occurs when at high Bake speeds by the occurring impulse of the baffle frame very far pushed back, on the other hand, but the automatic traction coupling the Centering has continued, so that the lateral displacement in Verhakungsrichtung was continued before the compression spring the baffle frame could push again in dome direction.

Due to the leading catch hook is in such operating situations the Continuation of the lateral displacement prevented.

Furthermore, the fishing hook is used for that in icy clutch multiple emergence and after defrosting the ice layer a subsequent To allow engagement with coupled automatic traction coupling.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the invention, in which the Centering device, the Elektrokuppeleinrichtung at an angle β is arranged opposite the carriage axis. Preferably, this angle is in Range 20 <β <40 °.

The invention will be exemplified below with reference to the embodiments to be discribed.

Figuren 1a bis 1e:

Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform einer Elektrokuppeleinrichtung mit Mitteln zum Betätigen der Schutzplatte sowie Mitteln zum Verfahren der elektrischen Steckkontakte

Figur 2:

Aufeinanderlaufen zweier nicht erfindungsgemäßer Elektrokuppeleinrichtungen gemäß Fig. 1 mit Antriebshebel in kuppelbereiter Stellung

Figur 3:

Zwei Elektrokuppeleinrichtungen gemäß Fig. 1 mit Antriebshebel in gekuppelter Stellung

Figur 4:

Vorderansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform einer Elektrokupplung

Figuren 5a bis 5b:

Detaildarstellung der Schutzplatte sowie der verfahrbaren Steckkontakteinrichtungen vor und nach dem Kuppeln.

Figur 6:

Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Ausführungsform einer Elektrokupplung mit Messerkontakten.

Figur 7:

Vorderansicht einer Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 6 mit Messerkontakten.

Figuren 8a bis 8b:

Kuppelvorgang einer Ausführungsform einer Elektrokupplung mit Seitenkontakten.

Figur 9:

Detailansicht eines Seitenkontaktes.

Figur 10:

Detailansicht zweier Elektrokupplungen mit Seitenkontakt in kuppelbereiter Stellung.

Show it:

FIGS. 1a to 1e:

View of a non-inventive embodiment of an electric coupling device with means for actuating the protective plate and means for moving the electrical plug contacts

FIG. 2:

Running one another two not according to the invention Elektrokuppeleinrichtungen according to FIG. 1 with drive lever in kuppelbereiter position

FIG. 3:

Two electric coupling devices according to FIG. 1 with drive lever in the coupled position

FIG. 4:

Front view of a non-inventive embodiment of an electric clutch

FIGS. 5a to 5b:

Detail of the protective plate and the movable plug contact devices before and after the coupling.

FIG. 6:

Top view of an inventive embodiment of an electric coupling with blade contacts.

FIG. 7:

Front view of an embodiment according to FIG. 6 with blade contacts.

FIGS. 8a to 8b:

Dome operation of an embodiment of an electric clutch with side contacts.

FIG. 9:

Detail view of a page contact.

FIG. 10:

Detail view of two electric couplings with side contact in a coupling-ready position.

In FIGS. 1a to 1e, a first embodiment of one is not according to the invention in the top view again shown in more detail. FIG. 1a shows an overall view of the Electric coupling device. The centering device 10 comprises a Guide frame 20, via unillustrated joints with the mechanical coupling head 3 is connected. The guide frame 20 is supported Pretension spring 22 from, in turn, via a link assembly 24 and a Not shown delay spring support the baffle frame 28. Of the Impact frame 28 in turn has a baffle 30, which in the present is divided into three sections, a first section 32, a second section 34 and a third section 36. First and third sections 32, 36 run parallel to each other. The baffle of the second section 34 includes a Angle α with both the surface of the first portion 32 as with the surface of the third section 36 a. The angle α below which the area in the middle The area opposite to that of the first and third areas, respectively, can be any Occupy angles greater than 0 and less than 90 °, preferably it is in the range between 30 and 60.

Clearly recognizable also the receiving device 40 for the central, i. middle range of the electric clutch. The receiving device 40 comprises the another catcher 50 with a tentacle 52, an undercut 54 and a projection 56.

By the pre-compression spring 22 of the baffle frame 28 in the uncoupled state placed in a flow position in front of the dome plane 60. This will guarantees that the electric clutch does not interfere with the counter coupling the electro-coupling of the counter-coupling comes into contact before the mechanical coupling process is completed. Damage will be so avoided.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1a, the electro-coupling device comprises a Drive lever 100 for actuating both the protective plate 102 as the Electric plug 104 formed plug contact devices during the dome operation.

The individual decisive for the actuator components are in the Figures 1b - 1e shown in more detail.

Thus, FIG. 1 b shows the link arrangement 24.

In Figure 1c, the drive lever 100 is shown in detail. The drive lever 100 includes a lever arm 110, on which the auflaufende counter-coupling a force exerts, so that the lever arm 110 in the direction of arrow 112 drawn is driven. The drive lever 100 rotates about the pivot point 114, which with the fulcrum of the link assembly 24 coincides. The drive lever 100 has in the embodiment according to Figure 1-55 the task of the protective plate, at the third embodiment shown in Figures 8a-10, the lowered To drive socket for the side contacts.

On the drive lever 100, a first toothing 116 is provided, which in the in FIG. 1d and the toothing 118 of the protective plate 102 shown in FIG. 1d engages and from a first position in which covers the electrical connector 104 be moved to a second position where these plugs are released spent. The drawn direction of the protective plate which moves when coupling is denoted by reference numeral 120.

In addition to the first toothing 116, that shown in FIG. 1c comprises Drive lever 100, a second toothing 122 which in the toothing 124 of Electric plug 104 engages and this, after the protective plate, the plug has released, from a retracted position to an advanced position Position moves, so that the plug lock with those of the counter-coupling can. The direction in which the connectors are moved is indicated by arrow 126 indicated. The illustrated electrical connector 104 is a plug with pin 128 which in a not shown socket of a Electric connector of the counter-coupling can engage.

In Figures 2 and 3, the coupling process is shown in more detail.

In Figure 2 runs on the electro-coupling device 1, the counter-Elektrokuppeleinrichtung 1000 on. The baffles 30 of the centering device touch each other in the middle bevelled area 34 and slide on each other. Since the baffles 34 just come into abutment in the central region 34 the drive lever 100 shown hatched by the counter-coupling in this Position not yet driven back. Therefore, the protective plate is closed and the Electrical plug 104 is in a retracted position.

If the clutch continues to run, as shown in FIG Casserole of the counter-coupling of the lever 110 of the drive lever 100 is actuated and the entire drive lever is shown hatched in Figure 3, in the moved position moves. As a result, the protective plate is withdrawn and the electric plug 104 is moved to the advanced position. This can the pin 128 engage in the socket 130 of the plug contacts of the counter-coupling. In this way, the electrical contact between the two Couplings produced.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an electric coupling device according to the invention is shown. Clearly visible are the total of 8 electrical plug 104 on each side of the electric clutch. The electric plug 104 are with a Cover plate 102 covers and are in this way against Damage protected. The cover plate 102 is at the emergence of the Gegenkupplung withdrawn namely from the marked position, in the the electric plug 104 are covered, along the direction of movement 120 in the illustrated dot-dashed position 132nd

As a result, the electrical connector 104 are released.

Figures 5a and 5b show a plan view of the invention Elektrokuppeleinrichtung and although 5a, the Elektrokuppeleinrichtung in a coupling ready position before emergence of the counter-coupling and Figure 5b, the clutch in the coupled position after emergence of the counter-coupling.
As can clearly be seen in FIG. 5 a, the protective plate 102 covers the electrical plugs 104 before the mating coupling ceases. The sealing ring 140 according to the invention, with which the electrical plugs 104 are sealed against the protective plate 102, can also be clearly recognized.

If the counter-coupling is completely accumulated, then by pressing the Drive lever 100 as shown in the preceding figures, the Guard plate 102 retracted to the position shown in Figure 5b position. As a result, the electrical connectors 104 are released. Furthermore, be with Help the drive lever the electric plug from a retracted position in the advanced position shown in Figure 5b spent so that the pins 128 can engage in the jacks 130 of the respective mating coupling and on This way and way a secure electrical contact is made. Significantly too in turn recognize the sealing devices 140. In the electric plug with pin 128 seals the seal 140 against the receiving opening, whereas the Seal 140 applied to the plug 104 with socket 130 on the front are, so that here a seal of pin and socket is formed. By These measures will both the receiving openings for the electric plug 104 protected from the ingress of water and other environmental influences like the connector itself.

In the figures 6 and 7 is an embodiment of an inventive Electric coupling device shown. This embodiment includes instead of Plug / socket contacts so-called blade contacts 200. Same components as in Figures 1 to 5 are assigned the same reference numerals. Significantly too recognize in the plan view in Figure 6 are the baffle 30 with the sections 32, 34, 36, the coupling plane 60, the pusher spring 22, the link assembly 24 and the undercut 54 and the projection 56 of the catcher 50th The blade contacts 200 are received by a socket 202, which with the baffle frame 28 is connected, wherein the baffle frame 28 of the Pretension spring 22 and the handlebar assembly is supported. The advantage of Use of blade contacts 200 versus male / female contacts such as For example, in the first embodiment, the simpler structure. So can the protective plate and the drive for the electric plug from a withdrawn fall into a Kupp ready position.

Another advantage of the blade contacts 200 can be seen from FIG.

The electrical connector comprises a total of six in the illustrated embodiment Knife contacts 200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6. The knife contact pins 200.1, 200.2, 200.3, engage in the running of the couplings in the Knife contact sockets of the opposite electrical connector, analogous to the illustrated blade contact sockets 200.4, 200.5, 200.6 are executed, a. The blade contact sockets 200.4, 200.5, 200.6 each comprise two Spring contact elements 204.1, 204.2. When running the coupling heads of the Knife contact pin 200.1, 200.2, 200.3 through the larger opening 206 of opposite respective blade contact socket 200.4, 200.5, 200.6 Centered, the safe electrical contact of the pin and socket is through the Spring contact elements 204.1, 204.2 guaranteed. The electric plugs have thus a kind of self-centering, additional centering can be omitted.

Figures 8a to 8d show the coupling process of an embodiment of a Electric coupling with side contacts. Same components as in the Previous figures are again assigned the same reference numerals.

In the uncoupled state - as shown in FIG. 8a - the pre-compression spring 22 is used via the spring bearing of the drive lever 100 of the third embodiment of the Invention pressed in the dome ready position. The drive lever 100 sunk while the socket 302 of the electrical connector 304 with the four side contacts 306.1, 306.2, 306.3, 306.4 in the impact frame 28 with baffle 30. The Impact frame 28 is in the bearing bridge 308 with a predetermined Degree of freedom stored in the three axes.

The impact frame 28 is about the spring bearing 300, the propulsion lever 310 and the Pressed socket against the bearing bridge 308 and thus takes the dome-ready position with a supply of approx. 23 mm and one side Adjustment of approx. 6 mm against the hooking direction. The abutment of Pretension springs 22 are arranged on the bearing bridge 308.

The height and angle centering of the impact frame 28 is determined by the arranged centering or the undercut 54 and the centering 30 with the centering sections 32, 34, 36 of the impact frame 28 of the achieved opposite clutch. The impact frame 28 has a depression 312, so that the drive lever 100 is first actuated by the counter-electric coupling, after the height centering of the clutches to a large extent is completed. In the position shown in Figure 8a, the contacts sunk and sealed. The drive lever has a large safety distance for counter coupling.

In Figure 8b, the height centering is completed to 3/4. The drive lever is running on the counter-coupling and begins the version of the side contact device to drive in the coupling plane. When entering under about 40 ° in the Verhakungs- and coupling axle device, the drive lever 100 is approximately to Half of the way pushed back and thereby drives the version 302 to ca. half path portion in the dome position, as shown in Figure 8c. At the position According to Figure 8c, the contacts and sockets have a large Safety distance.

From the beginning to the end of the hooking movement of the drive lever 100th pushed back and thus drives the socket 302 in the coupling plane. The two Electric couplings are thus under the biasing force of the two prestressing springs in Hooking direction and Kuppwegrichtung, as shown in Figure 8d, pressed together. In the position shown in Figure 8d is the entanglement already ended, the drive lever 100 but continues through the run-on slope driven and the socket 302 from the drive lever 100 to the dome level driven.

The gripping width of the centering of the electric clutch is designed so that the Tolerance of the coupling center of the automatic towing coupling or Z-AK is balanced with the electric clutch. The Z-AK can also order the Wagon axle occupy a certain angle of rotation or at alternating load from train to pressure and associated Aufbäumen or when cornering occupy a certain spread angle to each other while the Electric clutch always under the biasing force of the pre-compression spring 22 a Block unit forms.

By the handlebar assembly, the electric clutch from the horn of the counter-Z-AK be pushed back so far that the inlet contours of Z-AK completely be taken into account.

The arrangement of the electric coupling with the handlebar and the centering frame is designed so that the centering forces and the centering of the Z-AK with the Electric coupling to be tuned and harmonized.

The drive lever 100 is arranged so that the counter air clutch, the Counter horn or the counter-electric coupling at a distant coupling center can not be driven.

FIG. 9 shows a section through a side contact device according to FIG Embodiment shown in which the blade contacts according to the invention not are shown.

Clearly recognizable the version 302 and one of the four side contacts 306.1, which is designed here as a pen. The pins of the side contacts are in the respective socket of the opposite side contact device pressed, when the pusher spring 22 drives the baffle frame in the stop plane. Everyone Side contact itself is about the pivot bearing 316 by means of the compression spring 314, the is arranged in the socket 302, pivotable. In the coupled state the sealing surfaces 318 of the two versions abut each other and protect the side contacts 306.1, 306.2, 306.3 and 306.4 from the weather.

In Figure 10, the situation of two consecutive clutches at Start of hooking, i. shown in the dome phase shown in Figure 8c. Clearly visible is the remaining distance between the two Side contact devices 350.1, 350.2, which prevents the pins of the one Side contact device in the sockets of the opposite Engage side contact device. Each side contact device comprises a total of four side contacts, with two of the side contacts each Side contact device as pins 306.1, 306.2 and two as socket 306.3, 306.4 are formed.

With the arrangement according to the invention thus becomes a first Elektrokuppeleinrichtung specified that a secure fully automatic locking of electrical connectors allows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:

Electric coupling device

3:

mechanical coupling head

10:

centering

20:

guide frame

22:

Vordrückfeder

24:

link arrangement

28:

plump frame

30:

baffle

32:

first section of the baffle

34:

second section of the baffle

36:

third section of the baffle

40:

recording device

50:

catcher

52:

tentacle

54:

undercut

56:

head Start

60:

coupling plane

100:

drive lever

102:

protection plate

104:

electric plug

110:

lever arm

112:

arrow

114:

pivot point

116:

first toothing of the drive lever

118:

Toothing of the protective plate

120:

Direction of movement of the protective plate

122:

second gearing

124:

Dovetailing of the electric plug

126:

movement direction

128:

pen

130:

Rifle

140:

sealing elements

200.1, 200.2, 200.3

Diameter pins

200.4, 200.5, 200.6

Blade contact sockets

202

Socket for knife contacts

204.1, 204.2

Spring contact elements

206

opening

300

spring camp

302

Socket for side contact electric plug

304

Side contact electric plug

306.1, 306.2

Page pins

306.3, 306.4

Side contact sockets

308

storage bridge

310

propulsion lever

312

depression

314

compression spring

316

pivot bearing

318

Sealing surface of the side contact device

350.1, 350.2

Side contact devices,

1000:

Counter-electric coupling device

α:

Angle between the different baffles

β:

Angle under which the centering device against the Car axle is arranged.

Claims (11)

1. Automatic railway coupling comprising a mechanical coupler head and an electric coupling device (1) connected to said mechanical coupler head via connecting sites, with said electric coupling device (1) comprising:

   1.1 a centring device (10) with an impact surface (30);

   1.2 a locking and disconnecting means for coupling and decoupling;

   1.3 an electric coupler including a plurality of plug contact means (104) ,

   1.4 wherein said plurality of plug contact means includes blade contacts (200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6).
2. Automatic railway coupling according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that said electric coupler is disposed directly on said centring device (10) that constitutes the socket (202) for said blade contacts (200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6) at the same time.
3. Automatic railway coupling according to any of the Claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in that said blade contacts (200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6) are so designed that they centre themselves automatically, without an additional centring means, when said electric couplers overrun each other.
4. Automatic railway coupling according to any of the Claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that said blade contacts comprise male blade contact elements (200.1, 200.2, 200.3) and female blade contact elements (200.4, 200.5, 200.6), with each female blade contact element (200.4, 200.5, 200.6) including two respective spring contact elements (204.1, 204.2).
5. Automatic railway coupling according to Claim 4,
   characterised in that said female blade contact elements (200.4, 200.5, 200.6) present a respective opening (206) wider than said male blade contact elements (200.1, 200.2, 200.3).
6. Automatic railway coupling according to any of the Claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that said blade contacts (200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6) are received by a socket (202) connected to an impact frame (28), with said impact frame (28) being supported in particular by a pre-biasing spring (22) and a link system (24).
7. Method of coupling an automatic railway coupling according to any of the Claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that said blade contacts (200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5, 200.6) are self-centring.
8. Method according to Claim 7,
   characterised in that said blade contacts are provided with male blade contact elements (200.1, 200.2, 200.3) and female blade contact elements (200.4, 200.5, 200.6), wherein said male blade contact elements engage in said female blade contact elements of an opposite electric connector when the couplers overrun each other.
9. Method according to Claim 8,
   characterised in that one respective male blade contact element (200.1, 200.2, 200.3) is centred by the wider opening (206) of the opposite respective female blade contact element (200.4, 200.5, 200.6).
10. Method according to any of the Claims 8 or 9,
    characterised in that a reliable electric contact of said male blade contact elements (200.1, 200.2, 200.3) and said female blade contact elements (200.4, 200.5, 200.6) is ensured by spring contact elements (204.1, 204.2).
11. Method according to any of the Claims 7 to 10,
    characterised in that said electric connectors are centred without additional centring means.

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