EP1844829B1 - Current collector assembly for an electrical rail-guided model vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The current collector assembly has a sliding contact (1), which has a loop form (4) in each case by longitudinal end bending. The loop-ends pointing to each other, which have two finger-shaped spaced projections for guiding the ends of the retainer (2). The retainer, which has plate (7) shaped in the middle area to fix the fastening plates (3) by bending or crimping. The spring clip (27), which have a shorter length than the distance between retainer in the middle range and sliding contact. An independent claim is also included for a linkage for current collector assembly, involves linking, which is related to the direction of motion of the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a pantograph arrangement for electrically operated, track-guided model drive vehicles, comprising a running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, strip-shaped, at the longitudinal ends respectively angled sliding contact with a first elasticity and standing with the sliding contact on its side facing away from the wire headband, which is a second Has elasticity, wherein the headband and sliding contact can perform a relative movement to each other, and with a mounting plate, which is connected to the headband, according to feature combination of claim 1.

Pantographs for model vehicles are for example from the DE 23 36 062 A1 or the DE 22 32 103 A1 previously known.

At the solution after DE 23 36 062 A1 is a stiff, level sliding contact in operative connection with a leaf spring clip standing. The leaf spring clip is guided with its ends in recesses of the sliding contact. There is a support base in the middle area of the leaf spring clip. The support base is attached via lug-shaped claws.

The illustrated pantograph is mountable on the underside of a model vehicle. The provided as a grinding handle tapping element can receive a provided on the track electrical potential, so that a power supply is ensured to an electric motor drive.

Also the DE 22 32 103 A1 shows a pantograph with a rigid slider-iron, with respect to the existing there resiliently compliant and holding device.

The above-appreciated solutions of the prior art have due to the solid and rigid grinder bar or sliding contact a very high noise level when driving over Mating contacts that are formed on the track on. The resulting noise is extremely disturbing and undesirable for model reproduction as true to model as possible.

Regarding the desired reduced noise level in electricity consumers was in the AT 411 330 B proposed to further educate the customer that the sliding contact is formed by a resilient, resilient and restoring contact plate, the two end portions are held at the Stirnendbereichen a self-rigid support member.

The contact plate after AT 411 330 B is from a first, largely rectilinear basic position in a second, arch-shaped curved position transferred and resiliency without external force in the largely rectilinear basic position resiliently. In other words, the sliding contact can after AT 411 330 B take two different shape states. In the first shape state, which corresponds to the idle state of the sliding contact, this is rectilinear and is in electrical connection with a plurality of mating contacts. Due to the low inherent rigidity of the contact plate, a shock and impact-free contact with the point contacts is achieved after the contact plate to the point contacts, especially in height certain production tolerances subject nestle, or can match. The ability to compensate for dimensional tolerances due to the elasticity of the spring also counteracts the formation of bouncing vibrations, which otherwise propagate over the entire current collector. In particular, in the intersection or switch areas of a track system, the previously known current collector or its contact pads can also assume the aforementioned second state with an upwardly curved shape as a result of the acting forces. This is to exclude short circuits between areas of the track system with different potentials when the pantograph crosses a rail of a crossing or merging track.

The previously known pantograph is, despite its positive Characteristics due to reduced noise relatively tall construction and includes a larger number of parts with the result of higher costs in manufacture and assembly. In addition, it has been shown that the transition from a flat to a concave deflection of the contact plate, the contact reliability is not guaranteed under all circumstances. Ultimately, another drawback of the pantograph is after AT 411 330 B the above-mentioned building form. The state of the art is still on the DE 202 07 450 U1 directed.

From the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a further developed pantograph arrangement for electrically operated, track-guided model drive vehicles. The customer is to avoid short circuits when crossing over turnouts, optionally have a functional transport safety device and there should be a possibility that the customer undergoes an articulation or forward steering with curvy track guide.

The one running in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, strip-shaped, at the longitudinal ends each angled sliding contact owning pantograph assembly should continue to consist of as few parts, easy to install and have a low overall height to find suitability for model vehicles of different sizes and gauges.

The object of the invention is achieved by a current collector according to feature combination of claim 1, wherein the dependent claims represent at least expedient refinements and developments.

The sliding contact is according to the invention following in the Resting state, ie formed without external force so that it has a convex, outwardly curved shape. In one embodiment, the sliding contact has a center-oriented taper from one end.

In operation, the sliding contact deforms and adapts to the course of the point contacts, which are arranged substantially straight in the track to. Depending on the change in deflection increases each electrically effective contact surface and it reduces the contact resistance. Furthermore, tearing sparks and thus electromagnetic interference are avoided. To avoid collisions of the sliding contact, e.g. to avoid transmission parts of the vehicle, the mounting plate may be provided eccentrically in length, resulting in a shorter and a longer sliding contact portion.

Due to the fact that the sliding contact has a convex shape at rest, this assumes a targeted amount of the possible relative movement to the headband or relative to an attachment point on the locomotive, taking into account its elastic properties. By this measure, the deflection and thus the effective height of the retaining clip and thus the overall height of the pantograph can be reduced.

The Längsendenabwinklung the sliding contact each has a loop shape, wherein the mutually facing loop ends have two finger-like, spaced, downwardly open projections for guiding the ends of the retaining clip. Ausgestaltend extends at least one spring clip from the headband center area in the direction of the sliding contact and forms a transport safety.

The ends of the retaining clip are executed in a preferred embodiment of the invention as runners or have a runner shape.

The finger-like projections of the loops of the sliding contact are directed to the inner surface of the sliding contact, so that a secure hold and a guide between the bracket and the sliding contact results.

In its middle region, the retaining bracket has molded tabs, which fix the mounting plate by bending or crimping. In the mounting plate, a through hole or opening is provided to fix the current collector on the vehicle floor or an articulation part.

Preferably, the first elasticity of the strip-shaped sliding contact is less than the second elasticity of the retaining clip or has the same degree.

According to the invention, a separable in the longitudinal direction, two-part support member is provided which receives at least one form-fitting bent end portions of the retaining clip on the one hand and on the other hand, the angled longitudinal ends of the sliding contact.

This in turn particularly flat construction embodiment has a support member which is composed of two complementary, provided with connecting means webs.

Perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the webs, these have at their opposite ends to a guide pin or guide rod, which is embraced by a bent end portion of the retaining clip in each case.

On the mounting side of the preformed headband is placed on a part of the support member and the respective projecting guide pins, before then the second complementary support member part with the first part or web is preferably positively connected.

The support member may have at its front underside a runner arch shape which extends complementary to the bend of the longitudinal ends of the associated sliding contact.

To attach the sliding contact, the support member has on its front sides latching noses for positive connection with the corresponding ends of the sliding contact, wherein the ends of the sliding contact have matching recesses. Of course, a kinematic reversal is also conceivable here, ie there is the possibility that the ends of the sliding contact have embossed latching lugs which engage in latching recesses on the supporting part intervention.

The bent end portions of the retaining bracket are virtually in the interior of the support element in electrical connection with the inner surface of the sliding contacts.

Ausgestaltend it is possible to form on the longitudinal undersides of the webs each have a leading edge for limiting a lateral movement of the sliding contact. This leading edge is formed on the outside at least over part of its length as an inclined surface with a chamfer.

The intended transport lock is designed so that extends from the headband center area at least one spring clip in the direction of the sliding contact to hold headband and sliding contact to each other, the length of the spring clip is shorter than the distance between headband center area and sliding contact in the working state of the pantograph ,

The spring clip can be formed in a preferred embodiment of the headband. In this case, headband including spring clip consists of a metal stamped / bent part in one-piece form.

Alternatively, the spring clip can also be connected as a separate part with the mounting plate.

Preferably, the spring clip has an S-arch shape. By bending the spring clip, the transport lock can be released. As a result of this bending and the elasticity of the retaining bracket this comes at a distance from the sliding contact or the support element.

In one embodiment of the invention, two spring clips extend on both sides and opposite in the middle of the retaining bow.

In order to ensure that the current collector arrangement does not trigger a short circuit between the contacted point contacts and the swiveled-in switch tongue when passing over switches in the branch, even in vehicles with a long wheelbase and a rigid frame without bogies, the attachment plate is connected to a coupling part located on the model drive vehicle, wherein the linkage part guided guided relative to the direction of movement of the vehicle is laterally pivotable.

For laterally guiding the linkage member and the overall pantograph assembly associated with this member, e.g. provided on the axis of a wheel set of the traction vehicle, a disc-shaped driver, which transmits this movement in a laterally Radsatzbewegung on a guide finger assembly, which in turn is in operative connection with the articulation part or part of this articulation part.

The articulation part is pivotally connected at its side opposite the guide finger arrangement to the model drive vehicle via a bolt or a similar joint.

With the help of the Anlenkungsteils the pantograph assembly follows when crossing over turnouts essentially parallel to the course of the respective track section, without causing unwanted, the operation of the model vehicle disturbing short circuits.

In another embodiment, the linkage member is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the model drive vehicle, e.g. displaceable by a slot guide. The displacement movement of the linkage part is triggered or influenced by a precursor wheel set. For this purpose engages an extension with groove of the precursor wheel set in a pin, which is located on the articulation part. When cornering and switch crossing a transfer of the pivoting movement of the precursor wheel set takes place on the pin with the result that the coupling part with pantograph arrangement is subject to a certain shift.

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with the aid of figures.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1 (from top to bottom) a bottom view of the pantograph, a side view and a top view of the pickup and a perspective view of the same;

Fig. 1a a representation of the pantograph after Fig. 1 with especially lateral caps;

Fig. 2 an assembled perspective view of a current collector with two-part support element according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the bottom of the current collector according to the invention, even without inserted sliding contact;

Fig. 4 a representation for explaining the mounting of the current collector assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 5 a perspective view of the retaining clip according to the invention with not yet bent tabs for fixing the mounting plate;

Fig. 6 a perspective view of the pantograph with activated spring clip as a transport lock;

Fig. 7 a representation similar Fig. 6 , but with released transport lock;

Fig. 8 a representation of the underside of a model drive vehicle with two wheelsets and Anlenkungsteil for the pantograph assembly;

Fig. 9 4 is a view of the underside of a model drive vehicle with mounted pantograph assembly, which by the Anlenkungsteil ( Fig. 8 ) follows lateral movements of the wheelset to prevent short circuits, especially when driving over turnouts;

Fig. 10 a perspective view of the underside of a model drive vehicle with precursor wheel and coupling part for the current collector assembly and

FIGS. 11 and 12 Bottom views of the second embodiment for actuating the linkage part in straight ahead driving ( Fig. 11 ) as well as when cornering or switch crossing ( Fig. 12 ).

The pantograph arrangement according to the illustrations according to Fig. 1 serves the supply of electrically driven model drive vehicles and is usually mounted in the area of the vehicle underbody.

The pantograph assembly comprises a longitudinal direction of the Vehicle running strip-shaped, at the longitudinal ends of each angled sliding contact 1, with a convex in the resting state, outwardly bent or curved shape.

The sliding contact 1 is both mechanically and electrically connected to a headband 2 in connection.

The fixing of the current collector on the model drive vehicle takes place with the aid of the attachment plate 3, which can be executed, for example, as a plastic injection molded part.

The Längsendenabwinklung of the sliding contact 1 has a loop shape 4, wherein the mutually facing loop ends have two finger-like, spaced-apart projections 5 for guiding the respective ends of the retaining clip 2.

The ends of the retaining clip have the shape of a runner 6, so that a sliding contact with the corresponding inner surface of the sliding contact 1 can take place even with relative movement of the elements retaining bracket 2 and sliding contact 1 to each other.

On the headband 2, preferably in the middle region, molded tabs 7 are present, which fix the mounting plate 3 by bending or crimping.

The representation after Fig. 1a shows a pantograph of the basic construction as in the Fig. 1 shown with additional lateral insulating caps 24. These insulating caps prevent unwanted contact of the metallic sliding contact with foreign potential, especially in a curve passage of a rail-guided model railway vehicle, which is provided with such current collectors.

The two-part insulating consists of a plastic material, the end portions 25 of the loop shape 4 are adjusted.

These end portions 25 are received by the resulting interior space within the loop mold 4 and guided freely.

The connection of the two Isolierkappenteile 24 is effected by a father-mother connector assembly 26 which is executable latching. The complete two-piece insulating cap exerts no deformation forces on the Slip contact and does not hinder its spring properties.

The finger-like projections 5 are connected by an angled section 27, so that the stability of the actual sliding contact, also with respect to the guidance of the retaining clip 2, improves with the runners 6 provided there.

With the solution according to the illustrations Fig. 2 to 5 succeeds in further reducing the height of the pantograph.

According to the invention, recourse is made to a longitudinally separable, two-part support element 8.

The support member 8 takes on the one hand bent end portions 9 of the local holding bracket 10 and on the other hand angled longitudinal ends 11 of the sliding contact 12, which also has a convex shape, on.

As shown in the illustration Fig. 4 becomes clear, the support member consists of two complementary webs 13. The two webs 13 are assembled by means of connecting means. The connecting means comprise, on the one hand, bolt-like formations 14 which are received by a bore 15 located in the respectively opposite web 13.

Furthermore, the connecting means comprise snap-in parts 16, which are each performed in a father-mother pairing as integrally formed elements on the respective web.

Furthermore, the webs 13 each have at their opposite ends a guide pin 17 which is encompassed in each case by a bent end portion 9 of the retaining clip 10.

The underside of the webs 13 has a recess 18, so that sufficient leeway for the deformation of the sliding contact 12 remains.

The lateral ends of the webs 13 have a runner arch shape 19, which is substantially complementary to the bend 11 of the longitudinal ends of the sliding contact 12.

Furthermore, the two-part support member or support member has on its end-side locking lugs 20 for the positive connection with the Sliding contact, wherein the ends of the sliding contact 12 have matching recesses 21.

The bent-over end sections 9 of the retaining clip 10 are in electrical connection with the inner surface of the sliding contact 12.

How out Fig. 3 can be seen, 13 each guide edges 22 are formed for the sliding contact 12 on the longitudinal undersides of the webs.

The running as a stamped bending part headband 10 is provided with tabs 7 to hold the mounting plate 3 positively by the tabs 7 hold the mounting plate 3 as a result of a bending or crimping step.

The current collector is by means of a screw 23 on the model drive vehicle underside, not shown, or on a linkage part (see 8 and 9 ) fastened, for which purpose the screw 23 is inserted through a recess or hole in the mounting plate.

With the help of Fig. 6 and 7 showing a perspective view of a pantograph assembly, the effect of the spring clip 27 is to be explained as a transport safety.

The current collector arrangement shown there consists of the basic assemblies supporting element 8, headband 2, sliding contact 1 and mounting plate 3 and a screw 23 or a corresponding mounting bolt.

Starting from the mounting plate 3 in the direction of the sliding contact 1, a spring clip 27, which has a substantially S-arc shape, extends laterally from the mounting bracket center region.

In the presentation after Fig. 6 In one specific embodiment, in this case, the height of the entire pantograph assembly is only about 3.5 mm compared to the operating state when the spring clip is released by about 8 , 5 mm. With the help of the spring clip transport lock damages are excluded. By gently bending the lower ends of the spring clip slightly 27 can be solved by the customer, the transport safety device and the pantograph be transferred to its working position (see Fig. 7 ).

Preferably, two spring clips 27 are laterally opposite and formed on the metal headband 2. Retaining bracket 2 and spring clip 27 may consist of a one-piece metal stamped / bent part in the aforementioned sense.

The length of the spring clip 27 is, as shown in the illustration Fig. 7 becomes clear, shorter than the clear distance between headband center region and sliding contact 1 in the working state of the current collector assembly, so that the desired resilient movement in the operation of the current collector is not subject to any restrictions. Like in the Fig. 7 it can be seen, the respective outer side of the support element or the leading edge may be formed as an inclined surface or chamfer 36.

In certain cases, it has been found in the operation of a vehicle when driving over curves or turnouts in the branch that leads on vehicles with a long wheelbase and rigid frame without bogies the pantograph grinder to a short circuit between the contacted point contacts and the pivoted switch blade.

To avoid this, a special articulation part according to the illustrations after 8 to 12 intended.

The hinge part 28, which is e.g. is made of a plastic injection molding material is guided on the frame 29 of the model drive vehicle 30 relative to the direction of movement of the vehicle 30 laterally pivoted or rotated.

In order to effect the desired lateral pivoting movement corresponding to the position of the vehicle, a disc-shaped carrier 33 is preferably mounted centrally on the axle 31 of a wheel set 32 of the vehicle 30. This driver 33 follows at lateral displacement movement of the respective wheelset 32 of this (see Fig. 8 ).

With the aid of a guide finger arrangement 34, the lateral movement of the driver 33 can be transmitted to the coupling part 28.

The articulation part 28 is connected at its side opposite the guide finger arrangement 34 to the frame 29 of the model drive vehicle 30 via a bolt-shaped joint 35.

The bolt-shaped hinge 35 may e.g. be formed by a screw.

With the help of a molding in the coupling part 28, the mounting plate 3 of the current collector assembly is precisely fixed, with an additional attachment using the screw 23 (see, eg Fig. 6 or 7 ) is made.

Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of the current collector on the linkage member 28 with clearly recognizable pivotal movement, following the lateral displacement of the wheelset 32, as occurs for example when crossing a switch then when a vehicle is used with a long wheelbase without bogies.

The second embodiment of the coupling part 28 according to the representations of the 10 to 12 is based on a precursor wheel set 37 rotatably mounted on the model vehicle. This wheel 37 has at its end directed to the sliding contact 1 an extension 38 with groove 39. In the groove 39 engages a pin 40 which is attached to the articulation part 28 or formed integrally therewith.

The articulation part 28, which leads the pantograph arrangement with sliding contact, has slots 41 which run essentially perpendicular to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Screws or bolts 42 secure the linkage part and form a displacement stop.

With the pivoting of the extension 38 on the wheel 37, a motion is transmitted to the coupling part 28 with entrainment of the pantograph. Short circuits when driving over critical sections, e.g. of switches, can be safely avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 sliding contact

2 retaining clips

3 mounting plates

4 loop shape

5 finger-like projections

6 skids

7 tab

8 support element

9 bent end sections

10 headband of the second embodiment

11 angled longitudinal end

12 sliding contact of the second embodiment

13 footbridge

14 bolt-like shape

15 hole

16 snap-in part

17 guide pin

18 return

19 Skid arch shape

20 latch

21 recess

22 leading edge

23 screw

24 insulating cap

25 end section

26 connector (father / nut arrangement)

27 spring clip

28 linkage part

29 frame

30 vehicle

31 axis

32 wheelset

33 drivers

34 guide finger assembly

35 joint

36 inclined surface

37 precursor wheelset

38 extension

39 groove

40 cones

41 slot

42 screw / bolt

Claims (15)

1. Current collector assembly for electrically driven, track-guided model traction vehicles, comprising a strip-shaped sliding contact (1) having a first elasticity, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is bent at the longitudinal ends of the vehicle, and a retaining bracket (2) having a second elasticity, which is electrically connected to the sliding contact (1) on its side facing away from the track, wherein the retaining bracket (2) and the sliding contact (1) can perform a relative movement with respect to each other, and comprising a small fastening plate (3) connected to the retaining bracket (2), wherein the bending of the longitudinal ends of the sliding contact is loop-shaped (4) and the loop ends facing each other have two finger-type, spaced-apart projections (5) for guiding the ends of the retaining bracket (2), and the retaining bracket (2) comprises in its central portion integrally formed plates (7), which fix the small fastening plate (3) in position by bending or crimping,
   characterized in that
   at least one spring clip (27) can be optionally arranged to extend from the central portion of the retaining bracket in the direction of the sliding contact (1) so as to fix the retaining bracket (2) and the sliding contact (1) relative to each other in a transportation-locked manner, wherein the length of the spring clip (27) is shorter than the distance between the central portion of the retaining bracket and the sliding contact (1) when the current collector assembly is in an operating state,
   a two-part supporting member (8) is provided, which can be separated in the longitudinal direction and which receives, on the one hand, bent end sections (9) of the retaining bracket (2) and, on the other hand, the bent longitudinal ends (11) of the sliding contact (1) in a positive manner,
   the supporting member (8) is composed of two complementary webs (13) which are provided with connecting means, wherein the webs (13) have a guide pin (17) on their opposite ends perpendicular to their longitudinal extension, each of which is encompassed by a bent-over end section (9) of the retaining bracket (2), and a guiding edge (22) for the sliding contact (1) is formed on the longitudinal bottom sides of the webs (13), and the longitudinal outer sides have an inclined surface or chamfer (36).
2. Current collector assembly according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the spring clip (27) is integrally formed with the retaining bracket (2).
3. Current collector assembly according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the spring clip (27) is connected to the small fastening plate (3).
4. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the spring clip (27) has the shape of an S-bend.
5. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the transportation lock can be released by bending open the spring clip (27).
6. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   two spring clips (27) are provided on both sides and opposite in the central portion of the retaining bracket.
7. Current collector assembly according to claim 2 and/or one of claims 4 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the spring clip (27) is integrally connected to the retaining bracket (2) by punching and bending.
8. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the ends of the retaining bracket (2) are skid-shaped.
9. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the finger-type projections (5) are directed towards the inner surface of the sliding contact (1).
10. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the sliding contact (1) has over its longitudinal extension a convex shape which exists without the application of a force.
11. Current collector assembly according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the first elasticity is smaller than the second elasticity.
12. Current collector assembly according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the connecting means are designed as a snap-in locking connection (16).
13. Current collector assembly according to one of claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the supporting member (8) has the shape of an arcuate skid (19) on its front bottom sides, which is complementary with respect to the bending of the longitudinal ends (11) of the sliding contact (1).
14. Current collector assembly according to claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the supporting member (8) is provided with detent noses (20) on its front sides for the positive connection with the sliding contact (1), wherein the ends of the sliding contact (1) have complementary detent recesses (21).
15. Current collector assembly according to one of claims 1 to 14,
    characterized in that
    the bent-over end sections of the retaining bracket (2) are electrically connected to the inner surface of the sliding contact (1).

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