EP2812226B1 - Device for controlling a rail switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for changing over a rail switch, which comprises a tongue device with two jaw rails and the jaw rails associated tongue rails, in which a plurality of adjusting devices is arranged offset in the rail longitudinal direction, wherein the adjusting means are mechanically coupled to each other by means of a coupling linkage to the same direction drive.

The invention further relates to a rail switch comprising a tongue device with two cheek rails mounted on thresholds and the tongue rails associated with the cheek rails, and a device for changing the rail switch.

Tongue rail actuators are well known in the art. In the known adjusting devices, the mechanical changeover of the tongue rail takes place with the aid of an electric or hydraulic point drive, wherein in addition to the points drive a separate or in this integrated switch closure device and in any case a separate Endlagenprüfeinrichtung is provided. The switch lock serves to fix the tongue rails in their respective end position. For the conversion of modern high-speed turnouts a plurality of rail longitudinally staggered adjusting devices including each possibly integrated closure device is required, usually only a first of these actuators is connected to a drive unit and the other adjusting devices by means of a coupling link to the same direction drive both to the first Actuator as well as mechanically coupled to each other. Those levels where the Acting or locking devices attack on the tongue rails are referred to as control or Verschlussebenen.

From the AT 500296 A1 a switch changeover has become known in which two adjusting devices including integrated switch lock are arranged offset in the rail longitudinal direction, wherein the coupling linkage for the connection of the adjusting devices is guided laterally outside the thresholds.

However, the arrangement of the coupling linkage outside the track has the disadvantage that this obstructs the stuffing process. The stuffing process is made even more difficult when coupling linkage, which couple a plurality of displaced in the rail longitudinal direction arranged adjusting devices with each other, get used in the case of curved switches. For curved turnouts, depending on the radius of curvature, a corresponding inclination of the coupling linkage occurs, which considerably reduces the space available for the stuffing operation.

From the US 2003/042370 A1 a device for switching a rail switch has become known, which comprises a tongue device with two cheek rails and the jaw rails associated tongue rails, in which a plurality of adjusting devices are arranged offset in the rail longitudinal direction, wherein the adjusting means are mechanically coupled to each other by means of a coupling linkage to the same direction drive, wherein the coupling linkage between two adjacent adjusting devices each comprises a separate double linkage, which mechanically couple the two adjacent adjusting devices with each other and run alongside the two jaw rails.

The present invention therefore aims to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. The coupling rod should the Hamper stuffing process as little as possible. Furthermore, the coupling linkage should be made as compact as possible and can be used without problems even with curved turnouts.

To solve this problem, the changeover device of the type mentioned in essence is further developed such that the coupling linkage between two adjacent adjusting devices each comprise a separate double linkage of two parallel rod longitudinally displaceably guided coupling rods which mechanically couple the two adjacent actuating devices with each other and between the two jaw rails extend, wherein the two parallel coupling rods have cranked end portions. Characterized in that the separate double linkage of two parallel coupling rods between the two jaw rails, in particular runs substantially in the middle between the two jaws bills, the stuffing process is hardly hindered. In this case, an inclination of the coupling rods in a curved switch hardly adversely affects the stuffing process, so that the changeover device according to the invention can easily be used in sheet turnouts used. Characterized in that between two adjacent adjusting devices each have a separate double linkage is arranged from two parallel coupling rods, the coupling linkage can be approximated as well as possible with a curved switch on the curve of the switch, so that caused by the inclination of the coupling rod additional space consumption can be minimized. In particular, this can ensure that the coupling linkage remains arranged in the track center.

In order to ensure the lowest possible space consumption in a double rod, the two coupling rods must be arranged as close to each other as possible. To do this anyway allow an eccentric engagement of the coupling rods on the lever arm to realize the required lever arm, the invention provides that the two parallel coupling rods have cranked end portions. The cranked end portions may in this case be formed as separate end pieces, which are connected to the coupling rods.
Even with straight turnouts, the inventive design with a plurality of separate coupling rods has the advantage that the coupling linkage can be modularly assembled in adaptation to the number of setting levels and the length of the switch. In particular, it is possible to couple a large number of setting levels with each other. Characterized in that the coupling linkage is not continued over the individual actuating devices, but two adjacent adjusting devices each comprises separately connecting coupling rods, the coupling linkage in the case of an exchange of the adjusting device does not have to be completely removed. Rather, it is sufficient to solve the articulation points of the coupling rod to the actuator to be exchanged, after which the actuator can be removed in a simple manner. This is made possible by the fact that the individual coupling rods end in a distance measured in the rail longitudinal direction from the adjusting device.

The implementation of the rod longitudinal movement of the coupling rods in a transversely occurring Umstellbewegung the adjusting devices is preferably carried out in that the at least one coupling rod engages at its two ends in each case via an angle lever on the adjusting device. Said angle lever at the same time ensures the above-mentioned spacing of the coupling rods of the adjusting device in the rail longitudinal direction and allows the adjustment of the Verstellhubes in the adjustment planes.

The construction according to the invention makes it possible to mechanically couple a plurality of adjusting devices with each other. In a number of at least three mutually coupled actuating devices, the inventive construction is such that the actuating devices comprise a first actuator, a second actuator and a third actuator, wherein the second actuator is disposed between the first and the third actuator, wherein at the second Actuating a first angle lever and a second angle lever attack, wherein the first angle lever is connected to a coupling rod for coupling the first actuating device with the second actuating device and the second angle lever with a coupling rod for coupling the second actuating device with the third actuating device.

In principle, the travel paths along the rail longitudinal direction must be taken into account when changing over turnouts. The required Umstellweg is in this case the smaller, the closer the point of attack of the respective adjusting device is arranged to the clamping of the tongue rail. In addition, different Umstellkräfte be considered, which are larger with decreasing distance from the clamping of the tongue rail. This is due to the law of leverage as well as the fact that the cross section of the tongue rail is smaller in an area remote from the clamping point of the tongue rail than in an area adjacent to the clamping point. The respectively required travel can preferably be realized by means of the above-mentioned angle lever, characterized in that the one arranged at one end of the coupling rod angle lever has a greater leverage than the arranged at the other end of the coupling rod angle lever. Under the leverage here is the Ratio of the effective lengths of the two lever arms of the angle lever understood.

A particularly space-saving design is preferably achieved in that the adjusting devices are each arranged in a threshold compartment between two adjacent thresholds. This makes it possible, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment, to pivotally mount the angle levers on the sleepers. The thresholds thus serve as brackets for the angle lever, so that separate brackets are not required.

The inventive construction further allows that the coupling linkage preferably extends above the thresholds. This facilitates installation, maintenance and any replacement of the linkage.

In order to tap the Umstellhub on the angle lever in a simple manner, the training is preferably made such that the angle lever attack each with the interposition of a pivotally hinged pendulum support on the changeover.

In order to avoid when changing over the switch, that the coupling linkage is subjected to pressure, which can lead to buckling or bulging of the coupling linkage, it is preferably provided that the coupling linkage between two adjacent adjusting devices comprises two parallel coupling rods, which the two adjacent adjusting devices mechanically couple together and run between the two jaw rails. There is thus provided a double linkage, in which the actively acted coupling rod is only claimed to train.

In order to ensure in a simple manner that the actuating devices are coupled to the same direction movement, a preferred development provides that the provided at one end of the two coupling rods cranked end portions intersect each other and provided at the other end of the two coupling rods bent end portions are formed diverging.

The cranked design of the end portions of the coupling rods can lead to the introduction of shear forces on the coupling rods. It is therefore advantageous if the two parallel coupling rods interact with guide rollers to absorb the transverse forces.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing. In this show Fig. 1 a floor plan of a rail switch, Fig. 2 a floor plan of a double link between two levels, Fig. 3 a view of the detail III of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a view of the IV detail of the Fig. 1 ,
In Fig. 1 a section of a rail switch is shown, the two jaw rails 1 and 2 and engageable in contact with the respective stock rail tongue rails 3 and 4 comprises. The jaw rails 1 and 2 are fastened to the sleepers 5 by means of conventional fastening devices. To switch the switch actuator means are provided which are arranged in the three levels 6, 7 and 8. In the first actuating plane 6, a first actuating device 9, in the second actuating plane 7 a second actuating device 10 and in the third actuating plane 8 a third actuating device 11 are arranged. The adjusting devices 9, 10 and 11 extend transversely to the rail longitudinal direction and are on the two tongue rails 3 and 4 attached. The adjusting devices 9, 10 and 11 are in particular formed as in the AT 500 296 A1 is described and have integrated a closure device with which the tongue rails 3 and 4 can be locked in the respective end position.

In Fig. 1 Furthermore Endlagenprüfeinrichtungen 12 and 13 can be seen, which serve to mechanically scan the current state of the switches and to generate a test signal, by means of which it can be reliably determined whether the switch has been correctly changed and whether the adjacent and the outgoing Tongue rail are in their respective correct end position.

To convert the switch, the first adjusting device 9 cooperates with a drive unit 14, which is designed for example as a hydraulic drive. The drive unit 14 drives the adjusting device 9 to perform a Umstellhubes in the direction of the double arrow 15. The first adjusting device 9 is now mechanically coupled to the second adjusting device 10 and the third adjusting device 11 by means of a coupling linkage 16, so that all three adjusting devices 9, 10 and 11 perform a same direction Umstellbewegung. It can be seen that the first adjusting device 9 and the second adjusting device 10 by means of a double linkage 17 and the second adjusting device 10 and the third adjusting device 11 with the aid of a double linkage 18 are coupled together. The double rod 17 and the double rod 18 are here formed as separate components.

The double rod 17 is enlarged in Fig. 2 shown. The double rod 17 has two mutually parallel coupling rods 19 and 20, which have cranked end portions. The cranked end portions are formed here as separate components that can be screwed onto the coupling rods 19 and 20 respectively. This makes it possible to use identical components according to the respective requirements for the formation of different cranks. So is in Fig. 2 It can be seen that the coupling rods 19 and 20 have at the right end in the drawing end portions 21 which are bent outwards, ie divergent, and have at the left end in the drawing, cranked end portions 22 which intersect each other. The end portions 21 and 22 are each hingedly connected to an angle lever 23 and 24, in turn on the pendulum support 25 and 26 to the in Fig. 2 not shown adjusting device 9 or 10 is connected. The angle lever 23 and 24 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 27 and 28 to a mounting plate 29 and 30 respectively. The mounting plate 29 or 30 is fixed, for example by means of screws on the threshold 5. In the middle of the coupling rods 19 and 20 are mounted with the aid of a coupling rods cross bracket 31, wherein the bracket 31 in turn with the aid of a mounting plate 32 on a threshold 5 is fixed. The storage must in this case allow both a movement of the coupling rod 19 and 20 corresponding to the double arrow 33 and a change in the distance between the coupling rods 19 and 20. Such a change in the distance between the coupling rods 19 and 20 occurs to a slight extent at a pivoting of the angle lever 23 and 24, respectively.

In the detail view according to Fig. 3 is now better seen how the coupling rods 19 and 20 attack by means of the angle lever 23 and the rod 25 on the adjusting device 9. The angle lever 23 serves to implement the taking place in the direction of the double arrow 15 Umstellbewegung the adjusting device 9 in a direction taking place in the direction of the double arrow 33 axial displacement movement of the coupling rods 19 and 20. For this purpose, the angle lever 23 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 27 on the mounting plate 29. The first lever arm of the angle lever 23 extends between the point of engagement 34 of the coupling rod 20 and the pivot axis 27 of the angle lever 23. With respect to the coupling rod 19, the first lever arm of the angle lever 23 extends between the point of engagement 35 of the coupling rod 19 on the angle lever 23 and the pivot axis 27. The second lever arm 36 of the angle lever 23 extends between the pivot axis 27 and the point 37 of the angle lever 23 on the pendulum support 25. Both the pivotable mounting on the Attack point 37 and the pivotal mounting at the point of attack 38 makes it possible to implement in the direction of the double arrow 15 caused by the drive unit 14 Umstellbewegung the adjusting device 9 in a corresponding to the circular arc 39 taking place pivotal movement of the angle lever 23. The angle lever 23 in turn sets the pivoting movement in an axial displacement of the coupling rods 19 and 20 according to the double arrow 33.

In Fig. 4 It is shown how the axial movement of the coupling rods 19 and 20 is converted into a switching movement of the adjusting device 10 in the sense of the double arrow 15. The coupling rods 19 and 20 engage via their bent-out end portions 21 to an angle lever 24, which is fixed about the axis 28 pivotally mounted on a mounting plate 30 and the threshold 5. The angle lever 24 in turn engages via a pendulum support 26 on the adjusting device 10, wherein the implementation of the movements takes place analogously, as described on the basis of Fig. 3 was discussed.

While the coupling rods 19 and 20 attack on the cranked portions 22 at the inner points of attack 34 on the angle lever 23 ( Fig. 3 ), they attack on the cranked end portions 21 at the outer engagement points 40 on the angle lever 24 ( Fig. 4 ). This means that the effective length of the first lever arm at the angle lever 23 is shorter than the effective length of the first lever arm at the angle lever 24. The lever ratio of the angle lever 23 is thus greater than the lever ratio of the angle lever 24. This difference in leverage causes the Umstellhub the actuator 10 is less than the Umstellhub the actuator. 9 The drive of the adjusting device 11 takes place with the aid of the double linkage 18, which comprises the coupling rods 41 and 42. The coupling rods 41 and 42 engage on their intersecting cranked end portions 43 at the inner points of attack 44 on the angle lever 45, so that the Umstellhub the adjusting device 11 is reduced compared to the Umstellhub the actuator 10 and takes place in the same direction. Alternatively, intersecting cables can be used instead of the coupling rods. The angle lever 45 in turn intervenes with the interposition of the pendulum support 46 to the changeover device 10.

In Fig. 1 It can be seen that the inventive arrangement of the coupling linkage 16 between the two jaw rails 11, ie in the middle of the track has a very low space consumption result. The coupling linkage 16 is guided above the sleepers 5 and is passed through in the region of the end position test devices 12 and 13. Furthermore, it can be seen that the adjusting devices 9, 10 and 11 are each arranged in a threshold compartment between two adjacent sleepers 5. The coupling rods 19 and 20 or 41 and 42 are in this case not continuously guided over the individual Verstellebenen, but are each only up to the adjusting means 9, 10 and 11 adjacent threshold 5 out. This makes it possible in a simple manner, the adjusting devices 9, 10 and 11 replace without the coupling rods 19, 20, 41 and 42 must be removed for this purpose. Rather, only the individual angle lever must be solved by the adjusting devices, after which the adjusting devices can be removed in a simple manner.

Claims (13)

1. A device for setting a rail switch that comprises a tongue device with two stock rails and tongue rails assigned to the stock rails, wherein a plurality of, particularly at least three setting devices are arranged offset in the longitudinal rail direction, and wherein the setting devices are mechanically coupled to one another by means of a coupling rod assembly in such a way that they are driven equidirectionally, characterized in that the coupling rod assembly (16) respectively comprises between two adjacent setting devices (9, 10) a separate double rod assembly consisting of two parallel and longitudinally moveable coupling rods (19, 20) that mechanically couple the two adjacent setting devices (9, 10) to one another and extend between the two stock rails (1, 2), wherein the two parallel coupling rods (19, 20) feature cranked end sections (21, 22).
2. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two parallel coupling rods (19, 20) extend in the centre between the two stock rails (1, 2).
3. The device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two parallel coupling rods (19, 20) respectively engage on the setting devices (9, 10) with their two ends by means of an angular lever (23, 24).
4. The device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the angular lever (23) arranged on one end of the coupling rods (19, 20) has a greater lever ratio than the angular lever (24) arranged on the other end of the coupling rods (19, 20).
5. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the setting devices comprise a first setting device (9), a second setting device (10) and a third setting device (11), wherein the second setting device (10) is arranged between the first (9) and the third setting device (11), wherein a first angular lever (24) and a second angular lever (45) engage on the second setting device (10), wherein the first angular lever (24) is connected to a coupling rod (19) in order to couple the first setting device (9) to the second setting device (10), and wherein the second angular lever (45) is connected to a coupling rod (41) in order to couple the second setting device (10) to the third setting device (11).
6. The device according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the angular levers (23, 24, 45) are pivotably arranged on the sleepers (5).
7. The device according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that that the angular levers (23, 24, 45) respectively engage on the setting device (10) by means of an intermediately arranged and pivotably coupled pendulum support (26, 46).
8. The device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cranked end sections (22) provided on one end of the two coupling rods (19, 20) intersect one another and the cranked end sections (21) provided on the other end of the two coupling rods (19, 20) are realized in a diverging fashion.
9. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the two parallel coupling rods (19, 20) cooperate with guide rollers.
10. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a drive unit, particularly a hydraulic drive unit, engages on a setting device (9, 10, 11).
11. A rail switch comprising a tongue device with two stock rails (1, 2) that are mounted on sleepers (5) and tongue rails (3, 4) assigned to the stock rails (1, 2), as well as a device for setting the rail switch according to one of Claims 1 to 10.
12. The rail switch according to Claim 11, characterized in that the coupling rod assembly (16) extends above the sleepers (5).
13. The rail switch according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the setting devices (9, 10, 11) are respectively arranged in a sleeper bay or in a hollow sleeper between two adjacent sleepers (5).

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