EP2859925B9 - Coupling for electric toy or model railways - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling, in particular hook coupling, for electric play and model trains according to the preamble of claim 1.

Technological background

In the field of couplings for electric toy and model trains, there are a significant number of manufacturers different designs. This has in the past meant that model railroad cars of different manufacturers could not be used together due to lack of coordinated clutches, even though the model railroad cars had the same track size. In order to overcome this disadvantage, in the past, mounting shafts were installed which were mounted on the model railway vehicle and offered the possibility of interchangeably receiving coupling heads.

For accommodating exchangeable coupling heads of nominal size H0, there are e.g. the NEM 362, for the inclusion of exchangeable coupling heads of size N, the NEM 355. These measures make it possible to combine coupling heads of the desired model railroad manufacturer with other manufacturer's model railway vehicles and thus to use model railroad vehicles universal.

Model railway vehicles can be decoupled in various ways. On the one hand, model railway vehicles can be decoupled manually, which is sometimes difficult given the scale reduction. Furthermore, there are so-called uncoupling ramps, actuated in the region of which clutches and thereby the decoupling process can be initiated can. In recent times, motor or magnetically actuated clutches have been added, by means of which it is possible to carry out a decoupling process location-independent via the remote control.

Nearest prior art

From the DE 20 2004 010 913 U1 a coupling according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. The coupling is intended to be mounted with its mounting projection on a standard receiving shaft of different model train manufacturers. The movable holding element, on the front side of which the hook is located, extends in the rear region thereof below the vehicle-side receiving shaft. To ensure a free movement of the hook, a hook pressure plate is attached via a hinge directly to an eyelet and provided with a drawbar. On the latter, the clutch can be operated by means of a magnet, servomotor or geared motor.

From the DE 39 39 528 C1 a jaw clutch for electric play and model trains is known in which the coupling head of the mating coupling part is provided with a foot part, which serves for insertion into standardized receiving slots. The coupling head comprises a fork-like foot part with protruding ends, which engage around the rear end of the receiving shaft in a latching manner.

Finally, out of the AT 501445 A1 a model railway vehicle with a receiving shaft for a coupling head is known, which has a fork-shaped mounting projection. The receiving shaft is connected via an elastically flexible connecting web made of plastic with the vehicle frame.

Object of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel coupling of the type mentioned above, with which the possible applications can be extended in a structurally simple manner.

Solution of the task

The above object is achieved by the entire teaching of claim 1. The mounting projection of the coupling according to the invention is expediently fork-shaped, wherein the movable holding element is located between the two fork projections of the mounting projection. As a result, the movable holding element does not interfere. Furthermore, it is protected against external influences.

Due to the fact that the movable holding element extends through the receiving shaft, a special degree of miniaturization can be achieved.

Alternatively, at least a portion of the movable support member also extend beyond the receiving shaft to the rear and project beyond the rear end of the receiving shaft with its end, for example, when the movable support member with an additional z. B. finger-like projection is formed.

In both cases it is possible to control the rear end region of the movable holding element in front of the rear end of the receiving shaft mechanically, preferably loosely only by means of a stop, ie without a mounting connection. The receiving shaft is also available for receiving the movable holding element or at least a part thereof.

With the rear end region of the movable holding element expediently interacts with a driver operatively connected to the driver. In the movable holding element associated region of the driver is preferably a mouth, in which the rear end portion of the movable support member loosely and preferably also transversely displaceable engages.

Preferably, the pivot axis A of the movable support member is located within the receiving shaft. This has the advantage that a high degree of miniaturization can be maintained and a simple construction can be selected to ensure pivotability, since the receiving shaft at the same time ensures that the movable holding element remains in position, ie can not fall out.

The construction also has the advantage that a loose control of the movable holding element can be done on the back of the receiving shaft and that for example by a simple axial movement of a corresponding actuating element. For example, for the actuation of the coupling, a one-sided or double-sided loose stop of a, for example, vertically actuatable actuating element can take place. As a result, the construction can be considerably simplified. In addition, this structural measure allows for horizontal pivoting of the clutch z. B. when cornering the movable support member also pivoted transversely to the stop but nevertheless still held in the attack. For example, the stop or the driver is provided for this purpose in each case with a flat stop surface along which the end of the movable holding element can move in the state of the stop.

Appropriately, the receiving shaft is a so-called standard receiving shaft for replaceable coupling heads. This results in the advantage that the coupling can be easily replaced with another coupling on the model railway vehicle. hereby If the relevant model railway vehicle no longer has the option of automatically controlling the clutch, nevertheless, another clutch can still be used.

Appropriately, the mounting projection has latching projections which engage the rear of the receiving shaft, whereby the mounting projection is insertable into the receiving shaft, snaps into the intended position and thus a positional fixation is achieved.

Advantageously, the movable holding element has at least one recess. This serves to ensure sufficient mobility of the movable holding element in the installed state.

It is expedient if there is a recess between the axis of rotation A and the rear end region of the movable holding element. As a result, an enlargement of the pivoting range of the hook can be achieved in the confined spaces.

It is expedient if the recess or at least a part thereof is located in front of the axis of rotation A but within the receiving shaft. As a result, the dimensions of the coupling can be reduced.

Advantageously, the axis of rotation A can be ensured by mutually contacting recesses or projections.

For example, the axis of rotation A is formed on the movable or rigid holding element by a projection on the rigid holding element and a corresponding recess on the movable holding element or vice versa.

Appropriately, the open side of the recess is directed to the top or bottom of the coupling. Nevertheless, cohesion of construction through the receiving shaft occurs.

Alternatively, a clip may be provided which hold together the rigid support member and the movable support member.

Alternatively, the movable holding element and the rigid holding element may also be previously fixed by a bolt.

Furthermore, the movable holding element, on whose, facing away from the receiving shaft end portion, a hook, preferably an upward hook, have.

The present invention further relates to an electric motor drive for a clutch, preferably according to one of claims 1-7. The drive comprises an electric drive motor with drive shaft and a threaded screw which is connected to the drive shaft. Furthermore, a movably mounted threaded sleeve is provided, which receives the threaded screw and is connected to a driver for actuating a movable holding element of a coupling. This makes it possible to easily transmit the movement generated by the electric drive motor in a translational movement in confined spaces.

Preferably, the driver is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the axis of the drive shaft of the electric drive motor.

Alternatively, however, the driver can also be reciprocated in a direction obliquely or transversely to the axis of the drive shaft of the electric drive motor. In both cases, it is a simple structural design.

Conveniently, a so-called micromotor or micro-servomotor is used as the electric drive motor. Micromotors are manufactured and sold in large quantities as standard parts.

Preferably, the driver is provided with a jaw, by means of which the movable holding element is detected in the region of its rear end region and can be moved in both directions.

Conveniently, the driver is articulated. As a result, the arrangement consisting of an electric drive motor, a threaded screw and a threaded sleeve can be positioned horizontally positioned in the model vehicle.

Description of the invention with reference to embodiments

Fig. 1

eine zweckmäßige Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Kupplung mit einem innerhalb eines Aufnahmeschachts angeordneten bewegbaren Halteelements in Draufsicht (Fig.1A), in einer Schnittdarstellung entlang der Ebene A-A in Fig. 1A (Fig. 1B) sowie in perspektivischer Ansicht (Fig. 1C);

Fig. 2

einen elektromotorischen Antrieb für eine Kupplung der in Fig. 1 beschriebenen Ausgestaltung zum einen im Kuppelzustand (Fig. 2A) sowie zum anderen im entkuppelten Zustand (Fig. 2B) jeweils in perspektivischer Teilschnittdarstellung;

Fig. 3

eine weitere Ausgestaltung eines elektromotorischen Antriebs für eine Kupplung gemäß der Ausgestaltung nach Fig. 1 im Kuppelzustand (Fig. 3A) sowie im entkuppelten Zustand (Fig. 3B) jeweils in perspektivischer Teilschnittdarstellung sowie

Fig. 4

eine alternative Ausgestaltung eines elektromotorischen Antriebs für eine Kupplung im Kuppelzustand (Fig. 4A) sowie im entkuppelten Zustand (Fig. 4B) jeweils in perspektivischer Teilschnittdarstellung.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an expedient embodiment of the coupling according to the invention with a arranged within a receiving shaft movable holding element in plan view ( 1A ), in a sectional view along the plane AA in Fig. 1A (Fig. 1B ) as well as in perspective view ( Fig. 1C );

Fig. 2

an electric motor drive for a clutch of in Fig. 1 described embodiment on the one hand in the dome state ( Fig. 2A ) as well as in the decoupled state ( Fig. 2B ) in each case in a perspective partial sectional view;

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of an electric motor drive for a clutch according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in the dome state ( Fig. 3A ) as well as in the uncoupled state ( Fig. 3B ) in each case in perspective partial sectional view as well

Fig. 4

an alternative embodiment of an electromotive drive for a clutch in the coupling state ( Fig. 4A ) as well as in the uncoupled state ( Fig. 4B ) in each case in a perspective partial sectional view.

Fig. 1A shows a useful embodiment of the coupling according to the invention in plan view. It comprises a rigid retaining element 2, which has a mounting projection 1, which serves the coupling in an in Fig. 1A To accommodate not shown receiving shaft of a model vehicle. For this purpose, the projection 1 is fork-shaped by having a first fork projection 8 and second fork projection 9, at its free ends in each case a latching projection 10 and 11 is located. The clutch is thus able to be accommodated in a so-called Norm receiving shaft. Here, the latching projections 10 and 11 engage around the rear area of the receiving shaft 4 (eg. Fig. 2A ) and lock it accordingly.

The region of the rigid holding element 2 located outside the receiving shaft 4 has an expanded shape, at the front end of which a coupling yoke 20 is located.

In the interior formed by the rigid support member 2 is a movable support member 3, at the end of a preferably provided with an outside bevel hook 5 is located. The hook 5 serves to engage behind the preferably slightly curved coupling bracket 20 of the coupling of the adjacent vehicle.

The movable support member 3 is preferably formed elongated and extends beyond the rear end of the mounting projection 1. The movable support member 3 is thus with its rear end portion 7 outside of the receiving shaft 4 via.

According to the invention, the pivot axis of the movable support member 3 is located to the rigid support member 2 in the designated by the letter A area.

The position of the pivot axis A is particularly clear from the illustration according to Fig. 1B , The movable holding element 3 has in the region between the pivot axis A and the rear end region 7, a recess 6, which ensures sufficient mobility of the receiving shaft passing, movable support member 3.

To ensure pivotability, the rigid support member 2 has a projection 13 with a curved surface which cooperates with a corresponding recess 12 on the movable support member 3, so that the movable support member 3, as shown in FIG Fig. 1B can be pivoted from the dome position shown there by pivoting the rear end portion 7 to a pivoting radius made possible by the recess 6 upwards. As a result, the clutch is brought into a decoupled position.

For mounting, the movable holding element 3 is only according to the in Fig. 1B shown arrangement from below and the two holding elements 2, 3 then jointly inserted into the receiving shaft 4. The receiving shaft 4 thereby holds both holding elements 2, 3 to each other in position. Conveniently, the receiving shaft 4 simultaneously limits the pivoting movement of the movable holding element 3 via a in the Fig. 1B shown coupling position upwards.

The rear end portion 7 of the movable support member 3 is provided with an inclined surface 14, which serves in a loose stop with a (eg in Fig. 2A shown) mouth 21 loosely come into contact. Thus, no mechanical connection in this area is necessary. This in turn allows the coupling by compressing the two fork projections 8, 9 and to take out the thereby taking place release in a simple manner from the receiving shaft.

In the Fig. 1 expediently, the coupling shown merely consists of two parts, which can be produced in a simple manner either from plastic or metal. For example, the rigid support member 2 may be designed as a plastic part and the movable support member 3 as a metal part. As the representations according to Fig. 1A-1C show, the novel coupling impresses with its simplicity and the small space requirement.

In Fig. 2A is the coupling according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1A and 1B in the installed state shown in coupled position. The reference numeral 4 denotes a receiving shaft, which is open at the front and rear and is fixed by means of an anchor 22 in the body 25 of the model vehicle. The anchor 22 also ensures the pivot point of the receiving shaft 4 (standard shaft). Further, an electric drive motor 15, preferably a so-called micromotor, housed in a vertical orientation in the structure 25 of the model vehicle. The drive motor 15 has a drive shaft 16 which is fixedly connected to a threaded screw 17. The rotational movement of the screw 17 is received by a threaded sleeve 18, which in turn is fixedly connected to a driver 19. Depending on the direction of rotation of the screw 17, consequently, the driver 19 moves either up or down. The drive motor 15 or its control recognizes the end positions of the driver 19. In the lower region of the driver 19 there is a mouth 21 in which the rear end region 7 of the movable holding element 3 loosely engages.

If the driver 19 thus from the in Fig. 2A moved position shown by corresponding rotational movement of the screw 17 upward, pivots the movable support member 3 according to the in Fig. 2B shown way down, so that the coupling of the coupled state in the decoupled state passes, in which the hook 5, the upper portion of the coupling bracket 20 does not exceed.

For decoupling it is necessary to switch only the rotational movement of the drive motor 15, so that as a result of the driver 19 moves back down.

A special feature of the present invention is that the clutch can be removed in the mounted state despite activation by means of an electric motor drive only by decoupling the mounting projection 1 from the receiving shaft 4. At the same time, the construction according to the invention makes it possible to introduce a different type of coupling from another manufacturer, if necessary, into the receiving shaft. This ensures that the model railway vehicles provided with a respective drive can nonetheless be operated with different types of clutches.

The Fig. 3A and Figure 3B shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, the drive motor 15 is in the structure 25 of the model railway vehicle in a horizontal position. At the same time the driver 19 is articulated by a hinge point 23, so that upon appropriate actuation of the drive motor 15, the mouth 21 of the driver 19 moves due to the pivoting of the driver 19 about the pivot point 23 either up or down. For this purpose, there is a free space 24 in the interior of the structure 25, which allows the movement of the driver 19 and the threaded sleeve 18.

A corresponding free space 24 is also in the embodiment of the Fig. 2A and 2B available.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4A and 4B, the movable holding member 3 is fork-shaped. It comprises a first region 3a of the movable holding element 3, which extends along the underside of the receiving shaft 4 to the rear runs and projects beyond the rear end of the receiving shaft 4 with its rear end region 7. The further, second region 3b of the movable holding element 3 is preferably located within the receiving shaft 4, where the pivot point A is located. Otherwise, the embodiments differ according to Fig. 3 and 4 Not.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a motor-driven clutch in a simple manner, while at the same time it remains possible to exchange the relevant clutch for a clutch from another manufacturer. As a result, a very high versatility is achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

mounting boss

2

Retaining element (rigid)

3

Holding element (movable)

4

receiving shaft

5

hook

6

recess

7

back end area

8th

fork lead

9

fork lead

10

catch projection

11

catch projection

12

recess

13

head Start

14

inclined surfaces

15

drive motor

16

drive shaft

17

threaded screw

18

threaded sleeve

19

takeaway

20

clutch loop

21

mouth

22

anchoring

23

fulcrum

24

free space

25

construction

Claims (13)

1. Coupling, in particular a hook coupling, for electric toy railways and model railways, with

   a mounting protrusion (1) for mounting on a model railway vehicle,

   a rigid holding element (2) adjoining the mounting protrusion (1),

   a movable holding element (3) which is supported pivotably about a rotation axis A, such that the movable holding element (3) can by pivoting about the rotation axis A be brought from a coupling position to a decoupling position or vice versa,

   characterized in that
   the mounting protrusion (1) is fork-shaped and has two prongs (8, 9), wherein
   the movable holding element (3) is located between the two prongs (8, 9).
2. Coupling according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the rear end region (7) of the movable holding element (3) serves as a stop for a motor-driven actuating mechanism.
3. Coupling according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the mounting protrusion (1) has locking protrusions (10, 11).
4. Coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the movable holding element (3) has at least one recess (6, 12).
5. Coupling according to Claim 4,
   characterized in that
   a recess (6) is located between the rotation axis A and the rear end region (7) of the movable holding element (3).
6. Coupling according to Claim 4 or 5,
   characterized in that
   the rotation axis A is formed by a protrusion (13) on the rigid holding element (2) and by a corresponding recess (12) on the movable holding element (3) or vice versa.
7. Coupling according to one of Claims 4 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the open side of the recess (12) is oriented towards the upper face or lower face of the coupling.
8. Coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   an electric drive motor (15) with a drive shaft (16) and with a gear is provided in order to drive the coupling, and
   the gear is connected to a carrier (19) for actuating the movable holding element (3), and the carrier (19) forms a loose stop for the rear end region (7) of the movable holding element (3).
9. Coupling according to Claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the carrier (19) is movable to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the axis of the drive shaft (16) of the electric drive motor (15).
10. Coupling according to Claim 8,
    characterized in that
    the carrier (19) is movable to and fro in a direction that is oblique or transverse with respect to the axis of the drive shaft (16) of the electric drive motor (15).
11. Coupling according to one of Claims 8 to 10,
    characterized in that
    the carrier (19) is mounted in an articulated manner.
12. Coupling according to at least one of Claims 8 to 11,
    characterized in that
    the carrier (19) has a jaw (21) in which the rear end region (8) of the movable holding element engages, preferably loosely.
13. Coupling according to at least one of Claims 8 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the gear is provided in the form of a movably mounted threaded sleeve (18) which receives the threaded worm (17), and the threaded sleeve (18) is connected to a carrier (19) for actuating the movable holding element (3).

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