EP3558783B1 - Gap bridging system - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a gap bridging for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap between a passenger compartment floor and a platform.

State of the art

Gap bridges are used in modern rail vehicles to enable passengers to get on and off easily and, in particular, to minimize the risk of the gap between the passenger compartment floor and the platform. In typical subway lines, this gap has a width of approx. 100 mm, but can also be up to 300 mm in the case of platforms in a curved track, for example. This variance in the gap dimensions represents a particular source of danger, since the passengers would have to be aware of the current platform gap each time they step on or off the platform, which is often not possible, especially when there are high numbers of passengers. To bridge this platform gap, gap bridges can be used, which usually comprise a slidably mounted plate which can be pushed out of the vehicle with the aid of force. For larger gap widths, this plate and its mounting must be made very solid, so that the installation space requirement increases and thus such gap bridging can only be provided in a very complicated manner and with impairment of the car body in the door area. With so-called folding / sliding steps can this problem can be partially solved, since in such a pivotably mounted lever supports the plate from below and thus significantly reduces the forces on the mounting of the plate. Such folding / sliding steps therefore require less installation space and can be used in the entry area of a passenger rail vehicle without changes to the car body structure, the conventional floor structure being simply removed at the installation position of this gap bridging and being replaced by the gap bridging. The kinematics of this gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step, however, means that when the plate is far extended, it lowers at its edge on the platform and thus a step to the platform is created. In addition, a widely extended plate has a steep incline in the direction of the interior of the car. These properties make gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step unsuitable for larger platform gaps.

The document EP 0 217 265 A1 describes a gap bridging for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap between a passenger compartment floor and a platform, comprising a horizontally slidably mounted step plate and a pivot arm which can be pivoted about a pivot axis arranged below the step plate parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and which extends from the axis of rotation to the step plate, whereby the swivel arm is articulated to the step plate and is mounted on the step plate so as to be slidable over a certain length section.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step, which is suitable for larger platform gaps and in which, in particular, the height difference between a platform and the platform-side edge of the step plate is minimized for large extensions.

The object is achieved by bridging a gap with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are the subject of subordinate claims.

According to the basic idea of the invention, a gap bridging for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap between a passenger compartment floor and a platform is described, which has a horizontally slidable step plate and a swivel arm which can be pivoted about a pivot axis arranged below the step plate parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and which extends from the axis of rotation extends up to the step plate, wherein the swivel arm is articulated to the step plate and is mounted on the step plate so as to be slidable over a certain length section, and wherein a restoring force acts on the swivel arm in a rest position.

This has the advantage of being able to build a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step, which is suitable for large extension distances, since the platform-side edge of the step plate is kept essentially at the same height in its movement sequence and the dropping of the platform-side edge, as in conventional gap bridging is prevented or greatly reduced.

According to the invention, the kinematics of a gap bridging in the form of a folding / sliding step is designed so that the articulation point (joint) of the swivel arm on the step plate is designed as a sliding swivel joint, so that the swivel arm can perform a rotary movement in relation to the step plate, as well as the pivot point is freely movable in a certain area.

In this way, when the step plate is extended far, the articulation point of the swivel arm can be shifted in the direction of the rail vehicle, so that the step plate is supported closer to the vehicle. This sinks the platform-side edge of the step plate compared to conventional ones Gap bridging is significantly less, which both reduces or eliminates the level difference between the platform-side edge of the step plate and the platform and the ramp angle of the step plate. With a suitable dimensioning of the components, a gap bridging according to the invention can achieve a level transition from a platform to a step plate even with large bridging widths.

The articulation point (pivot point, joint) of the swivel arm on the step plate is slidably mounted in a certain length section, preferably between the platform-side end of the step plate and a stop. The exact dimensioning of the required length is based on the given geometry of a gap bridging and the required extension width of the step plate.

It is essential that the entire sequence of movements when extending or retracting a step plate and the associated pivoting movement of the swivel arm only takes place by means of a power drive, the swivel arm itself not requiring a drive, since it is in each case into the required position is brought.

A restoring force is to be applied to the swivel arm, preferably by means of a spring element which tries to move the swivel arm into its rest position (retracted step plate). This restoring force has the effect that the swivel arm retains the required position in relation to the step plate when the step plate is extended.

The step plate is mounted so that it can slide horizontally and is preferably equipped with a power drive by means of which it can be moved between a rest position (retracted) and any number of extended positions. In this way, the optimal extension distance can be provided for different structural conditions within a railway line. Typically, the step plate is extended until either the maximum extension distance is reached or the step plate collides with the platform, whereby the power drive is switched off. The step plate is mounted in a sliding guide, the end of the step plate on the wagon side being guided and the end on the platform side being freely movable so that it can be supported by the swivel arm. The swivel arm transfers the majority of the weight forces on the step plate and the sliding guide can thus be made very compact.

In this way, the advantage can be achieved of being able to build a gap bridging according to the invention so flat that it has the same thickness as a floor structure surrounding it. Thus, a gap bridging can be installed without changes to the car body structure, in particular the side members on the door sill side.

In a further development of the invention, it is advisable to equip the gap bridging with a device to prevent the ingress of dirt (scraper). A cover plate is to be provided above the step plate in the area of the passenger compartment floor, this cover plate being provided with a scraper on its platform-side edge. This cover plate has essentially the same height as the surrounding vehicle floor, so that none of the gap bridging in the car interior conditional level differences, in particular no levels are required. A scraper is to be arranged on the platform-side edge of this cover plate, which closes or significantly reduces the gap on the platform side between the cover plate and the step plate when the step plate is retracted, so that foreign bodies do not penetrate into the space under the cover plate, or only up to a certain size can.

The wiper can be made of metal or a composite material and is connected to the cover plate in an articulated manner. For this purpose, either a hinge joint is to be arranged at the connection point between the wiper and the cover plate, or the wiper is firmly connected to the cover plate and has an elastomer joint integrated into it. Depending on the type of design of the scraper, the weight force can be sufficient as a pressing force on the step plate, but it is particularly advantageous to increase this by means of a spring force. This significantly improves the dirt retention capacity.

In a further development of the invention, the scraper can be equipped with a brush, which further increases the cleaning effect.

To reduce the friction between the scraper and the step plate, it is advantageous to provide the contact of the scraper with the step plate at contact positions with reduced friction. The step plate itself is to be provided with a non-slip surface, so that these friction-reduced contact positions may only occupy a small proportion of the step surface of the step plate and should not be accessible themselves. It is therefore recommended that the friction-reduced areas in To arrange depressions on the surface of the step plate that can be walked on. The scraper is to be provided with suitable counterparts at the corresponding positions, over which the friction-reduced areas can slide. It is particularly advantageous here to equip the areas with reduced friction with a coating made of plastic, for example polytetrafluoroethylene.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig.1

Spaltüberbrückung eingefahren, Stand der Technik.

Fig.2

Spaltüberbrückung ausgefahren, Stand der Technik.

Fig.3

Spaltüberbrückung eingefahren.

Fig.4

Spaltüberbrückung halb ausgefahren.

Fig.5

Spaltüberbrückung voll ausgefahren.

Fig.6

Spaltüberbrückung mit Abstreifer.

Fig.7

Spaltüberbrückung mit Abstreifer, Grundriss.

It shows by way of example:

Fig. 1

Gap bridging retracted, state of the art.

Fig. 2

Gap bridging extended, state of the art.

Fig. 3

Gap bridging retracted.

Fig. 4

Gap bridging half extended.

Fig. 5

Gap bridging fully extended.

Fig. 6

Gap bridging with scraper.

Fig. 7

Gap bridging with scraper, floor plan.

Implementation of the invention

Fig. 1 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging according to the prior art in the retracted position. A cross section through a passenger rail vehicle is shown in the area of an exit, a gap bridging 1 ′ according to the prior art being provided. The passenger rail vehicle is shown in the form of its car body 12, comprising a longitudinal beam and a floor structure made up of a floor 13 and a cover plate 2. Between the vehicle and one Platform 3 is a gap 4, which is to be bridged by the gap bridging device 1 '. This comprises a step plate 6 ′ according to the prior art, which is mounted at its end on the vehicle body side so that it can be slid horizontally by means of a sliding mounting 8. The step plate 6 ′ is supported from below by a swivel arm 5 ′ according to the prior art, which is mounted so as to be swivelable about an axis of rotation 7. At the end facing away from the axis of rotation 7, the swivel arm 5 'is connected to the step plate 6' via a joint 10; this joint 10 is arranged in a stationary manner on the step plate 6 '. The swivel arm 5 'is acted upon by a restoring force which tries to pull it back into its rest position Fig. 1 a spring 11 is shown as an example. Fig. 1 shows the retracted state of the gap bridging 1 'as it is used in particular while driving. A power drive acting on the step plate 6 'is not shown to simplify the illustration.

Fig. 2 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging according to the prior art in the extended position. The gap bridging 1 'is off Fig. 1 shown, wherein the step plate 6 'is pushed into its furthest extended position and the gap 4 is thus bridged. In this position there is a large difference in level between the platform 3 and the platform-side end of the step plate 6 'and the inclination of the step plate 6' is particularly great.

Fig. 3 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging in the retracted position. It is a gap bridging 1 according to the invention in a cross section through a passenger rail vehicle, very similar to that in FIG Fig. 1 shown. The construction of the passenger rail vehicle is similar to that in the Figs. 1 and 2 The illustrated embodiment is identical, but the gap bridging 1 differs in the design of the step plate 6 and the swivel arm 5. The swivel arm 5 is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation 7 and extends to the underside of the step plate 6, where the swivel arm 5 is attached by means of a slider 9 the step plate 6 is slidably mounted. This slider 9 allows a rotary movement of the swivel arm 5 in relation to the step plate 6 and also a displaceability over a certain length section along the step plate 6. This length section is limited on the car body side by a stop 14 and extends between the stop 14 and the platform-side end of the step plate 6th

Fig. 4 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging in the half extended position. Gap bridging 1 is off Fig. 3 shown, the step plate 6 bridging the gap 4 partially. This represents an intermediate stage as it occurs during the extension movement to the greatest extension distance or with smaller gaps 4. In this intermediate position, the swivel arm 5 is still in its rest position, in which it is held by the restoring force of the spring 11. The step plate 6 is pushed over the slider 9 so that the stop 14 of the step plate 6 rests against the slider 9.

Fig. 5 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging in the fully extended position. Gap bridging 1 is off Fig. 4 shown, wherein the step plate 6 is located in its most extended position. The gap 4 is completely bridged and the level difference between the platform 3 and the The platform-side edge of the step plate 6 is very small. The swivel arm 5 supports the step plate 6 at the innermost position of the length section over which the slider 9, which is predetermined by the stop 14, can move.

Fig. 6 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging with a scraper. It's similar to in Fig. 5 a gap bridging 1 is shown in the fully extended position, the step plate 6 being in its most extended position. The in Fig. 6 The embodiment shown has a stripper 15 which is arranged on the edge of the cover plate 2 on the platform side and is pivotably connected to the cover plate 2 by means of a joint 16. The joint 16 can be equipped with an elastic device which increases the pressing force of the scraper 15 on the step plate 2. One edge of the wiper 15 touches the step plate 6, whereby dirt adhering to the step plate 6 is removed from the wiper 15 and the wiper cannot penetrate into the space below the cover plate 2. In this way, excessive contamination of the sliding bearing 8 and associated drive components can be prevented.

Fig. 7 shows an example and schematically a gap bridging with a scraper in a plan. A view from above of a gap bridging 1 in its installation situation in a car body 12 is shown. In this view, sections of the car body 12 through two door pillars and parts of the outer wall are visible. The step plate 6 is partially in the extended position; its surface is divided into areas with non-slip surfaces or surfaces. Covering 18 and sliding surfaces 17 divided, the sliding surfaces 17 taking up a much smaller proportion of the total surface. The sliding surfaces 17 are advantageously arranged lower than the surfaces 18 with a slip-resistant covering, so that they cannot be walked on directly. A scraper 15 is, as in FIG Fig. 6 shown, connected to the cover plate 2 in an articulated manner.

List of names

1

Gap bridging

1'

Gap bridging, state of the art

2

Cover plate

3

platform

4th

gap

5

Swivel arm

5 '

Swivel arm, state of the art

6th

Step plate

6 '

Step plate, state of the art

7th

Axis of rotation

8th

Sliding bearing

9

Slider

10

joint

11

feather

12th

Car body

13th

floor

14th

attack

15th

Scraper

16

joint

17th

Sliding surface

18th

Anti-slip surface

Claims (6)

1. Gap bridging means (1) for a rail vehicle for bridging the gap (4) between a passenger compartment floor and a platform (3), comprising a kick plate (6), which is mounted such that it can be slid horizontally, and a pivoting arm (5) which can be pivoted about a rotational pin (7) which is arranged below the kick plate (6) parallel to the vehicle longitudinal pin, which pivoting arm (5) extends from the rotational pin (7) as far as the kick plate (6), the pivoting arm (5) being connected in an articulated manner to the kick plate (6) and being mounted on the kick plate (6) such that it can be slid over a certain length section, characterized in that a restoring force which is applied by means of a spring (11) acts on the pivoting arm (5) in the direction of a rest position.
2. Gap bridging means (1) for a rail vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the certain length section of the kick plate (6) extends between the platform-side end of the kick plate (6) and a stop (14).
3. Gap bridging means (1) for a rail vehicle according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the movement of the kick plate (6) between a retracted position and an extended position takes place by means of a power drive.
4. Gap bridging means (1) for a rail vehicle according to Claim 3, characterized in that the extended width of the extended position of the kick plate (6) is variable, in particular assumes a certain value in the case of every station which is called at.
5. Gap bridging means (1) for a rail vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a covering plate (2) is provided above the kick plate (6) in the region of the passenger compartment floor, the said covering plate (2) being provided with a wiper on its platform-side edge.
6. Gap bridging means (1) for a vehicle according to Claim 5, characterized in that the wiper makes contact with the kick plate (6), the contact force being at least strengthened by way of an elastic element.

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