EP3753799A1 - Protective device for a railway vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protection device (30) for a railway vehicle, comprising: a shutter (60) capable of being fixed under the body of the vehicle and, when it is fixed to said body, of being movable in rotation with respect to the body along a first axis (92) substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; and a member (32) for detecting an obstacle.
the protection device further comprises a locking member (36) suitable for maintaining the shutter in the retracted configuration relative to the body, said locking member being configured so that activation of said detection member drives the shutter member. locking to release the shutter,
said flap being configured to pivot towards the deployed configuration relative to the body after release by the locking member.

Description

The present invention relates to a protection device for a railway vehicle, suitable for being fixed under a front part of a body of said railway vehicle, the protection device comprising: a flap suitable for being fixed under the body of the vehicle and, when is fixed to said body, to be movable in rotation with respect to the front part of the body along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; and a device for detecting an obstacle.

It is known to equip railway vehicles, in particular of the tramway type, with protection devices in the event of a collision with an obstacle on the track. In particular, in the case where the obstacle is a pedestrian lying on the ground, the purpose of the protection device is to prevent the wheels of the bogie from injuring the pedestrian. A railway vehicle equipped with such a protection device is described in particular in the document EP3018023 .

However, the known protection devices have drawbacks. In particular, the component of the device described in the document EP3018023 is spaced from the ground, so that a member of a pedestrian, such as an arm or a leg, can pass under said flap and be in contact with the components of the bogie such as the wheels, the electric power supply system by the ground, the chassis.

In order to solve this problem, the object of the invention is a protection device for a railway vehicle of the aforementioned type, further comprising a locking member, capable of maintaining the flap in the retracted configuration relative to the front part of the body, said locking member being configured so that activation of said detection member causes the locking member to release the flap, said flap being configured to pivot towards the deployed configuration with respect to the front part of the body after release by the locking member.

• le dispositif de protection comprend un support de fixation du volet à la caisse du véhicule, le volet étant monté mobile en rotation par rapport audit support de fixation entre la configuration rétractée et la configuration déployée ;
• l'organe de détection comporte : une barre propre à s'étendre sous la partie avant de la caisse lorsque le dispositif est fixé sous la caisse ; et un bras solidaire de la barre, ledit bras étant propre à être monté articulé à ladite partie avant selon un deuxième axe sensiblement parallèle au premier axe ; l'activation de l'organe de détection comprenant un effort exercé sur la barre en direction du volet de sorte à faire pivoter le bras par rapport à la partie avant.
• l'organe de verrouillage comporte : une barre de transmission, ladite barre comprenant une première extrémité articulée sur le bras ; et un loquet articulé à une seconde extrémité de la barre de transmission et propre à coopérer avec le volet de sorte à maintenir ledit volet en configuration rétractée dans une configuration verrouillée de l'organe de verrouillage et à libérer le volet dans une configuration déverrouillée de l'organe de verrouillage ;
• le dispositif de protection comprend en outre un organe d'actionnement exerçant sur le volet un effort tendant à faire passer ledit volet de la configuration rétractée à la configuration déployée ;
• l'organe d'actionnement comprend un élément de rappel élastique, une contrainte exercée sur ledit élément de rappel élastique étant plus importante en configuration rétractée du volet qu'en configuration déployée ;
• l'organe d'actionnement comprend un actionneur pneumatique ou hydraulique de type vérin ;
• le dispositif de protection comprend en outre au moins une roulette montée en rotation sur le volet.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the protection device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all the technically possible combinations:

• the protection device comprises a support for fixing the shutter to the body of the vehicle, the shutter being mounted so as to be movable in rotation relative to said fixing support between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration;
• the detection member comprises: a bar suitable for extending under the front part of the body when the device is fixed under the body; and an arm integral with the bar, said arm being suitable for being mounted articulated to said front part along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis; the activation of the detection member comprising a force exerted on the bar in the direction of the shutter so as to cause the arm to pivot relative to the front part.
• the locking member comprises: a transmission bar, said bar comprising a first end articulated on the arm; and a latch articulated at a second end of the transmission bar and adapted to cooperate with the flap so as to maintain said flap in the retracted configuration in a locked configuration of the locking member and to release the flap in an unlocked configuration of the 'locking member;
• the protection device further comprises an actuating member exerting a force on the shutter tending to cause said shutter to pass from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration;
• the actuating member comprises an elastic return element, a stress exerted on said elastic return element being greater in the retracted configuration of the shutter than in the deployed configuration;
• the actuator comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator of the cylinder type;
• the protection device further comprises at least one roller rotatably mounted on the shutter.

The invention further relates to a railway vehicle comprising a body and at least one bogie arranged under said body, the body comprising a front part protruding from the bogie in a direction of movement of said vehicle, the railway vehicle further comprising a protection device as described above, said protection device comprising: a movable flap in rotation with respect to the front part of the body along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, between a retracted configuration and a configuration deployed; a device for detecting an obstacle; and a locking member, able to keep the shutter in a retracted configuration relative to the front part of the body, said locking member being configured so that activation of said detection member causes the locking member to release the shutter , said flap being configured to pivot towards the deployed configuration relative to the front part of the body after release by the locking member.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flap extends under the front part of the body, between the detection member and the bogie.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un véhicule ferroviaire selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, comprenant un dispositif de protection dans une première configuration rétractée;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de protection de la figure 1 dans une deuxième configuration déployée; et
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail du dispositif de protection de la figure 1 dans la première configuration rétractée.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a railway vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a protection device in a first retracted configuration;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device for protecting the figure 1 in a second deployed configuration; and
• the figure 3 is a detailed view of the protection device of the figure 1 in the first retracted configuration.

The figure 1 shows a railway vehicle 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The rail vehicle 10, for example of the tramway type, comprises at least one front car 12 also called motor car 12 and preferably at least one passenger car 14, connected to said front car.

The driving car 12 comprises a body 16 and at least one bogie 18 disposed under said body.

In the remainder of the description, an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) is considered, the direction Z representing the vertical.

The rail vehicle 10 is intended to move on rails 20, in a direction of travel parallel to the direction X.

The body 16 comprises a front part 22, forming a projection relative to the bogie 18 in a direction of movement of the driving car 12. In the remainder of the description, the terms “front” and “rear” are understood to be relative to the direction X.

The front part 22 of the body 16 comprises a lower surface 24, forming a lower end of said front part in the direction Z. A lower space 26 is provided between said lower surface 24 and a lower end of the bogie 18, along the vertical Z .

The driving car 12 further comprises a protection device 30, arranged in the lower space 26. Said device 30 is intended to prevent the bogie 18 from hitting and / or rolling over an obstacle located on the rails 20.

The protection device 30 is shown alone in figures 2 and 3 . The protection device 30 comprises a detection member 32, a body catch 34 and a device 36 for locking / unlocking the body catch.

The detection member 32 is arranged close to a front end 38 of the front part 22 of the body 16, that is to say as close as possible to the front of the motor car 12.

The detection member 32 comprises a bar 40 and at least one articulated arm 42, 44. In the embodiment visible on the figure. figure 2 , the detection member 32 comprises a first 42 and a second 44 articulated arms.

The bar 40 extends in the lower space 26 under the front part 22 and has a substantially rectilinear shape, arranged along Y.

Each of the first 42 and second 44 arms is able to pivot relative to the body 16 along the same first axis 46 of rotation, substantially parallel to Y. In the embodiment shown, the detection member 32 comprises a first 48 and a second 50 bases, fixed to the lower surface 24 of the front part 22. A first end of each of the first 42 and second 44 arms is articulated, respectively to the first 48 and to the second 50 bases, materializing the first axis of rotation 46.

A second end of each of the first 42 and second 44 arms is integral with the bar 40.

The bar 40 and the arms 42, 44 are angularly movable between an inactive position, shown in figure 1 , and an active position shown on the figure 2 . In the inactive position, the bar 40 is arranged substantially in the same vertical plane as the first axis 46. In the active position, the bar 40 is behind the first axis 46 in the X direction.

The bar 40 and the arms 42, 44 of the detection member 32 are configured so that, in the inactive position, a distance along Z between the bar 40 and the rails 20 is small enough for said bar to come into contact with it. a human body stretched out on the rails.

In the embodiment shown, the detection member 32 comprises an elastic return element 52, such as a spring, tending to return the arms 42, 44 to the inactive position.

The body catch 34 comprises a flap 60, a first 62 and a second 64 supports and a first 66 and a second 68 actuators. Optionally, the body collector 34 further comprises one or more rollers 69 ( figure 3 ).

The flap 60 has a substantially planar and rectangular shape. More precisely, the flap 60 has a front edge 70 and a rear edge 72, substantially parallel to Y, and two side edges 74 substantially perpendicular to Y.

In the embodiment shown, the flap 60 further comprises a first 76 and a second 78 intermediate bars, connecting the front 70 and rear 72 edges. Said intermediate bars 76, 78 extend perpendicular to Y and are arranged between the edges. lateral 74. The flap 60 thus comprises a central zone 80, arranged between the intermediate bars 76, 78, and a first 82 and a second 84 lateral zones situated on either side of said central zone in the direction Y.

In the embodiment shown, the flap 60 further comprises a locking notch 85 formed at the level of the first lateral zone 82.

In the embodiment shown, the body catch 34 comprises two rollers 69, respectively located at the level of the first 82 and of the second 84 lateral zones of the shutter 60. Each roller 69 is mounted in rotation on the shutter 60.

The first 62 and the second 64 supports are respectively arranged along Y at the level of the first 76 and of the second 78 intermediate bars. Furthermore, in the direction X, the first 62 and the second 64 supports are arranged opposite, respectively, the first 42 and the second 44 arm of the detection member 32.

The first 62 and second 64 supports are substantially identical and will be described simultaneously below.

The support 62, 64 comprises a fixing portion 86, an articulation portion 88 and a sliding portion 90, integral with each other.

The fixing portion 86 is fixed to the lower surface 24 of the front part 22 of the body 16 of the power car 12.

The rear edge 72 of the shutter 60 is rotatably mounted on the articulation portion 88, along a second axis 92 of rotation of the shutter 60 relative to the body 16. Said second axis 92 is substantially parallel to the first axis 46 and disposed below the lower surface 24 of the body.

The sliding portion 90, located forward with respect to the second axis 92, has a through opening 94.

The flap 60 is able to pivot relative to the front part 22 of the body 16 along the second axis 92, between a first retracted configuration, visible to the figures 1 and 3 , and a second deployed configuration, visible at figure 2 .

In the retracted configuration, the front edge 70 of the shutter 60 is close along Z to the lower surface 24 of the front part 22, and away from the rails 20. In the deployed configuration, the front edge 70 of the shutter 60 is located lower than in the retracted configuration. The flap 60 thus extends into the lower space 26, so as to prevent an obstacle situated on the rails 20 from coming into contact with the bogie 18.

The first 66 and the second 68 actuators are respectively assembled to the first 62 and to the second 64 supports. The first 66 and second 68 actuators are substantially identical and will be described simultaneously below.

The actuating member 66, 68 comprises an actuating element, such as a return element, in particular elastic, capable of applying a force to the flap to cause the flap 60 to pass from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration.

More precisely, in the embodiment shown, the actuator 66, 68 comprises a rod 96 and a spring 98.

The rod 96 is substantially rectilinear and extends substantially in a plane (X, Z). A first end of said rod is articulated to the shutter 60, along a third axis 102 of rotation parallel to the second axis 92.

More particularly, the first end of the rod 96 of the first 66 and of the second 68 actuating members is articulated respectively on the first 76 and on the second 78 intermediate bar of the shutter 60. The first ends of the two rods 96 are arranged on the same third axis 102 of rotation.

The rod 96 of the actuator 66, 68 is inserted into the through opening 94 of the sliding portion 90 of the corresponding support 62, 64. Said rod is able to slide in said through opening, that is to say that it is able to slide through the opening, in a substantially rectilinear movement parallel to a central axis passing through said opening. A second end 104 of the rod 96 is located opposite the first end with respect to the through opening 94.

The spring 98 is a tension coil spring. A first end of said spring is attached to the second end 104 of the rod 96. A second end of said spring is attached to the sliding portion 90 of the corresponding support 62, 64.

In the retracted configuration of the shutter 60, a tension in the spring 98 is greater than a tension in said spring in the deployed position of the shutter.

The locking / unlocking device 36 comprises a transmission bar 110 and a latch 112.

The transmission bar 110 is rectilinear and extends perpendicularly to Y. A first end 114 of said bar is articulated on the first arm 42 of the detection member 32.

The latch 112 is articulated on the first support 62 along an axis of rotation parallel to Y. The latch 112 comprises a tab 116 and a hook 118, integral with one another and arranged on either side of said axis of rotation. A second end of the transmission bar 110 is articulated to the tab 116.

The hook 118 is able to be engaged in the notch 85 of the shutter 60, as visible on the figure 3 , so as to block said shutter in the retracted configuration.

Optionally, the driving car 12 further comprises an electronic device (not shown) for obstacle detection and triggering of emergency braking, as described for example in the document EP3018023 .

A method of operating the railway vehicle 10 described above will now be described.

The driving car 12 of the vehicle 10 runs on the rails 20 in its usual direction of travel. The shutter 60 of the protection device 30 is arranged in the lower space 26 under the front part 22 of the body 16. The hook 118 of the latch 112 of the locking / unlocking device 36 is engaged in the notch 85 of the shutter 60. Said flap is thus maintained in the retracted configuration of the figures 1 and 3 .

Furthermore, the bar 40 and the arms 42, 44 of the detection member 32 are in the inactive position.

In the event of an obstacle situated on the rails 20, the movement of the vehicle 10 causes said obstacle to come into contact with the bar 40 and to move said bar backwards. The arms 42, 44 of the detection member 32 then pivot backwards, to the active position of said detection member.

The transmission bar 110 of the device 36 is thus driven rearwardly by the first arm 42, which leads to the pivoting of the latch 112 relative to the first support 62. In the active position of the detection member 32, the hook 118 of the device 36 then disengages from the notch 85, releasing the flap 60.

The springs 98 of the first 66 and second 68 actuators retract, which causes the second end 104 of each corresponding rod 96 to move towards the through opening 94 of the sliding portion 90 of the corresponding support 62, 64. Such movement of the rods 96 causes the shutter 60 to pivot about the second axis 92 towards the deployed configuration of the figure 2 .

In said deployed configuration, the front edge 70 of the shutter 60 is close to the rails 20 and to the ground, which blocks the obstacle and prevents it from coming into contact with the bogie and in particular from passing under the bogie 18. In particular , when the obstacle is a pedestrian lying on the rails 20, the risks of injury to said pedestrian are reduced.

Preferably, the shutter 60 is configured such that, in the deployed configuration, a distance between the front edge 70 and the rails 20 is small enough to prevent a member of a pedestrian located on the rails from passing under the shutter.

Optionally, in the deployed configuration, the rollers 69 of the body collector 34 come into contact with the ground, which prevents the shutter 60 from rubbing against said ground.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the body-catch 34 does not include actuators 66, 68. When the locking / unlocking device 36 releases the shutter, gravity causes the front edge 70 to pivot towards the configuration. deployed.

However, the use of actuators 66, 68 provided with an elastic return element 98 makes it possible to accelerate the deployment of the shutter 60, thus improving the safety of pedestrians. In particular, said safety can be ensured with a higher speed of movement of the vehicle 10.

As a variant, the resilient return element of the actuators 66, 68 is replaced by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator of the cylinder type.

According to an embodiment not shown, the vehicle 10 further comprises a device for unlocking the latch 112, able to be controlled by an operator located in the driving car 12 in the event that a pedestrian is spotted on the rails 20 in front of said vehicle.

According to an embodiment not shown, the body catch 34 further comprises a device for detecting the deployed configuration, informing the operator located in the driving car 12 and / or preventing the movement of the rail vehicle 10. Said detection device comprises for example a cam (not shown) articulated to a support 62, 64 and hooked to the shutter 60, as well as an electrical detector (not shown) connected to said cam.

Claims (10)

Protection device (30) for a rail vehicle (10), suitable for being fixed under a front part (22) of a body of said rail vehicle, the protection device comprising: - a shutter (60) suitable for being fixed under the body of the vehicle and, when it is fixed to said body, to be movable in rotation with respect to the front part (22) of the body along a first axis (92) substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle, between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; and - a member (32) for detecting an obstacle; the protection device (30) being characterized in that it further comprises a locking member (36) capable of maintaining the shutter in the retracted configuration, said locking member being configured so that activation of said detection member cause the locking device to release the shutter,
said flap being configured to pivot towards the deployed configuration after release by the locking member. Device according to claim 1, comprising a support (62, 64) for fixing the shutter (60) to the body of the vehicle, the shutter being mounted to be movable in rotation with respect to said fixing support between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the detection member (32) comprises: - A bar (40) suitable for extending under the front part (22) of the body when the device is fixed under the body; and - an arm (42, 44) integral with the bar, said arm being suitable for being mounted articulated to said front part along a second axis (46) substantially parallel to the first axis; the activation of the detection member comprising a force exerted on the bar in the direction of the shutter so as to cause the arm to pivot relative to the front part (22). Device according to Claim 3, in which the locking member (36) comprises: a transmission bar (110), said bar comprising a first end (114) articulated on the arm (42); and a latch (112) hinged to a second end of the transmission bar and suitable for cooperating with the shutter (60) so as to maintain said shutter in the retracted configuration in a locked configuration of the locking member and to release the shutter in an unlocked configuration of the locking member . Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuator (66, 68) exerting on the shutter (60) a force tending to cause said shutter to pass from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration. Device according to claim 5, in which the actuating member (66, 68) comprises an elastic return element (98), a stress exerted on said elastic return element being greater in the retracted configuration of the shutter (60) than 'in deployed configuration. Device according to Claim 5, in which the actuator (66, 68) comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator of the cylinder type. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one roller (69) rotatably mounted on the shutter (60). Railway vehicle (10, 12) comprising a body (16) and at least one bogie (18) arranged under said body, the body comprising a front part (22) protruding from the bogie in a direction (X) of movement of said vehicle,
the rail vehicle further comprising a protection device (30) according to one of the preceding claims. Rail vehicle according to Claim 9, in which the flap extends under the front part (22) of the body, between the detection member (32) and the bogie (18).

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