ES2344286B1 - RAILWAY VEHICLE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Railway vehicle.

The rail vehicle comprises at least a power supply element by contact with a rail of power supply arranged on the ground. The vehicle further comprises a body removal element (10) arranged in front of said feeding element and that is adapted to remove bodies present on the feed rail.

Protect the power device electric.

Description

Railway vehicle.

The present invention relates to a vehicle railway, of the type comprising at least one element of electrical power by contact with a rail feeding.

Background of the invention

Rail vehicles are known, such as trams, whose power is provided by a ground feed rail incorporated into the driveway, in half of the two bearing rails, and extending along of the two bearing rails in parallel to these. The surface of the feed rail is at ground level. Lane of feeding is segmented, in its longitudinal direction, into sections of feeding separated by insulating joints. The supplies are supplied feeding sections only when coated entirely by the rail vehicle, thus avoiding any electrocution risk for users. This lane is described ground feed in the document FR-A-2 762.810.

Vehicle power supply railway is obtained by a power supply shoe that rubs on the feed rail on the floor and that thus establishes the electrical connection between the railway vehicle and the feed rail on the floor.

However, the presence of foreign bodies in the track can damage the feeding shoe and / or cause formation of electric arcs.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to protect the power supply device

For this purpose, the invention aims at a vehicle of the aforementioned type, characterized by the fact that it also comprises at least one element for removing bodies arranged in front of said element and adapted to remove bodies present on the feed rail.

According to particular embodiments, the vehicle comprises one or more of the following characteristics,
taken (s) in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:

- the body removal element comprises a protective shield, a brush arranged behind the shield and movable with respect to the shield between a resting position, in the which brush separates from said rail, and a position of work, in which the brush adapts to sweep said lane, and a brush movement mechanism between the position resting and working position;

- the movement mechanism comprises a movable brush support element, being susceptible the displacement of the support element imply the displacement of the brush between the rest position and the working position, the brush being movable with respect to the support element and the displacement mechanism comprises also means of pushing the brush that bump against said support element;

- the brush is mounted rotating between the resting position and working position around an axis (A) of rotation, the rotating support element being mounted on the shield around the axis (A) of rotation of the brush, being susceptible the rotation of the element imply the rotation of the brush between the resting position and the working position, the thrust means comprising a torsion spring mounted around the axis (A) of rotation of the brush, being integral one end of the support element, while the other end is solidarity with the brush;

- the movement mechanism comprises automatic brush locking means in rest position when, while in the working position, the brush is rejected by a body that is on the feed rail until to its resting position;

- the movement mechanism comprises brush locking means in their resting position, and means of automatic deactivation of these blocking means after brush displacement command between the position of rest and work position;

- the brush comprises at least one brush, the brush resting on the feed rail when the brush is in its working position;

- the brush has at least one fin arranged in front of the brush, the distance between the fin and the feed rail when the brush is in its position of positive work and less than the distance between the shield and this rail;

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- the vehicle comprises a control unit automated that controls the movement of the brush between its rest and work positions depending on the activation of said power supply element;

- the body removal element is fixed at A car of the vehicle.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood with the help of the following description, provided only by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a side view schematic of a railway vehicle according to the invention and of a ground feed rail;

- Figure 2 shows a side view schematic of a part II of the vehicle of figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view of part of a body removal element according to the invention which has a movable brush shown in a rest position;

- Figure 4 is a schematic view in perspective of part of a part of the withdrawal element of bodies of figure 3;

- Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the body removal element of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a partial schematic view of the brush locking means;

- Figures 7, 8 and 9 are side views schematics showing respectively the brush in position of rest, work and deviation.

Description of a preferred embodiment

Figure 1 shows a railway vehicle of electric motorization 1, such as a tram, provided with a 2A pantograph and two power supply shoes 2 by the ground, arranged on an intermediate (or central) wagon 3 of the vehicle 1.

To power the vehicle 1 of electricity by the ground, the two shoes 2 are placed in a reduced position in which rub on a power supply rail 4. When each shoe 2 is in the raised position, vehicle 1 is not powered by the ground.

Lane 4 is arranged between two lanes of bearing (not shown) on which wheels 5 are supported of the rail vehicle 1. The shoes 2 and lane 4 are in effect arranged in a medium longitudinal plane P equidistant from the longitudinal planes defined by the bearing rails or the wheels 5.

The surface of lane 4 is at the level of ground. Lane 4 is segmented, in its longitudinal direction, in feeding sections 6 separated by insulating joints 7.

At all times, at least two sections 6 they are completely covered by the vehicle 1. They can only be feed the sections completely covered by vehicle 1, thus avoiding any risk of electrocution for users. The feed sections 6 have a length less than average vehicle length 1.

As of now, the terms "previous" and "later" are understood with respect to the sense of displacement of railway vehicle 1 as indicated by arrow D in the figures. In addition, in the description, the power rail 4 constitutes a reference of longitudinality and horizontality. The term "transversal" is understand about lane 4.

The vehicle includes, in addition to the car intermediate 3, two end cars 8, and two withdrawal elements of anterior and posterior bodies 10 each fixed on a respective end wagon 8, to remove bodies present in the Feed rail 4 and protect the shoes 2.

The body removal element 10 above is arranged in front of the shoes 2, on the front end of wagon 8, while the body removal element 10 rear is arranged at the rear end of the wagon 8 later.

The rear body removal element 10 plays the role of the body removal element 10 above when the direction of travel of the vehicle is reversed 1. The rear body removal element 10 is identical to the body removal element 10 above and is symmetric to body removal element 10 above with respect to a plane transverse vertical that passes through the middle of the vehicle 1. The subsequent body removal element 10 will therefore not be described as continuation.

Each body removal element 10 comprises a fixed shield 12 of protection and a brush 14 movable relative to shield 12 between a resting position in which the brush 14 is separated from the feed rail 4 (see figure 7) and a working position in which the brush 14 rests on lane 4 to sweep lane 4 (see Figure 8), and a displacement mechanism 16 of the brush 14 between one and the other of the resting position and the position of job.

From front to back, it can be seen in the figure 2, the shield 12, the brush 14 and the wheels 5 of the previous car 8 of vehicle 1.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the brush 14 in its resting position

As can be seen in figure 3, the element of removal of bodies 10 also has a beam 18, in which fix shield 12, the beam 18 itself being fixed, for example by means of a screw, in the previous carriage 8.

Beam 18 has a general C shape, converging forward. It comprises two transverse flanges 20 for fixing on carriage 8 and two transverse plates 22 of shield support 12. Beam 18 also has two arms 24 that connect the plates 22 to the flanges 20. The arms 24 comprise 26 horizontal reinforcement struts.

The shield 12 has, in reference to the figures 3 and 4, a fixing housing 30 that houses a part of the mechanism of travel 16, extending a head 32 the housing 30 towards the front, and a brush support frame 34 fixed in the back of housing 30.

The brush 14 is thus arranged behind the shield 12. In addition, the brush 14 and the shield 12 are aligned according to plan P.

The head 32 and the frame 34 are fixed in the housing 30, the housing itself 30 being fixed on the beam 18. The fixings are made by bolts. The holes 36 in the which the housing fixing screws 30 are attached on the beam 18 is oblong, such that the fixing height of the housing 30 on the beam 18 is adjustable (see figures 4 and 5). For this purpose, the oblong holes 36 are surrounded by small holes 38 that serve as height signals.

The contour of the housing 30 has a shape general in isosceles triangle towards the symmetrical front with respect to plane P. The isosceles triangle is truncated to the front and prolonged by head 32, which forms a rounded end of the triangle. He head 32 thus has a convex shape towards the front.

The head 32 itself forms substantially a isosceles triangle whose two isosceles sides are fixed on the sides corresponding to the housing 30. In addition, the head 32 protrudes down with respect to the housing 30, such that the distance minimum between head 32 and lane 4 (or ground conductor) is between 5 centimeters and 6 centimeters, preferably around 6 centimeters. The head 32 has a surface lower 40 flat and horizontal, although the distance between the surface 40 and lane 4 is uniform.

The conductor to the ground of the shield 12 is enough to meet the general specifications of vehicle ground connection 1.

In addition, the rounded end of the head 32 it is constituted by a front surface 42 whose height is lower than that of the isosceles fixing sides on the housing 30

The support frame 34 comprises a flange 44 transverse fixing on housing 30, and two arms lengths 46 protruding backward from the flange 44. The arms 46 each have a fixed pivot 48 protruding towards the other arm 46. The pivots 48 are fixed on the arms 46 by a screw.

The brush 14 is carried by a tree of cross shaft support 50 comprising a support tube 52 of A axis, on which the brush 14 is mounted purely rotating (see figures 3 to 5). The tube 52 itself is mounted rotary on the two pivots 48. The brush 14 is thus mounted rotating on the tree 50 around the axis (A) of this tree.

Frame 34 also has two struts diagonal horizontal reinforcement 53 connecting each one from arms 46 to flange 44.

The displacement mechanism 16 comprises the following elements:

- an electric cylinder 54 comprising a box 56 fixed to the housing 30 and a drive rod 58 of the brush 14, the rod 58 being movable in translation in box 56 between a retracted position and a position deployed,

- a trailing transverse shaft 60 and unlocking, arranged in frame 34, on which the end Rear of stem 58 is mounted in a purely rotary manner along the axis of the tree 60,

- a first connecting rod 62 articulated at its end anterior on the tree 60 and that crosses the rear end of the drive rod 58,

- the support tree 50 mentioned previously, tree 50 comprising a first 64 and a second 66 support and bumper stop levers 14, being levers 64, 66 supportive of support tube 52 and parallel each other, the rear end of the first rod 62 being articulated on the front end of the first lever 64, around a transverse axis,

- guide means 68 (see Figure 4) which include:

- a tube 70 of longitudinal direction of solidarity to the housing 30 and extending into the housing 30,

- a guide rod 72 slidably mounted on the tube 70 along the axis of the tube 70, the rear end of the rod 72 mounted purely on the drive shaft 60, around the axis of this tree,

- a second crank 74 identical to the first connecting rod 72, articulated at the front end on the tree drag 60 and through the rear end of the guide rod 72, the connecting rod 74 being purely rotating at its end posterior on an anterior end of the second lever 60 around the same axis as the first crank 62.

The axis of the drive shaft 60 is parallel to the axis A. The drive shaft 60 has a shaft section 76 which connects the two rods 58, 72 and a push button assembly 78 that prolongs section 76, which has the function of unlocking the brush 14.

The push button assembly 78 comprises, with reference to figures 5 and 6, a cylindrical guide 80, a push button transverse 82 mounted sliders on guide 80, and a spring 83 mounted on guide 80 and pressing button 82 towards the outside of guide 80.

The travel mechanism 16 comprises in addition to a trigger 84 for brush lock 14 in position resting

Trigger 84 comprises a wheel 86 mounted rotating around a vertical axis on the strut 53 located in the opposite side to the guide means 68, and comprising a pin 88 attached to the wheel 86 and protruding backwards from the wheel 86. The pin 88 cooperates, in the rest position, with 90 notches of the brush 14 to lock the brush 14 in resting position

Indeed, pin 88 has at its end posterior a heel 92 (see figures 5 and 6) that rests, in resting position, in one of the notches 90 of the brush 14. The pin 88 which is not movable in rotation with respect to frame 34 or around the vertical axis of the wheel 86, it blocks the rotation of the brush 14 around its transverse axis A.

Trigger 84 further comprises a spring of torsion (not shown) that presses wheel 86 into position lock Wheel 86 has a support face 93 that cooperates with the button 82 for unlocking the brush 14, and a face of cam 94 faced with button 82 after the turn of the tree 60 forward.

The trigger 84, the set the button 78 and the notches 90 of the brush 14 thus constitute the blocking means of the brush 14 in its resting position. In addition, the whole of button 78 constitutes means of automatic deactivation of the blocking means.

The brush 14 comprises a structure 96 of support comprising a transverse fixing plate 97 and two longitudinal arms 98 that confine plate 97 at its ends transversal. The arms 98 protrude with respect to the plate 97. They are identical and each comprise a hole in which the support tube 52.

The support structure 96 is thus mounted rotary on the support tube 52 along the axis A. The arms 98 are arranged in immediate proximity of the respective arms 46 of the frame 34.

In addition, structure 96 comprises two struts 100 connecting, each, one of the arms 98 to the plate 97.

The displacement mechanism 16 also has of return means 102 that push the support structure 96 of the brush 14 towards the first and second levers 64, 66. The return means 102 comprise two axle torsion springs 104 A mounted on the support shaft 50. Each of the springs 104 It has one of its ends integral to one of the arms 98, while that the other end 104 is integral to the tree 50. To do this, the tree 50 is provided with two rings 106 integral to tube 52 and perforated according to their circumference with several holes 107. The holes 107 allow coupling of the spring end of torsion 104 in one the same and, thus, the tension adjustment of the spring 104.

The plate 97 also serves as a stop to the rotation of the brush 14 and support for it on the first and second levers 64, 66 under the action of springs 104 (see figure 6). The brush 14 is thus held in position.

The brush 14 comprises, on the other hand, a set 110 of brushes and fins comprising a plate of fixing 112 on the support plate 97 by means of two bolts as well as two brushes 114 and two fins 116, in solidarity with the plate of fixing 112. The brush 14 has two fins 116, fixed on the plate 112, in front of the two brushes 114.

Brushes 114 and fins 116 are mounted perpendicularly with respect to the fixing plate 112.

The two brushes 114 form a convergent V towards the front, so that its axes form a non-zero angle with respect to a transverse plane when the brush 14 is in its work position. The shafts of brushes 114 form between them a non-zero angle, convergent backwards seen in plan (figure 3).

The two fins 116 are mounted on V-tip towards in front, analogously to the two brushes 114. The axis of each Brush 114 is parallel to the axis of a respective skirt 116. Further, brushes 114 are in contact with each other, like the skirts 116.

Brushes 114 are, for example, made with filaments of nylon thread. The filaments are noticeably rigid. Some filaments are shorter and colored to serve as wear indicator. Brushes 114 of different types can be installed hardness and stiffness.

The two fins 116 are made of a material flexible, such as a natural or synthetic rubber.

The rail vehicle 1 further comprises a Automated control unit 117 (Figure 2) commands the brush 14 between its resting and working positions depending on the activation of the power supply shoe 2 and in function of the direction of travel of the vehicle 1. Unit 117 commands more particularly the cylinder 54.

In a variant, the rail vehicle car 1 is a meter, in which the wheels are, for example, provided with tires

In addition, vehicle 1 can have a large number of intermediate wagons 3. The vehicle has, for example, two intermediate wagons 3, one of them carrying the two shoes 2.

In the case where vehicle 1 has more than one intermediate wagon 3, the body removal element 10 can look at one of these intermediate cars 3 to the extent where this wagon 3 faces sections 6 that are not under tension.

In an alternative, the withdrawal element of bodies 10 only includes a single brush 114 and / or a single fin 116. In another alternative, the body removal element 10 has no fins 116.

In an alternative, the withdrawal elements of bodies 10 are not fixed on the end cars 8. For example, they fixed on the frame of the vehicle 1.

In operation, the brush 14 of the element of removal of bodies 10 above is initially in a position of high disposition.

When the power supply shoe 2 is low to power the rail vehicle 1 and when the direction of displacement chosen is that of arrow D, the control unit 117 commands the cylinder 54, such that the rod of drive 58 moves back to its initial position retracted (see Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7), which corresponds to the resting position of the brush 14, in its deployed position, corresponding to the working position of the brush 14 (see Figure 8). The brush 14 of the body removal element 10 later it is not activated and remains in its resting position.

After the backward translation of the drive rod 58 along its axis, rod 58 displaces the trailing shaft 60 back. Push button 82, then supported against the support face 93 of the wheel 86, drag the wheel 86 and the pin 88 in rotation and thus releases the locking notches 90 from the brush 14.

In addition, after this same translation of the tree 60, the first and second cranks 62, 74, of the fact of its joint on the drive shaft 60, they are pushed back and respectively push the front ends of the first and second levers 64, 66. Levers 64, 66 are dragged then rotating counterclockwise around the A axis, with reference to figures 7 to 9. Brush 14, which is supported bumping the two levers 64, 66 under the action of the springs 104, follows the rotation of the two levers 64, 66.

When the stem 58 is in position deployed, levers 64, 66 perform a rotation of approximately 45 ° and the brush 14 is in its position of job. The two brushes 114 and the two fins 116 are then substantially vertical. Push button 82 is behind the wheel 86.

In the working position, brushes 114 are lean against the ground, in particular, against the rail of feed 4, such that the small bodies and the dust is ejected out of lane 4.

The two fins 116 then have their end less than a positive distance from feed rail 4 included between 0 and 1.5 centimeters, preferably equal to about 1 centimeter They help brushes 114 to separation of the remaining objects on or near the lane of feed 4 despite the action of the previous shield 12, whose distance to lane 4 is greater than that of fins 116. The fins 116 serve, for example, to prevent iron threads from hanging from the filaments of the brushes 114.

Indeed, bodies 120 whose height respect to the ground is lower than the guard to the ground of shield 12 is not will discard shield 12 These bodies then pass under the shield 12 and, if they have a height greater than the guard on the ground of fins 116, contact fins 116, which eject them.

When the medium-sized bodies 120 have a relatively important mass, for example higher in approximately 50 grams, brush 14 is placed in one position of avoidance allowed by its expulsion in rotation against the action of torsion springs 104, as shown in the figure 9.

Once the bodies 120 have been evacuated, the brush 14 returns to its working position.

However, when the crash with the body 120 It is important, the brush 14 rises completely and locks in its resting position by contact of the notches 90 and the pin 88, under the action of trigger torsion spring 84. No can be unlocked again until rod 58 has returned from back to its retracted position, and then placed in working position through a new backward movement of the stem 58. The blocking means described above thus constitute automatic locking means of the brush 14 in your resting position after a major crash against one of the bodies 120.

With the invention, large bodies, such as metal cans, they are ejected from the rail of power 4 via shield 12, which avoids electric arcs between intermediate car 3 and feed rail 4, and avoid a clash with the shoe 2.

In addition, medium-sized bodies, as per example of papers, tree leaves or wires, are ejected by fins 116. Finally, small bodies, such as sand and dust, are expelled by the action of the brushes 114

This reduces the abrasion of the shoe 2. The electrical contact between shoe 2 and feed rail 4 It is also of better quality, being able to obstruct foreign bodies driving between lane 4 and shoe 2.

The brush avoidance function 14 the protects against a crash with a medium-sized 120 body but of mass relatively important, for example greater than 50 grams. In the In practice, bodies 120 run the risk of further damaging the brush 14 that does not damage shoe 2, the same solid part of foundry. The mass of objects to avoid is, without However, adjustable with means for adjusting the tension of the torsion springs 104.

Automatic brush lock function 14 in the event of a major shock, it minimizes the degradation of the brush 14.

From the fact of its location on the wagons end 8, the body removal elements 10 are never in front of a section 6 under tension, which prevents the formation of electric arcs

The oblong holes 36 allow to increase the body removal element 10 at the same time and tailored to the wear of wheels 5 and the decrease in ground guard of the resulting body removal element 10.

Guide means 68 guarantee stability of the trailing tree 60.

The arrangement of brushes 114 and fins 116 guarantees an effective separation of the bodies towards the outside of the feed rail 4.

Thanks to the fixing of the withdrawal element of bodies 10 on the cars 8, the withdrawal elements of bodies 10 are not subjected to vertical movements with respect to lane 4. In addition, lane 4 tracking is better, in curves, that if the body removal elements 10 are mounted on the framework of the rail vehicle 1.

Claims (11)

1. Rail vehicle (1), of the type comprising at least one power supply element (2) by contact with an electric power rail (4), the power supply rail (4) being segmented, in its longitudinal direction , in feeding sections (6) separated by insulating joints (7), being able to feed only sections (6) completely covered by the vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle (1) on the other hand comprises at least one element of removal of bodies (10) arranged next to said feed element (2) and adapted to remove bodies present on the feed rail (4), said removal element of bodies (10) being fixed in a carriage (8) and facing sections (6) of the feed rail that are not under tension. 2. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body removal element (10) is fixed in a first carriage (8), the power supply element (2) being arranged in another carriage ( 3). 3. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the body removal element (10) is fixed in an end car (8), the power supply element (2) being arranged in an intermediate car (3). 4. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body removal element (10) comprises a protective shield (12), a brush (14) arranged behind the shield (12) and movable with respect to the shield (12) between a resting position, in which the brush (14) is separated from said rail (4), and a working position, in which the brush (14) is adapted to sweep said lane (4), and a movement mechanism (16) of the brush (14) between the rest position and the working position. 5. Vehicle (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the displacement mechanism (16) includes a movable element (64, 66) of the brush holder (14), the displacement of the support element ( 64, 66) capable of dragging the movement of the brush (14) between the rest position and the working position, the brush (14) being movable with respect to the support element (64, 66) and comprising the movement mechanism ( 16) also return means (102) of the brush (14) that bump against said support element (64, 66). 6. A vehicle (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the brush (14) is rotatably mounted between the rest position and the working position around a rotation axis (A), the mounting element being mounted Rotary support (64, 66) on the shield (12) around the axis (A) of rotation of the brush (14), the rotation of the element (64, 66) being able to drag the rotation of the brush (14) between the resting position and the working position, the return means (102) comprising a torsion spring (104) mounted around the axis (A) of rotation of the brush (14), being one end (104) integral with the element of support (64, 66), while the other end (104) is integral with the brush (14). 7. Vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the displacement mechanism (16) comprises automatic means for locking the brush (14) in the rest position, while being in working position, the brush is pushed by a body (120) that is located on the feed rail (4) to its resting position. 8. A vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the displacement mechanism (16) comprises means (78 to 90) for locking the brush (14) in its resting position, and automatic deactivation means (78) of these blocking means after the brush movement command (14) between the rest position and the working position. A vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the brush (14) comprises at least one brush (114), the brush (114) resting on the feed rail ( 4) when the brush (14) is in its working position, the brush (14) carrying at least one fin (116) arranged in front of the brush (114), the distance between the fin (116) and the rail being power (4) when the brush (14) is in its positive working position and less than the distance between the shield (12) and this rail. A vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the vehicle (1) comprises an automated control unit (117) that controls the movement of the brush (14) between its positions of rest and work depending on the activation of said power supply element (2). 11. Rail system comprising an electric power rail (4) and a rail vehicle (1) comprising at least one power supply element (2) by contact with said power supply rail (4), the rail being segmented of power supply (4), in its longitudinal direction, in feeding sections (6) separated by insulating joints (7), being able to feed only the sections (6) completely covered by the vehicle (1), characterized by the fact that The railway vehicle (1) is according to any one of claims 1 to 10.