FR3106557A1 - Bogie for independent wheel vehicle and associated vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Bogie for independent wheeled vehicle and associated vehicle The invention relates to a bogie (10) for a vehicle, comprising: - a bogie frame (12) (10), - four wheels (14) mounted on the frame (12), said wheels (14) defining between them a transverse space (E), - four motors (16) assembled on the frame (12), positioned outside the transverse space (E) in the transverse direction (Y), each motor (16) having a respective drive axis in rotation in the transverse direction (Y), and - four reducers (18) positioned outside the transverse space (E) in the transverse direction (Y), each reduction gear (18) being associated with one of the respective wheels (14). Each motor (16) is arranged to drive one of the wheels (14) via one of the reducers (18) associated with the wheel (14), each wheel (14) being mechanically independent of the other wheels (14). Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Bogie for independent wheel vehicle and associated vehicle

The present invention relates to a bogie for a vehicle, comprising:

- a bogie frame, and

- four wheels mounted on the frame, each wheel being rotatable relative to the frame around a respective axis of rotation extending in the same transverse direction, said wheels defining between them a transverse space, the transverse space extending between span planes of the wheels in the transverse direction.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, more particularly a railway vehicle, comprising such a bogie.

In a railway vehicle, and in particular in a railway vehicle intended for intra-urban transport such as for example trams, it is desirable to limit the size of the bogies in order to increase the internal space accessible to passengers in the cars, while maintaining a small footprint of the railway vehicle on the track.

Reducing the size of the bogies under the body allows the floor to be lowered, i.e. extending more or less at the same level over the entire surface of the vehicle and fairly close to the ground. This facilitates the circulation of passengers between the cars and access to the vehicle from the outside, in particular for passengers having difficulty moving around and/or with goods, while maximizing the space available, for example to maximize the number of seats installed in line with the bogie.

The volume to be left free under the body is particularly important in the case of rotating bogies, i.e. when the body is mobile in rotation relative to the bogie. The space required to allow such rotation while maintaining a lowered floor is a heavy constraint for the design of bogies.

However, reducing the bulk of the bogie under the body by moving all the masses laterally relative to the cars greatly increases the width of the rail vehicle and the gauge of the bogie, which is not satisfactory for vehicles traveling on the surface in an urban environment. .

It is therefore desirable to provide a railway vehicle bogie allowing to have an integral lowered floor, while maintaining a sufficiently small transverse bulk of the railway vehicle.

Thus, the subject of the invention is a bogie of the aforementioned type, further comprising:

- four motors assembled on the frame, positioned outside the transverse space in the transverse direction, each motor having a respective drive shaft in rotation in the transverse direction, and

- four reducers positioned outside the transverse space in the transverse direction, each reducer being associated with one of the respective wheels,

each motor being arranged to drive one of the wheels via one of the reducers associated with the wheel, each wheel being mechanically independent of the other wheels.

Such a bogie makes it possible to have a railway vehicle comprising an integral lowered floor, while maintaining an acceptable space requirement on the track, in particular as regards the lateral space requirement.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, the bogie has one or more of the following characteristics, taken independently or according to any technically feasible combination:

- each reducer is arranged between the associated wheel and the corresponding motor in the transverse direction;

- each motor is offset relative to the associated wheel in a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the transverse direction;

- each wheel is mounted on a respective hub contained in a respective axle box, the reducer associated with the wheel also being contained in the axle box;

- the axle boxes are fixed together in pairs by an end cross member, each end cross member extending in the transverse direction;

- the end crosspieces define between them a longitudinal space, the longitudinal space extending between the end crosspieces in a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the transverse direction, the wheels being entirely positioned inside the longitudinal space in the longitudinal direction;

- the axleboxes are fixed to the chassis by primary suspension devices, each primary suspension device being arranged to allow movement of the corresponding axlebox relative to the chassis only in a direction of elevation substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction;

- the bogie comprises at least one braking device, preferably four braking devices, each braking device being associated with a corresponding wheel, each braking device comprising a brake calliper arranged to brake the rotation of the corresponding wheel, the brake caliper being disposed below the motor driving the wheel in a direction of elevation perpendicular to the transverse direction; and or

- the respective axis of rotation of each wheel is located at a height defined according to a direction of elevation perpendicular to the transverse direction lower than the rotational drive axis of the corresponding motor.

The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one bogie as described above and at least one vehicle body carried by the bogie.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

- there FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a bogie according to one embodiment of the invention, and

- there figure 2 is a schematic profile view of the bogie of figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 show a bogie 10 of a vehicle, more particularly of a railway vehicle, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The bogie 10 is intended to equip a vehicle, more particularly a track-guided vehicle, for example, a railway vehicle, such as a tram or a tram-train.

In what follows, we define a longitudinal direction X according to the direction of ordinary circulation of the vehicle, a direction of elevation Z perpendicular to a rolling plane of the vehicle and a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and to the direction d Z elevation.

The bogie 10 is adapted to be installed on a low-floor railway vehicle. The railway vehicle comprises at least one car, each car comprising a body defining a floor.

Each floor extends at the same level at 30 mm nearly in the direction of elevation Z, including in line with the bogie 10. The floor has in particular at each point a local slope of less than 3%, advantageously 2% with respect to a horizontal plane.

The railway vehicle comprises a large number of seats located in line with the bogie, in particular at least sixteen seats on the same floor in line with the bogie, thanks to the lowered floor. The floor extends for example at a height substantially between 350 mm and 380 mm from the ground, the height being measured in the direction of elevation.

According to this embodiment, the bogie 10 is a fixed bogie, that is to say a bogie intended to support the body of the railway vehicle without allowing significant relative rotational movement (that is to say here of amplitude greater than 2° to within 0.5°) of the body relative to the bogie 10 around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the direction of elevation Z.

Alternatively, the bogie is said to be fixed when it is intended to support the body of the railway vehicle without allowing movement of an amplitude greater than 4°, to within 0.5°.

The bogie 10 comprises a bogie frame 12, as well as four wheels 14, four motors 16 and four reducers 18.

Each motor 16 is associated with a single one of the wheels 14 and a single one of the reducers 18, so that each motor 16 rotates only the wheel 14 associated with it via the corresponding reducer 18. Each wheel 14 is thus mechanically independent of the other wheels 14.

The bogie 10 further comprises two end parts 24, here forming the axle, located on both sides of the frame 12 in the longitudinal direction X, and two saddles 26 located on both sides of the frame 12 in the transverse direction Y.

According to one embodiment, the chassis 12, also called frame, comprises two crosspieces 30 and two longerons 32 assembled at their respective ends by corner pieces 33 to form a rectangle extending in a plane substantially orthogonal to the direction of Z elevation.

The crosspieces 30 and the longitudinal members 32 are for example metal beams of elongated shape, extending respectively substantially in the transverse direction Y and in the longitudinal direction X.

The crosspieces 30 and the longitudinal members 32 have an I-shaped section in a plane orthogonal to their direction of elongation. By this, it is meant that their section in this plane has a shape comprising a main section extending in the elevation direction Z and two transverse sections connected to the ends of the main section in their respective environments, the transverse sections being orthogonal to the section major.

Such a shape of the section of the crosspieces 30 and the side members 32 gives them a lower torsional resistance, which increases the flexibility of the frame 12.

As a variant, the crosspieces 30 and the side members 32 have an L-shaped, T-shaped, Z-shaped section, or another shape giving them suitable torsion resistance.

Each end part 24 comprises two axle boxes 34 fixed together by an end crosspiece 36. Each end part 24 carries two of the wheels 14, mounted on respective wheel hubs contained in the axle boxes. 34.

The end parts 24 are connected to the frame 12 by means of two respective primary suspension systems 31 and two respective joints 35. The joints are in particular pivot links, so that the end part 24 is movable relative to the frame 12 in the direction of elevation Z.

The primary suspension system 31 is thus adapted to allow movement of the axle boxes 34 relative to the chassis 12 only in one direction of elevation, which makes it possible to retain a reduced size of the primary suspension system 31. The movement of the primary suspension system restricted to movement in the direction of elevation Z is completed by the flexibility of the frame 12, conferred by the shape of the crosspieces 30 and the side members 32.

The axle boxes 34 are metal casings having a substantially parallelepipedic shape, and comprising a bevelled side face on the inside in the transverse direction Y.

Each axle box 34 contains one of the hubs 38 as well as the reducer 18, which mechanically drives the hub 38 under the action of the associated motor 16.

The integration of the reducer 18 in the axle box 34 makes it possible in particular to limit the size of the bogie in the transverse direction Y.

The end crosspieces 36 are metal beams of elongated shape, extending substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y, and likely to advantageously have an I-section as defined above.

Each hub 38 is rotatably mounted in the respective axle box 34, about an axis of rotation substantially parallel in the transverse direction Y, and carries a single wheel 14. Each wheel 14 is thus rotatable relative to the frame 12 , around the respective axis of rotation extending along the transverse direction Y.

The respective axis of rotation of each wheel 14 is located at a height defined in the direction of elevation Z lower than the rotational drive axis of the corresponding motor 16.

The end crosspieces 36 extend below the axes of rotation of the hubs 38 in the elevation direction Z. The use of independent hubs 38 for the four wheels 14 frees up the space located above the end crosspieces 36 and increases the free volume to the right of the bogie 10.

The end crosspieces 36 define between them a longitudinal space E', the longitudinal space E' extending between the beams in the longitudinal direction X, the wheels 14 being entirely positioned inside the longitudinal space E' along the longitudinal direction X. That is to say that each wheel 14 is located in a space extending between the two end crosspieces 36 along the longitudinal direction X.

Each fifth wheel 26 is connected to the frame 12 by elastic supports. This makes it possible in particular not to restrict the torsion flexibility of the frame 10.

The fifth wheel 26 further comprises a respective secondary suspension system adapted to connect the fifth wheel 26 to a rail vehicle body carried by the bogie 10.

Each secondary suspension system comprises a shock absorber 39A and two groups of springs 39B, each connecting the body to the fifth wheel 26.

Each motor 16, carried by a corner of the frame 12, is an electric motor and comprises, in a known manner, a shaft carrying a rotor mounted mobile in rotation in a stator carried by a stator frame, the rotation of the shaft taking place on at least one rotation level.

The shaft is thus rotatable relative to the frame 12 around an axis of rotation extending in the transverse direction Y.

The shaft connects an output of motor 16 to an input of reducer 18, via a coupling 49, and transmits the torque generated by motor 16 to reducer 18 and finally to wheel 14.

The wheels 14 define between them a transverse space E, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transverse space E extending between the planes of the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y.

The motors 16 are arranged externally with respect to the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y. That is to say that each motor 16 is located in a half-space extending from the side opposite the frame 12 with respect to the plane of the wheel. 14 associated with the motor 16. The motors 16 are thus arranged outside the transverse space E defined by the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y.

It is meant here that the assembly of each of the motors 16 is arranged externally with respect to the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y.

The reducers 18 are positioned externally with respect to the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y. That is to say that each reducer 18 is located in a half-space extending on the side opposite the frame 12 with respect to the plane of the wheel 14 associated with the motor 16. The reducers 18 are thus arranged outside the transverse space E defined by the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y.

It is meant here that the assembly of each of the reducers is arranged externally with respect to the wheels 14 in the transverse direction Y.

Each reducer 18 is arranged between the associated wheel 14 and the corresponding motor 16 in the transverse direction Y.

Each reducer 18 is arranged to transmit the rotation of one of the motors 16 to one of the hubs 38 carrying one of the wheels 14. The reducer 18 comprises for example a first gear cooperating on one side with a second gear connected to the coupling 49 , and on the other side with a third gear connected to hub 38.

The reducer 18 makes it possible, in addition to adjusting the transmission ratio between the motor 16 and the wheel 14, to transmit the torque from the motor 16 to the wheel 14 without aligning the axes of the hub 38 and of the shaft of the motor 16 according to the transverse direction Y. Thus, the motor 16 and the wheel 14 are offset in the longitudinal direction X.

The bogie 10 advantageously comprises four braking devices 60, each braking device 60 being adapted to block the rotation of one of the wheels 14 respectively.

As shown in Figure 2, each braking device 60 comprises a brake caliper 62 and two brake pads carried by two members of the brake caliper 62. The braking device 60 is able to clamp the brake pads against opposite sides of a brake disc 66, integral with the wheel 14, via the brake caliper 62, to block the rotation of the wheel 14.

Each braking device 60 is arranged entirely below the motor 16 associated with the wheel 14 respective to the braking device 60, that is to say that the brake caliper 62 and the brake pads are located in the half space located under the motor 16 in the direction of elevation Z.

In an alternative embodiment, the bogie 10 is a bogie allowing a pivot intended to support the body of the railway vehicle by allowing a significant relative rotational movement (that is to say of an amplitude greater than 2°), more particularly greater than 12°, of the body relative to the bogie 10 around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the direction of elevation Z.

The bogie 10 then comprises, for example, a load cross member connected to the frame 12 by the secondary suspension system, and carrying a ball ring adapted to be fixed to the body of the railway vehicle in a manner that can move in rotation around an axis. of rotation extending along the direction of elevation Z.

The load beam rests on frame 12.

The load beam comprises a central part which carries the ball ring, two lateral parts extending the central part externally in the transverse direction Y, and two ends extending externally with respect to the respective intermediate parts in the transverse direction Y.

The central part extends internally with respect to the wheels 14 and the longitudinal members 32, in the transverse direction Y, that is to say in the transverse space E defined by the wheels 14.

The end parts extend outside the transverse space E defined by the wheels 14.

The load cross member rests on the springs 39B of the secondary suspension system at the ends. The central part extends lower than the ends in the elevation direction Z, so that a height of the ball ring is partially compensated by the lowering of the central part. This makes it possible to reduce the size associated with the ball crown.

The load cross member has a thickness measured in the elevation direction Z at the level of the central part, greater than a thickness at the level of the side parts. This reduces the clutter associated with the load beam at the sides and ends, i.e. above the chassis, where clutter is critical, and above the springs 39B , while maintaining a sufficient thickness in the central part, at the level of the ball ring bearing the body.

The bogie 10 further comprises, here four, transverse abutment supports 50.

The transverse abutment supports 50 are provided to limit the travel of the rail vehicle body carried by the bogie 10 in a transverse direction and in a rotation around the elevation direction Z.

More specifically, each end crosspiece 36 is here provided with two transverse abutment supports 50 on either side of said crosspiece in the transverse direction Y.

The transverse abutment supports 50 are arranged outside the wheels in the longitudinal direction X.

Each transverse stop support 50 is associated with a wheel.

Each transverse stop support 50 has a support surface 52. The support surface 52 is adapted to receive the body in support.

Each bearing surface 52 extends into the transverse space E.

Preferably, the transverse abutment supports 50 allow a transverse clearance between the bogie 10 and the body of between 20 and 30 mm.

The bogie 10 makes it possible to have a railway vehicle comprising a lowered floor, while maintaining a space requirement on the track that is sufficiently small, in particular as regards the lateral or transverse space requirement. Indeed, the motors 16 and the axle boxes 34 are arranged on the outside, so as to leave a maximum free volume to the right of the bogie to allow the lowered floor. However, the arrangement of the motors 16, the wheels 14 and the axle boxes 34, offset in the longitudinal direction X, makes it possible to minimize the lateral bulk under the body compared to a direct transmission system for example. This is particularly interesting for a swivel version bogie.

The large free volume in line with the bogie 10 also makes it possible to use the same structure of the bogie 10 for pivoting and non-pivoting applications, the free volume allowing a sufficient amplitude of rotation of the body above the bogie 10 between the axle boxes 34.

Claims (10)

Bogie (10) for a vehicle, comprising:
- a bogie frame (12) (10), and
- four wheels (14) mounted on the frame (12), each wheel (14) being rotatable relative to the frame (12) around a respective axis of rotation extending in the same transverse direction (Y), said wheels (14) defining between them a transverse space (E), the transverse space (E) extending between planes of extent of the wheels (14) in the transverse direction (Y),
characterized in that the bogie (10) comprises:
- four motors (16) assembled on the frame (12), positioned outside the transverse space (E) in the transverse direction (Y), each motor (16) having a respective drive shaft in rotation along the transverse direction (Y), and
- four reducers (18) positioned outside the transverse space (E) in the transverse direction (Y), each reducer (18) being associated with one of the respective wheels (14),
each motor (16) being arranged to drive one of the wheels (14) via one of the reducers (18) associated with the wheel (14), each wheel (14) being mechanically independent of the other wheels (14). Bogie according to Claim 1, in which each reducer (18) is arranged between the associated wheel (14) and the corresponding motor (16) in the transverse direction (Y). Bogie according to Claim 1 or 2, in which each motor (16) is offset with respect to the associated wheel (14) in a longitudinal direction (X) orthogonal to the transverse direction (Y). Bogie according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which each wheel (14) is mounted on a respective hub contained in a respective axle box (34), the reduction gear (18) associated with the wheel (14) being also contained in the axle box (34). Bogie according to Claim 4, in which the axle boxes (34) are fixed together in pairs by an end crossmember (36), each end crossmember (36) extending in the transverse direction (Y ). Bogie according to Claim 5, in which the end crossmembers (36) define between them a longitudinal space (E'), the longitudinal space (E') extending between the end crossmembers (36) in a direction longitudinal (X) orthogonal to the transverse direction (Y), the wheels (14) being entirely positioned inside the longitudinal space (E') in the longitudinal direction (X). Bogie according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the axle boxes (34) are fixed to the frame (12) by primary suspension devices (31), each primary suspension device (31) being arranged to allow movement of the axle box (34) corresponding to the frame (12) only in a direction of elevation (Z) substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y). Bogie according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising at least one braking device (60), preferably four braking devices (60), each braking device (60) being associated with a corresponding wheel (14), each braking device (60) comprising a brake calliper (62) arranged to brake the rotation of the corresponding wheel (14), the brake calliper (62) being arranged below the motor (16) driving the wheel (14 ) in an elevation direction (Z) perpendicular to the transverse direction (Y). Bogie according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the respective axis of rotation of each wheel (14) is located at a height defined according to a direction of elevation (Z) perpendicular to the lower transverse direction (Y) to the drive axis in rotation of the corresponding motor (16). Vehicle comprising at least one bogie (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one vehicle body carried by the bogie.