FR3118935A1 - BRUSH GAP FILLER FOR RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a gap-filling device for the maintenance of railway rolling stock (50) comprising an interface support (12) configured to be connected to a structure ( 110) for maintenance, and a brush (14) configured to prevent objects from falling into a gap between the equipment under maintenance and the structure (110) for maintenance during a maintenance operation, said brush comprising a core (16 ) configured to be attached to the interface support (12), at least two rows (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments, each filament having a portion embedded in the core (16) and a portion emerging from the core (16) along a filament direction, and at least one elastomeric strip (22) comprising a portion embedded in the core (16) and a portion emerging from the core (16) along a substantially parallel direction to the directions of the filaments, arranged between at least two rows (18 a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

BRUSH GAP FILLER FOR RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK MAINTENANCE

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a gap-filling device for maintenance, in particular the maintenance of railway rolling stock. In particular, the invention relates to a device making it possible to ensure the safety of the maintenance of railway rolling stock, in particular during maintenance interventions in the upper part and/or the roof of the rolling stock.

Technology background

The operation and maintenance of railway rolling stock require the implementation of appropriate maintenance facilities. The latest generation rolling stock, unlike older rolling stock, carries its equipment and technical components mainly on the roof and/or in the upper part. Railway rolling stock is, for example, driving (such as a locomotive) or trailing (such as a car or wagon) or self-propelled rolling stock, suitable for transporting passengers and/or goods.

In order to be able to carry out the maintenance of this equipment, the maintenance personnel have access to the upper part and/or the roof thanks to maintenance structures, comprising for example maintenance catwalks adapted to the configuration of the maintained railway equipment. These maintenance structures include fixed elements that respect all the possible gauges of the equipment to be maintained and therefore cannot interfere directly with the railway rolling stock. There therefore remains a space between the material and the structure, called a gap.

To prevent objects and/or people from falling, gap-filling devices are implemented. The objective of these gap-filling devices is to limit or even eliminate the existing space between the maintenance structure and the equipment being maintained. These devices are generally mobile and motorized and can be adapted to rolling stock of different configurations. They therefore make it possible to compensate for deficiencies regardless of the size of the rolling stock.

However, in some contexts, the type of equipment to be maintained has a fixed template. For example, when all the rolling stock is of the same model. In this case, complex gap-filling solutions allowing adaptation to several templates are superfluous because they have a certain number of drawbacks: the different mechanisms allowing adjustment to different templates have strong constraints of masses, transfer of load, movement, mechanical stresses and routing of connectors and connecting wires, in particular for mobile platforms moving in line with the maintenance structure.

For these reasons, the installation cost of such gap-filling solutions is high, and requires the installation of sensors and a controller allowing the management of the position and the movement of the gap-filling device, and ensuring the safety of maintenance operators.

The inventors therefore sought a solution making it possible to obtain a gap-filling device intended for equipment with uniform dimensions without the drawbacks of current gap-filling devices.

Objectives of the invention

The invention aims to provide a gap-filling device making it possible to fill the space between equipment undergoing maintenance and a maintenance structure, and overcoming the drawbacks of known gap-filling devices.

The invention aims in particular to provide, in at least one embodiment, a simple gap-filling device that can easily adapt to the size of a single piece of equipment.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a gap-filling device that is easily replaceable and removable and whose maintenance is low.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a gap-filling device complying with the regulations concerning protection against the risk of falling objects or tools.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a gap-filling device presenting little risk of malfunction.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, an inexpensive gap-filling device.

To do this, the invention relates to a gap-filling device for the maintenance of equipment, in particular railway equipment, characterized in that it comprises an interface support configured to be connected to a maintenance structure, and a brush configured to avoid the fall of an object into a gap between the equipment under maintenance and the maintenance structure during a maintenance operation, said brush comprising:

a core configured to be attached to the interface support and extending along a main direction;

at least two rows of filaments distributed along the main direction, each filament of each row having a portion embedded in the core and a portion emerging from the core in a filament direction substantially perpendicular to the main direction;

at least one elastomer blade extending over the entire main direction of the core, comprising a portion embedded in the core and a portion emerging from the core in a direction substantially parallel to the directions of the filaments, arranged between at least two rows of filaments.

A gap-filling device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to easily adapt to the homogeneous template of maintenance equipment. The gap-filling device is inexpensive and presents little risk of malfunction because it does not include embedded technological components that are subject to faults.

By installing the gap-filling device on a maintenance structure, the brush prevents tools or objects from falling into the gap between the maintenance structure and the rolling stock. The set of filaments (also called "bristles") of the brush, formed in rows, make it possible to ensure this function over the whole of the gap covered by the gap-filling device in an effective manner by forming a mechanical resistance to falling object. The presence of the elastomer strip prevents objects or sharp tools from falling between the brush filaments. The gap-filling device thus allows compliance with regulations concerning protection against the risk of falling objects and/or tools. The use of a brush made up of filaments also allows the gap-filling device to be particularly suitable for the friction which may occur during the positioning of railway rolling stock which is brought by rail to the place maintenance. The brush device fills a gap that does not require deployment or adjustment vis-à-vis the equipment under maintenance, operators can initiate the protection procedure in order to access the maintenance facility. In particular, the dimensional or positioning settings of the gap-filling device are established for the most part by prior design study, and additional settings can be implemented on first installation or after each replacement of the gap-filling device. .

The interface support and the core are fixed permanently or removable. In particular, in the event of maintenance of the gap-filling device, it is possible to replace only the core or else the entire device, depending on the variants of the invention. If only the core is replaced, the interface support can remain connected to the maintenance structure and the position settings are thus maintained. In all cases, maintenance of the gap-filling device is simplified.

Advantageously and according to the invention the core comprises a plurality of holes in each of which is embedded a group of filaments, said holes being distributed over the entire main direction of the core so that all of the groups of associated filaments at holes aligned in the main direction form a row of filaments.

Advantageously and according to this last aspect of the invention, the holes of at least two adjacent rows of filaments are staggered.

According to this aspect of the invention, the arrangement of the rows of filaments makes it possible to minimize the risks of objects or tools passing between the filaments, by forming groups of filaments embedded in the same hole in the core.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the filaments are made of nylon.

According to this aspect of the invention, the nylon has advantageous characteristics for forming the filaments of the brush, since it has sufficient rigidity for the brush to prevent objects or tools from falling, while retaining flexibility to allow bending if the filaments come into contact with the rolling stock. In addition, nylon is inexpensive, which reduces the total cost of the gap-filling device.

Advantageously, a gap-filling device according to the invention comprises at least six rows of filaments, at least three rows of filaments being arranged on one side of the elastomer strip and at least three rows of filaments being arranged on the other side of the elastomer lamella.

According to this aspect of the invention, the six rows of filaments make it possible to perform the gap-filling function effectively.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the filaments have a length of between 7cm and 13cm.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the height of the brush, defined by the spacing between the two furthest rows of filaments, is between 3cm and 8cm.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the length of the gap-filling device, defined along the main direction, is between 50cm and 200cm.

The invention also relates to a maintenance system for equipment, in particular railway equipment, comprising a maintenance structure arranged to allow access to the upper parts and/or to the roof of the equipment being maintained, characterized in that it comprises at least one device gap filler according to the invention, fixed to the maintenance structure and configured to prevent objects from falling between the equipment being maintained and the maintenance structure.

A maintenance system according to the invention allows the maintenance of equipment, in particular railway equipment, of substantially uniform size by allowing access to the upper parts and/or to the roof of the equipment under maintenance. The gap-filling devices according to the invention installed on the maintenance structure make it possible to avoid the fall of objects and/or tools under the intervention zone during maintenance operations on the upper parts and/or the roof. In particular, the brush fills the gap between the maintenance structure and the equipment being maintained by the presence of the filaments and the elastomer strip.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the gap-filling device is fixed to the structure so as to present an angle of between 10° and 45° with respect to the horizontal.

According to this aspect of the invention, this angle makes it possible in particular, when using the gap-filling device for the maintenance of rolling stock:

• to increase the stiffness of the brush filaments, the end of the filaments resting on the wall of the equipment being maintained in the event of a falling object or tool;
• to reduce the friction surface of the filaments of the brush on the wall of the equipment under maintenance in the event of movement of the equipment under maintenance;
• to slide an object or a tool that would fall on the gap-filling device towards the maintenance structure and thus move it away from the edge of the gap;
• to avoid the subsequent fall of objects or tools left on the gap-filling device.

The invention also relates to a gap-filling device and a maintenance system, characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

List of Figures

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely by way of non-limiting and which refers to the appended figures in which:

is a schematic side view of a gap-filling device according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic sectional view of the gap-filling device of the ;

is a schematic top view of a gap-filling device according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a schematic view of a maintenance system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

In the figures, scales and proportions are not strictly adhered to, for purposes of illustration and clarity.

In addition, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all the figures.

There schematically illustrates from the side a gap-filling device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. There schematically and partially illustrates the gap-filling device 10 according to section AA of the . There illustrates the gap-filling device 10 viewed from above.

The gap-filling device 10 comprises an interface support 12 configured to be connected to a maintenance structure 110 represented here partially and schematically. The maintenance structure 110 is for example formed of a maintenance gateway (see described below) allowing access to the upper parts or to the roof of equipment undergoing maintenance, in particular railway rolling stock.

The gap-filling device 10 further comprises a brush 14 configured to prevent objects from falling into a gap between the equipment being maintained and the maintenance structure during a maintenance operation. Said brush comprises a core 16 configured to be fixed to the interface support 12 and extending in a main direction 20 (visible on the ). The brush 14 also comprises at least two rows of filaments, here six rows 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f of nylon filaments, distributed along the main direction. Each filament of each row has a portion embedded in the core 16 and a portion emerging from the core in a filament direction substantially perpendicular to the main direction. For example, partial section 200 on the makes it possible to observe a portion 218f of the row 18f of filaments, said portion 218f of filaments being embedded in the core 16.

The brush also comprises at least one strip 22 of elastomer extending over the entire main direction of the core, comprising a portion embedded in the core and a portion emerging from the core 16 in a direction substantially parallel to the directions of the filaments, arranged between at least two rows of filaments. In this embodiment, the elastomer strip 22 separates the six rows of filaments into two groups, a first group of three rows 18a, 18b, 18c arranged on one side of the elastomer strip 22 and a second group of three rows 18d, 18e, 18f arranged on the other side of the elastomer strip 22. This elastomer strip 22 makes it possible to prevent the fall of tapered objects which could slip between the rows of filaments.

As seen in particular on the representing part of the gap-filling device in section along the line AA of the , the core 16 comprises a plurality of holes 24 distributed in the core and distributed over the entire main direction of the core. These holes each include a group of filaments, making it possible to form the brush. The aligned holes form rows 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f of filaments. To maximize the effectiveness of the gap-filling device, the holes of adjacent rows are staggered.

Only part of the gap-filling device is shown here for clarity, the arrangement of the holes repeating along the entire length of the main direction.

The filaments and the elastomer strip 22 embedded in the core 16 are thus solidly assembled to hold the entire brush.

The fixing of the brush to the interface support is ensured by fixing means, for example of the self-locking screw type, guaranteeing braking and holding in position.

The height h of the brush, visible on the defined by the spacing between the two furthest rows of filaments, is advantageously between 3cm and 8cm, for example 5cm.

The length Lf of the filaments, visible on the , is advantageously between 7cm and 13cm, for example 10cm.

The length Ld of the gap-filling device, defined along the main direction, is between 50cm and 200cm. The gap-filling device as shown in the is not shown to scale: it has a short length for illustrative purposes, and could be much longer depending on the embodiments. A longer length covers a larger gap width but is more expensive to replace in the event of occasional wear.

There schematically represents a system 100 for the maintenance of equipment, for example railway rolling stock 50, for example a car of a train, driven or not. The rolling stock is brought into the maintenance system 100 to carry out maintenance operations. The equipment 50 is for example led by rails 112 to the maintenance area, and rests on these rails 112 during maintenance.

The maintenance system 100 comprises a maintenance structure arranged to allow access to the upper parts and/or to the roof of the equipment 50 being maintained. To allow access from both sides of the rolling stock, the structure comprises for example a first part 110a and a second part 110b, arranged on either side of the rolling stock. To fill the gaps 114a and 114b formed by the space between respectively the two parts 110a and 110b of the structure and the rolling stock 50, gap-filling devices 10a and 10b as described above are used.

The gap-filling devices 10a, 10b are preferably arranged below the path surfaces 116a, 116b where the operators walk, so as to prevent people from walking on them naturally. The gap-filling devices 10a, 10b can thus have a marking (regulatory or dedicated), for example a symbol or a pattern, so as to encourage the vigilance of the operators circulating on the path surfaces 116a, 116b.

When installing the gap-filling device(s) on the maintenance structure, an adjustment may be necessary to adapt to the size of the equipment being maintained. Once this adjustment has been made, the gap-filling device can be used for all materials of close gauge without the need for additional adjustment. The presence of flexible filaments allows the device to adapt in the event of slight variations, due for example to wear of the rolling stock (wheels, suspensions, springs for example) or of the maintenance structure (wear of the rails, minimal displacements structure, etc.)

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the gap-filling device 10, 10a, 10b is preferably arranged at an angle a of between 10° and 45° relative to the horizontal, preferably about 30°. This angle allows, when using the gap-filling device for the maintenance of rolling stock:

• to increase the stiffness of the filaments of the brush, the end of the filaments resting on the wall of the equipment 50 being maintained in the event of an object or tool falling;
• to reduce the friction surface of the filaments of the brush on the wall of the equipment 50 under maintenance in the event of movement of the equipment 50 under maintenance;
• to slide an object or a tool that would fall on the gap-filling device towards the maintenance structure and thus move it away from the edge of the gap;
• to avoid the subsequent fall of objects or tools left on the gap-filling device.

Claims (10)

Gap-filling device for the maintenance of equipment (50), in particular railway equipment, characterized in that it comprises an interface support (12) configured to be connected to a maintenance structure (110), and a brush (14) configured to prevent objects from falling into a gap (114a, 114b) between the equipment (50) under maintenance and the maintenance structure (110) during a maintenance operation, said brush comprising:

• a core (16) configured to be attached to the interface support (12) and extending along a main direction (20);
• at least two rows (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments distributed along the main direction, each filament of each row having a portion embedded in the core (16) and a portion emerging from the core ( 16) in a filament direction substantially perpendicular to the main direction (20);
• at least one elastomeric lamella (22) extending over the entire main direction (20) of the core (16), comprising a portion embedded in the core (16) and a portion emerging from the core (16) along a direction substantially parallel to the directions of the filaments, arranged between at least two rows (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments.

Gap-filling device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the core (16) comprises a plurality of holes (24) in each of which is embedded a group of filaments, the said holes (24) being distributed over the entire direction ( 20) of the main core (16) so that all of the groups of filaments associated with holes (24) aligned in the main direction form a row (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments. Gap-filling device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the holes (24) of at least two adjacent rows of filaments are arranged in staggered rows. Gap-filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filaments are made of nylon. Gap-filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least six rows (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 18e, 18f) of filaments, at least three rows of filaments being arranged on one side of the elastomer strip (22) and at least three rows of filaments being arranged on the other side of the elastomer strip (22). Gap-filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filaments have a length (Lf) of between 7cm and 13cm. Gap-filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the height (h) of the brush (14), defined by the spacing between the two furthest rows of filaments, is between 3 cm and 8cm. Gap-filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the length (Ld) of the gap-filling device, defined in the main direction, is between 50cm and 200cm. Equipment maintenance system, in particular railway equipment, comprising a maintenance structure (110) arranged to allow access to the upper parts and/or to the roof of the equipment (50) being maintained, characterized in that it comprises at least one device (10, 10a, 10b) gap filler according to one of claims 1 to 8, fixed to the maintenance structure (110) and configured to prevent objects from falling between the equipment (50) being maintained and the structure (110) maintenance. Maintenance system according to Claim 9, characterized in that the gap-filling device (10a, 10b, 10c) is fixed to the structure (110) so as to present an angle (a) of between 10° and 45° relative to relative to the horizontal.