MXPA00005519A - Guide wheel assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A guide wheel assembly (14), which can be preassembled as a single unit, is configured to be connectable to a guide frame (12) of a rail guided vehicle (10). The guide wheel assembly (14) generally includes a fixed component (18) connectable to the guide frame (12) and a rotating component (20) rotatably supported on the fixed component (18) by a bearing assembly (22). The elements of the fixed component (18), the rotating component (20) and the bearing assembly (22) are assembled on a shaft (24) of the fixed component (18) from a top or first end thereof. The shaft (24) includes a support member (40) secured at a second end of the shaft (24) and configured to prevent the rotating component (20) from detaching from the fixed component (18) in the event of bearing failure.

Description

In general, the prior art guide wheels include a t * ^ i r. ,. t fixed portion connected to a rotating portion by a bearing The fixed portion is generally attached to a guide frame of the vehicle. The bearing generally serves to secure the rotating portion to the fixed portion and to support the rotating portion in the vertical direction. The prior art guide wheels suffer the disadvantage that in the event of bearing failure, the rotating portion can be separated from the fixed portion and fall to the path or floor of the track along which the vehicle travels. These debris or jestos of the rotating portion represent a hazard to the following vehicles and, in particular, could potentially cause a 3 =} ° - i -f i derailment of the following road vehicles. Additionally, the loss of one or more guide wheels in this manner also means the loss of the vehicle's guiding means, which could result in a derailment of the vehicle and injury to its occupants.

In addition, the prior art guide means typically can not be easily preassembled and attached to the vehicle's guide frame. The fixed portion of the guide wheel must first be attached to the vehicle's guide frame. Then, the rotating portion must be mounted to the fixed portion by means of the bearing.

Consequently, there is a need for an alternative Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a guide wheel assembly having characteristics of I i-. . improved security. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a guide wheel assembly that can be easily pre-assembled and attached to a guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a guide wheel assembly having improved installation characteristics and t ". maintenance DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned objects are achieved with a guide wheel assembly made in accordance with the present invention. The guide wheel assembly is generally attached to a guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle. The guide wheel assembly includes an arrow having first and second ends. The arrow has an integrally formed projection or flange, located adjacent to the second end of the arrow. A shirt or sleeve is placed around the arrow. The shirt has a first and a second extreme faces. The first end face is configured to be attached to the guide frame of the rail-guided vehicle. A bearing is rotatably positioned on the arrow and positioned axially between the projection and the second face of the sleeve. A rotating assembly is positioned on the bearing and coupled to the shaft by the bearing. The rotary assembly is configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail, configured to guide the rail-guided vehicle laterally. The rotary assembly further includes a core having an integrally formed Safety disc, which extends radially with the two faces and; a pair of flanges, each with a guide tire connected there. The flanges are respectively connected to the two faces of the safety disc. The guide wheels are configured to fit or fit with the vertical guide rail. The safety disc extends at least partially between the guide wheels, so that in the event of a failure of the guide wheels, the safety disc limits the lateral movement of the guide wheels with respect to the guide rail. Additionally, a support member, such as a washer, is preferably welded to the second end of the shaft, to support the bearing and the rotating component in a vertical direction in the event that the bearing fails.

The guide rail assembly may include a dust cover placed on the sleeve and extending between the sleeve and core to prevent dust from entering the bearing. The guide wheel assembly may further include a pressure ring disposed on the projection and configured to secure the bearing to the core. The first end face of the sleeve may be formed as a connecting projection defining a bolt circle, such that the guide wheel assembly is connectable to the guide rail-guided vehicle frame, with a plurality of bolts cooperating with the bolt circle. The bolt circle may have a coextensive center line with a central axis of the arrow. Alternatively, the center line of the bolt circle may be radially offset from the central axis of the arrow. The bearing is preferably a sealed and greased double row tapered roller bearing UNIPAC.

Also part of the present invention is a method for assembling a guide wheel assembly configured to be attached to the guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle. Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail-guided vehicle having a guide frame and showing the vehicle guided by rail, cooperating with the guide rail.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a guide wheel assembly made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the guide wheel assembly of Figure 1, along section line III-III in Figure 1 and; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the guide wheel assembly of Figure 1, having an off-center bolt circle for attaching the guide wheel assembly to the guide rail-guided vehicle frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 shows a rail-guided vehicle 10, having a guide frame 12 with a plurality of guide wheel assemblies 14 attached thereto and made in accordance with the present invention. The rail-guided vehicle 10 is shown as an engine for people in Figure 1, but can be any type of rail-guided vehicle, such as a land vehicle or a light rail vehicle. The guide frame 12 connected to the vehicle 10, "follows" or cooperates with a guide rail 16 through the interaction between the guide wheel assemblies 14 and the guide rail 16. The guide rail 16 is vertically oriented and guides the vehicle 10 of known way. The vehicle 10 generally includes two guide frames 14 that are located substantially at opposite ends of the vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 1, each of the guide frames 12 will generally include four guide wheel assemblies 14 that hang downwardly; two on each side of the guide rail 16. The guide wheel assembly 14 provides the physical connection between the vehicle 10 and the guide rail 16. The guide frames 12, through the interaction between the guide wheel assemblies 14 and the rail guide 16, lead to vehicle 10.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, a single guide wheel assembly 14 is shown and will now be described in further detail. The guide wheel assembly 14 generally includes a fixed component 18 connected to a rotating component 20 by means of a bearing assembly 22. The fixed component 18 includes a circular arrow 24 having a first end 26 and a second end 28. The arrow 24 includes an integrally formed projection 30, positioned adjacent the second end 28. A support sleeve 32 is received coaxially over the arrow 24. The support sleeve 32 has a first end face formed as a connection projection 34 and a second end face 36. The connecting projection 34 is generally configured to attach to the guide frame 12 of the vehicle 10, as shown in Figure 1. The second end face 36 of the sleeve 32 is generally engaged with the bearing assembly 22 as will be described later more completely. A dust cover 38 may be placed around the jacket 32 and extends between the jacket 32 and the rotating component 20 to prevent dust and foreign objects from entering the bearing assembly 22. The arrow 24 and the jacket 32 are made of steel.

A support member 40, such as a washer or mushroom head, is connected to the second end 28 of the arrow 24, by welding the support member 40 to the second end 28 the arrow 24 or by means of the attachment of the support member 40 to the second end 28 of arrow 24 by other means accustomed in the art. The support member 40 can also be integrally formed with the arrow 24. Generally a locknut 42, a counter-washer 44 and a washer 46 are used to connect the arrow 24 to the jacket 32. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other suitable mechanical joining schemes can be substituted instead of the combination of the lock nut 42, the counter-washer 44 and the washer 46 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The fixed component 18 can further include a spring bolt 48 passing through the arrow 24 at the first end 26 of the arrow 24, to capture the locknut 42 in the event that it is released or released.

The connecting projection 34 preferably defines a bolt circle 50 having six bolt holes 52, for attaching the guide wheel assembly 14 to the guide frame 12 with a plurality of bolts (not shown). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bolt circle 50 is not limited to six bolt holes, but may include a greater or lesser number of bolt holes, depending on the forces acting on the guide wheel assembly 14 and the guide frame 12 (each shown in Figure 1). A central axis 54 of the arrow 24 is preferably coextensive with a center line (<) of the bolt circle 50, as shown in Figure 2. However, the center line (() of the bolt circle 50 may be off center radially of the central axis 54 of the arrow 24, as shown in Figure 4. An exemplary decentering between the centerline (9L) of the bolt circle 50 and the central axis 54 of the arrow 24, will be about 3 mm. offset between the centerline (<L) of the bolt circle 50 and the central axis 54 of the arrow 24, allows the distance between the left and right guide wheel assemblies 14 attached to the guide frame 12 to be varied and placed at any side of the guide rail 16, as shown in Figure 1. Consequently, the guide wheel assembly 14 of the present invention can be attached in different orientations with respect to the guide frame 12. (shown in Figure 1). Due to these different orientations, off-centering points in different directions, allowing different lateral positions for the guide wheel assembly 14. As a result, rim wear, construction tolerances and rim strength or preload can be adjusted very easily. guide, which are part of the rotating component 20 as will be described later.

The rotating component 20 or rotating assembly generally includes a core 56 having a radially extending, integrally formed safety disc 58. The rotating component 20 is generally received on the arrow 24 and is coupled to it by means of a bearing assembly 22. As shown in Figure 3, the bearing assembly 22 is received coaxially between the arrow 24 and the rotating component 20. The safety disc 58 extends radially outwardly from the core 56 and includes opposite facing faces 60 and a central portion 62. The rotating component 20 further includes a flange 64 located on each of the faces 60 of the security disk 58. In particular, the flanges 64 are connected to the central portion 62 of the security disk 58. Preferably, a bolt 66 and a nut 68 are used to secure the flanges 64 to the central portion 62 of the security disk 58 A guide rim 70 is molded to each of the flanges 64. The safety disc 58 extends radially outwardly, such that at least a portion of the safety disc 58 is positioned in such a manner that The guide wheels 70 are configured to engage the vertically extending guide rail 16, guiding the vehicle 10 as shown in Figure 1. The safety disc 58 limits lateral movement of the guide wheels 70. with respect to the vertical guide rail 16, guiding the vehicle 10 in the event that there is a failure or loss of guide wheels 64, as a safety aspect. The guide disc 58 is at least partially located between the guide wheels 70, to ensure this safety aspect even under high vertical movements of the guide wheels 70. The safety disc 58 allows the use of a narrow guide rail arrangement, where the edges 70A and 70B of the guide wheels 70 can move more or less than the guide rail. However, if any other devices reduce the vertical path of the guide wheels 70, the safety disc 58 may also be provided on only one side of the guide wheels 70.

The rotating component 20 can also work with a guide rim 70 and a rim 64 instead of two.

The bearing assembly 22 includes a sealed maintenance-free bearing 72, such as a UNIPAC® bearing or the like.

UNIPAC is a trademark of the Timken Company and is defined as a pre-set, sealed and greased bearing, double row tapered roller, free of maintenance for life and equivalents. The bearing assembly 22 is provided for the rotation of the rotating component 20 on the arrow 24. The one-piece bearing 72, is a major contribution to the safety aspects of the guide wheel assembly 14. The bearing assembly 22 also supports the rotating component 20 relative to the fixed component 18, both in the axial and radial directions under normal operating conditions. The bearing 72 is preferably pressed into the core 56 with a tightening fit. As a further safety manner, the bearing assembly 22 includes a pressure ring 74 positioned on the core 56 and configured to fix the bearing 72 in engagement with or engaging the core 56. The bearing 72 generally get around arrow 24 with a loose adjuster. The axial position of the bearing 72 is secured between the second end face 36 of the sleeve 32 and the projection 30 placed adjacent the second end 28 of the arrow 24, by the lock nut 42, the counter-washer 44 and the washer 46. In particular when the locknut 42 located on the first end of the arrow 24 is tightened on the first end 26 of the arrow 24, the projection 30 on the second end 28 of the arrow 24 will push the bearing 72 against the second end face 36 of the sleeve 32, whereby the axial positioning of the bearing 72 will be provided.

The guide wheel assembly 14 is configured in such a way that the components of the rotating component 20 and the bearing assembly 22, as well as the support sleeve 32 of the fixed component 18, are mounted on the arrow 24 from the "tip" or first end 26 of the arrow 24. The support member 40 in the "bottom" or second end 28 of the arrow 24, is adapted to prevent any catastrophic downward movement of the rotating component 20 and the bearing assembly 22, in the event that it fails the bearing 72. In particular, the support member 40, typically a welded washer, will have an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the core 56. Therefore, the support means or support member 40 is provided as a safety means and will take the full vertical load of the rotating component 20, in the event that the bearing assembly 22 and, in particular, the bearing 72 fail. The support member 40, advantageously prevents the core 56, the rebars. ordes 64 and the guide wheels 70, fall from the guide wheel assembly 14 in case of bearing failure 72.

Additionally, the guide wheel assembly 14 can be pre-assembled as a one-piece unit, by mounting the rotating component 20 and the bearing assembly 22 about the arrow 24 of the first end 26 of the arrow 24. Thus, the guide wheel assembly 14 can easily be mounted to the guide frame 12 of the vehicle 10, connecting the projection 34 formed on the first end face of the sleeve 32. The connection of the projection 34 is easily screwed to the guide frame 12 of the vehicle 10, with a plurality of bolts (not shown) cooperating with the bolt circle 50. The guide wheel assembly 14 is quickly removed from the guide frame 12 in a similar manner.

The present invention also contemplates a method for assembling or assembling the guide wheel assembly 14 described above and configured to be attached to the guide frame 12 of the rail-guided vehicle 10 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1-4, the method it generally includes the steps of: providing the arrow 24 with a first end 26 and a second end 28; welding the support member 40 to the second end 28 of the arrow 24; clamping the bearing assembly 22 to the core 56 of the rotating component 20 with a pressure or clamp adjuster, such that the bearing assembly 22 and the rotating component 20 engage each other; positioning the coupled bearing assembly 22 and the rotating component 20 on the arrow 24, with the bearing assembly 22 engaged and the rotating component 20 mounted on the arrow 24 from the first end 26 to the second end 28 and mounted on the arrow 24 with a loose fit; the sleeve 32 being placed on the arrow 24, the sleeve 32 being mounted on the arrow 24 from the first end 26 to the second end 28 and the sleeve 32 having its first end face formed as the connecting projection 34, configured to attach to the guiding frame 12 of the rail-guided vehicle 10 and, further having its second end face 36 in contact with the bearing assembly 22 and; connect the shirt 32 to the arrow 24 with a fastener. The sleeve 32 is preferably mounted to the arrow 24 with the dust cover 38 previously connected to the jacket 32. The method can also include the step of connecting the guide wheel assembly 14 to the guide frame 12 of the rail-guided vehicle 10.

The invention described above provides a guide wheel assembly having improved safety features and which can be easily preassembled as a one piece unit. The guide wheel assembly of the present invention can be quickly assembled to the guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle, thereby facilitating the quick installation and maintenance efficiency of the guide wheel assembly.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred development, modifications and obvious alterations can be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (16)

1. - Guide wheel assembly for a guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle, comprising: an arrow with a first and a second end, the arrow having an integrally formed projection disposed adjacent the second end of the arrow; a shirt disposed on the arrow, with a first end face and a second end face, the first end face being configured to be joined to the guide rail-guided vehicle frame; a bearing rotatably positioned on the arrow and located axially between the projection and the second end face of the sleeve; a rotary assembly arranged on the bearing and coupled to the arrow by the bearing, said rotary assembly being configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail for guiding the rail-guided vehicle and; support means connected to the second end of the shaft and configured to support the bearing and the rotary assembly in a vertical direction, in the event that the bearing fails.

2. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotary assembly further includes: a core disposed on the bearing, with two faces and an integrally formed radially extending safety disc; a pair of flanges, each with a guide rim connected there, said flanges being respectively connected to both sides of the safety disc and the guide wheels being configured to fit the guide rail, wherein the safety disc extends at least partially between the guide wheels, so that in the event that the guide wheels fail, the safety disc limits the lateral movement of the guide wheels with respect to the guide rail.

3. Guide wheel assembly according to claim 2, further including a dust cover arranged on the sleeve extending between it and the core, to prevent dust from entering the bearing.

4. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 2, further including a pressure ring disposed on the projection, located adjacent the second end of the arrow and configured to secure the bearing to the core.

5. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end face of the sleeve is formed as a connecting projection defining a circle of bolts, such that the guide wheel assembly is connectable to the guiding frame of the guided vehicle per rail, with a plurality of bolts cooperating with the bolt circle, said bolt circle having a central line coextensive with a central axis of the arrow.

6. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the center line of the bolt circle is radially offset from the central axis of the arrow.

1. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support means includes a washer welded to the second end of the arrow.

8. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bearing is a double row tapered roller bearing, sealed and greased UNIPAC®.

9. - Guide wheel assembly for a guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle, comprising: an arrow having first and second ends and an integrally formed projection disposed adjacent the second end of the arrow; a shirt disposed on the arrow, with first and second end faces, the first end face being configured to be joined to the guide frame of the rail-guided vehicle; a bearing rotatably disposed on the arrow and located axially between the projection and the second end face of the sleeve; a rotary assembly positioned on the bearing and coupled to the shaft by the bearing, wherein rotatable assembly is configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail, to guide the rail-guided vehicle, wherein the rotating assembly includes a core having a disc safety device integrally formed, which extends radially and has two faces and also includes a pair of flanges, each with guide wheels connected there, the flanges being respectively connected to said faces of the safety disc and the guide wheels being configured to engage the vertical guide rail, and where the safety disc is it extends, at least partially, between the guide wheels, so that in the event that there is a failure of the guide wheels, the safety disc limits the lateral movement of the guide wheels with respect to the guide rail and; a washer welded to the second end of the shaft to support the bearing and the rotating assembly in a vertical direction, should the bearing fail.

10. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 9, further including a dust cover disposed on the sleeve and extending between it and the core, to prevent dust from entering the bearing.

11. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 9, further including a pressure ring placed on the projection, disposed adjacent the second end of the arrow and configured to secure the bearing to the core.

12. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first end face of the sleeve is formed as a connecting projection defining a circle of bolts, in such a way that the guide wheel assembly is connectable to the guiding frame of the guided vehicle by rail with a plurality of pins cooperating with the circle of pins, and wherein the circle of pins has a central line coextensive with the central axis of the arrow.

13. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the center line of the bolt circle is offset radially from the central axis of the arrow.

14. - Guide wheel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the bearing is a double row tapered roller bearing, sealed and greased UNIPAC®.

15. - Method of assembling a guide wheel assembly to join it to a guide frame of a rail-guided vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing an arrow having a first and a second end; welding a support member to the second end of the arrow; coupling a bearing to a core of a rotary assembly of the guide wheel assembly; placing the coupled bearing and the rotary assembly on the arrow, from the first end to the second end; placing a shirt over the arrow, such that the shirt is mounted on said arrow from the first end to the second end, the shirt having a first end face configured to be joined to the guide frame of the rail-guided vehicle and a second end face at contact with the bearing and; connecting the sleeve to the arrow with a fastener, the rotating assembly being configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail in order to guide the rail-guided vehicle.

16. - Method according to claim 15, further including the step of joining the assembled guide wheel assembly to the guide frame of the rail-guided vehicle.