US3854598A - Automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers - Google Patents

Automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3854598A
US3854598A US00437001A US43700174A US3854598A US 3854598 A US3854598 A US 3854598A US 00437001 A US00437001 A US 00437001A US 43700174 A US43700174 A US 43700174A US 3854598 A US3854598 A US 3854598A
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United States
Prior art keywords
robot
couplers
rolling stock
boom
railway track
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00437001A
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English (en)
Inventor
K Inami
S Yamazaki
M Wakao
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Japan National Railways
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Japan National Railways
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Publication date
Application filed by Japan National Railways filed Critical Japan National Railways
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Publication of US3854598A publication Critical patent/US3854598A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
    • B61G7/00—Details or accessories
    • B61G7/04—Coupling or uncoupling by means of trackside apparatus

Definitions

  • An automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers to make the couplers of travelling trains separable by lifting the fastening cotters from them which consists of a base stand installed at the side of the railway track, a boom mechanism composed of parallel links movable along the railway track and arranged on the said base stand tilting freely towards the railway track, and a robot which is hung from the boom mechanism and is provided with devices for unlocking couplers automatically, so that the robot may be inserted towards any desired couplers of a travelling train and unlock them successively by lifting up the fastening cotters from them by means of its unlocking devices.
  • the present invention deals with automatic unlocking equipment for rolling stock couplers, which lifts the fastening cotters from the couplers of rolling stock travelling in coupled condition and brings them to a suitable position for separation.
  • railway waggons are arranged in trains according to the destination of their cargoes and may be arranged several times at various stations before they reach their destination. Principal railway junctions, therefore, are provided with marshalling yards where the rearrangement of trains occurs. The problem of these marshalling yards is how the separation and re-coupling of waggons may be practiced efficiently and safely.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to offer an automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers, making it possible by means of fixed equipment installed on the ground to locate couplers to be separated among those of travelling trains, and to lift the fastening cotters from those couplers automatically.
  • the equipment according to the present invention consists of a base stand which is installed at the side of the track leading from the arrival line towards the classification line, a boom mechanism which is supported by the base stand tilting freely towards the track and incorporating a link mechanism movable also as required parallel to the track, and a robot which is hung from the boom mechanism and provided with various fingers having the function of unlocking couplers automatically.
  • This novel equipment may not only be installed readily in a very small trackside areas, but also makes it possible to lift fastening cotters from the couplers of travelling trains and keep them ready to separate.
  • the robot may be applied to couplers of various types by modifying its automatic unlocking mechanism.
  • FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of FIG. 5
  • FIG. 7 is a side view showing the locating finger part of the robot in further detail.
  • FIG. 8 is a front view showing the unlocking finger part in further detail.
  • FIG. 9 is a back view showing the upper lock lifting finger part of the robot in further detail.
  • FIG. 1 An automatic unlocking device (10) for rolling stock couplers according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 as it is applied in practice.
  • This automatic unlocking equipment (10) of couplers consists of a base stand (1 1) which forms the supporting part, a boom mechanism (12) which is arranged to tilt freely taking the base stand as a supporting point and a robot (13) which is hung from the top of the boom mechanism (12). These parts are designed not to protrude beyond a certain boundary (l4) indicated with dotted lines in FIG. 1 when they are in the normal position.
  • the base stand (11) which forms the I supporting part is fixed at the lower surface on the track base (16) and carries supporting brackets (l7) (l8) (19) on the upper surface.
  • the boom mechanism (12) consists of a link case (20), a pillar (21) and parallel links (22) connecting the pillar to the link case.
  • the link case (20) has an arm (23) extending as a single body from its side and the top of the ,arm (23) is supported, oscillating freely around a shaft (24), by the supporting bracket (17) of the base stand (11).
  • a tilt cylinder (27 is incorporated between the middle of the arm (23) and the supporting I (28) is travelling, as shown with dotted line in the figure.
  • the parallel shift links (22) connecting the link case and the pillar (21) consist of two crank arms (29) (30) which are fixed at the upper and lower parts of the link case (20), respec tively, and two parallel links (31) (32) which are arranged relative to these crank arms.
  • the base end shaft or rotation axis (33) of the upper crank arm (29) is supported by one of the side walls and an inner partition wall (34) of the link case (20), while shaft (35) of the lower crank arm (30) is supported by both side walls of link case (20).
  • Both the shaft (33) (35) protrude at one end beyond the link case (20) into the drive case (36), where they are provided with gears (37) (38 ⁇ of identical diameter interlocking simultaneously with a timing gear (40) which is 'suppported by the link case (20) on a shaft (39).
  • the rotation shaft (35) of the lower crank arm (30) is connected to a rotary actuator (41) fixed to drive case (36) so that, by the rotation of the actuator (41), the upper and lower crank arms (29) (30) may be allowedto oscillate always in parallel, at identical speeds and in identical directions.
  • the two parallel links (31) (32) are made of square bars having round shaft parts (42) (43) at the middle. They are supported by the link case (20) as they are inserted loosely at the'round shaft parts (42) (43) into bearings (44) (45) which are arranged, oscillating freely, in upper and lower positions parallel to the rotation shafts (33) (35) of the crank arms (29) (30)
  • the parallel links (31) (32) are connected at the base end to crank pins (46) (47) of the crank arms (29) (30) and at the top end to the said pillar (21) by means of shafts (48) (49), so that the pillar may be kept upright.
  • the robot (13) is hung with a shaft (51) oscillating freely to a hanger fixed to the top end of the pillar (21).
  • a levelling cylinder (54) is pivoted with shafts (52) (53) between the robot (l3) and the hanger (50).
  • Another levelling cylinder (55) which forms a pair with the levelling cylinder (54) is pivoted with shafts 56) (57) between the supporting bracket (19) of the base stand (11) and the arm (23) of the boom mechanism (12).
  • these levelling cylinders (54) (55) perform reciprocal motions (as one is extended, the other is retracted) while exchanging their actuating fluids, so that the robot (13) may always be kept upright irrespective of the inclination angle of the boom mechanism (12).
  • the robot (13) consists of a main arm (58), two supporting arms (59) (60) which extend downwards as a single body from the main arm, locating fingers (61) and lock release fingers (62) (63) which are all arranged on the supporting arm (59) and a lock lift arm (64) which is movable up and down along the main arm (58) and carries lock lift fingers (65) (66).
  • the robot is hung on the hanger (50) of the pillar (21), namely by means of a bearing unit (67) arranged at the upper part of its main arm (58).
  • the locating fingers (61) arranged on the supporting arm (59) incorporate a first finger (68), ashort one, and a second finger (69), a long one.
  • the base ends of these fingers (68) (69) are supported by shafts (71) (72), oscillating freely to the left and the right, respectively, on a supporting plate fixed to the supporting arm (59).
  • a hanging plate (73) extending downwards from the supporting plate (70) supports at the lower end a locating cylinder (74), which has a spacer (76) at the top of its rod Since the pins (80) (81) at the tops of arms (78) (79) extending from the base ends of the said fingers (68) (69) are fitted into a groove (77) of the spacer (76), the fingers (68) (69) oscillate around the shaft (71) (72) according to the extension or retraction of the locating cylinder (74) so as to fold as indicated in the figure, or open to the left and right.
  • Lock release fingers (62) (63) are to fit with and push up the release levers (83) (refer to FIG. 1) of couplers (82) on waggons (28) and bring them to a mov able position by releasing them from the chain locks.
  • the upper and the lower lock release fingers (62) (63) may be employed for waggons of upper and lower operating types, respectively. As seen in FIG. 8, therefore, these lock release fingers (62) (63) are fitted, sliding freely, to the upper and the lower parts of the supporting arm (59) and joined to each other with a connecting rod (84).
  • the release cylinder (85) which actuates these lock release fingers (62) (63) is fixed to the supporting arm (59) with a supporting plate (86) and its rod (87) is connected at the top end to push-up ring (88), which is inserted loosely in the supporting arm (59).
  • the lock release fingers (62) (63) are allowed to slide up and down along the supporting arm (59) as the lock release cylinder (85) extends or retracts. It is recommendable to bring the lock release fingers (62) (63) to the working position only when they are used, while keeping them normally in the passingposition asthawn in FTGS. 5 and 8 so as to prevent them from touching waggons when the equipment I0) is inserted between coupled waggons.
  • the lock lift arm (64) having lockrlift fingers (65) (66) is fitted at the upper end with a shaft (93) oscillating to the supporting plate (94), which moves up and down along the said main arm (58) by means of a roller (95).
  • the lock lift fingers (65) (66) arranged on the lock lift arm (64) draw the fastening cotter (109) (refer to FIG. 1) of Waggon (28) from the coupler (82) and make the lock release ready.
  • the upper and the lower lift fingers (65 (66) work for waggons of upper and lower operating types, respectively.
  • the said supporting plate (94) is connected by a shaft (96) at the lower end to the base end of a lock lift pushing cylinder (97), the rod (98) of which is fixed at the top end to a connecting device (99) arranged on the lock lift arm (64), so that the lock lift fingers (65) (66) may be pushed to a suitable position to meet the fastening cotters (109) of couplers (82) as the lock lift arm (64) oscillates around the shaft (93) with the extension of the lock lift cylinder.
  • the connecting plate 100) between the main arm (58) and supporting arms (59) (60) carries a lock lift cylinder (101) fitted with a shaft (102) and the rod (103) of the lock lift cylinder (101) is connected at the top end to the supporting plate (94) by a shaft (104).
  • the lock lift fingers (65) (66) may be lifted by the extension of the lock lift cylinder through the medium of the supporting plate (94) and lock lift arm (64) to draw up the fastening cotter (109) from the coupler (82) and bring it to a position ready for lock release.
  • the lower one (66) has no chance of contacting waggons when the equipment is inserted between coupled waggons and therefore it is fixed to the lock lift arm (64) as a single body, while the upper one (65) may contact waggons in such a case and therefore may oscillate freely on the lock lift arm (64) through the medium of a reception cylinder (105) (65) (66) shown in FIG. 9.
  • the spring (106) is arranged between the cylinder and the coupling device (99), so that the lock lift finger (65) may be kept normally at the working position due to the force of the force of spring (106) and be turned against the spring (106) to the passing'position only when the lock lift arm (64) is folded by retracting the lock lift pushing cylinder (97) and a fastening piece (107) arranged on the reception cylinder (105) of the lock lift finger (65 comes in contact with the stop rod (108) extending from the supporting plate (94).
  • the automatic unlocking equipment thus devised according to the present invention may be applied to the couplers of travelling waggons in the following manner.
  • a starting signal is given. It may be given by hand as required to the equipment (10) according to the waybill of the train.
  • the tilt cylinder (27) of the equipment (10) extend to incline the boom mechanism (12) until the robot (13) reaches the stipulated position between the waggons while keeping the robot upright by means of the levelling cylinder (54) (55),
  • an instruction signal is given to switch a solenoid valve (110) arranged on the supporting arm (59) of the robot (13) (refer to FIG. 7) and, as the locating cylinder (74) compresses, the locating fingers (59) (60) open back and forth.
  • the lock release cylinder (85 expands to lift the lock release fingers (62) (63) while turning them along the cam grooves (89) to the working position from the passing position so as to enable either of them (62) (63) to push up the release lever of the Waggon and make it movable, i.e., bring it to a position ready to unlock by releasing the fastening cotter from the chain lock.
  • the lock lift arm (64) closes a limit switch (117) arranged on the supporting plate (94) and the signal from the limit switch (117) is transmitted to a solenoid valve (118) controlling the lock lift cylinder (101) through the solenoid control mechanism (113).
  • the lock lift cylinder (101) extends to lift up the lock lift fingers (65) (66) together with the lock lift arm (64), so that the lock lifter and eventually the fastening cotter is pulled up and the coupler is made ready for release.
  • the solenoid reset signal is passed to all the solenoid valves (114) (I16) (118) through the control mechanism (113) to switch them to the starting position.
  • the lock lift pushing cylinder (97) retracts to withdraw the lock lift fingers (65) (66) from the lock of the coupler.
  • the lock cylinder (101) also retracts to bring them back to the starting position, while the lock release fingers (62) (63) are brought back to the passing position by the retracting lock release cylinder (85).
  • the finishing signal is transmitted through the solenoid control mechanism (113) to the outer control unit, which gives the reset signal to the solenoid valve (110) controlling the locating cylinder (74).
  • the solenoid valve (110) controlling the locating cylinder (74) is switched to the starting position and the locating cylinder (74) extends to fold the locating fingers 68
  • the tilt cylinder (27) receives this signal and retracts to bring the boom mechanism (12) back to the upright position while withdrawing the robot (13) from between the waggons.
  • the rotary actuator (41) receives the instruction to start rotation, the robot (13) and the parallel shift links (22) are brought back to the starting position ready for the next operation. By repeating these operations, fastening cotters may be lifted successively from couplers to be separated.
  • the equipment of the present invention makes it possible in lift fastening cotters from couplers between waggons to .be separated and bring them to a position ready for release, using a relatively simple mechanism. it may not only be installed at small yards where the installation area is limited, but also results in the saving of labor and the prevention of danger, accomplishing the purposes and effects expected and stated initially.
  • An automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers comprising a railway track which carries any rolling stock to be separated, a base stand which is installed on the ground at the railway track side, a boom mechanism which is supported by said base stand tilting freely toward the railway track and incorporating parallel shift links movable along the said railway track, a robot which is hung from said boom mechanism, and lock release devices which are arranged on the robot for unlocking couplers of any rolling stock to be separated when they are travelling on said track.
  • shift links for supporting the said pillar and a return member for bringing the pillar back to the starting position through the medium of the parallel-shift links.
  • the parallelshift links for supporting the pillar comprise two links which are supported, sliding freely, by shafts oscillating freely, crank mechanisms which are connected at the lower ends of both links so as to produce crank motion thereat, enabling the pillar supported by the upper ends of both links to move horizontally while being kept upright when they travel along the railway track, and a timing gear which connects both crank mechanisms to synchronize them.
  • the levelling mechanism comprises two fluid-operated cylinders which are arranged between the base stand and the boom mechanism and between the boom mechanism and the robot, respectively. working reciprocally while exchanging their fluid.
  • An automatic unlocking device for rolling-stock couplers comprising a railway track for the rolling stock to be separated;
  • boom means mounted on said support means and having a free end portion tilting towards said railway track, said boom means being freely pivotable so that said free end portion can move longitudinally of said railway track;
  • lock release means arranged on said robot device and operable for unlocking the couplers of rolling stock to be separated while the rolling stock is travelling on said railway track.
  • a method of automatically unlocking the couplers of rolling stock which is travelling on a railway track, with unlocking devices mounted on a robot which is suspended from a boom that is mounted laterally adjacent the track and is pivotable on this support, comprising the steps of inserting the boom transversely of the railway track into a gap between travelling rolling stock having connected couplers, so that said robot becomes located in said gap;
  • a method is defined in claim 8; and further comprising maintaining said robot substantially centered in said gap during the advancement of the robot with said rolling stock.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Tubular Articles Or Embedded Moulded Articles (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
US00437001A 1973-01-30 1974-01-28 Automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers Expired - Lifetime US3854598A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP48011579A JPS5147930B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-30 1973-01-30

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US3854598A true US3854598A (en) 1974-12-17

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US00437001A Expired - Lifetime US3854598A (en) 1973-01-30 1974-01-28 Automatic unlocking device for rolling stock couplers

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US (1) US3854598A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5147930B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2403590A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2215343B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1452148A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5531337A (en) * 1995-05-30 1996-07-02 Inco Limited Automated decoupler for rail cars
US20090055041A1 (en) * 2007-08-20 2009-02-26 Mian Zahid F Rail vehicle identification and processing
US20100076631A1 (en) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 Mian Zahid F Robotic vehicle for performing rail-related actions
CN115571185A (zh) * 2022-09-30 2023-01-06 山东交通学院 一种敞车自动摘钩装置及工作方法
CN116161070A (zh) * 2022-12-12 2023-05-26 国能河北定州发电有限责任公司 一种用于车钩的摘钩装置
CN116985862A (zh) * 2023-09-13 2023-11-03 西南交通大学 一种列车自动摘钩装置
CN117261958A (zh) * 2023-11-03 2023-12-22 中电投锦州港口有限责任公司 一种多连杆机构的火车自动摘钩装置

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITTO20110939A1 (it) * 2011-10-18 2013-04-19 Selex Elsag Spa Dispositivo robotizzato per la movimentazione degli agganci di un vagone ferroviario porta container

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1028531A (en) * 1910-02-26 1912-06-04 Michael Blaettnar Car-coupling.
US3160286A (en) * 1963-04-17 1964-12-08 Wilson Fraser Railway car coupler
US3682325A (en) * 1970-07-02 1972-08-08 Kennecott Copper Corp Apparatus for uncoupling railroad cars
US3750897A (en) * 1970-12-26 1973-08-07 Japan National Railway Automatic releasing apparatus for couplers of railway vehicles

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1028531A (en) * 1910-02-26 1912-06-04 Michael Blaettnar Car-coupling.
US3160286A (en) * 1963-04-17 1964-12-08 Wilson Fraser Railway car coupler
US3682325A (en) * 1970-07-02 1972-08-08 Kennecott Copper Corp Apparatus for uncoupling railroad cars
US3750897A (en) * 1970-12-26 1973-08-07 Japan National Railway Automatic releasing apparatus for couplers of railway vehicles

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5531337A (en) * 1995-05-30 1996-07-02 Inco Limited Automated decoupler for rail cars
AU695598B2 (en) * 1995-05-30 1998-08-20 Inco Limited Automated decoupler for rail cars
DE19621651C2 (de) * 1995-05-30 2000-09-14 Inco Ltd Vorrichtung zum Abkuppeln von Schienenfahrzeugen
US8655540B2 (en) 2007-08-20 2014-02-18 International Electronic Machines Corp. Rail vehicle identification and processing
US20090055041A1 (en) * 2007-08-20 2009-02-26 Mian Zahid F Rail vehicle identification and processing
US20090055043A1 (en) * 2007-08-20 2009-02-26 Mian Zahid F Rail vehicle identification and processing
US8140250B2 (en) 2007-08-20 2012-03-20 International Electronics Machines Corporation Rail vehicle identification and processing
US10471976B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2019-11-12 International Electronic Machines Corp. Railway maintenance device
US8583313B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2013-11-12 International Electronic Machines Corp. Robotic vehicle for performing rail-related actions
US9383752B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2016-07-05 International Electronic Machines Corp. Railway maintenance device
US20100076631A1 (en) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 Mian Zahid F Robotic vehicle for performing rail-related actions
CN115571185A (zh) * 2022-09-30 2023-01-06 山东交通学院 一种敞车自动摘钩装置及工作方法
CN115571185B (zh) * 2022-09-30 2023-08-08 山东交通学院 一种敞车自动摘钩装置及工作方法
CN116161070A (zh) * 2022-12-12 2023-05-26 国能河北定州发电有限责任公司 一种用于车钩的摘钩装置
CN116161070B (zh) * 2022-12-12 2024-02-06 国能河北定州发电有限责任公司 一种用于车钩的摘钩装置
CN116985862A (zh) * 2023-09-13 2023-11-03 西南交通大学 一种列车自动摘钩装置
CN117261958A (zh) * 2023-11-03 2023-12-22 中电投锦州港口有限责任公司 一种多连杆机构的火车自动摘钩装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2215343B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1978-08-11
DE2403590A1 (de) 1974-08-01
GB1452148A (en) 1976-10-13
JPS49100716A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-09-24
FR2215343A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-08-23
JPS5147930B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-12-17

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