WO2016081965A1

WO2016081965A1 - Device for checking the final position of movable parts of a rail switch

Info

Publication number: WO2016081965A1
Application number: PCT/AT2015/000151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Achleitner; Christoph Maier; Manfred Stocker; Hansjörg SCHATZ
Original assignee: Voestalpine Signaling Zeltweg Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-11-28
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Also published as: CN106715232A; ZA201700606B; BR112017002665B1; AT516495B1; HUE044532T2; TR201906803T4; BR112017002665A2; AT516495A4; EP3224110A1; AU2015354369B2; PL3224110T3; EP3224110B1; AU2015354369A1; LT3224110T; CN106715232B

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for checking the final position of movable parts of a rail switch, comprising a checking rod which can be coupled to the movable part and a checking housing which comprises a gear mechanism having an input element that interacts with the checking rod and a linearly movable output element. The output element interacts with at least one final position switch in order to detect the two final positions of the movable switch part. The gear mechanism comprises a lever, the first arm of which is driven by the input element and the second arm of which drives the output element. The gear mechanism is designed to shorten the linear path of the output element in comparison to the adjustment path of the checking rod.

Description

Device for end position testing of moving parts of a rail switch

The invention relates to a device for end position testing of moving parts of a rail switch, comprising a couplable to the movable part Prüferstange and a Prüfergehäuse, wherein the Prüfergehäuse includes a transmission having a cooperating with the Prüferstange input member and a linearly moving output member, wherein the output member with at least one limit switch for detecting the two end positions of the movable switch member cooperates.

Adjustments for movable switch parts, such as in particular tongue rails or movable frogs, which are provided with a Endlangprüfeinrichtung are known as belonging to the prior art generally. In the known adjusting devices, the mechanical changeover of the movable switch part takes place with the aid of an electric or hydraulic switch drive, wherein in addition to the switch drive, a separate or integrated locking device and, in any case, a separate end position test device are provided. Such Endlagenprüfeinrichtungen serve, when the Wei ^¬ chen scan the current state of the switch mechanically, and to generate a test signal can be based on which is reliably fixed, if the switch has been switched correctly, and whether the fitting and the open tongue in their respective correct End position are located. The Endlagenprüfeinrichtung has a Prüfergestänge, which extends substantially transversely to the rail longitudinal direction and which is displaced when changing the switch in the longitudinal direction of the linkage. The positions of the Prüferstangen be detected by means of electromechanical transducers, for example in the form of limit switches or tongue test contacts, which in a mostly are arranged laterally of the switch on a threshold mounted housing.

In modern railroad switches, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of end-position test devices along the longitudinal direction of the switch in order to be able to check the correct intake of the respective end positions at a plurality of points. In this way, breakage of the rail switch or warping of the same or other malfunctions can be better detected. If a plurality of Endlageprüfeinrichtungen should be placed along the rail switch, each tester must be adapted to a different Umstellhub, where near the clamping point of the tongue rail, a lesser Umstellhub is observed than at the free end of the Zun- genschiene, where the maximum Umstellhub occurs.

In order to implement the substantially linear movement of the Prüferstange in a suitable for the scanning of the end positions by corresponding limit switches movement, various transmission devices have become known in the art. Thus, in FR 1035113 and US 3, 679, 895 of a type described in which the linear movement of the check rod is converted into a rotation of a rotary valve, the re ^¬ rum cooperates with along the rotational path arranged rotary switching contacts. In an embodiment of the aforementioned type, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,062,514, the linear movement of the tester rod is converted by a gear into a linear movement of an output member, which interacts with limit switches. In particular, the linear movement of the Prüferstange is converted by means of a crank in a rotational movement of a gear which drives a rack, which cooperates in the end positions with switching contacts. The disadvantage of this design, however, is the wheel gear required space. Another disadvantage is the difficult adaptation to the respective Umstellweg.

The present invention aims to provide a Endlagen- test device, which is as small as possible and in which in a simple manner an adaptation to the different displacement paths of the movable switch parts is possible without complicated conversion work is required.

To solve this problem, the device according to the invention is substantially designed such that the transmission comprises a lever, the first lever arm is driven by the input member and the second lever arm drives the output member, wherein the transmission is formed to the linear path of the output member relative to the To shorten the path of the Prüferstange. The provision of a rotatably mounted lever allows this in a structurally simple and space-saving manner, the desired implementation of the substantially linear Umstellbewegung the Prüferstange in a rotary motion and the further implementation of the rotational movement in the linear movement of the output member of the transmission, which cooperates with the contact switches. In particular, it allows the construction of the transmission with a lever in a simple manner, a reduction to make so that the path of the linear movement of the ^¬ outgoing link relative to the Umstellweg the Prüferstange is shortened. The setting of the shortening ratio succeeds in ^¬ particular by selecting the lever ratio, ie the Behhält ^¬ nis the length of the first lever arm to the length of the second lever arm, wherein the first lever arm is longer than the second lever ^¬ poor. When choosing a suitable shortening ratio, the following relationships should be considered. The shorter the path of the translatory movement of the output member, the lower the maximum required distance between the end positions can be selected in the Prüfergehäuse, whereby the space requirement is reduced. The shorter the path of the translational movement of the output member, the lower the accuracy of the detection of the end positions and the more the result is an inaccurate adjustment of the position of the limit switches. In order to reduce the space requirement sufficiently, a preferred development of the invention provides that the lever ratio is greater than 3: 2, preferably greater than 2: 1. A compromise between the above-mentioned conflicting requirements succeeds here preferably in that the leverage ratio is not selected to be greater than 3: 1.

The linear (translational) movement of the output member can be achieved with advantage in that the output member is designed as a linearly guided slide. In particular, the slider can have a recess passing through it in the direction of movement, for example a hole, with which the slider is guided on a guide rod. Preferably, a trans ^¬ latorische forced operation is provided for the slide. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the slide has at least two axially spaced apart switching edges for the actuation of the at least one limit switch. Under a switching edge is hereby preferably a discontinuity on the surface of the slide to understand, which is suitable to actuate a limit switch mechanically. As an alternative to mechanically operated limit switches, electrically operated limit switches for the purposes of the invention may also be used Use come, such as proximity switches, in particular inductive, capacitive or magnetic proximity switches. In the case of such limit switches, the term switching edge also includes an inductively, capacitively or magnetically active element which is suitable for inductive, capacitive or magnetic, non-contact actuation of a limit switch.

An adaptation of the Endlagenprüfers to the respective Umstellhub the movable switch part or the Prüferstange can be carried out according to a first alternative, characterized in that at least one switching edge is arranged relative to the other switching edge in the axial direction adjustable and fixable in the respective position ^¬ . In a preferred embodiment, in which at least two limit switches are provided, wherein each limit switch can be actuated by an associated switching edge, adaptation to the respective Umstellhub can be effected in that at least one limit switch in the direction of the linear movement of the output member adjustable and in the each position is arranged fixed. It is thus set the distance between the two limit switches.

In the case of mechanically actuated limit switches, the switching edges may preferably be designed so that they limit a shift groove formed on the slide. This is particular ^¬ It benefits in case of a construction of the limit switches, wherein the limit switch holds a spring-loaded plunger to ^¬ or with a spring-loaded actuator together menwirkt. The plunger or the actuator can engage in kor ^¬ rekter end position of the movable switch part namely in the defined by the switching edges shift groove, whereby the limit switch is actuated. This allows a particularly reliable operation.

In order to minimize the risk of incorrect actuation of the limit switches, a preferred development of the invention provides that the limit switches are each assigned a locking slide with which the slider interacts when it reaches its end position so that it locks the locking slide from a position blocking the limit switch pushes against the force of a spring. The gate valve thus serves to mechanically lock the limit switch in a locked, i. not hold actuated position as long as the slider does not reach the intended end position, so that a malfunction can be excluded. Only when reaching the end position of the slider moves the locking slide from the locked position, whereby the limit switch unlocked and can be properly operated by a switching edge of the slide. When leaving the end position, the gate valve automatically returns to the position blocking the limit switch due to the spring.

In this context, a preferred development provides that the locking slide associated with the adjustable limit switch is connected or coupled with it for common adjustment movement. It is thereby achieved that the adaptation of the position of the limit switch required for adaptation to the changeover stroke simultaneously leads to a corresponding readjustment of the locking slide. With a single adjustment thus both the limit switch and the associated locking slide are changed in position. The locking slide remains preferably always in the same relative position to the associated limit switch. In order to reliably transform the pivoting movement of the lever into a translational movement of the output member or slide, it is preferably provided that the second lever arm engages with its end or an extension as a driver in a guide slot of the output member. The engaging in the guide slot part can be designed to be spherical, resulting in a play-free motion transmission and an exact achievement of the end positions of the slider. Together with the possibility of the exact setting of the test device, this means that even slight deviations from the end position cause the at least one limit switch is not actuated, so that a corresponding malfunction at the control point is immediately apparent.

On the input side, the transmission is preferably designed so that the input member is coupled to the Prüferstange and pivotally connected to the first lever arm. When coupling the Prüferstange to the input member is to be considered that the coupling point due to the pivoting movement of the associated lever arm performs a movement along a circular arc, whereas the Prüferstange performs a substantially translational movement. According to a first variant, it is provided for equalizing these movements that the first lever arm is accommodated displaceably in the axial direction in a rotary body forming the axis of rotation of the lever. This allows an operation in which the lever arm is axially displaced during the pivoting movement of the lever, so that the coupling point of the Prüferstange can be moved according to the Umstellbewegung the Prüferstange along a translational path.

A second variant provides that the Prüferstange is guided in a slot or slot, a compensatory movement allows the Prüferstange so that the coupled to the first lever arm end of the Prüferstange can perform the arcuate movement of the lever arm. In order to achieve a particularly space-saving design, it is preferably provided that the first lever arm is arranged pivotably in a first plane and the second lever arm is pivotably arranged in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

It can further be provided that the output member is arranged ^¬ slidably in a third plane parallel to the second plane. In this case, the second level is preferably arranged above the first level and possibly the third level above the second level.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing. FIG. 2 shows a side view according to the arrow II of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a section along the line III-III of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a section along 2 is a section along the line VV of FIG. 2 in a first state of the Umstellbewegung, Fig. 6 is a section along the line VV of Fig. 2 in a second state of Umstellbewegung and Fig. 7 shows a section along the line VV of Fig. 2 in a third state of the Umstell ^¬ movement. In Fig. 1, a device for end position testing with a housing 1 and a relative to the housing 1 displaceable Prü ^¬ ferstange 2 is shown. The Prüferstange 2 is connected to a non-illustrated movable switch part, such as a tongue rail connected to a rail switch. The change of the tongue rail between an abutment position and a storage position causes a linear movement of the Prüferstange in the direction of arrow 3. The Prüferstange 2 is guided in an opening 4 and is connected at its end to a coupling member 5. The coupling member 5 serves to couple the Prüferstange 2 to the first lever arm 6 of a lever. The coupling member 5 in this case allows an adjustment of the effective Prüferstangenlänge such that the axial position of the coupling member 5 on the Prüferstange 2 is adjustable. The adjustability is preferably realized in that the end of the Prüferstange 2 is designed as a screw, which is screwed into an internal thread of the coupling member 5. The housing 1 has a slot 7, through which the lever arm 6 is guided in the interior of the housing 1. In Fig. 1, the Prüferstange 2 is shown in one of its two end positions, in which it has been moved to the maximum housing 1. In the other end position, the Prüferstange 2 is pushed back again, so that the coupling member facing the end of the first lever arm 6 in the direction of the other end of the slot 7 was ver ^¬ pivots.

The changeover movement of the Prüferstange 2 drives a slider 8 to a translational movement in the direction of the arrow 9 via a lever transmission explained in more detail below, the movement being guided along a rod 10. The slider cooperates in described in more detail below manner with two limit switches 11 and 12 which are actuated upon reaching the end positions of the tongue rail and can report reaching ^■ the respective end position by outputting an electric signal thereby. The limit switches 11 and 12 are in this case along a rod 13 parallel to the slider. 8 guided translational adjustable, which allows an adaptation of Endlagenprüfer 11 and 12 to the respective Umstellhub the tongue rail or the Prüferstange. In Fig. 1, a mounting flange 14 is further shown, which allows attachment of the Endlagenprüfers on a threshold laterally outside of the rails.

In FIG. 2, three superimposed, parallel sectional planes are indicated, the corresponding sectional views being illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 in order to explain the distribution of the individual components of the end position tester over the three planes. In Fig. 3, the lowermost sectional plane is shown, in which the first lever arm 6 of the pivot lever is arranged. The lever arm 6 is located in a central pivot position, so that the lever arm 6 protrudes from the housing 1 in the middle of the slot 7. The first lever arm 6 is held in a rotary body 15 which forms the axis of rotation of the lever, the rotational movement being indicated by the double arrow 16. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the tester rod, unlike the embodiment according to FIG. 1, is guided through an opening 4 designed as a slot or elongated hole, so that the coupling member 5 attached to the tester rod 2 carries out the arcuate movement of the coupling point of the first lever 6 can.

In the middle level (Fig. 4) of the rotary body 15 buildin ^¬ preferential second lever arm 17 is disposed, the first lever arm 6 and the second lever arm 17 are aligned. However, the second lever arm 17 is formed shorter than the first lever arm 6. The second lever arm 17 engages with its convex ^¬ shaped end in a guide gap between two blocks 18th one. The blocks 18 are rigid, in particular in one piece, connected to the slider 8. A pivoting of the second lever 17 is thus converted into a linear movement of the slide 8 guided in translation on the rod 10. The second lever arm 17 is formed shorter than the first lever arm 6, so that a shortening of the slide 8 results in comparison to the Umstellhub the Prüferstange 2.

In Figs. 5 to 7, the interaction of the slider 8 with the limit switches 11 and 12 is shown in different positions. In Fig. 5 arranged in the uppermost sectional plane slider 8 is shown in the left end position. It can be seen that the slider 8 carries on the end position switches 11 and 12 facing surface two switching edges 19 which define a switching groove 20. Each limit switch 11,12 is associated with a locking slide 21,22 which is guided on the guide rod 10 in the axial direction slidably. The locking slide 21,22 are resiliently supported on a penetrated by the guide rod 10 holding part 23, wherein the holding part 23 is rigidly fixed to the respective limit switch 11,12 and is ver ^¬ adjustable together with this in the axial direction of the rod 13.

In the left end position shown in Fig. 5, the slider 8 is in its left end position in which the locking slide 21 has been moved to the left, so that the resiliently biased switch plunger 24 is moved outwardly and can dip into the switching groove 20, which is an actuation of the Endlagenschal ^¬ ters 11 triggers. As shown in Fig. 5 with reference to the right Endlagen- switch 12, the locking slide 22 is moved away with absent slide 8 by means of the spring 25 of the holding member 23 and holds the switch plunger 24 of the limit switch 12 thereby in the non-actuated position. In Fig. 6, the slider 8 has been moved from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the right to a middle position. As a result, the left locking slide 21 has been pushed away due to the spring 25 from the associated holding part 23, so that he holds the switch plunger 24 of the left limit switch 11 in the non-actuated position.

At the end of the Umstellhubes the slide reaches the end position shown in Fig. 7, in which he pushes away the locking slide 22 against the force of the spring 25, so that the switching plunger 24 can dip into the switching groove 20 of the slider 8. This betae ^¬ Strengthens the right limit switch 12, so that reaching the end position can be displayed.

Claims

Claims:

A device for end position testing of moving parts of a rail switch comprising a Prüferstange coupled to the movable part and a Prüfergehäuse, wherein the Prüfergehäuse comprises a transmission having an interacting with the Prüferstange input member and a linearly moved output member, wherein the output member with at least. a limit switch for detecting the two end positions of the movable switch member cooperates, characterized in that the transmission comprises a lever, the first lever arm is driven by the input member and the second lever arm drives the output member, wherein the transmission is formed to the linear path of the output member compared to the Umsetzweg the Prüfer rod shorten.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lever arm is longer than the second lever arm, wherein the lever ratio is preferably greater than 3: 2, preferably greater than 2: 1.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output member is formed as a linear slide from ^¬ .

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the slide has at least two axially spaced-apart switching edges for the actuation of the at least one limit switch.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one switching edge relative to the other Schaltflan- ke is adjustable in the axial direction and is arranged fixed in the respective position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized marked, that the switching edges formed on the slider

Limit switching groove.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the limit switch comprises a spring-loaded plunger or cooperates with a spring-loaded actuator.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the plunger or the actuator engages in the correct end position of the movable switch part in the de ^¬ by the switching edges ^¬ defined switching groove.

9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that at least two limit switches are provided, each limit switch can be actuated by an associated switching edge.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one limit switch is arranged adjustable in the direction of the linear movement of the output member and fixed in the respective position.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in ^¬ net, that the limit switches each assigned a locking slide, with which the slider cooperates on reaching its end ^¬ position so that this the locking slide from a position blocking the limit switch against the force of a spring pushes away.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the adjustable limit switch associated with the locking slide is connected or coupled to this common adjustment movement.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the second lever arm engages with its end or an extension as a driver in a guide slot of the output member.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the input member is coupled to the Prüferstange and pivotally articulated on the first lever arm.

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first lever arm in the axial direction displaceable in a rotational axis of the lever forming rotary body is received.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the first lever arm pivotally arranged in a first plane and the second lever arm is pivotally arranged in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the output member is slidably disposed in a third plane parallel to the second plane.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, characterized in ^¬ net, that the second plane above the first plane and possibly the third plane above the second plane is arranged.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that each movable switch part is assigned at least one separate Endlagenprüfeinrichtung.