Coupling for multi-carriage rail vehicle

Abstract

In a coupler (1) for a multi-carriage light rail vehicle, such as a tramcar, a coupler head and a pivot bearing having a substantially vertical pivot axis are provided at opposite ends thereof. An actuation cylinder (4) is provided to rotate the coupler (1) about a pivot axis (3A) between a neutral position and a first angular position. The tensioning device (5) is functionally arranged between the actuating cylinder (4) and a part of the coupling (1) or between the actuating cylinder (4) and a cabin of the vehicle. In the first angular position, the coupling head (2) can be pivoted rearward about the joint (6) into a parking position. Tensioning device (5) allowing rotation of coupling (1) beyond first angular position into second angular position

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupler for a multiple car railway vehicle, in particular for a light rail vehicle, such as a tram. The present invention further relates to a car of a multiple car railway vehicle comprising such a coupler. The coupler of the present invention is in particular for a multiple car railway vehicle, wherein the coupler can be rotated sideways or even folded up when not in use, i.e. in an uncoupled state, and can likewise be rotated sideways when in use, i.e. in a coupled state, when the railway vehicle is driven along a curved track. The present invention thus also relates to a method of using a coupler with respect to a car of a multiple car railway vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] From WO 2017 / 157738 Al a device for deflecting a coupler of a multiple car railway vehicle is known, wherein an actuator is provided, one end of which is attached to a car body and the opposite other end is attached to a coupler bar of the coupler. The actuator can comprise an actuating cylinder. Using the actuator, the coupler bar and the coupler can be actively rotated around a pivot anchor, to which the coupler is pivotably connected to the car body. In this way, the deflection device can be used to couple a first car of a multiple car vehicle to a second car of the multiple car vehicle, even in the case that the first car and the second car are not aligned along a straight line but are positioned along a curved track.

[0003] If the coupler is not in use, it is advantageous that the coupler does not protrude from the front of the railway vehicle to save space and to avoid collisions with other components or personnel. Therefore, as further described in EP 3 922 531 Al, for some railway vehicles, the coupler head needs to be folded backwards when the coupler is not in use, i.e. in an uncoupled state of the coupler. To fold the coupler head backwards and to place it near the chassis of the railway vehicle, the coupler head is pivotable with respect to the rear of the coupler. In some embodiments, the coupler is rotated sideways before or after folding the coupler head backwards.

[0004] For light rail vehicles, such as trams, it is required to drive along curves that are sharper than for regular trains, the sideways rotation of the coupler can be more extreme during regular use, i.e. in a coupled state, than when the coupler head is folded backwards in an uncoupled state. While it is possible to design the actuating cylinder large enough to cope with the extreme stretching when the railway vehicle passes along a sharp curve during normal use, the size of such an actuating cylinder can become larger than the available space, wherein the actuating cylinder is required for the active sideways rotation in the uncoupled state of the coupler. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that, when not in use, i.e., in its unconnected state, can be rotated away from its normal neutral position, and during normal use, i.e., in the connected state, can be further rotated away from its neutral position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a car body of a multi-car rail vehicle having a corresponding connector. Yet another object of the present invention relates to a method of using a connector on a multi-car rail vehicle.

[0006] Therefore, a first aspect of this disclosure relates to a coupling for a multi-car rail vehicle, the coupling comprising a coupling head at one end and a pivot bearing having a substantially vertical pivot axis at the opposite end. As is known in the art, the pivot bearing may form part of a pivot anchor. The coupling also includes an actuating cylinder, wherein one end of the actuating cylinder is connected to a portion of the coupling, while its opposite end is configured for connection to a car of the multi-car rail vehicle or to a bearing support, through which the coupling can be attached to a car of the multi-car rail vehicle. As described above, this arrangement allows the coupling to rotate laterally about the pivot axis in a first direction between a neutral position and a first angular position when it is not in use, i.e., in its uncoupled state. This is achieved by actuating, particularly pressurizing, the actuating cylinder, thereby changing the length of the actuating cylinder. Furthermore, as mentioned above, when the connector is used on a multi-car rail vehicle, i.e. in its connected state, the actuating cylinder is in an inactive state. It is also possible that the connector rotates laterally about the pivot axis in a first direction between the neutral position and the first angular position, i.e., when the rail vehicle travels along a curved track, thereby changing the length of the actuating cylinder.

[0007] The neutral position of the coupler refers to the position where the longitudinal axis of the coupler is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage on which the coupler is mounted. As is known in the art, a centering device can be provided to support bringing the coupler into and / or maintaining it in the neutral position. Furthermore, a tensioning device is provided, functionally arranged between the actuating cylinder and a portion of the coupler, or between the actuating cylinder and the carriage or bearing support. In other words, the tensioning device and the actuating cylinder are arranged in series. Thus, any load applied to or by the actuating cylinder, such as tension or thrust, is transmitted from the actuating cylinder to the tensioning device, and vice versa.

[0008] The primary purpose of the actuation cylinder is to enable the coupling to automatically rotate to a non-active or "parked" position, for example, by simply pressing a corresponding button on the driver's control panel. The actuation cylinder preferably comprises a pneumatic actuation cylinder, but alternatively, it may comprise a hydraulic actuation cylinder.

[0009] In a first embodiment of this disclosure, the tensioning device has the effect that any deflection of the connector from its neutral position toward a pivot position (exceeding the range of the actuating cylinder) can be accommodated by the tensioning device. Therefore, in the unconnected state, the connector can be actively rotated from the neutral position to a first angular position using the actuating cylinder. Before or after rotating the connector to this first angular position, the connector head can be folded backward toward the pivot axis. In contrast, in the connected state, the connector can even rotate beyond the first angular position to a second angular position, for example, when a multi-carriage rail vehicle is traveling along a sharp curve. That is, when the range (or stroke) of the actuating cylinder is limited to only reaching the first angular position, but the curve along which the rail vehicle travels is sharp, such that this limited range is insufficient to allow the connector to rotate fully, the tensioning device according to this first embodiment is activated and can be compressed or stretched as needed to allow the connector to rotate further beyond the first angular position.

[0010] Preferably, in the neutral position of the connector, the tensioning device is pre-tensioned. Pre-tensioning can be either pre-compression or pre-tensioning of the tensioning device. Specifically, the tensioning device may include a spring element, such as a coil spring. Instead of a coil spring, other tensioning devices can be used, such as tensioning devices comprising a gas chamber, particularly an air chamber, where the gas / air can be maintained in a (pre)compressed state. As an example, a pre-tensioned tensioning device may include a preloaded biasing device as a tensioning device, such as a coil spring or a gas spring, arranged between two limiting elements, for example, in a compressed state between two plates, or in the case of a coil spring, in a stretched state between two hooks. Preferably, this arrangement allows the biasing device to be further compressed or stretched only as needed, thereby increasing the load on the biasing device, i.e., the tension of the biasing device.

[0011] In the neutral position of the connector, the tension of the pre-tensioning device helps to avoid dynamic effects on the connector, such as oscillatory rotation effects. Otherwise, when the connector is actively rotated from the neutral position to the first angular position by means of an actuating cylinder, oscillatory rotation effects may occur due to the elastic bias effect of the tensioning device. That is, because the tensioning element is pre-tensioned, its elastic properties are only effective after the pre-tension is overcome.

[0012] This arrangement allows the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device to be overcome only after the coupling has rotated to a predetermined first angular position, such as by further compressing or stretching the tensioning device as needed. Preferably, the first angular position is the position where the actuating cylinder has reached its stroke limit. However, it is not excluded that in some arrangements, the function of the tensioning device may be activated at the rotation angle (i.e., at the first angular position) before the actuating cylinder reaches its stroke limit.

[0013] Preferably, in the neutral position of the connector, the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device is higher than the force required to rotate the connector about the pivot axis. That is, the tension of the pre-tensioned device should be greater than the actuating force applied by the actuating cylinder when rotating the connector toward the first angular position. This actuating force depends on the frictional force in the pivot joint on the one hand, and on the lever arm on the other hand, i.e., on the distance between the pivot axis and the attachment point of the deflection mechanism (including the actuating cylinder and the tensioning device). The lower this frictional force and the larger the lever arm, the smaller the force required to rotate the connector about the pivot axis, and therefore the smaller the pretension, and thus the smaller the size of the tensioning device. Preferably, in the neutral position of the connector, the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device is 10 kN or less, more preferably 5 kN or less, and most preferably 3 kN or less.

[0014] Therefore, when the actuator cylinder is in the active state, that is, when the connector is in the unconnected state and the connector head will rotate away and possibly fold backward, the actuation of the actuator cylinder can rotate the connector around the pivot axis from the neutral position to the first angular position, without any change in the tension of the tensioning device.

[0015] In contrast, when the actuating cylinder is inactive, i.e., when the coupler is in a coupled state with the corresponding coupler during normal use to connect two cars of a multi-car rail vehicle, the rotation of the coupler from a neutral position to a first angular position about the pivot axis may coincide with a change in the length of the actuating cylinder. Furthermore, according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, further rotation from the first angular position to a second angular position may coincide with an increase in the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device. For this purpose, the coupler, or more specifically, the actuating cylinder, may include a stroke limit that restricts the coupler to the first angular position by means of the active rotation of the actuating cylinder. Therefore, once the coupler reaches the first angular position and the actuating cylinder cannot be further stretched (or shortened, as appropriate), the coupler can rotate further toward the second angular position by overcoming the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning element and further compressing or stretching (as appropriate), i.e., thereby increasing the tension of the tensioning element.

[0016] Preferably, the actuating cylinder is active in the opposite direction. Thus, the actuating cylinder can not only rotate the connector from its neutral position to a first angular position about its pivot axis, but also rotate the connector from the first angular position back to the neutral position, where it can be easily engaged with the corresponding second connector. Similarly, the connector can automatically return to its neutral position by means of the actuating cylinder, for example, by simply pressing a corresponding button on the driver's control panel.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first angular position, i.e. the parking position of the connector, deviates from the neutral position by 20° to 40°, more preferably by about 30°, and the second angular position, i.e. the angular position that the connector can reach in a sharp turn curve, preferably deviates from the neutral position by more than 40°, more preferably by about 47°.

[0018] So far, the rotation of the coupling in one direction has been explained, namely, from the neutral position of the coupling to a first angular position (parking position), and further beyond the first angular position (in a sharp curve). To enable the rail vehicle to travel along a track that curves in the opposite direction, particularly a sharp curve, the coupling is configured to also rotate about a pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In this case, according to a first embodiment of this disclosure, the rotation of the coupling in the second direction between the neutral position and a third angular position, more specifically, from the neutral position to the third angular position, can also be synchronized with an increase in the tension of the tensioning device.

[0019] Referring again to the example above, the pre-tensioned tensioning device includes a preloaded biasing device as the tensioning device, such as a coil spring or a gas spring, arranged between two limiting elements, for example, in a compressed state between two plates, or in the case of a coil spring, in a stretched state between two hooks. This arrangement allows the biasing device to be further compressed or stretched only as needed, thereby increasing the load on the biasing device, i.e., the tension of the biasing device. In this example, when the connector rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the biasing device is further compressed or stretched in the opposite direction (as needed) compared to the connector rotating in the first direction, thus similarly increasing the load on the biasing device, i.e., the tension of the biasing device.

[0020] According to a second embodiment of this disclosure, where the tensioning device includes a biasing device in the form of a gas spring, the gas spring may include an exhaust valve. In this case, the arrangement allows gas to be released from the gas spring through the exhaust valve when the actuating cylinder is inactive, e.g., unpressurized. The inactive state of the actuating cylinder corresponds to the conventional use of the coupler (i.e., when the coupler is in the engaged state). Therefore, in this state, the gas spring is unpressurized (or at least subjected to reduced pressure), and thus, when the rail vehicle travels along a curved track and reaches the stroke limit of the depressurized actuating cylinder, it is not necessary to overcome (or only necessary to reduce) the tension force provided by the tensioning device to allow the coupler to rotate further about the pivot axis. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment of this disclosure, in the second embodiment, the tensioning device does not activate when the coupler rotates further beyond the first angular position. This obviously saves energy during the regular use of the coupler.

[0021] The operation of an exhaust valve can vary. For example, an exhaust valve can be a normally open, electrically actuated solenoid valve. Therefore, during normal use of the connector head, the exhaust valve will be open, while when the connector is actively rotated to its parking position by means of an actuating cylinder, the solenoid valve may be energized to close it, for example, against a bias spring.

[0022] However, instead of using a solenoid valve, preferably, a gas spring is connected to at least one pressure line of the actuating cylinder, wherein this arrangement ensures that the exhaust valve automatically opens when the pressure in at least one pressure line decreases. In other words, the exhaust valve is configured to automatically open when the pressure in the actuating cylinder decreases, i.e., when the connector returns from its parked position to its neutral position and actuation of the actuating cylinder ceases.

[0023] Conversely, when the connector actively rotates between the neutral and parked positions, the gas spring is pressurized by the actuating cylinder, so that the connector is in the precise parked and precise neutral positions, respectively. That is, if the gas spring is not pressurized and the actuating cylinder's stroke limit is reached, the connector can rotate further within the range allowed by the depressurized gas spring. However, as the gas spring is pressurized, this additional rotational movement is prevented.

[0024] To pressurize the gas spring, it can be connected to a pressure source, preferably the same pressure source used to actuate the actuator cylinder. Therefore, the same pressure may exist in both the gas spring and the actuator cylinder. More preferably, as explained above, connecting the gas spring to at least one pressure conduit of the actuator cylinder offers the advantage because when pressure is applied to the actuator cylinder to actuate it, pressure is also automatically applied to the gas spring to provide tension for the tensioning device.

[0025] More preferably, the tensioning device may include a helical spring in addition to a gas spring. In this case, this arrangement ensures that the maximum tension force provided by the helical spring is lower than the frictional force acting within the coupler and needing to be overcome to rotate the coupler about its pivot axis from its angular position toward its neutral position. That is, when the coupler is engaged and the railcar is on a curved track exceeding the travel limit of the actuation cylinder, the tensioning device, i.e., the depressurized gas spring and helical spring, will not push the coupler back toward its neutral position. Instead, the purpose of the helical spring is to push all movable parts of the tensioning device to defined positions that are always clear without needing to inspect the tensioning device.

[0026] In the embodiments described so far, the actuating cylinder is designed to deflect the connector from the neutral position to the parking position only towards one side of the connector's neutral position (i.e., only along the first direction). This further compression or stretching of the biasing device in the opposite direction will begin as soon as the connector begins to rotate from the neutral position towards the third angular position, i.e., along the second direction. However, this disclosure is not limited to this embodiment and can be similarly applied to alternative embodiments that provide a parking position for the connector on the opposite side relative to the connector's neutral position. In such alternative embodiments, further compression or stretching of the biasing device in the opposite direction only begins after the actuating cylinder (or a different actuating cylinder) has reached its corresponding (second) stroke limit.

[0027] Preferably, the tensioning device is located on one side of a first virtual plane relative to the connecting coupler head and the pivot axis, while the actuating cylinder is located on the opposite side relative to the first virtual plane, which is preferably a vertical plane. This allows the actuating cylinder and the tensioning device to be arranged substantially in a line, in which case the entire deflection mechanism has a considerable length without protruding too much from the main longitudinal axis of the coupler head. That is, arranging the actuating cylinder and the tensioning device side-by-side, for example, one on top of the other, may make the entire deflection mechanism bulky, making it difficult to arrange, for example, on the underside of the coupler. When the actuating cylinder and the tensioning device are arranged substantially aligned, the entire deflection mechanism becomes longer but thinner, which may make it easier to arrange, for example, on the underside of the coupler, i.e., preferably with the tensioning device on one side of the longitudinal axis of the coupler and the actuating cylinder on the opposite side.

[0028] More preferably, both the tensioning device and the actuating cylinder are located above or below a second virtual plane, which is a horizontal plane connecting the connector head and the pivot axis. This keeps the vertical tension of the entire deflection mechanism relatively small.

[0029] The connector may also include a centering device known in the art. The centering device may be configured to have an active state and an inactive state, for example, including a pneumatic or hydraulic system, wherein, in the active state, the centering device supports rotation of the connector toward a neutral position.

[0030] Furthermore, the connector may include a joint between the pivot axis and the connector head, the joint being configured to allow the connector head to fold rearward toward the pivot axis, as is well known in the art (EP 3 922 531 A1). Specifically, the connector head may include a connecting rod between the connector head and the pivot anchor, wherein the joint divides the connecting rod into a front portion carrying the connector head and a rear portion connecting to the pivot anchor.

[0031] A second aspect of this disclosure relates to a car body of a multi-car rail vehicle, which includes a coupling of the type described above. Therefore, the pivot anchor of the pivot bearing realizing the coupling can be attached to the car body directly or via a mounting bracket arranged between the pivot anchor and the car body.

[0032] A third aspect of this disclosure relates to a method of using a coupling of the type described above on a car of a multi-car rail vehicle. Thus, when the coupling is in an uncoupled state, an actuating cylinder can be used to rotate the coupling laterally relative to the car to a first angular position, i.e., a parking position. Preferably, the coupling head of the coupling is folded rearward toward the pivot axis, and this rearward folding of the coupling head can occur before or after the coupling rotates between its neutral position and the first angular position. The mechanism for pivoting the coupling head rearward can also be automatic; for example, pressing a button on the driver's control panel is sufficient to pivot the coupling head back and forth. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The foregoing overview and the following detailed description of preferred embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings for the purposes of illustrating this disclosure. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0034] Figures 1-5 These are schematic diagrams showing the connector in different positions according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 6 It shows Figures 1-5 Variations of the first embodiment,

[0036] Figures 7-11 The diagram shows the connector in different positions according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0037] Figures 12A-12C A specific example of a tensioning device is shown.

[0038] Figures 13 to 19 are different views of a specific connector according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 20 This is a front view of the connector according to the second embodiment.

[0040] Figures 21-24 These are cross-sectional views of the actuator cylinder-tensioning device unit of the connector according to the second embodiment in different states, and

[0041] Figure 25 It is a pneumatic diagram of a manifold that can be used in conjunction with the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Figures 1-5 This is a schematic diagram of the connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in different positions. The connector 1 includes a connector head 2 at one end and a pivot bearing 3 at the opposite end. The pivot bearing 3 has a substantially vertical pivot axis extending vertically relative to the plane showing the schematic diagram of the connector 1. The pivot bearing 3 may form part of a pivot anchor through which the connector 1 is mounted to a car body or carriage of a multi-car rail vehicle, or may be mounted to a bearing bracket through which the connector is mounted to the car body or carriage. The connector 1 also includes an actuating cylinder 4. One end of the actuating cylinder 4 is connected to a portion of the connector 1, such as to a connector rod 7 arranged between the connector head 2 and the pivot bearing 3. The other end of the actuating cylinder 4 is configured to connect to the car body or bearing bracket through which the connector 1 can be attached to the car body or carriage. Finally, a tensioning device 5 is also provided, which is functionally arranged between the actuating cylinder 4 and a portion (i.e., the rod) of the coupling 1, although this cannot be determined based on... Figure 1 The diagram directly illustrates this. That is, the actuating cylinder 4 is not directly connected to the rod 7, but rather to the tensioning device 5, which is connected to the rod 7. In any case, this arrangement causes a change in the length of the actuating cylinder 4 to result in the coupling 1 rotating about the pivot bearing 3.

[0043] More specifically, Figure 1 The connector 1 is shown in a neutral position, in which the connector head 2 extends in a straight line away from the carriage 100. The actuating cylinder includes a piston 41 and a piston rod 42. In this embodiment, the piston rod 42 extends from the actuating cylinder 4 in the neutral position of the connector 1. When the actuating cylinder 4 is actuated, the piston 41 moves within the cylinder 4, causing the piston rod 42 to be drawn into the actuating cylinder, thereby reducing the length of the actuating cylinder 4. The actuating cylinder 4 is preferably a pneumatic actuating cylinder, but may alternatively be designed as a hydraulic actuating cylinder. There is a stroke limit 43 that restricts the stroke of the piston 41. Figure 2 The position of the coupling 1 is shown at the maximum stroke of the pneumatic cylinder 4, i.e., when the piston 41 reaches its stroke limit 43. Therefore, by actuating the actuating cylinder 4, the coupling 1 can pivot to the position indicated by… The first angular position.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5 (in the form of a coil spring) is unaffected by this movement of the coupling 1. Specifically, regardless of whether the actuating cylinder 4 is in the active state and from Figure 1 The neutral position shown was actively moved to Figure 2The first angular position shown is when the actuating cylinder 4 is in an inactive state (i.e., not under any pressure). This movement of the coupling 1 occurs during normal use when the car 100 forms part of a multi-car rail vehicle and travels along a curved track, in the coupled state of the coupling 1.

[0045] However, in the unconnected state, by pressurizing the actuator cylinder 4, the connector 1 can actively pivot to... Figure 2 The angular position is shown. Before or after this lateral pivoting of the connector 1, the connector head 2 can fold rearward around the joint 6, which divides the connector rod 7 into a front portion 7a and a rear portion 7b. This is in Figure 3 As shown in [the document], and further described in EP 3 922 531 A1. By pressurizing the actuating cylinder 4 in the opposite direction, the piston rod 42 is returned to [the position]. Figure 1 From its original position, connector 1 can be brought back to its neutral position.

[0046] During normal use, that is, when connector 1 is connected to the corresponding second connector of the second car and the car moves along the curved track, connector 1 may, for example... Figure 2 The first angular position shown The deflection is greater. That is, the preferred first angular position for folding the connector head 2. It can be 30°, while during normal use, the second angular position of connector 1 is... It may be necessary to compare with, for example Figure 1 The neutral position of the connector 1 shown covers up to 47° in both directions. In this respect, Figure 4 This shows the situation where the connector 1 moves beyond the first angular position. Entering the second angle position The situation at that time, among which When connector 1 is in the first angle position At that time, the actuating cylinder 4 has reached its maximum stroke. Therefore, the coupling 1 is in the first angular position. Second angle position The additional rotation between them is undertaken by the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5. That is, this further pivoting of the connector 1 about the pivot joint 3 causes the biasing device 51 to be compressed, which can be a helical spring as shown, or, for example, a gas spring.

[0047] Figure 5 This shows the connector 1 rotating to the opposite maximum second angular position. in From the second angle position of connector head 1 Move to the third angle position During the period, i.e., during normal use in the connected state of the connector 1, first, the biasing device 51 will expand again to its normal state until it reaches the first angular position From the first angular position Further movement to the neutral position will cause the piston 41 of the actuating cylinder 4 to return to its original position as Figure 1 shown. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 , any further movement of the piston 41 of the actuating cylinder 4 beyond the neutral position is limited by the second stroke limit 44. Therefore, when the connector 1 pivots beyond its neutral position towards the third angular position , this movement is borne by the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5. In the particular embodiment shown, compared with the compression of the biasing device 51 when the connector 1 pivots in the first direction( Figure 4 ), the biasing device 51 in the form of a helical spring (or alternatively, a gas spring) is compressed in the opposite direction.

[0048] Of course, the principle behind this technical solution can vary in many ways. For example, instead of functionally arranging the tensioning device 5 between the actuating cylinder 4 and a part of the connector 1 (rod 7), the tensioning device 5 can be functionally placed between the actuating cylinder 4 and the carriage 100 or a mounting bracket or other component, and the connector 1 is fixedly mounted to the carriage 100 through the mounting bracket or other components. Similarly, as Figure 6 shown, as long as the attachment point 8 is between the pivot bearing 3 and the joint 6, i.e., A < B, the distance A between the attachment point 8 of the tensioning device 5 / actuating cylinder 4 on the part (rod 7) and the pivot axis 3A of the pivot bearing 3 is not important. However, the distance A defines the lever arm of the actuating cylinder 4, and thus, the shorter the distance A, the smaller the power requirement for the actuating cylinder 4. In addition, as Figure 6 shown, the position where the actuating cylinder 4 / tensioning device 5 is fixedly attached relative to the carriage 100 or relative to the pivot bearing 3 is not important. Figure 6 The dimension C shown in can be greater than or less than the distance A (lever arm), and preferably close to the distance A, so that the maximum power utilization of the actuating cylinder 4 can be achieved.

[0049] Similarly, although the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5 is described as being compressed in some cases in combination with Figures 1-5 , it is clear to those skilled in the art that in a reverse kinematic arrangement, when the load on the biasing element 51 is increased, the biasing device 51 can be stretched rather than compressed, especially when the biasing device is in the form of a helical spring. In addition, the biasing device 51 does not necessarily need to be a mechanical spring element, but an air chamber constituting a gas spring can be used as the biasing device 51.

[0050] In addition, although preferably as Figure 1The actuator cylinder 4 and tensioning device 5 are arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane Q. On one hand, plane Q is defined as vertical, and it connects the coupling head 2 and the pivot axis 3A of the pivot bearing 3. On the other hand, the actuator cylinder 4 and tensioning device 5 can be arranged on the same side of the vertical plane Q, or one or both of them can be arranged to span the vertical plane Q. Even further, the actuator cylinder 4 and tensioning device 5 can be arranged below the horizontal plane of the pivot axis 3A connecting the coupling head 2 and the pivot bearing 3, i.e., above or below the connecting rod 7.

[0051] and Figures 1-5 Compared to the sketches in the middle, Figures 7-11 A schematic diagram of the coupling according to the first embodiment is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the actuating cylinder 4 and the tensioning device 5 are both arranged on the same side of the vertical plane Q. A pressure pump 9 is provided to push the piston 41 toward its stroke limit 43 by correspondingly increasing the pressure on one side of the piston 41. The piston rod 42 is fixedly connected to the tensioning device 5, which in turn is connected to the coupling rod 7 and the attachment point 8. Therefore, when the piston 41 actively moves toward its stroke limit 44, the tensioning device 5 is pulled in the same direction, thereby pulling the coupling rod 7 in the same direction as well, resulting in the coupling 1 rotating about the pivot axis 3A of the pivot bearing 3.

[0052] To prevent the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5 from starting to swing during this operation, thus causing the connector 1 to begin swinging about the pivot axis 3A, the tensioning device is pre-tensioned. More specifically, the biasing device 51 is arranged between two plates 52A and 52B, which are held in the housing 53 to limit the maximum distance between plates 52A and 52B. While the housing 53 can be a substantially closed box, in some embodiments it can also be an open support. The term "plate" should be understood in the broadest sense, meaning it does not need to be flat or continuous, but can have any suitable shape to satisfy the required function. A plunger 54, attached to the rear 7B of the connecting rod 7, extends into the housing 53 and through plates 52A and 52B, wherein support members 54A and 54B are arranged on opposite sides of plates 52A and 52B to accommodate plates 52A and 52B between support members 54A and 54B. Since the biasing device 51 (in the form of a coil spring) is pre-tensioned in this arrangement between the two plates 52A, 52B, any movement of the piston 41 of the actuating cylinder 4 will cause the plunger 54 and thus the entire tensioning device 5 to follow this movement of the piston 41 without any change in the tension of the biasing device 51, provided that the friction in the pivot bearing 3 (strictly speaking, the friction on the attachment point 8) that needs to be overcome in order for the coupling 1 to rotate about the pivot axis 3A is lower than the tension of the pre-tensioned biasing element 51.

[0053] Similar to Figures 1-5 , Figures 8-11 The rotational movement of the connector 1 around the pivot bearing 3 is shown again. Therefore, as Figure 8 As shown, when the connector 1 rotates about the pivot bearing 3 in the first direction by an angle... The piston 41 of the actuating cylinder 4 moves a distance Δx actively or passively when the coupling 1 is disconnected or connected. The biasing device 51 of the pre-tensioning device 5 is completely unaffected. For example... Figure 9 As shown, at the first angular position At that point, piston 41 has moved a distance Δx. And it reaches its travel limit of 43. This is the position where the connector head 3 can rotate around the connector 6 to its parking position. Figure 10 As shown, further rotation of the connector 1 about the pivot bearing 3 causes the plunger 54 to move into the housing 53, thereby moving the plate 52A a distance Δx via its carrier 54A. In this case, the biasing device 51 is further compressed between the two plates 52A and 52B within the housing 53. Figure 11 It shows that the coupling 1 rotates in opposite directions around the pivot bearing 3 to a second angular position. The opposite third angle position The piston 41 in the actuating cylinder 4 has returned to its original (neutral) position, and the plunger 54 has been pulled out of the housing 53, thereby causing the carrier 54B to move approximately a distance Δx towards the carrier 54A within the housing 53. Distance △x They may differ, especially when the distance is greater than Δx. Similarly, the biasing device 51 is further compressed between the two plates 52A and 52B, but with Figure 10 Compared to the situation shown, this is in the opposite direction.

[0054] Figures 12A-12CA specific example of the tensioning device 5 is shown. The tensioning device 5 includes a cylindrical housing 53 in which a biasing device 51 (more specifically a helical spring, most specifically a standard mold spring) is mounted to be held between a first plate 52A and a second plate 52B. A plunger 54 extends through the two plates 52A, 52B and out of the housing 53. The plunger 54 has a first support 54A that holds the first plate 52A from one side and a second support 54B that holds the second plate 52B from the opposite side, such that the plates 52A and 52B are arranged between the support 54A and the support 54B. A locating ring 55 restricts the movement of the first plate 52A within the housing 53, and an end cap 56 may be provided to close the housing 53. In addition, a drain hole 57 may be provided so that any water entering the housing 53 can be drained. The free end of the plunger 54 extending from the housing 53 has an eyelet 58 for a ball joint to connect the tensioning device 5 to a part of the connector 1, such as a connector rod 7. In addition, the tensioning device 5 has a mounting portion 59, which is configured to mount the actuating cylinder 4 to the tensioning device 5.

[0055] Although Figure 12A The tensioning device 5 is shown in its neutral position, wherein the pre-tensioned biasing device 51 has maximum tension between the two plates 52A and 52B, but Figure 12B The image shows the tensioning device 5 in a first stretched position, where the biasing device 51 is compressed along a first direction, and the plunger 54 extends further from the housing 53 compared to the neutral position of the tensioning device. In contrast, in... Figure 12C In this configuration, the biasing device 51 is further compressed to a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the plunger 54 moves further into the housing 53 compared to the neutral position of the tensioning device. Figure 12B and Figure 12C As shown, the state of the actuator cylinder 4 is related to the two maximum angular positions of the connector head 1, namely the second angular position. (e.g., 47°) and the third angle position (e.g., -47°).

[0056] Figures 13 to 19 are different views of the specific connector 1 according to the first embodiment. Figures 13 to 19 each show a perspective view of the connector 1 and a corresponding cross-sectional view of only the actuating cylinder 4 and the tensioning device 5.

[0057] Therefore, the connector 1 includes a connector rod 7 and a pivot anchor, one end of which has a connector head 2, and the other end of which has a pivot anchor including a pivot bearing 3. A joint 6 divides the connector rod 7 into a front portion 7A and a rear portion 7B. The rear portion 7B can have many different shapes and functions. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear portion 7B includes an energy dissipation member 7C that absorbs energy in a destructive manner in the event of an accident to prevent damage to other components of the connector. Below the pivot anchor, there is a pin-shaped attachment point 8, on which a deflection unit including an actuating cylinder 4 and a tensioning device 5 is rotatably mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the tensioning device 5 is attached to the pivot anchor at attachment point 8, while the actuating cylinder 4 is pivotally attached to a mounting bracket 101, which in turn is fixedly attached to the carriage 100. The pivot axis 3A of the pivot bearing 3 is arranged at a distance A from the attachment point 8, as best viewed. Figure 19A As shown.

[0058] like Figure 13A As further shown, a centering device 10 is provided to actuate the pivot anchor, and thus push the connector 1 into a neutral position. This type of centering device is generally known to those skilled in the art. They typically include a pneumatic cylinder that supports this centering function in an active state. When the connector 1 is laterally rotated to a first angular position by means of the actuating cylinder 4 to fold the connector head 2 rearward, the centering device 10 is in its inactive state, i.e., the pneumatic cylinder is unpressurized.

[0059] Figures 13A-15B The unconnected connector 1 is shown from Figure 13A The neutral position shown is achieved through Figure 14A The first angular position shown to Figure 15A The folding order at the indicated folding positions. For example... Figure 13B As shown, in the neutral position, the (pneumatic) actuation cylinder is in its extended position, the piston rod 42 extends from the actuation cylinder 4, and the tensioning device 5 is in a neutral state. Figure 14A At the first angular position shown, the actuating cylinder has actively rotated the connector to the folding angle. like Figure 14B As shown, in this state, the piston rod 42 retracts into the actuating cylinder 4, and the tensioning device 5 remains in a neutral state. Finally, when the connector 1 is in... Figure 14A The first angular position shown At that time, the connector head 2 folds backward toward the carriage 100 via the connector 6, as follows: Figure 15A As shown. Figure 15B As shown, in this position, the actuating cylinder 4 is still active, but the folding action has no effect on the state of the actuating cylinder 4 or the state of the tensioning device 5.

[0060] Figures 16A-19B It shows the normal use period (i.e., as Figure 16A As shown, in the case where the connector head 2 is connected to the corresponding connector head 2' of the connector of the second car, the connector 1 deflects. Figure 16A The neutral position of connector 1 is shown, with... Figure 13A The only difference shown is that the actuator cylinder 4 is in an inactive state. Figure 17A This shows when connector 1 rotates to... Figure 14A The connector 1 is in the connected state when the first angular position shown corresponds to the angular position shown. Similarly, the states of the actuator cylinder 4 and the tensioning device 5 are the same as those shown. Figure 14A , Figure 14B The states are exactly the same, that is, the piston rod 42 retracts into the actuating cylinder 4, the only difference is that the actuating cylinder 4 is in an inactive state. Figure 18A The connector 1 in the connected state is shown in the figure. Figure 17A First angular position Second angular position At this second angular position, the (non-active) actuating cylinder 4 remains in its retracted state, but the pre-tensioned biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5 is further compressed by the plunger 54, which has been pulled out of the housing 53, thereby advancing plate 52B and pressing the biasing device 51 against another plate 52A. In this perspective view, due to the specific angular position of the connector 1, it can be seen that the attachment point 8 to which the tensioning device 5 is attached is a distance A from the pivot axis 3A of the pivot bearing 3 of the pivot anchor. This is in Figure 19A It is more visible in the middle. Figure 19A The connector 1 is shown in its connected state, i.e., during normal operation, rotating about the pivot axis 3A in opposite directions to a third angular position. Similarly, the pneumatic cylinder is in an inactive state but fully extended, i.e., the piston rod 42 is in contact with... Figure 16A , Figure 16B It extends from the actuated pneumatic cylinder 4 in the same manner as shown in the neutral position. However, in the case of... Figure 19A At the third angular position of the connector 1 shown, the pre-tensioned biasing device 51 is further compressed within the housing 53 by means of a plunger 54 pushed into the housing 53, thereby advancing plate 52A toward plate 52B, as shown. Figure 18B As shown.

[0061] Figure 20This is a front view of the connector head 2 of the connector 1 according to the second embodiment. In this second embodiment, the biasing device 51 of the tensioning device 5 is in the form of a gas (air) spring, which can be deactivated. That is, although in the first embodiment of this disclosure, the biasing device 51 may include, for example, either or both of a coil spring and a gas spring, they are always under tension, i.e., they cannot be deactivated. To deactivate the gas spring, according to the second embodiment, the tensioning device 5 is connected to a first fluid line 61 through which gas can be released, thereby reducing the tension of the gas spring, preferably to zero. Gas can be supplied to the tensioning device 5 through the same first fluid line 61 (or through a different fluid line) to increase the pressure of the gas spring back to the desired amount.

[0062] The actuating cylinder 4 can be pressurized via a third fluid line 62 and a second fluid line 63, thereby moving the piston 41 within the actuating cylinder 4 to one or the other of the stroke limits 43, 44 of the actuating cylinder 4, depending on which of the first fluid line 62 and the second fluid line 63 is pressurized. All fluid lines 61, 62, 63 are attached to the pump 9 (not shown) via a common manifold 90.

[0063] Figures 21-24 This is a cross-sectional view of the actuator cylinder-tensioning device unit of the connector according to the second embodiment in different positions. Figure 21 The unit is shown in its nominal or neutral position, which can be safely reached when the gas spring in the tensioning device 5 is active (i.e., pressurized) and the actuating cylinder 4 is pressurized to move the piston 41 and bring it to its stroke limit 44. In this case, the plates 52A and 52B within the housing 53 of the tensioning device 5 are spaced apart by the maximum distance due to the gas pressure provided by the gas spring (generally indicated by reference numeral 51) in the housing 53.

[0064] Figure 22 The diagram illustrates the unit of the actuation cylinder-tensioning device when the coupling 1 is in the parked position, for example, at an angle of 30°, possibly folded up. This state can be safely achieved when the actuation cylinder 4 is pressurized, causing the piston 41 to move and abut against another stroke limit 43, while the gas spring 51 remains under pressure. Before connecting the coupling 1 to a corresponding coupling in another carriage, the coupling 1 is moved back to its neutral position by appropriately pressurizing the actuation cylinder 4, such as... Figure 21 As shown.

[0065] Once connector 1 is connected to another connector, or even before that, the pressure in gas spring 51 is released. Then, when the rail vehicle travels along a curved track with sharp turns during normal use, the actuator cylinder-tensioning unit may move to, as Figure 23The maximum compression position shown may correspond to a 47° angle between the coupling 1 and the carriage 100. In this case, neither the actuating cylinder 4 nor the gas spring 51 is pressurized, so that the actuating cylinder-tensioning unit does not exert any force (other than some negligible friction and possibly the spring force of the optional coil spring 60) to resist this movement, which will be discussed further below. In this maximum compression position, the movable plates 52A and 52B contact each other at their opposing front ends, thereby limiting the stroke.

[0066] Figure 24 The actuator cylinder-tensioning device unit is shown in its maximum tension position. This likely corresponds to a -47° angle between the coupling 1 and the carriage 100. Figure 23 Compared to the maximum compression position shown, here the actuating cylinder 4 and the tensioning device 5 are spaced apart by the maximum distance, with the piston 41 abutting against the stroke limit 44, and the movable plates 52A and 52B moved to opposite sides in the housing 53. Similarly, the gas spring 51 and the actuating cylinder 4 are in an inactive state.

[0067] As described above, the tensioning device 5 includes a helical spring 60 in addition to the gas spring 51. The helical spring 60 is optional. Its purpose is to push the movable plates 52A and 52B to defined positions within the housing 53 so that their positions are always clear without needing to inspect the tensioning device 5. Therefore, the strength of the helical spring 60 is selected such that the maximum tension force provided by the helical spring 60 is lower than the frictional force acting on the connector 1 and needing to be overcome to rotate the connector 1 from the angular position back to the neutral position.

[0068] Figure 25 This is a pneumatic diagram of the manifold 90 used in conjunction with the second embodiment of this disclosure. It shows the normal operating state of the connector 1, i.e., the connected state, where neither the actuating cylinder 4 nor the gas spring 51 of the tensioning device 5 is pressurized. More specifically, the second fluid line 62 and the third fluid line 63 lead from the regulating valve 94 (here in the form of an electrically actuated solenoid valve) to the actuating cylinder 4. The solenoid valve 94 is in the open position of the second fluid line 92 and the third fluid line 93 to the atmosphere, i.e., unpressurized, while the pressure in the gas spring 51 is released to the atmosphere through the first fluid line 91 and further through the quick-release valve 96.

[0069] The first fluid line 91 is in fluid communication with both the second fluid line 92 and the third fluid line 93. The switching valve 95 ensures that the pressure in the second fluid line 92 and the third fluid line 93 (in this case, when the solenoid valve 94 switches to the second position to the left or to the third position to the right) is also always applied to the first fluid line 91, and thus to the gas spring 51. As a result, the gas spring 51 is pressurized, regardless of whether the connector 1 has moved to the parking position, in which case the fluid line 93 will be pressurized, or when it moves from the parking position back to the neutral position, in which case the fluid line 93 will be pressurized. In this case, the pressure in the fluid lines 92 and 93 causes the quick-release valve 96 to close and remain in the closed position. As long as the pressure in the second fluid line 92 and the third fluid line 93 decreases, i.e., when the solenoid valve 94 switches to... Figure 25 When the connector 1 is in the position shown, the quick release valve 96 will open automatically.

Claims

1. A coupling (1) for multi-car rail vehicles, particularly for light rail vehicles such as trams, said coupling comprising a coupling head (2) at one end and a pivot bearing (3) having a substantially vertical pivot axis (3A) at the opposite end, and further comprising an actuating cylinder (4) at one end connected to a portion of the coupling (1), while its opposite end is configured for connection to a car (100) of the multi-car rail vehicle or to a bearing support through which the coupling is attached to a car (100) of the multi-car rail vehicle, wherein, The arrangement makes: When the connector is not in use, i.e., in its unconnected state, the connector can be actuated by the actuating cylinder to be in a neutral position and a first angular position. The actuating cylinder (4) rotates laterally about the pivot axis (3A) in a first direction, thereby changing the length of the actuating cylinder (4). - When the connector (1) is used on a multi-car rail vehicle, i.e., in its connected state, the actuating cylinder is in an inactive state, wherein it is also possible that the connector (1) is in the neutral position and the first angular position. The actuating cylinder (4) rotates laterally about the pivot axis (3A) along the first direction, i.e., when the rail vehicle travels along the curved track, thereby changing the length of the actuating cylinder (4). The tensioning device (5) is functionally arranged between the actuating cylinder (4) and a part of the connector (1), or between the actuating cylinder (4) and the carriage (100) or bearing bracket (101).

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein, The arrangement is such that when the connector is in its connected state, the actuating cylinder is inactive, so that the length of the actuating cylinder (4) changes passively when the rail vehicle travels along the curved track.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tensioning device (5) is pre-tensioned.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device (5) is in the form of pre-compression or pre-tension of the tensioning device (5).

5. The connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device (5) is higher than the force required to pivot the connector (1) about the pivot axis (3A).

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device (5) is 10 kN or less.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device (5) is 5 kN or less.

8. The connector according to claim 5, wherein, In the neutral position of the connector (1), the tension of the pre-tensioned tensioning device (5) is 3 kN or less.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein, The pre-tensioning device (5) includes a preload biasing device (51) which is arranged between two limiting elements (52A, 52B) in a compressed or stretched state.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein, The arrangement is such that the biasing device (51) can only be further compressed or stretched as needed, thereby increasing the load on the biasing element (51).

11. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuation of the actuating cylinder (4) causes the coupling (1) to rotate about the pivot axis (3A) from the neutral position to the first angular position. The tension of the tensioning device (5) remained unchanged.

12. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the inactive state of the actuating cylinder (4), the coupling (1) moves from the neutral position to the first angular position around the pivot axis (3A). The rotation is consistent with the change in the length of the actuating cylinder (4), and from the first angular position To the second angle position The further rotation coincides with the increase in tension of the tensioning device (5).

13. The coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a stroke limit that restricts the coupling (1) to the first angular position by means of the active rotation of the actuating cylinder (4).

14. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The actuating cylinder (4) is active in the opposite direction so that the actuating cylinder (4) enables the coupling (1) to rotate about the pivot axis (3A) from the neutral position to the first angular position. And from the first angle position Rotate to the neutral position.

15. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, First angle position The deviation from the neutral position is between 20° and 40°.

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein, First angle position It deviates from the neutral position by 30°.

17. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second angle position The deviation from the neutral position is more than 40°.

18. The connector according to claim 17, wherein, The second angle position It deviates from the neutral position by 47°.

19. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tensioning device (5) includes a biasing device (51) in the form of a helical spring.

20. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tensioning device (5) includes a biasing device (51) in the form of a gas spring.

21. The connector according to claim 20, wherein, The arrangement is such that when pressure is applied to the actuating cylinder (4) to actuate the actuating cylinder (4), pressure is also applied to the gas spring to provide tension to the tensioning device (5).

22. The connector according to claim 20 or 21, wherein, The gas spring includes an exhaust valve, wherein the arrangement is such that when the actuating cylinder (4) is in an inactive state, gas is released from the gas spring through the exhaust valve.

23. The connector according to claim 22, wherein, The gas spring is connected to at least one pressure line of the actuating cylinder (4), wherein the arrangement is such that the exhaust valve automatically opens when the pressure in the at least one pressure line decreases.

24. The connector according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein, The tensioning device (5) includes a helical spring (60) in addition to the gas spring, wherein the arrangement is such that the maximum tension force provided by the helical spring is lower than the frictional force acting on the connector (1) and needing to be overcome to cause the connector (1) to rotate about the pivot axis (3A) from the angular position of the connector (1) toward the neutral position of the connector (1).

25. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein, The arrangement is such that the connector (1) is positioned around the pivot axis (3A) in the neutral position and the third angular position. The rotation between them along a second direction opposite to the first direction is consistent with the increase in tension of the tensioning device (5).

26. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tensioning device (5) is located on one side of a first virtual plane (Q) connecting the connector head (2) and the pivot axis (3A), and the actuating cylinder (4) is located on the opposite side of the first virtual plane (A).

27. The connector according to claim 26, wherein, The first virtual plane (Q) is vertical.

28. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tensioning device (5) and the actuating cylinder (4) are both located above or below the second horizontal virtual plane connecting the connector head (2) and the pivot axis (3A).

29. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a centering device configured to have an active state and an inactive state, wherein, In the active state, the centering device supports the rotation of the connector (1) toward the neutral position.

30. The connector according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a joint (6) located between the pivot axis (3A) and the connector head (2), the joint (6) being configured to allow the connector head (2) to fold rearward toward the pivot axis (3A).

31. A carriage (100) of a multi-car rail vehicle, comprising a coupling (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

32. A method for using a coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 30 on a car (100) of a multi-car rail vehicle, wherein, When the connector (1) is in an unconnected state, the actuating cylinder (4) is used to rotate the connector (1) laterally relative to the carriage (100) to the first angular position.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein, The connector head (2) of the connector (1) is folded backward toward the pivot axis (3A).

Images