Mechanical traction coupling closure and traction coupling having such a mechanical traction coupling closure

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical coupling lock for a coupling, in particular a center buffer coupling, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a coupling with a coupling head which has such a mechanical coupling lock.

[0002] Mechanical coupling locks, as described in the present invention, have a frog that is rotatable about a main axis and has a jaw for receiving a coupling eye. When coupling couplings whose coupling head each has such a mechanical coupling lock, the coupling eyes, which are each rotatably connected to the frog, are inserted with their free ends into the jaw of the opposite frog, thereby rotating the frog together with the main bolt about a main axis and locking the two couplings together, because the two frogs are mechanically locked together with the coupling eyes.

[0003] Traditionally, a positive-locking connection between the frog and the main bolt is achieved using a keyway connection. Such a connection is illustrated, for example, in DE 10 2021132 991 A1. A corresponding key is positively inserted into two opposing recesses, one in the frog and one in the main bolt, and must be bonded in place. The recess is formed by butting, creating a keyway. The key bonded in this butted keyway must undergo a quality inspection. Therefore, producing the positive-locking connection between the frog and the main bolt is time-consuming. A further disadvantage is the potential need to disassemble and reassemble the frog, key, and main bolt for maintenance purposes. This is not possible in the field and requires visiting appropriately equipped workshops.

[0004] Further examples of keyed connections between the frog and the main bolt are known from documents WO 2021 / 071416 A1 and US 10435046 B2.

[0005] A positive-locking component connection in an energy-absorbing device of a rail vehicle coupling is disclosed in WO 2021 / 224305 A1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a mechanical train coupling lock with a frog and a main bolt, wherein a positive locking connection between the frog and the main bolt can be reliably established with a small expenditure of time and can also be released, in particular for repair purposes.

[0007] The problem according to the invention is solved by a mechanical train coupling lock with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims describe advantageous and particularly expedient embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, a train coupling according to the invention, in particular a center buffer coupling, is specified with a coupling head that has a mechanical train coupling lock according to the invention.

[0008] The mechanical coupling device according to the invention has a frog that is rotatable about a main axis and has a jaw for receiving a coupling eye. Advantageously, a coupling eye is also pivotally connected to the frog, so that this coupling eye can be inserted with its free end into the jaw of a frog of a corresponding coupling device.

[0009] The mechanical coupling lock according to the invention has a main bolt on which the frog is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner. Thus, rotational movements of the main bolt are transmitted to the frog and vice versa. To achieve this rotationally fixed mounting, a positive-locking connection is provided between the frog and the main bolt, comprising a connecting element that is positively inserted into two opposing recesses in the frog and the main bolt. Accordingly, the two opposing recesses, one in the frog and one in the main bolt, are open at the edges and face each other, so that together they form a bore or recess cross-section.

[0010] According to the invention, the recess in the core, together with the recess in the main bolt, forms an at least substantially circular or (completely) circular recess cross-section or elliptical recess cross-section, and the connecting element is a pin element, in particular a cylindrical pin in the case of a circular design of the recess cross-section, or a pin element with an elliptical cross-section in the case of an elliptical design of the recess cross-section, which is positively inserted into this common recess cross-section.

[0011] The design with a circular recess cross-section is considered a particularly preferred design.

[0012] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage of significantly reducing the work steps required to create the positive-locking connection, in particular the provision of the connecting elements and the conditions in the connection area on the individual components, thus making the connection more cost-effective and time-saving overall. A further advantage lies in the simple, time-saving, and precise assembly of the frog and main pin of a mechanical train coupling, especially when these need to be assembled in large quantities or replaced in the field. The complex testing required after bonding the keyway connection is also eliminated. Furthermore, the elimination of the notch-affected keyways results in increased component strength of the frog.

[0013] Regarding the execution of a positive-locking connection using cylindrical pins in general, reference can be made to the following documents: Burgtorf, U.; Garzke, M.; Schäfer, G.: Play-in longitudinal pin connections – an underestimated shaft-hub connection? Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für Maschinenwesen der Technischen Universität Clausthal, No. 22, 1997, pp. 19–24. Korte, T.: Structural strength of longitudinal pin connections. In: Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für Maschinenwesen der Technischen Universität Clausthal, No. 33, 2008, pp. 17–22. Schäfer, G.; Korte, T.: Longitudinal pins as low-notch shaft-hub connections. In: Mitteilungen aus dem Institut für Maschinenwesen der Technischen Universität Clausthal, No. 43, 2018, pp. 23–24.

[0014] Using such connections in a coupling closure not only results in significant strength advantages for the components located in the force flow, but also allows for simpler assembly and repair.

[0015] Preferably, only one such connecting element is provided. The manufacturing effort for the required grooves on the frog and bolt is thus further reduced compared to designs with several such connecting elements. At the same time, the frog is only weakened at one additional point.

[0016] The connecting element, in particular the cylindrical pin, can preferably be a solid cylindrical pin for reasons of strength, i.e., a cylindrical pin that is not hollow and has no longitudinal bore. However, an alternative embodiment of a partially or completely hollow cylindrical pin is also conceivable. In this case, it has a longitudinal bore.

[0017] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the two recesses on the frog and the main bolt have different cross-sectional sizes. In other words, the recess portions on the frog and the main bolt that form the recess for receiving the connecting element are asymmetrically designed.

[0018] For example, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cross-section of the recess in the frog is larger than the cross-section of the recess in the main bolt. Thus, the connecting element, especially the cylindrical pin with a circular cross-section, can be arranged with its central axis outside the main bolt in the frog. Consequently, the frog, viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis of the cylindrical pin, encloses a larger section of the cylindrical pin along its outer circumference than the main bolt. The central axis of the cylindrical pin is therefore located outside the arc of travel of the main bolt in a cross-section through the recess. This allows the cylindrical pin to be self-retaining in the frog, thus eliminating the need for adhesive bonding.

[0019] As a rule, the cylindrical pin extends parallel to the main bolt, meaning that the central axis of the cylindrical pin is parallel to the main axis.

[0020] The invention eliminates the notch effect of a keyway, which has a positive effect on the component strength of both the frog and the main bolt. In particular, if the cylindrical pin is free from any adhesive or material bond with the frog and the main bolt, advantages can be gained in the maintenance of the coupling mechanism, because the cylindrical pin can be easily removed to release the positive locking connection between the frog and the main bolt.

[0021] Preferably, for simplified maintenance purposes, the cylindrical pin is inserted into the frog and / or the main bolt with a transition fit or even a clearance fit.

[0022] To achieve a particularly secure fit of the cylindrical pin, it can be inserted into the core and / or the main bolt using an interference fit.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the cylindrical pin is only press-fitted in the core and not in the main bolt. A clearance fit can therefore be provided in the main bolt, which, in particular, exhibits at least virtually zero clearance.

[0024] The dowel pin can be inserted into a blind hole in the frog, with a corresponding circumferential projection in the frog forming the bottom of the blind hole. Alternatively, a through hole in the frog is also possible. The blind hole offers the advantage that the dowel pin does not simply fall out during disassembly. This is particularly advantageous during replacement work in the field, as it prevents the pin from falling into the track bed. The combination of a blind hole and an enlarged recess on the frog, compared to the recess on the main bolt, is especially beneficial. The recess on the frog extends around the connecting element to beyond its center, preventing it from falling out either longitudinally along the main bolt or perpendicular to the recess on the frog (off-center recess).

[0025] A train coupling according to the invention has a coupling head which includes a mechanical train coupling lock of the type shown here. The train coupling is in particular designed as a center buffer coupling.

[0026] The invention will below be described by way of example using an embodiment and the figures.

[0027] They show: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mechanical train coupling lock according to the present invention in a top view obliquely from above; Figure 2 shows an axial section through the main bolt of the mechanical train coupling lock from the Figure 1 Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of the positive-locking connection between the core and the main bolt.

[0028] In the Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mechanical coupling lock according to the invention, comprising a frog 1 which is mounted on a main bolt 2 by a positive locking connection. The frog 1 is rotatable together with the main bolt 2 about a main axis 6 and has a jaw 5 for receiving a coupling eyelet (not shown). Furthermore, a connection 10 for a coupling eyelet (not shown) is provided, wherein a corresponding axis of rotation of the connection 10 is parallel to the main axis 6.

[0029] A recess 7 is formed in the core 1 and a recess 8 is formed in the main bolt 2. The two recesses are particularly distinguished by the Figures 2 and 3The two recesses 7, 8 are directly opposite each other and together form a circular recess cross-section, viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the main axis 6. A cylindrical pin 3 is inserted into this common recess cross-section as a connecting element. As can be seen particularly from the Figure 3 As can be seen, the central axis 4 of the cylindrical pin, which extends through the center of the common recess, is offset towards the frog 1, such that the cross-section of the recess 7 in the frog 1 is larger than the cross-section of the recess 8 in the main bolt 2. This means that a larger circumference of the cylindrical pin 3 is enclosed by the frog 1 than by the main bolt 2. In other words, the contact area between the cylindrical pin 3 and the frog 1 is larger than the contact area between the cylindrical pin 3 and the main bolt 2. For clarification, the following is shown in the Figure 3The so-called flight circle 11 of the main bolt 2 is shown.

[0030] The offset arrangement of the cylindrical pin 3 towards the frog 1 enables the cylindrical pin 3 to self-hold in the frog 1, which simplifies assembly.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen from the Figure 2 As can be seen, the recess 7 in the frog 1 is preferably produced by a blind bore 9 into which the cylindrical pin 3 is inserted. This, in combination with the design of the recess with differently sized cross-sectional areas on the frog and the main bolt, offers the advantage that the cylindrical pin is held securely even when the main bolt is removed. Alternatively, a through bore could also be provided. Reference sign

[0032] 1 Frog 2 Main bolt 3 Cylindrical pin 4 Cylindrical pin center axis 5 Jaw 6 Main axis 7 Recess in frog 8 Recess in main bolt 9 Blind hole 10 Connection 11 Flying circle

Claims

1. Mechanical train coupling lock comprising a center piece (1) that is rotatable about a main axis (6) and has a jaw (5) for receiving a coupling eye; with a main pin (2) on which the heart piece (1) is mounted so as to be rotationally fixed; with a form-fitting connection between the heart piece (1) and the main pin (2), which comprises a connecting element that is form-fitted into two opposing recesses (7, 8) in the heart piece (1) and in the main pin (2); characterized in that the recess (7) in the core (1) and the recess (8) in the main bolt (2) together form a recess cross-section that is at least substantially circular or elliptical, and the connecting element is a pin element, in particular a cylindrical pin (3) or a pin element with an elliptical cross-section.

2. Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the two recesses (7, 8) have different cross-sectional dimensions.

3. Mechanical trein coupling lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross-section of the recess (7) in the center piece (1) is larger than the cross-section of the recess (8) in the main bolt (2).

4. A mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) has a cylindrical pin centerline (4) which is located in the heart piece (1) outside the main bolt (2).

5. A mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) extends parallel to the main bolt (2).

6. A mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that the cylinder pin (3) is inserted with a press fit into the heart piece (1) and / or the main bolt (2).

7. Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted with a press fit only into the center piece (1) and with a clearance fit, but in particular without clearance, into the main bolt (2).

8. A mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted with a clearance or transition fit into the center piece (1) and / or the main bolt (2).

9. Mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is free of any adhesive bonding or material-bonded connection with the center piece (1) and the main bolt (2).

10. A mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted into a blind hole (9) in the center piece (1).

11. A mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted into a blind hole in the center piece (1).

12. Railway coupling, in particular a center-buffer coupling, comprising a coupling head that includes a mechanical train coupling lock according to any one of claims 1 to 10

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