Switch element for a track carrying a rubber-tyred vehicle, track switchgear made from said elements and method for transporting passengers along a rail provided with such switchgear

Abstract

The invention relates to: - on the one hand, a flexible switch element (1) for a track carrying rubber-tyred trains (V) comprising two parallel rails each having an upper running surface (S) for the tyres and an inner side surface for supporting a continuous guide strip (B) for guiding the train, said switch element (1) having at least one hinge providing the longitudinal link with an adjacent switch element, characterized in that said switch element (1) also has a set of longitudinal abutments (12, 13) engaging, on the one hand, with said hinge in order to adjust the relative angular orientation of said element and, on the other hand, with a pivoting bottom rod (2) providing the connection to and the alignment with an identical switch element (1) arranged symmetrically on the opposite side of the switch and, - on the other hand, a track switchgear comprising the assembly of such elements and a method for transporting passengers along a track provided with said track switchgear.

Description

Élément d'aiguillage pour une voie de circulation d'un véhicule pneumatique, appareil de voie réalisé à partir de tels éléments et procédé de transport de passagers sur une voie équipée dudit appareil.

[0001] L'invention se rapporte à un élément d'aiguillage pour une voie de circulation d'un véhicule pneumatique, un appareil de voie comprenant l'assemblage de tels éléments et un procédé de transport de passagers sur une voie équipée dudit appareil. DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0002] L'invention s'intéresse aux installations de transport de personnes au moyen de véhicules ou de trains ou rames sur pneus du type APM (Automated People Mover) tractés au moyen d'un câble motorisé. Ces rames circulent entre des stations sur une voie constituée de deux rails formés de profilés longitudinaux parallèles et de section en H offrant des surfaces de roulement pour les pneumatiques. Dans ces installations, la voie se dédouble en dehors des stations via des aiguillages.

[0003] Il existe déjà des aiguillages flexibles tels que ceux décrits, notamment, dans le JP 2011 122387A. Ces aiguillages sont constitués d'aiguilles comprenant l'assemblage d'éléments de profilés reliés entre eux par des articulations. Ces éléments sont pourvus sur leurs faces latérales respectives d'une bande continue longitudinalement déformable sur laquelle vient en contact dynamique un organe rotatif porté par les véhicules tractés en vue d'assurer leur guidage latéral le long de la voie.

[0004] Grâce aux articulations dont sont munis ces éléments de profilés et par cintrage de la bande continue de guidage, ces aiguilles permettent une adaptation à différentes courbures de voies.

[0005] Cependant, ce mode de réalisation est destiné à une voie sous forme d'un monorail en béton.

[0006] Or, l'invention cherche à équiper des voies constituées de deux rails parallèles avec un aiguillage flexible et l'un des problèmes rencontrés est alors de synchroniser et de coordonner le déplacement angulaire et les changements de courbure des deux lignes d'assemblage des éléments formant les aiguilles. EXPOSÉ DE L'INVENTION

[0007] L'invention vise à remédier à ce problème technique en cherchant à perfectionner les aiguillages flexibles existant pour les adapter de façon fiable et sécurisée aux voies à double-rail de section en H.

[0008] Ce but est atteint au moyen d'un élément d'aiguillage flexible pour une voie de circulation de rames à pneumatiques comprenant deux rails parallèles offrant chacun une face supérieure de roulement des pneumatiques et une face latérale intérieure de support d'une bande continue de guidage de la rame, ledit élément d'aiguillage portant au moins une articulation assurant la liaison longitudinale avec un élément d'aiguillage adjacent, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément d'aiguillage porte, en outre, un jeu de butées longitudinales coopérant, d'une part, avec ladite articulation pour assurer le réglage de l'orientation angulaire relative dudit élément et, d'autre part, avec une tringle basse pivotante assurant le raccordement et le parallélisme avec un élément d'aiguillage identique disposé symétriquement sur le côté opposé de l'aiguillage.

[0009] Selon une caractéristique avantageuse, l'articulation comprend deux paliers faisant saillie sur au moins l'une des extrémités longitudinales de l'élément et dans lesquels est engagé un axe vertical solidaire de ladite tringle.

[0010] Selon une autre caractéristique, l'élément d'aiguillage porte une articulation sur chacune de ses extrémités longitudinales.

[0011] Selon encore une autre caractéristique, l'élément d'aiguillage porte deux taquets de retenue de la bande continue de guidage ménageant, avec sa face latérale intérieure, un espace intercalaire dans lequel vient se loger la partie cintrée de ladite bande.

[0012] Selon une première variante, le jeu de butées comprend, sur une première extrémité longitudinale, un pion de longueur variable et, sur une seconde extrémité longitudinale, un plot destiné à recevoir l'appui du pion en vis à vis de l'élément d'aiguillage adjacent.

[0013] Selon une caractéristique spécifique, l'articulation est montée entre la face latérale intérieure et le jeu de butées longitudinales qui s'étend du côté extérieur de la face supérieure de roulement.

[0014] De préférence, l'articulation est montée sous le niveau de la face supérieure de roulement.

[0015] Selon une autre caractéristique, la face latérale extérieure de l'élément d'aiguillage porte des ailettes sensiblement horizontales destinées à venir en butée contre des bornes disposées sur les bords extérieurs de la voie.

[0016] Un autre objet de l'invention est un appareil de voie flexible destiné à équiper un croisement de voie, ledit appareil étant constitué de deux chaînages parallèles d'éléments d'aiguillage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est pourvu de deux tronçons terminaux articulés, respectivement, sur les éléments d'aiguillage situés aux extrémités des chaînages et assurant, d'une part, l'alignement et le verrouillage desdits chaînages avec les contre- rails du croisement et, d'autre part, la liaison avec des organes de commande du pivotement desdits chaînages montés sur les bords extérieurs de la voie.

[0017] Selon une première variante de l'appareil de voie, chacun desdits tronçons terminaux est pourvu d'une cavité destinée à recevoir et à bloquer l'extrémité de la tige de pistons montés sur les contre-rails du croisement.

[0018] Selon encore une caractéristique avantageuse, chacun desdits tronçons terminaux porte, sur son bord latéral extérieur, un pivot d'axe vertical raccordé à l'un des organes de commande du pivotement des chaînages.

[0019] Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse, chacun desdits tronçons terminaux porte une butée coopérant avec les butées des éléments d'extrémité des chaînages. 4

[0020] Selon une autre variante, l'appareil de voie comprend, en outre, une aiguille centrale montée rotative dans le prolongement axial du cœur du croisement et présentant une branche d'extrémité spatulée venant s'aligner alternativement avec les tronçons d'extrémité respectifs des deux chaînages.

[0021] Encore un autre objet de l'invention est un procédé de transport de passagers au moyen de rames à pneumatiques sur une voie de circulation comprenant: - deux rails parallèles offrant chacun une face supérieure de roulement des pneumatiques et une face latérale intérieure de support d'une bande continue de guidage de la rame et, - au moins un croisement équipé d'un appareil de voie flexible constitué d'un chaînage d'éléments d'aiguillage tels que définis ci-dessus, caractérisé en ce qu'on effectue le pivotement de l'aiguillage au moyen d'organes de commande montés sur les bords des voies et agissant sur les tronçons d'extrémité du chaînage.

[0022] Les éléments d'aiguillage de l'invention ont une structure simple qui permet un assemblage aisé des éléments entre eux et une dépose facile, notamment, en cas de maintenance ou de remplacement d'un élément du chaînage.

[0023] L'appareil de voie de l'invention réalisé avec ces éléments d'aiguillage est flexible, fiable et s'adapte à différentes courbures de voie sans présenter de lacunes pénalisantes pour le roulement des rames pneumatiques.

[0024] L'appareil de voie de l'invention comprend des moyens de verrouillage sécurisés et peut, en outre, être réalisé en différentes longueurs et étant, le cas échéant, associé à une aiguille centrale pivotante traditionnelle. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES Figures 2A and 2B show top views of one embodiment of the switching element of the invention with the continuous guide strip in normal position and in curved position, respectively. Figure 3 is a front view of the switch element of Figures 2A and 2B. Figures 4A and 4B represent partial top views of the invention's track switchgear, respectively, of the ties of two elements and the end section of the ties. Figures 5A and 5B show views of a first alternative embodiment of the invention's switchgear, respectively, in two respective positions of the switch. Figures 6A and 6B show views of a second alternative embodiment of the invention's switchgear coupled to a traditional central switch rail, respectively, in two respective positions of the switch. For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs on all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Of course, the embodiments illustrated by the figures presented above and described below are given only as non-exhaustive examples. There is explicit provision for these various embodiments to be combined to propose other ones.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a switch gear forming a switch intended to equip a railway crossing for the circulation of an APM-type train V the wheels R of which are equipped with tyres and are associated with guide rollers or rollers G.

[0028] The two parallel rails delimiting the track consist of longitudinal profiles with an H-shaped cross-section (H lying as shown in Figure 3), each of which provides an upper surface S for running the tyres and an inner side surface for supporting a continuous strip B extending substantially vertically and engaging with the rotating rollers G for guiding the train V.

[0029] The track switchgear of the invention comprises the assembly of identical switch elements 1 hinged to each other. Thus, each switch element 1 has at least one hinge and, preferably, two hinges providing, on either side, the longitudinal link with adjacent switch elements so as to form two parallel ties of elements by defining a so- called "flexible" switch, as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B.

[0030] The switchgear also comprises devices C for controlling the pivoting of the ties which are mounted on the outer edges of the track and which will be described below.

[0031] The structure of the switch elements 1 which constitute the ties of the invention's track switchgear are made of, will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 2A, 2B and 3.

[0032] The hinges of the switch elements 1 comprise at least one bearing supported by each of the longitudinal ends of each element. Thus, the switch elements 1 can be connected longitudinally to each other by means of their respective bearings wherein a vertical axis X is engaged.

[0033] The X axis is integral with a pivoting bottom rod 2 which acts as a spacer and ensures both the connection and alignment of two identical switch elements, 1a and 1b, that are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the switch (figure 4A).

[0034] Preferably, the hinges are mounted on the switch elements 1 below the level of the upper running face S.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the hinges comprise, on the one hand, an upper bearing 11a together with a lower bearing 11b which are vertically aligned and projecting on one of the longitudinal ends of each switch element 1 and, on the other hand, a third bearing 11c supported by the other longitudinal end of the element 1. The third bearing 11c is inserted between and aligned with the bearings 11a, 11b opposite the adjacent element 1 the orientation of which is reversed, as shown in Figure 4A. The X axis thus passes through three bearings.

[0036] Each switch element 1 also has a set of longitudinal abutments 12, 13 engaging, on the one hand, with the hinges to adjust the relative angular orientation of the element 1 and with the pivoting bottom rod 2.

[0037] The set of abutments consist, on a first longitudinal end of the element 1 (corresponding here to the one on which the bearing 11c is located), in a pin 13 of variable length and, on a second longitudinal end (corresponding to the one on which the bearings 11a and 11b are located), in a stud 12 intended to support the pin 13 opposite the adjacent switch element 1 of the same tie, as shown in Figure 4A.

[0038] Preferably, longitudinal abutments 12, 13 extend substantially tangentially and at mid-height on the radially outer side of the element 1 beyond the upper running surface S and beyond the bearings 11a, 11b, 11c of the hinges, as shown in Figure 3.

[0039] In addition, the switch element 1 has two cleats 14 for retaining the continuous guiding strip B, which, with its inner side face I, provide an intermediate space wherein the curved concave part of the strip B is accommodated when the tie of hinged switched elements 1 is pivoted in the radially inner direction, as shown in Figure 2B.

[0040] The strip B extends in one piece vertically and along the entire length of the track switchgear by clamping the ties of switch elements 1. Although retained by the cleats 14, the strip B, which is flat at rest, deforms, when the switch is operated, into a concave (element 1a, figure 4A) or convex (element 1b, figure 4A) curvature, depending on the pivoting direction of the ties.

[0041] The outer side face of the element switch 1 has substantially horizontal fins 15 designed to abut against the markers K on the outer edges of the track, so as to limit ties travel, as shown in Figures 3, 5A-5B and 6A-6B.

[0042] The flexible track switchgear, according to the invention, thus consists of two parallel ties of hinged switch elements 1 as described above, each with a end section 3 for connecting with the guard rails at the crossing of the tracks, as illustrated, in particular, by Figure 4B.

[0043] The end sections 3 are hingingly mounted on the switch elements 1 at the ends of the ties and ensure, on the one hand, the joint alignment and locking of the two ties with the crossing guard rails and, on the other hand, the link with devices C for controlling the pivoting of these ties. 8

[0044] The control devices C preferably consist of hydraulic or electric cylinders coupled to linking arms hinged like a pantograph.

[0045] To this end, each of the end sections 3 has, on its outer side edge, a pivot Z having a vertical axis connected to one of the arms of the devices C for controlling the pivoting of the ties and, on its rear longitudinal edge, a hinge 11d and one abutment 31 engaging, respectively, with one of the upper and lower bearings 11a, 11b and one of the abutments 12 of the switch elements 1 located at the ends of the ties, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0046] With this configuration, the switching operation of the track switchgear is carried out by activating the control devices C, which act by pulling or pushing on the end sections 3 of the two ties by moving, in one direction or the other, all the hinged switch elements 1, as shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B.

[0047] The flexible ties of the elements 1 can thus take two extreme positions of curvature represented, respectively, in Figures 5A, 5B and 6A, 6B which correspond to the passage of the train V on one track of the crossing or the other. These two switch positions are defined, on the one hand, by the prior adjustment of the abutments 13 and, on the other hand, by the engagement between the fins 15 of the elements 1 and the fixed markers K of the track.

[0048] The alignment of the two ties of switch elements 1 is then maintained by the action of the rods 2 which are connected at their ends to the hinges of the switch elements 1 (see Figures 1 and 4A).

[0049] To ensure secure locking of the ties linking with the crossing guard rails, each of the end sections 3 is provided with a cavity 30 intended to receive and lock the end of the rod T of different pistons P mounted on the crossing guard rails (of which only the piston of the core of the crossing is shown in Figure 4B). The cavity 30 is formed by a flared inlet portion 30a for the introduction of the rod T and extends inwardly in the form of a blind portion 30b having a restricted diameter, wherein the end of the rod T is blocked.

[0050] Advantageously, the rod T of the piston P is guided in a conduit L so as to facilitate the positioning thereof opposite the flared portion 30a of the cavity 30.

[0051] The variant of the invention illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B corresponds to a flexible track switchgear wherein each of the two ties comprises nine switch elements 1 and is therefore of great length.

[0052] In the variant of the invention illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, the track switchgear consists of ties, each of which comprises only four switch elements 1, and is therefore significantly shorter. In this case, the track switchgear described above is associated with a central switch rail A which is motorized and mounted rotatively in the axial extension of the crossing core. This switch rail A has a traditional structure with a spatulated end branch E alternately aligned with the respective end sections of the two ties. This variant makes it possible to produce switches with larger radii. voie précédemment décrit est associé à une aiguille centrale A qui est motorisée et montée rotative dans le prolongement axial du cœur du croisement. Cette aiguille A présente une structure traditionnelle avec une branche d'extrémité spatulée E venant s'aligner alternativement avec les tronçons d'extrémité respectifs des deux chaînages. Cette variante permet de réaliser des aiguillages de plus grands rayons.

Claims

1. A flexible track switchgear for equipping a track crossing of a track carrying a rubber-tyred train, the track comprising two parallel rails, each having an upper running face for tyres of the rubber- tyred train and an inner side face for guiding the rubber-tyred train, the switch gear comprising two parallel ties of switch elements, each of the switch elements having at least one hinge providing a longitudinal link with an adjacent switch element of the same one of the two parallel ties, wherein said switch elements each have a set of longitudinal abutments engaging with said at least one hinge for adjusting a relative angular orientation of the switch element and with a pivoting bottom rod providing a connection to an alignment with an identical switch element of the other of the two parallel ties arranged symmetrically on an opposite side of the switchgear, two end sections, each hinged on one of the switch elements located at one end of a respective one the two parallel ties, for aligning and locking the two parallel ties with guard rails of the track crossing and for linking the two parallel ties with devices for controlling a pivoting of the two parallel ties, and a central switch rail rotatively mounted in an axial extension of a crossing core and having a spatulated end branch alternately aligned with the respective end sections of the two parallel ties.

2. The flexible track switch gear of claim 1, wherein for each switch element, said at least one hinge is located at one longitudinal end of the switch element, and the switch element comprises a further hinge located at an opposite longitudinal end of the switch element.

3. The flexible track switchgear of claim 1, wherein the inner side face of each of the two parallel rails supports a continuous guide strip for guiding the rubber-tyred train and each switch element comprises two cleats for retaining the continuous guide strip, which, with an inner side face of the continuous guide strip, provides an intermediate space for accommodating the curved part of said continuous guide strip.

4. The flexible track switchgear of claim 1, wherein the set of longitudinal abutments comprises, at a first longitudinal end, a pin of variable length and, at a second longitudinal end, a stud for receiving a support of the pin opposite the adjacent switch element.

5. The flexible track switch gear of claim 1, wherein the inner side face of each of the two parallel rails supports a continuous guide strip for guiding the rubber-tyred train and said at least one hinge is mounted between an inner side face of the continuous guide strip and the set of longitudinal abutments.

6. The flexible track switch gear of claim 1, wherein in an operational position said at least one hinge is mounted below a level of the upper running face.

7. The flexible track switch gear of claim 1, wherein for each switch element, an outer side face of the switch element has substantially horizontal fins intended to come into abutment against markers arranged on outer edges of the track.

8. The flexible track switchgear of claim 1, wherein each of said end sections is provided with a cavity for receiving and locking the end of the piston rod of pistons mounted on the crossing guard rails.

9. The flexible track switchgear of claim 1, wherein each of said end sections has, on an outer side edge, a pivot having a vertical axis connected to one of the devices for controlling the pivoting of the ties.

10. The flexible track switchgear of claim 1, wherein each of said end sections has one abutment engaging with abutments of the respective switch element located at the respective end of the ties.