Rail vehicle adapter for connecting a rail vehicle body to a bearing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rail vehicle adapter (14) for radially connecting a rail vehicle body to a bearing (16), and includes an adapter body (40). The rail vehicle adapter (14) includes two channel elements (42, 44), each channel element (42, 44) having a pair of opposing lugs (42b, 42c) and a lateral guiding surface (42a) perpendicular to the opposing lugs (42b, 42c), thereby forming a lateral channel adapted to cooperate with the rail vehicle body. The lateral channel elements (42, 44) are mounted in transverse slots (58) on the lateral surfaces (54, 56) of the adapter body (40).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bearing adapters for rail vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Rail vehicles generally include a bogie frame, which is provided with a pair of side frames on each side. The side frames have jaws that open downward. The bearing adapter can move vertically within the jaws and is placed on a bearing mounted on a rail vehicle axle that supports the wheels of the rail vehicle. Thus, the bearing adapter provides a rigid connection between the bogie frame of the rail vehicle and the bearing. Generally, the bearing for the rail vehicle axle is assembled around a journal at the end of the rail vehicle axle, where the bearing is installed between a backing ring and an end cap.

[0003] However, the rail vehicle adapter can move relative to the bearing. When the rail vehicle travels on a curved rail track, the rail vehicle adapter may become misaligned relative to the bearing. This can cause undesired wear of some components, particularly the lugs in the lateral channels of the lugs that engage the jaws of the bogie frame, thereby reducing their service life.

[0004] When the bearing is of the rolling bearing type, the load applied by the bogie frame through the adapter may not be well distributed on the bearing, especially on the rolling elements. This can cause wear on the inner and outer surfaces of the rail vehicle adapter and failure of the bearing.

[0005] Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a rail vehicle adapter that is easy to manufacture, has reduced costs, and is advantageously capable of adapting to rail vehicles with bogie frames of different design dimensions.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention address these and other problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a rail vehicle adapter for radially connecting a rail vehicle body to a bearing. The rail vehicle adapter includes two positive flanges that project inwardly relative to an inner surface and, together with the inner surface, define a housing for the bearing. The rail vehicle adapter includes an inner surface that serves as a bearing seat for the bearing. The rail vehicle adapter includes an outer surface adapted to come into direct contact with the rail vehicle body in the radial direction.

[0008] According to the present invention, the rail vehicle adapter includes an adapter body having two lateral surfaces, and at least one of the lateral surfaces is provided with a transverse groove. The rail vehicle adapter further includes at least one channel element provided with a pair of opposing lugs and a lateral guiding surface perpendicular to the opposing lugs, thereby defining a lateral channel adapted to cooperate with the rail vehicle body, and the channel element is mounted in the transverse groove of the adapter body. The transverse length of the transverse groove is strictly greater than the transverse length of the corresponding channel element.

[0009] This rail vehicle adapter with a separate channel element is easy to install. The adapter body of the rail vehicle adapter can be standardized, and the channel element can be adjusted according to application characteristics. In addition, the channel element can slide within the transverse groove, thus compensating for any relative misalignment between the rail vehicle body and the bearing.

[0010] According to other advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the present invention, such a rail vehicle adapter may include one or more of the following features:

[0011] For example, the inner surface has a recessed shape with a constant radius so as to be located on the bearing.

[0012] The lateral guiding surface of the channel element is curved in a section through a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the bearing.

[0013] The lateral guiding surface of the lateral channel is cylindrical.

[0014] The lateral guiding surface of the lateral channel is spherical.

[0015] Each of the transverse grooves includes a bottom surface, and each bottom surface is curved in a section through a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the bearing.

[0016] The bottom surface is cylindrical.

[0017] The bottom surface is spherical.

[0018] The inner surfaces of the opposing lugs of the channel element are curved in a section through a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the bearing.

[0019] The inner surface of the lug is cylindrical.

[0020] The inner surface of the lug is spherical.

[0021] The adapter body is made of metal, for example, made of metal by casting. For example, the adapter body is made of cast steel or cast iron.

[0022] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a rail vehicle adapter assembly, the rail vehicle adapter assembly including a rail vehicle adapter according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, a bearing mounted inside the rail vehicle adapter, a spacer ring adapted to axially contact the bearing at a first side, and an end cap assembly adapted to axially contact the bearing at another side opposite to the first side.

[0023] In one embodiment, the bearing includes at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring mounted to radially contact an inner surface of the rail vehicle adapter.

[0024] In one embodiment, the bearing includes at least one row of rolling elements configured between raceways provided on the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0025] In one embodiment, the inner ring of the bearing is manufactured as two components axially separated by an axial spacer.

[0026] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a rail vehicle axle, the rail vehicle axle including a rail vehicle adapter assembly according to any one of the foregoing embodiments and a shaft rotatably mounted inside the bearing relative to the rail vehicle adapter about a rotation axis. The shaft includes a first end radially mounted inside the spacer ring and a second end opposite to the first end fixed to the end cap assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when considering the detailed description of non - restrictive embodiments and the drawings, wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail vehicle axle according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an axial cross - sectional view of the rail vehicle axle of

[0030] Figure 3 is for Figure 1 a perspective exploded view of a rail vehicle adapter of the rail vehicle axle of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a railcar axle 10 is provided for coupling a truck frame of a rail vehicle to wheels (not shown). The railcar axle 10 includes a shaft 12 (in Figure 2shown in dashed lines), the shaft 12 is rotatably mounted relative to the rail vehicle adapter 14 about a rotational axis X10. The rail vehicle adapter 14 is fixed to the rail vehicle bogie frame (frame), and the shaft 12 is fixed to the wheel.

[0032] The bearing 16 is disposed radially between the rail vehicle adapter 14 and the shaft 12. As Figure 2 shown, the bearing 16 is of the rolling bearing type and includes an inner ring 18 mounted on the shaft 12, an outer ring 20 mounted inside the rail vehicle adapter 14, and two rows of rolling elements 22a, 22b disposed between the raceways provided on the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20. For example, the rolling elements 22a, 22b are rollers. For example, the inner ring 18 is manufactured as two components axially separated by an axial spacer 24. In this embodiment, the bearing 16 is a tapered roller bearing.

[0033] The bearing 16 is also provided with sealing members 26, 28 at both axial ends. The sealing members 26, 28 enclose the radial space defined between the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20. The rolling elements 22a, 22b are disposed in the sealed radial space.

[0034] The rail vehicle adapter 14 is fixed to the outer ring 20 through its radial inner side or bearing seat side (or inner surface) 30, and is mounted on the inner side of the bogie frame through its radial outer side or frame seat side (or outer surface) 32.

[0035] The shaft 12 includes a journal 12a and a dust guard having a cylindrical surface 12b, and the diameter of the cylindrical surface 12b is larger than the diameter of the journal 12a. A recessed fillet 12c connects the cylindrical surface 12b on the journal 12a. The inner ring 18 of the bearing is mounted on the journal 12a.

[0036] As shown, the rail vehicle axle 10 further includes a spacer ring 34 having an inner surface 34a adapted to contact the outer surface of the shaft 12 radially at the side of the fillet 12c and contact the inner ring 18 of the bearing 16 axially. Accordingly, the inner surface 34a of the spacer ring 34 has a fillet shape that is almost complementary to the fillet shape of the fillet 12c.

[0037] The rail vehicle axle 10 further includes an end cap assembly 38. The end cap assembly 38 includes an end cap 38a that is arranged to act as a stop element in the case where the shaft 12 translates leftward relative to the inner ring 18 (relative to Figure 2 ). Therefore, the end cap 38a is reliably fixed to the journal 12 by three cap screws 38b and contacts the inner ring 18 of the bearing 16 axially.

[0038] As Figure 3As shown in detail above, the rail vehicle adapter 14 includes an adapter body 40.

[0039] The body 40 of the rail vehicle adapter 14 includes two front surfaces 46, 48, two lateral surfaces 54, 56, an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32. The inner surface 30 serves as a bearing seat that contacts the outer ring 20 of the bearing 16 in the radial direction, and the outer surface 32 serves as a frame seat that contacts the bogie frame in the radial direction.

[0040] The inner surface 30 has a concave shape with a constant radius, so as to be located on the outer cylindrical surface of the outer ring 20 of the bearing 16.

[0041] The front surfaces 46, 48 are respectively provided with a first front flange 50 and a second front flange 52 that point inward in the radial direction. The flanges 50, 52 project inward in the radial direction relative to the inner surface 30. The flanges 50, 52 are opposite to each other in the axial direction. The flanges 50, 52 and the inner surface 30 together define a housing for the outer ring 20 of the bearing 16. The outer ring 20 is axially disposed between the flanges 50, 52.

[0042] According to the present invention, two opposite lateral surfaces 54, 56 are respectively provided with transverse grooves 58. Only the transverse groove 58 of the lateral surface 54 will be further described, and the transverse grooves of the opposite lateral surface 56 are the same. The transverse groove 58 extends transversely between the opposite front surfaces 46, 48. The transverse groove 58 is defined by a pair of opposite side walls 58b, 58c and a bottom surface 58a perpendicular to the side walls.

[0043] The rail vehicle adapter 14 is provided with a pair of channel elements mounted to the adapter body 40. The first channel element 42 is mounted in the transverse groove 58 provided in the lateral surface 54 of the adapter body 40. The second channel element 44 is mounted in the transverse groove provided in the opposite lateral surface 56 of the adapter body 40. Only the first channel element 42 will be further described, and the second channel element 44 is the same.

[0044] The first channel element 42 is axially defined by a pair of opposite lugs 42b, 42c and a lateral guiding surface 42a perpendicular to the lugs. The first channel element 42 forms a lateral channel having a U-shaped shape and adapted to engage with the lugs of the jaws (not shown) of the bogie frame, thereby serving as an insertion guide between the adapter and the bogie frame.

[0045] Advantageously, the transverse length of the transverse groove 58 is strictly greater than the transverse length of the corresponding first channel element 42. Thus, the first channel element 42 can slide in the transverse groove 58, in particular when there is a relative misalignment / deviation / misalignment between the bogie frame and the adapter. The position of the first channel element 42 in the adapter body 40 moves relative to the relative position between the bogie frame and the bearing 16.

[0046] Advantageously, the bottom surface 58a of the transverse groove 58 is curved in a section by a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis X10 of the bearing 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral guiding surface 42a of the channel element is flat. The bottom surface 58a is cylindrical. As an option, the bottom surface may be spherical.

[0047] The bogie frame includes lugs of the jaws that engage and abut against the flat lateral guiding surface 42a within the lateral channel 42 of the rail vehicle adapter 14. In the case of a relative misalignment between the bogie frame and the bearing 16, the channel element can slide in the corresponding transverse groove 58 and can rotate onto the curved bottom surface 58a of the transverse groove 58. Thus, the misalignment is compensated. Any displacement of the adapter body 40 relative to the bearing 16 is prevented. When the bearing is of the rolling bearing type, the load applied by the bogie frame through the adapter is evenly distributed on the bearing, in particular evenly distributed on the rolling elements. This configuration increases the service life of the rail vehicle adapter and the bearing by reducing wear.

[0048] As an option (not shown), the bottom surface 58a of the transverse groove 58 is flat and the lateral guiding surface 42a of the channel element is curved.

[0049] Advantageously, the inner surfaces of the opposing lugs 42b, 42c of the first channel element 42 are curved in a section by a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis X10 of the bearing 16 and form swivelling means. For example, the surfaces may be cylindrical or spherical.

[0050] The adapter body 40 is made of metal by any suitable process, such as by casting for example. For example, the body 40 is made of steel or cast iron.

[0051] The channel element is made of metal by any suitable process, such as by casting for example. For example, the channel element is made of steel or cast iron. As an option, the channel element is made of plastic or polymeric material.

[0052] It should be noted that the embodiments shown and described are given by way of non-limiting illustrative examples only, and modifications, combinations and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0053] The present invention has been illustrated based on a rolling bearing provided with at least one row of rolling elements arranged radially between an inner ring and an outer ring. As an alternative, the bearing may be a plain bearing or a sliding bearing including one or two rings.

Claims

1. An on-rail vehicle adapter (14) for radially connecting an on-rail vehicle body to a bearing (16), the on-rail vehicle adapter (14) comprising: An inner surface (30) serving as a bearing seat for the bearing (16), Two positive flanges (50, 52) projecting inwards relative to the inner surface (30) and defining a housing for the bearing (16) together with the inner surface (30), An outer surface (32) adapted to be in direct contact with the on-rail vehicle body radially, Wherein the on-rail vehicle adapter (14) includes an adapter body (40), the adapter body (40) having two lateral surfaces (54, 56), at least one of the lateral surfaces being provided with a transverse groove (58), Wherein the on-rail vehicle adapter (14) further includes at least one channel element (42, 44), the channel element (42, 44) being provided with a pair of opposite lugs (42b, 42c) and a lateral guiding surface (42a) perpendicular to the opposite lugs (42b, 42c), thereby defining a lateral channel adapted to cooperate with the on-rail vehicle body, and the channel element (42, 44) is mounted in the transverse groove (58) of the adapter body (40) in a manner capable of sliding within the transverse groove (58), Wherein the transverse length of the transverse groove (58) is strictly greater than the transverse length of the corresponding channel element (42, 44).

2. The rail vehicle adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that The lateral guiding surface (42a) of the channel element (42, 44) is curved in a cross-section passing through a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the bearing (16).

3. The rail vehicle adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Each of the transverse grooves (58) includes a bottom surface, and each bottom surface is curved in a cross-section passing through a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the bearing (16).

4. The rail vehicle adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner surfaces of the opposite lugs (42b, 42c) of the channel element (42, 44) are curved in a cross-section passing through a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the bearing (16).

5. The rail vehicle adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner surfaces of the opposite lugs (42b, 42c) of the channel element (42, 44) are curved in a cross-section passing through a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the bearing (16).

6. An on-rail vehicle adapter assembly, comprising the on-rail vehicle adapter (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, a bearing (16) mounted inside the on-rail vehicle adapter (14), a cushion ring (34) adapted to be in axial contact with the bearing (16) on a first side, and an end cap assembly (38) adapted to be in axial contact with the bearing (16) on the other side opposite to the first side.

7. An on-rail vehicle axle (10), comprising the on-rail vehicle adapter assembly according to claim 6 and a shaft (12), the shaft (12) being rotatably mounted inside the bearing (16) relative to the on-rail vehicle adapter (14) about a rotation axis, the shaft (12) including a first end (12c) mounted radially inside the cushion ring (34) and a second end (12a) opposite to the first end (12c) fixed to the end cap assembly (38).

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