Automatic traction connector

Abstract

An automatic pulling connector with a connector, comprising a connector housing and a locking device with a limiting device, the locking device being designed as a rotational locking mechanism with a connecting lug and a center piece, wherein the center piece is rotatable about a main axis between a ready-to-connect position, a connected position, and a disengaged position, the connecting lug being connected to the center piece with a first end and having a free second end; the center piece having an opening for accommodating the second end of the connecting lug of the opposing connector; the limiting device comprising a punch and a locking rod; the punch locking the locking rod in a stop position in a first position and releasing the locking rod from the stop position in a second position. The automatic pulling connector is characterized in that the stop position of the locking rod is positioned so that the locking rod moves into the stop position before the center piece reaches the disengaged position of the center piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic traction coupling, in particular to an automatic traction coupling for a freight car of a rail transportation vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Such automatic traction couplings are known in practice and comprise a coupling head with a coupling head housing and a locking mechanism with a limiter. The locking mechanism is designed as a rotary locking mechanism with a coupling lug and a central piece, wherein the central piece is rotatable about a main axis between a ready-to-connect position, a connected position, and a disconnected position, and the coupling lug is rotatably connected to the central piece with a first end about the coupling lug axis and has a free second end. The central piece has an opening for receiving a corresponding second end of a coupling lug of the opposing coupling head.

[0003] The center piece is equipped with a spring accumulator and can be rotated from a connected position into a disconnected position against the force of the spring accumulator and from the disconnected position into a ready-to-connect position and vice versa by the force of the spring accumulator.

[0004] The limiting device fixes the interlocking device in a suitable position or releases it accordingly so that it can be converted to other positions by rotating the center piece. The limiting device has a punch that can be moved in the connection direction of the traction connector against the spring force and a locking rod that can be moved laterally or obliquely relative to the connection direction. The locking rod is connected to the center piece in a hinged manner and is moved by the center piece to a stop position when the center piece rotates from the connection position to the disengagement position. In the stop position, the locking rod prevents the center piece from rotating in the opposite direction, that is, from the disengagement position to the connection position. The punch can also move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the punch has moved against the spring force, in which the punch prevents or locks the locking rod in the stop position. In the second position, the punch has been moved out of the first position by the spring force, in which the punch releases the locking rod from the stop position.

[0005] The working principle of this automatic traction coupling is as follows: Two opposing connectors on the two vehicles to be connected are locked together so that the second ends of the corresponding connecting lugs are inserted into the openings of the corresponding central piece of the other connector and are positively secured there by the rotation of the central piece. This mechanically connects the two vehicles. The two interlocking devices are loaded solely by tensile force, which is evenly distributed to the two connecting lugs within the parallelogram formed by the connecting lugs and the central piece. Conversely, compressive force is transmitted via a special profile on the front side of the connector housing. This profile typically (and preferably also in the present invention) comprises a cone and a funnel surrounded by wide, preferably flat, end faces. This profile can be formed by a separate end plate fixed to the front of the connector housing. The cone and the funnel can form sliding and centering surfaces and define the clamping area, particularly with lateral, height, and angular offsets. When the two connectors come into contact, they are aligned and slide into each other.

[0006] When two rail vehicles move towards each other, their interlocks or their center pieces are in a ready-to-connect position, in which the center piece is held by a locking rod in the locked position. During connection, the cones extend into the funnels of the connecting head housing profile. Here, the cones press the punches and move them back so that they release the locking rods from their locked position. The interlock is thereby released and rotated by the force of the corresponding spring accumulators until the center piece stops at a predetermined stop, usually on the connector housing. Here, the connecting lugs guided in the funnels stop in the center piece openings, the two interlocks hook into each other, and the connected position is achieved. Accidental separation of the interlock is impossible. Normal wear does not impair the safety of the interlock.

[0007] To disengage the coupling, the disengagement device rotates the two interlocking elements, i.e., the two central pieces, against the force of the spring-loaded accumulators until the coupling lugs are guided out of the openings in the central pieces. The rotating central piece moves the locking lever until, when the vehicle is uncoupled, the central piece is prevented from rotating in the reverse direction from the disengaged position beyond the ready-to-connect position by bringing the locking lever into its locking position.

[0008] Written prior art references include GB 419 590A and US 2013 / 0146558 A1. This type of pointed connector is also disclosed in Wikipedia: Scharfenbergkupplung. URL: https: / / de.wikipedia.org / w / index.php?title=scharfenbergkupplung&olded=184854267, version dated January 18, 2019.

[0009] Since both connectors always work together during connection and disconnection, the traction coupling is designed so that the connectors or interlocks can be actuated against each other. For example, when the interlock is released using a manual disconnection device or even an automated disconnection device, the central piece of the interlock rotates against the force of the spring accumulator. This rotation is then transmitted to the opposing central piece via the articulated connection lug on the central piece and the opening of the opposing central piece. The opposing central piece then transmits its rotation to its locking rod, which moves it into its locking position. A problem with known traction couplings is that, particularly for freight vehicles, primarily for lighter vehicles, the inevitable play in the traction coupling or in the clutch joint (for connecting the traction coupling to a rail vehicle) causes the couplings to separate when the rotation is transmitted from the actively actuated connector to the passively actuated connector, while the rotation of the central piece of the connector to release the interlock is still ongoing. In known towing couplings, this results in the following unfavorable situations: although the connecting heads can be separated from one another, at least the passively actuated locking mechanism is not yet locked in the connection-ready position of its central piece by means of its locking lever, but rather the central piece returns to the connection position. This prevents subsequent connection. Furthermore, if the opening of an air line, such as the brake air line, is also coupled to the movement of the locking mechanism, the brake air line can be opened unintentionally. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve such an automatic traction coupling in such a way that even in the case of passively actuated couplings of the type described above, a reliable braking of the central part can be achieved by moving the locking lever into the locking position.

[0011] The above technical problems are solved by an automatic traction connector.

[0012] According to the present invention, an automatic traction coupling, particularly for use in freight cars of rail vehicles, comprises a coupling head comprising a coupling head housing and a locking mechanism with a braking device. The locking mechanism is designed as a rotational locking mechanism comprising a coupling lug (or lug handle, coupling buckle) and a central piece, wherein the central piece is rotatable about a main axis between a ready-to-connect position, a connected position, and a disconnected position. In principle, the disconnected position can be combined with the ready-to-connect position, or, viewed from the connected position, the disconnected position can be located on the other side of the ready-to-connect position relative to the rotation of the central piece.

[0013] The connecting lug is connected to the central piece with a first end so as to be rotatable around the connecting lug axis and has a free second end. The free second end in particular constitutes a transverse latch in order to achieve the lug-shaped shape of the connecting lug.

[0014] The central piece has an opening, which is arranged to receive the second end of the connecting lug of the opposing connecting head, and the central piece can be pivoted from the connected position into the disconnected position against the force of a spring accumulator and at least from the disconnected position into the connected position by the force of the spring accumulator, in particular from the disconnected position into the ready-to-connect position and from the ready-to-connect position into the connected position by the force of the spring accumulator, in particular when the disconnected position does not merge with the ready-to-connect position. In particular, the transverse latch of the connecting lug is inserted into the opening.

[0015] The locking device of the interlocking device comprises a plunger (or plunger) that can be moved in the connection direction of the traction connector against the force of a spring, and a locking rod that can be moved transversely or obliquely relative to the connection direction. The locking rod is articulated (or hinged) to the center piece and is moved by the center piece into a stop position when the center piece is rotated from the connection position to the disconnection position. In this stop position, the locking rod prevents the center piece from rotating from the disconnection position to the connection position.

[0016] In a first position, into which it is moved counter to the spring force, the punch locks the locking lever in a locking position, and when the punch is in a second position, into which it is moved by the spring force, the punch releases the locking lever from the locking position.

[0017] According to the invention, the locking position of the locking lever is positioned, i.e., selected, such that the locking lever has already moved into the locking position before the center piece reaches its disengagement position. In other words, the center piece does not have to be completely rotated out of the connection position into its maximum achievable deflection position in order to move the locking lever into its locking position, in which it occupies the disengagement position. On the contrary, the locking lever reaches the locking position in advance even when the center piece has not yet been rotated as far as possible from the connection position in the direction of the disengagement position. That is, the locking lever has already reached the locking position in a predetermined rotational position of the center piece in the direction of rotation from the connection position to the disengagement position, wherein the predetermined rotational position has a rotational angle difference relative to the rotational position of the center piece in the maximum possible rotational position or rotational state. As a result, the locking lever reaches the locking position earlier than in the prior art. This can be achieved, for example, by the locking lever's locking projection engaging earlier with the locking projection of the guide for the locking lever when the central piece has not yet been completely pivoted out of the connection position to the maximum achievable pivot position of the central piece, in which the central piece assumes the disengaged position. A conventional locking lever can be modified, for example, by positioning its locking projection relatively further from the connection between the locking lever and the central piece and / or positioning the locking projection of the guide relatively closer to the connection between the locking lever and the central piece.

[0018] The solution according to the invention ensures that the locking bar is locked in the mating bearing at least as soon as the punch has been moved from the second position into the first position, even if the central piece connected to the locking bar has not previously been rotated fully in the direction of the disengaged position. This is particularly important for the initiation of passively actuated locking mechanisms, in which the central piece is not rotated directly via an automated disengagement device connected to the central piece or via a manual disengagement device, but rather indirectly via an opposing central piece and a connecting lug connected thereto, or via an opposing central piece and its own connecting lug, which is correspondingly moved by the opposing central piece.

[0019] When speaking of a locking position, this is defined as a displacement position of the locking lever in which the locking lever has been moved sufficiently far in the direction of the punch to engage with the counter-support means (released by the punch in its second position), for example, with a guide of the punch. This means that before the punch releases (locking lever) and the actual engagement with the counter-support means, the locking lever can assume the locking position, which can also be referred to as a locking ready position.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the punch has an opening which at least partially or completely surrounds the locking rod, and the locking rod forms a locking connection with a mating support device, in particular on a guide part of the punch, by means of two mutually engageable stop projections, which can also be referred to as stop flanges, wherein the locking rod can be manipulated by moving the punch from a first position into a second position in order to end the mutual engagement of the stop projections.

[0021] In particular, the locking lever has latching projections that are positioned so as to be moved beyond the latching projections of the mating bearing device when the central piece connected to the locking lever is pivoted out of the connected position into the disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position, i.e., at the maximum deflection of the central piece from the connected position in the direction of disengagement, a spacing is formed between the latching projections in the direction of movement of the locking lever. This makes it particularly clear that the latching position of the locking lever is advantageously positioned such that the locking lever is already moved into the latching position or the latching ready position before the central piece reaches its disengaged position or even disengageable position, so that in the disengaged position of the central piece the locking lever has already been moved, as it were, beyond the latching position.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an elastic spring element is provided, against the spring force of which the locking bar can enter the locking position. In particular, the spring element is positioned so that the locking projections are pressed against each other transversely to the direction of movement of the locking bar so as to engage with each other.

[0023] Preferably, the punch can engage with the locking lever in the region of the opening in such a way that, when the punch is moved from the first position into the second position, the punch moves the locking lever counter to the spring force of the spring element.

[0024] The connection head preferably has a manual release mechanism. According to one embodiment, the manual release mechanism can be accessed for actuation only from one side, transverse to the connection direction. This eliminates the need for complex manual release mechanisms arranged on both sides, and reduces operating time because the present invention ensures that even passively actuated locking mechanisms are always reliably brought into the desired connection-ready position.

[0025] If, until now, a pulse line for transmitting the disengaging pulse has been provided when using a pneumatic disengaging cylinder, in the solution according to the invention, this pulse line for transmitting the disengaging pulse and for supplying the disengaging cylinder of the mating coupler can be omitted, wherein the play initially described in the traction coupling or in the coupler joint can be eliminated by means of the pulse line.

[0026] Even the operating procedures during the separation can be simplified: the braking and squeezing of the vehicles of the longer train before the separation of the transport means can be omitted.

[0027] The solution according to the invention ensures, in particular, an improved geometric arrangement of the locking collar on the locking lever. This ensures that the passively actuated locking mechanism locks both connectors in the connection-ready position during the superposition of the movements consisting of opening the locking mechanism and separating the connectors. This also reliably closes the air connection valve, which is controlled by the locking movement about the main axis. This prevents venting of the main air line and allows the rail vehicle to be brought to a maximum braking stop in the maneuvering area. Previously, releasing the locking mechanism, particularly for longer car units, required filling the air reservoir, which resulted in disadvantageous delays.

[0028] Manual disengagement device for example comprises steel cable or other transmission, and it has at least one chain, connecting rod or lever system.In particular, disengagement motion is transmitted on the disengagement lever by steel cable, and described disengagement lever causes the rotation of corresponding center piece.

[0029] The center piece is particularly supported on the kingpin and is advantageously connected to the kingpin in a rotationally fixed manner so that the center piece also rotates when the kingpin rotates. The kingpin accordingly extends along a main axis and can rotate about the main axis.

[0030] Correspondingly, the manual release device can also act on the kingpin in order to rotate it.

[0031] Manual disconnect devices are used in particular when there is no energy for automated disconnection, for example in towing couplings on freight cars.

[0032] Disengagement, ie, opening of the locking device, can therefore also take place directly at the connection head at the car body end.

[0033] As described above, if the rotation of the locking device with the manual release device is transmitted to the opposite coupling head, then the additional operation of the manual release device of the opposite coupling head is no longer necessary.

[0034] The rail vehicle according to the invention has an automatic traction coupling of the aforementioned type.

[0035] In particular, a rail transport vehicle comprises a plurality of carriages - motor cars and / or passenger cars / trucks - which are each connected by means of an automatic traction coupling according to the invention, wherein each automatic traction coupling has two corresponding coupling heads, wherein the central part of a (passively actuated) interlocking device is indirectly influenced by the rotation of the central part of another (actively actuated) interlocking device in that the rotation is transmitted via a connecting lug. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0037] in:

[0038] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing an automatic pulling connector according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a traction connector according to the invention is shown having two interconnected connecting heads;

[0040] Figure 3 Shows an oblique rear view and an oblique front view of the connecting head of the towing connector according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing two connecting heads of an automatic pulling connector in a connected position;

[0042] Figure 5 Shown in disengaged position Figure 4 Connector;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing two connecting heads when transmitting rotation from the center piece of the actively operated linkage to the center piece of the passively operated linkage;

[0044] Figure 7 Shows the position of the locking rod of a passively operated interlock device according to the prior art when disengaged;

[0045] Figure 8 The corresponding position of the locking lever is shown in the case of a coupling head of a towing coupling according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] exist Figure 1 Schematically depicts an embodiment of an automatic traction coupling according to the invention in the ready-to-connect position of the locking device 3 or its center piece 6. Specifically, the automatic traction coupling comprises a coupling head 1, which comprises a coupling head housing 2 and a locking device 3. The locking device 3 is designed as a rotary locking mechanism and comprises a center piece 6, to which a connecting lug 5 is connected so as to be rotatable about a connecting lug axis 8. The center piece 6 can in turn be rotated about a main axis 7. To this end, the center piece 6 is supported on a main pin 19 and is connected to it in a torque-proof manner.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, on the one hand, a manual disengagement device 4 acts on the kingpin 19 for manually disengaging the locking device 3. On the other hand, an actuator 20 of a valve (not shown in detail here) of a compressed air line, in particular a brake air line HL, can be controlled via the kingpin 19 so that when the locking device 3 is rotated into the connected position, the valve is opened, and when the locking device 3 is rotated into the disengaged position or the ready-to-connect position, the valve is closed.

[0048] The connecting lug 5 has a first end 5.1, at which it is rotatably connected to the central piece 6, and an opposite second end 5.2, which can be clipped into an opening 9 of the central piece 6 of the opposite connecting head 1, so that the two connecting heads 1 are mechanically locked to each other, e.g. Figure 2 and 4 Correspondingly, the connecting lug 5 has a transverse locking bolt, not shown in greater detail here, at its second end 5 . 2 .

[0049] The central piece 6 of each connector 1 can resist the force of the spring accumulator 10 from the disengaged position ( Figure 5 ) to the connected position ( Figure 4 ) or the connection ready position ( Figure 1 ), the spring energy accumulator 10 is constituted by one or more tension springs, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 shown.

[0050] Each connector 1 has a plunger 11 that can be moved in the connection direction of the traction connector, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connector 1. The plunger 11 can be moved linearly in a guide 15 between a first position and a second position. The plunger 11 cooperates with a locking rod 12, which is articulated with one axial end to the central piece 6 and is Figure 8As shown, the locking rod extends through the opening 13 of the punch 11. Furthermore, the locking rod 12 has a latching projection 16 in the region of the opening 13, which can engage with a latching projection 17 in order to prevent the locking rod 12 from moving from its second end in the direction of its first end connected to the central piece 6 and thereby prevent a corresponding rotation of the central piece 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching projection 17 is provided on the guide element 15, which forms a mating bearing 14 for establishing a latching connection with the locking rod 12.

[0051] The elastic spring element 18 acts on the locking rod 12 to cause the two stop projections 16 and 17 to engage. Conversely, when the punch 11 is moved from the first position to the second position, the punch releases the locking rod 12 from the stop connection with the mating support device 14 against the force of the spring element 18.

[0052] Thus, in the second position of the punch 11 , the central piece 6 is rotated by the force of the spring accumulator 10 , whereas this rotation is blocked in the locking position of the locking lever 12 .

[0053] Each connection head 1 has a profile on its free end side with a cone 21 and a funnel 22. The cone 21 and the funnel 22 are surrounded by a flat end face 23. In the embodiment shown, the profile or end face 23 is formed by an end plate 24, which can be designed to be integrated with the connection head housing 2 or can be separately connected to the connection head housing 2.

[0054] exist Figure 1 , the connection-ready position of the connection head 1 or the locking device 3 is shown. If the two connection heads 1 are moved toward each other in this position, the cone 21 extends into the funnel 22 and presses from the front onto the punch 11, so that the punch 11 moves from its first position to its second position and releases the locking connection of the locking rod 12 with the mating support device 14. The second end 5.2 of the connecting lug 5 is moved into the opening 9 of the center piece 6, and the center piece 6, which is no longer locked by the locking rod 12, is released from the opening 9 due to the force of the spring accumulator 10. Figure 1 The connection ready position shown in Figure 4 In the connection position shown in FIG, in the connection position, the center piece 6 in particular stops on the connector housing 2. Here, the connection lug 8 guided in the funnel body 22 is latched in the center piece opening 9 and the two locking devices 3 are hooked to each other internally.

[0055] The locking device 3 is loaded only by tension, whereas compression is transmitted via the end face 23 .

[0056] To disconnect the coupling 1, an automated disconnecting device or a manual disconnecting device 4 rotates the central piece 6 of the actively actuated locking device 3 against the force of the spring-energy accumulator 10. Here, the connecting lug 5 of the actively actuated locking device 3 transmits the rotation of the central piece 6 to the central piece 6 of the passively actuated locking device 3 via the opening 9, so that the central piece 6 of the passively actuated locking device 3 also rotates against the force of the spring-energy accumulator 10. Alternatively or additionally, the central piece 6 of the actively actuated locking device 3 transmits the rotation to the connecting lug 5 of the passively actuated locking device 3, so that the central piece 6 of the passively actuated locking device 3 is also rotated.

[0057] When the center piece 6 Figure 5 When the rotation in the direction of the disengagement position shown in continues far enough, the connecting lug 5 slides over the opening 9 of the center piece 6 and the locking rod 12 is brought into its stop position, in which when the punch 11 (when the connecting head 1 is separated from each other) is moved into its first position, a stop connection between the locking rod 12 and the mating support device 14 can be established, i.e. the two stop projections 16, 17 hook into each other in a shape-fitting manner.

[0058] exist Figure 7 In the prior art shown, the locking position is still selected so that if the central part 6 of the passively actuated locking device 3 is not rotated far enough into the disengaged position, the locking rod 12 of the passively actuated locking device 3 will not reach this locking position, so that if the locking connection between the locking rod 12 and the mating support device 14 or between the two locking projections 16, 17 has not yet been established, the central part 6 can be rotated back in the direction of the connected position. In contrast, in the solution according to the invention, if Figure 8 As shown in FIG, the locking lever 12 has reached its stop position when the center piece 6 has not yet been rotated to the maximum achievable angle in the direction of the disengaged position. Therefore, when the center piece 6 is not rotated to the maximum extent from the connected position to the disengaged position, the locking lever 12 is more reliably engaged in the mating support device 14. For example, Figure 7 Compared to the design scheme, the stop projection 16 on the locking rod 12 is positioned relatively further away from the articulated connection of the locking rod 12 on the center piece 6, and / or the stop projection 17 on the guide piece 15 is positioned relatively closer to the articulated connection of the locking rod 12 on the center piece 6.

[0059] The stop position of the locking lever 12 is reached more securely, even in Figure 1 The ready-to-connect position shown in is thus also always reliably maintained.

[0060] exist Figure 63 shows again how the central piece 6 of the actively actuated locking mechanism 3 transmits its rotation via the connecting lug 5 of the passively actuated locking mechanism 3 to the central piece 6 of the passively actuated locking mechanism 3. It is also shown that the rotation of the two central pieces 6 does not necessarily have to be completely synchronized, but rather that the central piece 6 of the passively actuated locking mechanism 3 lags slightly behind the rotation of the central piece 6 of the actively actuated locking mechanism 3. Accordingly, the locking lever 12 of the actively actuated locking mechanism 3 moves its locking projection 16 further beyond the locking projection 17 than the locking lever 12 of the passively actuated locking mechanism 3.

[0061] However, due to the solution according to the invention, this comparatively smaller rotation of the central part 6 of the passively actuated locking device 3 is sufficient to bring the locking lever 12 of the passively actuated locking device 3 into its locking position.

[0062] List of reference numerals:

[0063] 1 connector

[0064] 2 connector housing

[0065] 3 interlocking devices

[0066] 4Manual release device

[0067] 5 connecting lugs

[0068] 5.1 First End

[0069] 5.2 Second End

[0070] 6 center pieces

[0071] 7 Main axis

[0072] 8Connecting lug axis

[0073] 9 openings

[0074] 10 Spring accumulator

[0075] 11 punch

[0076] 12 locking rods

[0077] 13 openings

[0078] 14 Cooperating support device

[0079] 15 guides

[0080] 16 stop protrusion

[0081] 17 stop protrusion

[0082] 18 Elastic spring element

[0083] 19 Kingpin

[0084] 20 actuators

[0085] 21 cones

[0086] 22 Funnel

[0087] 23 end face

[0088] 24 end plates

Claims

1. An automatic traction connector, 1.1 It has a connector (1), which includes a connector housing (2) and a locking device (3) with a limit device, 1.2 The interlocking device (3) is designed as a rotary locking mechanism with a connecting lug (5) and a center piece (6), wherein the center piece (6) can be rotated around a main axis (7) between a ready-to-connect position, a connected position and a disconnected position, and the connecting lug (5) is rotatably connected to the center piece (6) with a first end around a connecting lug axis (8), and the connecting lug (5) has a free second end (5.2); 1.3 The center piece (6) has an opening (9) for receiving the second end (5.2) of the connecting lug (5) of the opposite connecting head (1), and the center piece (6) can be rotated from the connecting position to the disconnecting position against the force of the spring accumulator (10) and can be rotated from the disconnecting position to the connecting position by the force of the spring accumulator (10), wherein 1.4 The limiting device comprises a punch (11) that can move along the connection direction of the traction connector against a spring force and a locking rod (12) that can move laterally or obliquely relative to the connection direction. 1.5 The locking rod (12) is articulatedly connected to the center piece (6) and is moved into a stop position by the center piece (6) when the center piece is rotated from the connection position to the disengagement position, in which the locking rod (12) prevents the center piece (6) from rotating from the disengagement position to the connection position; wherein, 1.6 The punch (11) locks the locking rod (12) in a stop position when it is moved to a first position against a spring force, and releases the locking rod (12) from the stop position when it is moved to a second position due to the spring force; It is characterized in that 1.7 The stop position of the locking rod (12) is positioned so that the locking rod (12) moves into the stop position before the center piece (6) reaches the disengagement position of the center piece (6).

2. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that The punch (11) has an opening (13) which at least partially or completely surrounds the locking rod (12), and the locking rod (12) and the matching support device (14) on the guide (15) of the punch (11) form a locking connection by means of two mutually engageable locking protrusions, wherein the locking rod (12) can be operated by moving the punch (11) from a first position to a second position in order to end the mutual engagement of the stop protrusions.

3. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 2, characterized in that The locking rod (12) has a stop projection which is positioned so as to be moved beyond the stop projection (17) of the mating support device when the center piece (6) is rotated from the connected position to the disengaged position, wherein in the disengaged position a spacing is formed between the stop projections along the movement direction of the locking rod (12).

4. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 2, characterized in that An elastic spring element (18) is provided, and the locking lever (12) can be brought into a locking position against the spring force of the spring element.

5. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 4, characterized in that The spring element (18) is positioned so as to press the stop projections against each other transversely to the movement direction of the locking rod (12) so as to engage with each other.

6. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 5, characterized in that The punch (11) can engage with the locking rod (12) in the region of the opening (13) so that when the punch is moved from a first position to a second position, the punch moves the locking rod (12) counter to the spring force of the spring element (18).

7. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that The connector (1) has a manual disengagement device (4).

8. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 7, characterized in that The manual release device (4) is accessible only from one side transverse to the connection direction.

9. The automatic pulling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that A traction coupling is an automatic traction coupling for freight cars of rail transportation vehicles. 10 . A rail vehicle having an automatic traction coupling according to claim 1 .

11. The rail vehicle according to claim 10, comprising two corresponding connecting heads (1), wherein: The center piece (6) of one connecting head (1) can be actively rotated into its disengaged position, and the center piece (6) of the other connecting head (1) can be passively rotated into its disengaged position, in that the connecting lug (5) connected to it or to the other center piece (6) transmits the rotation of the center piece (6) of the actively operated interlocking device (3) to the center piece (6) of the passively operated interlocking device (3).

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