Railway vehicle bogie element and related railway vehicle bogie

Abstract

The invention relates to a railway vehicle bogie element (12; 14) comprising two plates (16, 18; 30, 32) facing each other, and a spacer (20; 34) extending between the two plates (16, 18; 30, 32) and connected at its ends (40, 42) to each plate (16, 18; 30, 32). The spacer (20; 34) is a free-standing strut, the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers (20; 34) positioned along the width of the plates being less than the width of the corresponding plates (16, 18; 30, 32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bogie element of a railway vehicle bogie, comprising two plates facing each other and a spacer extending between the two plates and connected at its ends to each plate. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a railway vehicle bogie frame consists of two longitudinal beams connected by at least one crossbeam. The longitudinal and crossbeams are manufactured using mechanically welded box-section structures. Each box section includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and two side plates. These four plates are welded together. The box sections are then welded together to form the frame.

[0003] However, this frame design with a mechanically welded closed structure is not entirely satisfactory, especially in terms of ease of production.

[0004] In reality, the manufacturing of this type of box-shaped cross-section is difficult to automate and requires many manual operations that are neither ergonomic nor economical.

[0005] Furthermore, in the event of manufacturing defects, this structure is difficult to repair because it is impossible to open the box-shaped section without damaging the entire structure.

[0006] In addition, this enclosed box-shaped cross-section structure has significant weight and restricts the passage of fittings and equipment such as pipes or wiring.

[0007] Moreover, this manufacturing process remains limited in terms of automation, especially when mechanical welding is used, which requires a large number of adjustment operations.

[0008] To overcome these drawbacks, an open structural frame consisting of longitudinal beams with "I"-shaped cross-sections is known to be designed, either through mechanical welding or as a one-piece molding process.

[0009] However, this manufacturing process remains expensive. In practice, for example, when molding such longitudinal beams as a single piece, different molds must be created for each type and size of longitudinal beam. Furthermore, additional molds must be created for the crossbeams. Alternatively, a single mold must be created for the entire frame. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide an open-structure railway vehicle bogie element that can be manufactured and automated economically.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention relates to a bogie element of the above-mentioned type of railway vehicle bogie, characterized in that the spacer is an independent support, and the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers positioned along the same width of the plate is less than the width of the corresponding plate.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the railway vehicle bogie element according to the invention includes one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically feasible combination: - Each end of each spacer includes an end tenon extending from the middle portion and separated from the middle portion by a shoulder, and each plate includes a through hole for receiving the end tenon, with the shoulder abutting against the respective plate; - Each spacer becomes thinner in its middle section; - The middle portion of each spacer includes a central opening; - The ends of the spacers are fixed to the plate by welding; - At least one of the ends of the spacer is welded by a full penetration weld; and - The spacers are arranged in an alternating pattern between the two plates.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a railway vehicle bogie, including a bogie frame comprising: Two longitudinal beams, each extending longitudinally and opposite to each other, and At least one crossbeam extends laterally and connects two longitudinal beams to each other. At least one of the two longitudinal beams and / or the crossbeam is a bogie element as described above.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, the railway vehicle bogie according to the invention includes one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically feasible combination: Each of the two longitudinal beams and the crossbeam is a bogie element as described above; The bogie consists of two single plates, each defining one plate for each longitudinal beam and one plate for each crossbeam; The two plates of the longitudinal beam are spaced apart from each other along the height direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal beam; The bogie includes a load-bearing crossbeam, which is a bogie element as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a railway vehicle bogie according to the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the longitudinal beam of the bogie frame of the railway vehicle along plane P; and Figure 3 and Figure 4 Is with Figure 2 The views with the same central view are the second and third embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 A bogie 8 is shown, which is intended to equip railway vehicles and includes at least one bogie element.

[0017] Figure 1 The bogie 8 in the bogie includes the bogie frame 10.

[0018] The bogie frame 10 includes two longitudinal beams 12 and at least one crossbeam 14 connecting the two longitudinal beams 12 together. The longitudinal beams 12 and the crossbeam 14 are bogie elements.

[0019] Each of the longitudinal beams 12 extends longitudinally and is opposite to each other. They are spaced apart in the transverse direction where the crossbeams 14 extend.

[0020] Each longitudinal beam 12 includes a first plate 16 and a second plate 18 facing each other, and a spacer 20 extending between the two plates 16, 18 and connected at its ends to each plate 16, 18.

[0021] Each plate 16, 18 defines an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24. The inner surfaces 22 of the two plates 16, 18 face each other.

[0022] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention shown, the two plates 16 and 18 of the longitudinal beam 12 are spaced apart from each other along a height direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal beam 12. The first plate 16 is the upper plate, and the second plate 18 is the lower plate.

[0023] The longitudinal beam 12 does not include the side plates. Therefore, each longitudinal beam 12 has an open structure.

[0024] In a variant not shown, the two plates 16 and 18 are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. The two plates 16 and 18 are side plates.

[0025] In this embodiment, each longitudinal beam 12 does not include a lower plate or an upper plate.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, each longitudinal beam 12 forms two goosenecks 26. Each gooseneck 26 is defined by a double-curved profile in opposite directions relative to the plates 16, 18.

[0027] Except for the gooseneck 26, the longitudinal beam 12 defines the straight section 28, so each plate 16, 18 extends basically flat, and more specifically extends along the horizontal plane.

[0028] Alternatively, the longitudinal beam 12 does not include the gooseneck, so each plate 16, 18 extends substantially flat along its entire length.

[0029] Each plate is 16 or 18, for example, manufactured by cutting and bending metal sheets.

[0030] Spacer 20 is arranged in the straight section 28 of the longitudinal beam 12, not in the gooseneck 26.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the reinforcing member 29 is advantageously installed at the gooseneck 26 between the two plates 16 and 18 in order to enhance the bending resistance of the gooseneck 26.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the crossbeam 14 is fixed to each longitudinal beam 12 by welding, and more specifically to the straight section 28 of the longitudinal beam 12 located between the two goosenecks 26.

[0033] Preferably, the crossbeam 14 has a structure similar to that of the longitudinal beam 12.

[0034] In other words, the crossbeam 14 includes two plates 30, 32 facing each other and a spacer 34 extending between the two plates 30, 32 and connected to each plate at its end.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the bogie frame 10 includes two single plates, each defining a plate 16, 18 for each longitudinal beam 12 and a plate 30, 32 for each crossbeam 14.

[0036] In other words, the first single plate defines the first plate 30 of the crossbeam 14 and the first plate 16 of each longitudinal beam 12, and the second single plate defines the second plate 32 of the crossbeam 14 and the second plate 18 of each longitudinal beam 12.

[0037] This embodiment with two plates simplifies the manufacture of the frame 10 by avoiding additional welds connecting the crossbeam 14 and the longitudinal beam 12.

[0038] Spacers 20 and 34 are independent supports that extend between the first plates 16 and 30 and the second plates 18 and 32, and more particularly between the inner surfaces 22 of the plates.

[0039] In other words, spacers 20 and 34 are independent of each other and spaced apart from each other.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention shown, the spacers 20 and 34 extend along the height direction.

[0041] Each spacer 20 is a support with a circular cross-section and a maximum diameter of less than 40 mm.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, spacers 20 and 34 are arranged in a row between two corresponding plates 16, 18, 30, and 32.

[0043] Several spacers 20, 34 are positioned along the width of plates 16, 18, 30, 32 while remaining spaced apart from each other, and preferably kept away from the edges of plates 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0044] The sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers 20 and 34 positioned along the same width of plates 16, 18, 30, and 32 is less than the width of the corresponding plates 16, 18, 30, and 32, and is preferably less than half the width of the corresponding plates 16, 18, 30, and 32.

[0045] Advantageously, spacers 20 and 34 are arranged in an alternating manner between the two corresponding plates 16, 18, 30, and 32.

[0046] The open space 36 is defined between plates 16, 18, 30, and 32, corresponding to the empty area between spacers 20 and 34.

[0047] In some specific embodiments, fittings or equipment such as pipes, cables, tanks or sensors are housed in the open space 36 while remaining accessible from the outside.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, each spacer 20, 34 includes a middle portion 38 extending between a first end 40 and a second end 42, with the first end 40 fixed to the first plate 16, 30 and the second end 42 fixed to the second plate 18, 32.

[0049] Each end 40, 42 of each spacer 20, 34 includes an end tenon 44 extending from the middle portion 38 and separated from the middle portion 38 by a flange 46.

[0050] The middle portion 38 of each spacer 20, 34 is thus defined between the flanges 46 of the two ends 40, 42.

[0051] Each spacer 20, 34 is advantageously thinned in its middle portion 38.

[0052] In other words, the diameter of spacers 20 and 34 in their middle portion 38 is smaller than the diameter of spacers 20 and 34 at their ends 40 and 42.

[0053] The optimized shape of the central section 38 is designed to modify the stress distribution and reduce the level of these stresses in the welded joint.

[0054] The middle portion 38 may include a central opening 48.

[0055] The center opening 48 is a through opening used to secure pipes or cables passing through the open space 36.

[0056] Each flange 46 may have a diameter greater than that of the middle portion 38 and the end tenon 44. The maximum diameter of each spacer 20, 34 is therefore defined by the diameter of the flange 46.

[0057] like Figure 2As shown, each of the plates 16, 18, 30, and 32 includes a through hole 50 for its respective receiving end tenon 44.

[0058] Each end tenon 44 may have a height slightly greater than the thickness of the plate 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0059] Each flange 46 defines a shoulder 52 between the end tenon 44 and the flange 46, the shoulder abutting against the inner surface 22 of the corresponding plates 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0060] Spacers 20 and 34 are made of, for example, weldable metals such as steel or aluminum.

[0061] Each spacer 20, 34 is manufactured using small-batch or large-batch metal manufacturing processes.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, the ends 40 and 42 of the spacers 20 and 34 are fixed to the corresponding plates 16, 18, 30 and 32 by welding.

[0063] For this purpose, each end 40, 42 is fixed to the relevant plates 16, 18, 30, 32 by at least one weld.

[0064] exist Figure 2 In the first embodiment shown, the second end 42 is fixed to the second plate 18, 32 by two fillet welds 54, 56.

[0065] The first corner weld 54 connects the end tenon 44 of the second end 42 to the outer surface 24 of the second plates 18 and 32.

[0066] The second fillet weld 56 connects the perimeter of the flange 46 of the second end 42 to the inner surface 22 of the second plates 18, 32.

[0067] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the first end 40 is fixed to the first plate 16, 30 by a full penetration weld with a natural backing 58.

[0068] A full penetration weld with natural backing 58 is a full penetration weld with access through hole 50.

[0069] For this purpose, the through hole 50 has a chamfer around its perimeter over the entire thickness of the first plates 16 and 30.

[0070] During the welding operation, welding material enters through hole 50, thereby forming a full penetration weld with natural backing 58 over the entire thickness of the first plates 16, 30.

[0071] This full penetration weld with natural backing 58 has the advantage that it can be made from the outer surface 24 of the first plates 16, 30, and more particularly after all the spacers 20, 34 are positioned between plates 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0072] During the manufacture of the longitudinal beam 12 or the transverse beam 14, each spacer 20, 34 is first positioned on the second plate 18, 32, and more specifically, the end tenon 44 of the second end 42 is inserted into the hole 50 defined in the second plate 18, 32.

[0073] The second end 42 of the spacers 20 and 34 is fixed to the second plates 18 and 32 by a second fillet weld 56 between the flange 46 of the second end 42 and the inner surface 22 of the second plates 18 and 32.

[0074] Then the first plate 16 is positioned such that the end tenon 44 of each first end 40 of each spacer 20, 34 is located in one of the holes 50 of the first plate 16, 30.

[0075] Then the first end 40 of each spacer 20, 34 is fixed to the first plate 16, 30 by a full penetration weld with a natural backing 58 made from the outside.

[0076] Finally, the end tenon 44 of the second end 42 of each spacer 20, 34 is fixed to the first corner weld 54 of the outer surface 24 of the second plate 18, 32.

[0077] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the first end 40 is fixed to the first plate 16 by a full penetration weld with an additional backing 60.

[0078] The first end 40 has a through hole 50 machined with a diameter greater than 1. Figure 2 The diameter of the chamfer diameter in the first embodiment.

[0079] In particular, the diameter of the narrowest end of the hole 50 is greater than the diameter of the flange 46.

[0080] As in the first embodiment, the full penetration weld with additional backing 60 extends abutting the shoulder 52.

[0081] Advantageously, support 62, more particularly ceramic support, is pre-fixed to the inner surface 22 of the first plates 16, 30 to receive the flange 46 of the first end 40 and around the narrower end of the chamfer forming the hole 50.

[0082] The ceramic support 62 enables the molten pool to remain in position during the welding operation, thereby allowing full penetration of the weld with the additional backing 60 in the through-hole 50, and improved adhesion. The support 62 is removed after the welding operation.

[0083] exist Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, each of the two ends 40, 42 of the spacers 20, 34 is welded to one of the plates 16, 18, 30, 32 by a full penetration weld with an additional backing 60.

[0084] Advantageously, such as Figure 4 As shown, the ceramic support 62 is also fixed to the inner surface 22 of the second plates 18, 32 in order to receive the flange 46 of the second end 42.

[0085] In this embodiment, each spacer 20, 34 is first positioned between two plates 16, 18, 30, 32. Advantageously, the flanges 46 of the ends 40, 42 are received in ceramic supports 62 previously fixed to the inner surfaces 22 of the plates 16, 18, 30, 32. A full penetration weld with an additional gasket 60 is then formed to secure each end 40, 42 of each spacer 20, 34 from the outside.

[0086] In a fourth embodiment not shown, each of the two ends 40, 42 of the spacers 20, 34 is welded to one of the plates 16, 18, 30, 32 by a full penetration weld having a natural backing 58.

[0087] Advantageously, for ease of manufacturing, all spacers 20 of the longitudinal beams 12 and all spacers 34 of the transverse beams 14 of the same frame 10 are welded by the same type of weld or weld combination.

[0088] According to another embodiment not shown, the ends 40, 42 of the spacers 20, 34 are welded to the plates 16, 18, 30, 32 by current after the spacers 20, 34 are positioned between the two plates 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0089] The bogie 8 according to the present invention has the advantages of being economically manufactured and automated.

[0090] In fact, during the manufacturing of longitudinal beam 12 or transverse beam 14, spacers 20 and 34 can be positioned between plates 16, 18, 30, and 32 by a robotic arm, and the welding operation can also be automated due to the uniformity and accessibility of the welds.

[0091] Furthermore, due to the standardization of spacers 20 and 34 and welds, many quality control operations can be automated or even eliminated.

[0092] Furthermore, the open structure of the frame 10 allows fittings and equipment such as pipes, cables, sensors, and housings to be attached in the open space 36 and to be secured in the central opening 48 provided in the middle portion 38 of the spacers 20, 34, which saves space.

[0093] In a variant of the invention not shown, the bogie 8 includes a load-bearing crossbeam extending in the lateral direction, preferably serving as a reinforcement of the frame 10 as described above.

[0094] The load-bearing crossbeam is attached to the crossbeam 14 in a straight line and rests on the two longitudinal beams 12 at its ends or at the middle part of the crossbeam 14.

[0095] Preferably, the load-bearing crossbeam has a structure similar to that of the longitudinal beam 12 and the crossbeam 14.

[0096] In other words, the load-bearing beam consists of two plates facing each other, and spacers extending between the two plates and connected to each plate at their ends; the spacers are independent supports.

[0097] The sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers positioned along the same width of the plate supporting the crossbeam is less than the width of the corresponding plate.

[0098] The spacers supporting the crossbeams are basically similar to the spacers 20 and 34 of the longitudinal beams 12 and 14 as described above.

Claims

1. A bogie element (12; 14) for a railway vehicle bogie, the bogie element comprising two plates (16, 18; 30, 32) facing each other and a spacer (20; 34) extending between the two plates (16, 18; 30, 32) and connected at its ends (40, 42) to each plate (16, 18; 30, 32). Its features are, The spacers (20; 34) are independent supports, and the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers (20; 34) positioned along the same width of the plate is less than the width of the corresponding plate (16, 18; 30, 32).

2. The bogie element (12; 14) according to claim 1, wherein each end (40, 42) of each spacer (20, 34) includes an end tenon (44) extending from the middle portion (38) and separated from the middle portion (38) by a shoulder (52), each plate (16, 18, 30, 32) includes a through hole (50) for receiving the end tenon (44), and the shoulder (52) abuts against the respective plate (16, 18, 30, 32).

3. A bogie element (12; 14) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each spacer (20, 34) is thinned in its middle portion (38).

4. A bogie element (12; 14) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion (38) of each spacer (20, 34) includes a central opening (48).

5. A bogie element (12; 14) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ends (40, 42) of the spacers (20, 34) are fixed to the plates (16, 18, 30, 32) by welding.

6. The bogie element (12; 14) according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the ends (40, 42) of the spacers (20, 34) is welded by a full penetration weld (58, 60).

7. A bogie element (12; 14) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein spacers (20, 34) are arranged in an alternating manner between two plates (16, 18, 30, 32).

8. A vehicle bogie, including a bogie frame (10), the bogie frame comprising: Two longitudinal beams (12), each extending longitudinally and opposite to each other, and At least one crossbeam (14) extends in the transverse direction and connects two longitudinal beams (12) to each other. At least one of the two longitudinal beams and / or the crossbeam is a bogie element according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The railway vehicle bogie according to claim 8, wherein each of the two longitudinal beams (12) and the cross beams (14) is a bogie element according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The railway vehicle bogie according to claim 9, comprising two single plates, each defining a plate (16, 18) for each longitudinal beam (12) and a plate (30, 32) for each crossbeam (14).

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