Automatic air coupling and automatic train coupling with such an air coupling

Abstract

Automatic air coupling (10) for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, the air coupling (10) comprising: a mouthpiece (1) for coupling the air coupling (10) to a compatible mating air coupling, a compressed air nozzle (2) for connecting the air coupling (10) to a rail vehicle compressed air system, a flow channel (3) which connects the mouthpiece (1) to the compressed air nozzle (2) in a compressed air-conducting manner, and a valve device (4) arranged in the flow channel (3) for at least partially opening or closing the flow channel (3). The invention is characterized in that at least one connection (7) for connecting to a blow-out device (14) is provided on the flow channel (3).

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic air coupling for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle. The invention further relates to an automatic traction coupling with such an air coupling.Pressurized air is a standard working medium in railway vehicles and is used, for example, to actuate brakes, open and close doors, etc. Further, the pressurized air can be used in the engaging or disengaging operation of the traction couplings between the various cars.For example, the compressed air is conducted in different compressed air lines, wherein corresponding compressed air lines of the different cars are coupled to one another via air couplings. For example, a distinction is made between a main air line for the braking process, a main air container line for the connection or supply of the air containers of the different cars, and a decoupling line for the decoupling process of the two traction couplings connected to one another (also called traction coupling halves).Automatic air couplings are used to fluidly connect an air duct of a first carriage to an air duct of a second carriage. Such automatic air couplings are conventionally used in rail vehicles intended for passenger traffic or else rail traffic and are there part of the automatic train coupling. The automatic air coupling serves for coupling the air line, in particular the main air line, between the individual cars of a train, wherein cars are to be understood as both traction cars and also cars which are drawn / pushed. A necessary air pressure must be built up in the main air line of the train in order to release the brakes of all coupled cars. Conversely, if the air pressure in the main air line falls, the respective vehicle is braked.The air coupling is automatically actuated when two automatic tension couplings are moved against each other and a secure mechanical connection is established between the tension couplings. As a rule, the mouthpiece of the respective air coupling is positioned centrally on the upper edge of the front plate and the mouthpiece is adjoined by a fluid channel or flow channel for the compressed air, in which a valve is arranged. The fluid channel or flow channel opens beyond the valve, as viewed from the mouthpiece, into a compressed air connection piece, to which a compressed air hose or a compressed air pipe of the corresponding carriage can be connected in order to establish the connection to the brakes or to the other end of the carriage and the air coupling provided there.Track-guided vehicles with such previously described air couplings are generally in operation for many years, so that these can inevitably be exposed to all weather conditions. This can lead to the air couplings being icing up or the accumulation of snow and ice, which can result in functional impairment on the air coupling itself and the additional functional devices.In order to prevent snow and / or dirt particles from being deposited and becoming fixed in the fluid channel of the air coupling, it is known to cover the fluid channel with an in particular slotted membrane, so that in the uncoupled state of the air coupling the penetration of foreign particles into the fluid channel of the air coupling is reduced. The installation of such a diaphragm serving as a dirt disk, however, requires a certain modification of the structure of the air clutch, which has the consequence that air clutches with an integrated protective disk known hitherto from the prior art cannot couple with air clutches without such an integrated protective disk.There are also applications in which the protective disk must be designed to be suitably tight in the functional position in order to prevent fine dust particles from entering the flow channel.Accordingly, the object of the invention is to specify an air coupling for track-guided vehicles, in which the air coupling can be provided without great modifications in the design for integrating additional protective measures, without being able to easily provide dirt and interference bodies in the flow duct before coupling with a mating coupling.This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 8, wherein advantageous refinements are specified in the dependent claims.An automatic air coupling for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the air coupling comprises a mouthpiece for coupling the air coupling to a compatible air coupling, a compressed air connection for connecting the air coupling to a rail vehicle compressed air system, a flow duct which connects the mouthpiece to the compressed air connection in a compressed air-conducting manner, and a valve device arranged in the flow duct for at least partially releasing or closing the flow duct, characterised in that at least one connection for connecting to an exhaust device is provided on the flow duct.By providing a connection for connection to an exhaust device, by blowing out the flow channel in the direction of the mouthpiece upstream of a coupling process, the freedom of the flow channel from dirt and foreign bodies at the time of coupling and thus an functionality of the entire compressed air system unaffected by foreign bodies and dirt can be ensured in a simple manner.Fluids, in particular air, are used for blowing out.The connection is advantageously provided between the mouthpiece and the valve device. The connection to the flow channel is particularly advantageously provided in the region of the valve device. This ensures that the effective flow channel section between the mouthpiece and the valve device, which is generally closed in the uncoupled state, is also actually released.In order to obtain an optimum blow-out result, the connection comprises at least one channel section which is directly connected to the flow channel and is characterized by a main directional component which is oriented with the flow direction in the flow channel in the direction of the mouthpiece in the connection region of the channel to the flow channel as viewed at the latter. This ensures that the foreign bodies and dirt particles can actually be discharged into the open air in the direction of the mouthpiece.Particularly preferably, the fluid used for blowing out is introduced in a first embodiment such that the introduction direction coincides with the directional profile of the flow channel in the connection region of the blowing out device to the latter or takes place at an angle thereto. The selected angular range is preferably in the range of 0° to less than 90° inclusive with respect to the flow direction defined by the flow channel in the connection region.It is conceivable to use a single connection, but two or more connections of this type can also be provided, which can be arranged on both sides and / or at a distance in the direction of the flow channel on the latter. The latter embodiment also offers the advantage of optimally removing foreign bodies and dirt from more complex flow channel guides, for example with changes in direction.For this purpose, the blowing device comprises at least one pressure generator which can be connected or can be connected to a pressure medium source and, depending on the design, can be connected or can be connected to the air coupling in a detached construction or as a structural unit. All or only individual components of the blow-out device can be combined to form a structural unit and joined together with the air coupling in modular construction.The components of the blowing devices can, however, also be arranged spatially remote from one another, wherein the arrangement can be effected on the traction coupling as well as on a carriage carrying the traction coupling. In this case, the connection via the connection to the flow channel is preferably effected by means of connecting channels which can be rigid or else flexible.An automatic traction coupling for a rail vehicle, comprising a coupling head with a coupling head profile and a coupling closure for mechanically and non-positively connecting a first carriage, in particular an end carriage or a middle carriage, to an adjacent carriage and, according to the invention, an automatic air coupling according to one of claims 1 to 7 for fluidically connecting an air line of the first carriage to the air line of the second carriage and an ejection device connected or connectable to the air coupling.Preferably, at least two such air couplings are provided for connecting different air lines, a first automatic air coupling for fluidically connecting a main air line of a first carriage to the main air line of an adjacent carriage and / or a second automatic coupling for connecting a main air tank line of a first carriage to the main air tank line of a second carriage. These can be arranged at different positions on the outside of the coupling head of the tension coupling, wherein the connection to the tension coupling can be made releasable or non-releasable. However, integration into the housing at the coupling head is also conceivable.In an advantageous embodiment, the first automatic air coupling for fluidically connecting a main air duct of a first carriage to the main air duct of an adjacent carriage is arranged at the upper edge of the end face of the coupling head or is integrated therein, and / or the second automatic coupling for connecting a main air container duct of a first carriage to the main air container duct of a second carriage is arranged at the lower edge of the end face of the coupling head or is integrated therein.The exhaust devices of the first and second automatic air coupling are coupled to one another in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the aforementioned embodiments and can be actuated individually or / or jointly. The coupling offers the advantage that both exhaust devices can share components and components and these can therefore only be provided easily. This applies in particular to the pressure medium source and the pressure generator.Alternatively, the exhaust devices of the first and second automatic air coupling are designed as separate devices which can be controlled separately.The individual or the interconnected blowing devices can be selectively switched on or off. As a result, these are very precisely limited in time and can only be used if necessary. This switching ability can be realized in different ways, for example via valve devices.The invention is explained below with reference to figures. The figures show in detail: FIGS. 1 aand 1 b show, by way of example, two possible embodiments of air couplings designed according to the invention for use in track-bound vehicles for connecting air lines of adjacent carriages, FIG. 2 showsFIG. 1 ashows an automatic air coupling 10 according to the invention for a rail vehicle, wherein the view shows a radial section through the rotation axis 6 of a valve drive 5. Air couplings designed in this way are used in particular for connecting main air lines of rail vehicles.The air coupling 10 has a mouthpiece 1, by means of which the air coupling 10 can be coupled to a compatible air coupling, in particular to a diametrically opposed mouthpiece. The mouthpiece 1 projects, for example, from or beyond a front plate 11 of an automatic traction coupling, as is indicated by the dashed lines. For example, the mouthpiece 1 has a sleeve 1.1, which is displaceable or deformable in the coupling direction, so that the free end of the mouthpiece 1 is moved back when two carriages are coupled, i.e. when the two end plates 11 are moved towards one another and placed against one another, in particular until it ends flush with the end face of the end plate 11. For example, the free end of the mouthpiece 1 is formed by a sleeve 1.2 with a sealing ring 1.3, wherein the sleeve 1.2 correspondingly abuts against a correspondingly designed sleeve of the counter-air coupling. The sleeve 1.2 can be pushed onto the sleeve 1.1, for example in the form of a rubber tube, and can be acted upon by an axial force in the sense of an extension by the compression spring 1.4 shown.Adjoining the mouthpiece 1 in the flow direction of the compressed air, when compressed air is supplied via the mouthpiece 1, is a flow channel 3 which opens with its end facing away from the mouthpiece 1 into a compressed air connection 2. A pipe 12 or a hose can be connected to the compressed air connection 2, for example, in order to connect the air coupling to the compressed air system or the main air line of the rail vehicle.In the region of the end of the flow channel 3 with the compressed air connection 2, a valve 4 is arranged, which comprises a valve body 4.1 and a valve seat 4.2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the valve seat 4.2 is provided in the region of the connection of the compressed air connection 2. The valve body 4.1 is shown in its open position in which it is held by the force of the compression spring 13. To move the valve body 4.1 into its closed position, the valve body 4.1 must be moved over the width of the flow channel 3 until it strikes the valve seat 4.2.The movement of the valve body 4.1 into its closed position is effected by the cam 5.2, which is connected to a shaft 5.1 in a rotationally fixed manner. The shaft 5.1 is in turn connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a main bolt, not shown here, of a clutch closure or another suitable component of the clutch closure or is formed integrally therewith. When the main bolt or the other component of the coupling closure is rotated from the coupled position by rotating the shaft 5.1 into the uncoupled position, the cam 5.2 engages the valve body 4.1 on the side facing away from the valve seat 4.2 and displaces the valve body 4.1 in the direction of the valve seat 4.2. FIG. 1 ashows the air coupling in the closed position of the valve 4, which correlates with the uncoupled position, in particular the ready-to-couple position of the coupling closure. During coupling, the coupling of the coupling closure of the automatic traction coupling with the shaft 5.1, preferably the integral construction of the shaft 5.1 of the cam 5.2 with the main bolt of the coupling closure, rotates counterclockwise. The cam 5.2 releases the valve body 4.1, which moves out of the flow channel by spring force in the direction of the main bolt and releases the latter.According to the invention, at least one connection 7 for connecting to an exhaust device 14 is provided on the flow channel 3. The discharge device 14 comprises a pressure medium source 15 and a pressure generator 16. The connection 7 has a channel section 7.1 connected to the flow channel 3, which is oriented opposite the flow channel 3 in the connection region to the latter in such a way that the main directional component points in the flow direction of the flow channel 3 in the connection region. In the case shown, the channel section 7.1 is aligned in the alignment direction of the flow channel 3 in the connection region to the latter. However, other arrangements are also conceivable, as illustrated for example by means of a broken line. This connection 7 and in particular the channel section 7.1 are aligned at an angle to the flow direction in the flow channel 3 in the connection region with the latter, wherein however the main directional component of the fluid injected via the channel section 7.1 is aligned in the flow direction of the fluid in the flow channel 3.The connection 7 is connected to the flow channel 3 between the mouthpiece 1 and to the flow channel 3 in the region of the valve device 4. In the case shown, viewed in the direction of the compressed air connection 2 to the mouthpiece 1, the valve device 4 is arranged upstream of it.The individual blowing device 14 can be selectively switched on and / or off. The connection between the pressure medium source 15, the pressure generating device 16 and the channel section 7.1, in particular the connection 7, is effected in a compact or resolved construction depending on the design of the blow-out device 14 by means of corresponding connecting lines or channels.FIG. 1 bshows an air coupling 10 provided according to the invention with at least one connection 7 for connecting to an exhaust device 14, as can be used for the use for connecting a main container line of one carriage to that of another. The basic structure is analogous to that described in Fig. 1a, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for the same elements. Only the arrangement and structural design of the individual components and components can be different. This also has a mouthpiece 1 with which the air coupling 10 can be coupled to a compatible air coupling, in particular to an opposing mouthpiece. Furthermore, a pressure connection 3 and a flow channel 3 connecting the pressure connection 3 to the mouthpiece 1 are provided, in which a valve device 4 is arranged. The mouthpiece 1 consists of a sleeve and a sealing ring. The sleeve is spring-mounted and secured against falling out. The valve device 4 consists of the valve housing and the valve tappet. In the uncoupled state, the valve device 4 of the main container line is closed. During coupling, the valve tappets of both air couplings meet each other and open the air lines in each case. At the same time, the mouthpieces 1 are pressed against one another in an airtight manner. Here too, a connection 7 is provided for the connection of an exhaust device 14. This is connected here to the flow channel 3 in the region of the valve device 4.FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, the use of an air coupling 10 according to FIG. 1 aand an air coupling 10 according to FIG. 1 bon an automatic traction coupling 100. The connections 7 are visible, which are coupled to a pressure source 15 and pressure generating device 16. In the case shown, both air couplings 10, which are provided for connection to the main air line HL, which is arranged above the coupling head 101, and the air coupling 10 provided for connection to the main container air line HBL, use the same system of pressure medium source 15 and pressure generator 16. In the case shown, both can be connected or disconnected jointly via a valve device 17, which is designed as a 2 / 2-way valve.List of reference characters1 Mouthpiece 1.1 Sleeve 1.2 Sleeve 1.3 Sealing ring 1.4 Compression spring 2 Compressed air connection 3 Flow channel 4 Valve device 4.1 Valve body 4.2 Valve seat 5 Valve drive 5.1 Shaft 5.2 Cam 6 Rotation axis 7 Connection 7.1 Channel section 10 Air coupling 11 End plate 14 Ejector 15 Pressure medium source 16 Pressure generating device 17 Valve device 100 Automatic traction coupling 101 Coupling head

Claims

Automatic air coupling (10) for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the air coupling (10) comprises: a mouthpiece (1) for coupling the air coupling (10) to a compatible counter-air coupling; a compressed air connection piece (2) for connecting the air coupling (10) to a rail vehicle compressed air system; a flow duct (3) which connects the mouthpiece (1) to the compressed air connection piece (2) in a compressed air-conducting manner, a valve device (4) arranged in the flow duct (3) for at least partially releasing or closing the flow duct (3); characterized in that at least one connection (7) for connecting to an exhaust device (14) is provided on the flow duct (3).Automatic air coupling (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection (7) is provided on the flow duct (3) between the mouthpiece (1) and the valve device (4).Automatic air coupling (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection (7) is provided on the flow duct (3) in the region of the valve device (4).Automatic air coupling (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (7) comprises at least one channel section (7.1) which is directly connected to the flow channel (39 and is characterized by a main directional component which is aligned with the flow direction in the flow channel (3) in the direction of the mouthpiece (1) in the connection region thereto.Automatic air coupling (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two connections (7) are provided, which are arranged on both sides of the flow duct (3).Automatic air coupling (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least two connections (7) are provided, which, viewed in the flow direction between the valve device (4) and the mouthpiece (1), are arranged at a distance from one another or one after the other.Automatic air coupling (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the blowing device (14) comprises at least one pressure generator (16) which can be connected or is connected to a pressure medium source (15), and can be connected or is connected to the air coupling as a structural unit.Automatic traction coupling (100) for a rail vehicle, comprising a coupling head (101) having a coupling head profile and a coupling closure for mechanically and non-positively connecting a first carriage, in particular an end carriage or a middle carriage, to an adjacent carriage, and an automatic air coupling (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 for fluidically connecting an air line of the first carriage to the air line of the second carriage, and an ejection device (14) connected to the air coupling (10).Automatic traction coupling according to claim 8, characterised in that a first automatic air coupling for fluidically connecting a main air duct of a first carriage to the main air duct of an adjacent carriage and / or a second automatic coupling for connecting a main air container duct of a first carriage to the main air container duct of a second carriage is provided on said first automatic air coupling.The automatic traction coupling (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first automatic air coupling (10) for fluidly connecting a main air duct of a first carriage to the main air duct of an adjacent carriage is arranged at or integrated with the top edge of the end face of the coupling head (101), and / or the second automatic coupling (10) for connecting a main air duct of a first carriage to the main air duct of a second carriage is arranged at or integrated with the bottom edge of the end face of the coupling head (101).Automatic traction coupling (100) according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the blowing-out devices (14) of the first and second automatic air coupling (10) are coupled to one another and can be actuated individually or jointly.Automatic traction coupling (100) according to either of Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the blowing devices (14) of the first and second automatic air coupling (10) are designed as separate devices which can be controlled separately.Automatic traction coupling (100) according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the individual blowing device (14) comprises a pressure medium source (15) and pressure generating devices (16).Automatic traction coupling (100) according to one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the individual blowing device (14) can be selectively switched on and off.

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