RAIL VEHICLE WITH A BOGIE COVERING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rail vehicle comprising a bogie, a bogie cavity in which the bogie is embedded, a bogie covering by means of which the bogie is at least partially covered, wherein the bogie covering has an opening.

[0002] It is known to cover a bogie of a rail vehicle, particularly a rail vehicle used in high-speed traffic, with a bogie cover to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the rail vehicle. The bogie cover (partially) encloses a bogie cavity of the rail vehicle, in which the bogie is embedded, and reduces the loss-prone inflow of outside air into the bogie cavity while the rail vehicle is moving.

[0003] If the bogie cladding has an opening, outside air can flow into the bogie cavity through the opening while the rail vehicle is moving. Such an opening can be, for example, a gap between two adjacent cladding elements of the bogie cladding caused by assembly or a movement gap that allows relative movement between two cladding elements.

[0004] The inflow of outside air through such an opening into the bogie cavity not only adversely affects the rail vehicle's air resistance, but can also lead to the outside air carrying ballast, dirt, and / or snow particles into the bogie cavity, which can then settle there. This leads to increased maintenance effort and can potentially cause damage to the rail vehicle, especially the bogie.

[0005] To prevent or at least reduce the inflow of outside air through an opening into the bogie cavity, DE 10 2016 201 154 A1 proposes injecting pressurized air into the bogie cavity using an air injection device. This solution is relatively costly because it is structurally complex and—since continuous air injection is required during travel—involves high energy consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 006 562 A1 discloses a chassis cover for a rail vehicle. Sealing elements are provided between a base plate and a peripheral part of the chassis cover, completely sealing a gap between the base plate and the peripheral part.

[0007] EP 3 222 484 A1 shows a chassis cladding of a rail vehicle, wherein elastic connecting means, which are designed in the form of a band or block, are arranged between a cladding part and a car body or car bodies and / or between individual cladding parts.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 726 181 C discloses a rail vehicle with a car body panel and a chassis panel, between which a distance is provided which is bridged by deformable connecting means in all operating states of the rail vehicle.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 10 2010 061 718 A1 describes a rail vehicle with a covered chassis, wherein a fabric covering is arranged between a covering part and a car body of the rail vehicle in such a way that a closed outer surface of the rail vehicle is formed in the area of the chassis.

[0010] WO 2016 / 010204 A1 further shows a side panel of a carriage for a high-speed train, wherein connecting means are arranged between individual areas of the side panel.

[0011] An object of the invention is to enable a reduction in the inflow of air through the opening into the bogie cavity in a rail vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset in a cost-effective manner.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a rail vehicle according to claim 1.

[0013] The rail vehicle according to the invention comprises a bogie, a bogie cavity in which the bogie is embedded, and a bogie cover by means of which the bogie is at least partially covered, wherein the bogie cover has an opening. Furthermore, the bogie cover has a flow-restricting means arranged at the opening to reduce the inflow of air through the opening into the bogie cavity.

[0014] Advantageous further developments of the rail vehicle according to the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the following description.

[0015] The flow-restricting means inhibits the inflow of air through said opening into the bogie cavity, in particular by increasing the flow resistance for the air. Depending on the specific design and / or arrangement of the flow-restricting means, the flow-restricting means may even completely prevent the inflow of air through said opening into the bogie cavity. In other words, the flow-restricting means can have a sealing effect.

[0016] The flow-reducing device can thus reduce the rail vehicle's air resistance. Furthermore, unlike the air injection device described in DE 10 2016 201 154 A1, the flow-reducing device does not require an external power supply to perform its function. Consequently, the flow-reducing device can reduce the rail vehicle's energy consumption during operation.

[0017] The flow-restricting agent can also positively influence the velocity distribution of an outside air flow in the underfloor area of the rail vehicle, particularly in such a way that the triggering of ballast flying is reduced or prevented. Furthermore, the flow-restricting agent can reduce or prevent the entry of ballast, dirt, and / or snow particles into the bogie cavity, thus reducing the maintenance effort of the rail vehicle.

[0018] In the present case, a bogie cavity is understood to be a hollow space for the bogie in which the bogie is at least partially accommodated.

[0019] In this context, a bogie cover is understood to mean a cover (in the sense of a casing) for the bogie. A cover element of the bogie cover does not necessarily have to be attached to the bogie itself or to its bogie frame. For example, a cover element of the bogie cover can be attached to the car body of the rail vehicle, in particular in the underfloor area of the rail vehicle. A cover element of the bogie cover preferably has the purpose of at least partially enclosing the bogie cavity. An opening in the bogie cover within the meaning of the present invention can, in particular, be a gap.

[0020] In this case, a reduction in the inflow of air through the opening in the bogie cover into the bogie cavity is understood to mean a reduction in the air mass flow flowing through the opening into the bogie cavity (i.e. the air mass flowing through the opening into the bogie cavity per unit of time).

[0021] Advantageously, the flow restriction means is elastically deformable. This allows the flow restriction means to return to its original shape after deformation. One advantage that arises when the flow restriction means is designed to be elastically deformable is that the flow restriction means can be deformed, for example, during assembly of the bogie cladding and / or adjacent components, without the flow restriction means being damaged. Elastic deformability of the flow restriction means also enables the flow restriction means to adapt to the structural or geometric conditions in the area of the opening, whereby, for example, at least part of the opening can be effectively closed and thus the inflow of air through the opening can be effectively prevented.If said opening is located between two cladding elements that are to be movable relative to each other, the mobility of these elements can be ensured by elastic deformability of the flow-restricting means and at the same time the inflow of air through the opening can be effectively reduced.

[0022] The flow-restricting means or the sealing lip can, in particular, contain or consist of an elastomer. This allows for a high degree of elasticity of the flow-restricting means.

[0023] According to the invention, the flow-restricting means is designed as a brush. A brush is also inexpensive to manufacture and effectively prevents air from flowing through said opening.

[0024] If the flow-inhibiting means is designed as a brush, the flow-inhibiting means expediently has an elastically deformable brush trim, in particular a brush trim made of metal, ceramic, plastic and / or hair.

[0025] The flow-preventing means is preferably attached to a cladding element of the bogie cladding, for example by means of a screw, rivet and / or adhesive connection.

[0026] The bogie cladding can comprise a first cladding element and a second cladding element arranged adjacent to the first cladding element. Said opening can, for example, be a gap between the first and second cladding elements. In other words, the flow-restricting means can be used to reduce or prevent, in particular, the inflow of air through the gap between adjacent cladding elements of the bogie cladding.

[0027] The first and second cladding elements can, for example, be attached to the bogie, in particular to its bogie frame. In other words, the first and second cladding elements can be bogie-side cladding elements. In this case, the first and second cladding elements can preferably move together with the bogie relative to the car body of the rail vehicle, in particular without changing their relative position to the bogie frame. In this case, said opening can, for example, be an assembly gap between the two cladding elements.

[0028] Alternatively, the first and second cladding elements can be attached to the car body of the rail vehicle. In other words, the first and second cladding elements can be car body-side cladding elements. In this case, the first and second cladding elements are preferably immovable relative to the car body. In this case, said opening can, for example, be an assembly gap between the two cladding elements.

[0029] Furthermore, it is possible for the first cladding element to be fastened to the bogie and the second cladding element to be fastened to the car body. This means that the first cladding element can be a bogie-side cladding element and the second cladding element can be a car body-side cladding element. In this case, the first cladding element can preferably move together with the bogie relative to the car body, in particular without changing its relative position to the bogie frame, while the second cladding element is preferably immovable relative to the car body. In this case, said opening can in particular be a movement gap between the two cladding elements. Conversely, it is possible for the first cladding element to be fastened to the car body and the second cladding element to be fastened to the bogie.

[0030] Furthermore, the rail vehicle can have a further flow-restricting means arranged at the opening to reduce the inflow of air through the opening into the bogie cavity. This can further reduce the inflow of air through the opening into the bogie cavity. Preferably, the first-mentioned and the further flow-restricting means are arranged one above or next to one another.

[0031] The first-mentioned flow-restricting means can be attached, for example, to the first cladding element. The further flow-restricting means can be attached, for example, to the second cladding element. The further flow-restricting means is preferably designed as a sealing lip or a brush.

[0032] In one advantageous variant of the invention, the two flow-restricting means are spaced apart from one another. In another advantageous variant of the invention, the two flow-restricting means are in contact with one another and / or the two flow-restricting means interlock.

[0033] Furthermore, it can be provided that the first-mentioned flow-restricting means is in contact with the second cladding element and / or the further flow-restricting means is in contact with the first cladding element. Alternatively, it is possible for the first-mentioned flow-restricting means to be spaced apart from the second cladding element and / or for the further flow-restricting means to be spaced apart from the first cladding element.

[0034] In addition to the aforementioned first cladding element and the aforementioned second cladding element, the bogie cladding may comprise one or more further cladding elements. Between such a further cladding element and the first or second cladding element, the bogie cladding may comprise an opening (for example in the form of a gap) and, if appropriate, a flow-restricting means of the type described above arranged at this opening. Furthermore, the bogie cladding may comprise an opening (for example in the form of a gap) between two such further cladding elements and, if appropriate, a flow-restricting means of the type described above arranged at this opening.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment, said opening is an opening in a cladding element of the bogie cladding, through which an element of the bogie is passed. The bogie element that is passed through the opening can be, among other things, a wheelset bearing, a line, in particular a fluid line or an electrical line, or a bracket, such as a bracket for a sand spreader, for a wheel flange lubricating device, or for a rail cleaner. Furthermore, the flow-preventing means can be in contact with said element of the bogie or spaced apart from said element.

[0036] Furthermore, the bogie cover can have at least one further opening. Advantageously, the bogie cover comprises at least one separate flow-restricting means for each further opening, which is arranged at the further opening to reduce the inflow of air through the further opening into the bogie cavity.

[0037] The rail vehicle is expediently equipped with a plurality of bogies, each of which is embedded in a bogie cavity of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle can have a bogie cover of the type described above for several, in particular all, of the bogies.

[0038] The description of advantageous embodiments of the invention given so far contains numerous features, some of which are summarized in the individual dependent patent claims. However, these features can also be considered individually and combined into further useful combinations. In particular, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the rail vehicle according to the invention.

[0039] Even if some terms in the description or in the claims are used in the singular or in conjunction with a number, the scope of the invention for these terms should not be limited to the singular or the respective number.

[0040] The properties, features, and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more easily understood in connection with the following description of the embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the figures. The embodiments serve to illustrate the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features. Furthermore, suitable features of each embodiment can also be explicitly considered in isolation, removed from one embodiment, incorporated into another embodiment to supplement it, and combined with any of the claims.

[0041] Where the same reference symbols are used in different figures, they designate identical or corresponding elements.

[0042] They show: FIG 1 shows a part of a rail vehicle having a bogie and a bogie cover, in a side view; FIG 2 shows the bogie and the bogie cover of the rail vehicle from FIG 1 in a view from above; FIGS 3-6 two adjacent cladding elements of the bogie cladding, an opening between the two cladding elements and one or two flow-restricting means arranged at the opening in different design variants; FIGS 7 a bogie and a bogie cladding of another rail vehicle in a view from above; FIGS 8 a part of the bogie cladding of FIG 7 , an axle box bearing guided through an opening in the bogie cover and a flow-restricting device arranged at the opening.

[0043] FIG 1 shows schematically a part of a rail vehicle 2 in a side view.

[0044] In FIG 1 A bogie 4 of the rail vehicle 2 and part of a car body 6 of the rail vehicle 2 are shown. The car body 6 of the rail vehicle 2 is mounted on the bogie 4 by means of a swivel base (not shown in the figure) of the bogie 4 in such a way that the car body 6 is rotatable relative to the bogie 4.

[0045] The bogie 4 comprises, among other things, a bogie frame 8 and two wheel sets 10 (see FIG 2 ). In FIG 1 Two wheels 12 of the two wheel sets 10 are shown. Furthermore, the bogie 4 is embedded in a bogie cavity 14 of the rail vehicle 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the rail vehicle 2 has a multi-part bogie cover 16, by means of which the bogie 4 is covered. The bogie cover 16 closes the bogie cavity 14.

[0047] The bogie cladding 16 comprises two bulkheads 18 fastened to the car body 6 and two floor walls 20 fastened to the car body 6. In addition, the bogie cladding 16 comprises two wheelset claddings 22 and a center cladding 24 arranged between the two wheelset claddings 22, wherein the two wheelset claddings 22 and the center cladding 24 are fastened to the bogie 4, in particular to the bogie frame 8. In addition, the bogie cladding 16 comprises two FIG 1 not shown, attached to the car body 6 side panels 26 (see FIG 2 ). The aforementioned parts 18-26 of the bogie covering 16 can each consist of one element or several interconnected elements, in particular of several interconnected plates.

[0048] The bogie cavity 14 is bounded at the top by a floor section 28 of the car body 6. In the vehicle's longitudinal direction 30, the bogie cavity 14 is bounded by the two bulkheads 18.

[0049] Between its front floor wall 20 and its front wheelset cover 22—relative to the vehicle's longitudinal direction 30—the bogie cover 16 has an opening 32. Likewise, the bogie cover 16 has an opening 32 between its rear floor wall 20 and its rear wheelset cover 22—relative to the vehicle's longitudinal direction 30. These two openings 32 each constitute a movement gap that allows relative movement between the respective floor wall 20 and the respective wheelset cover 22.

[0050] FIG 2 shows schematically the bogie 4 and the bogie covering 16 of the rail vehicle 2 from FIG 1 in a top view.

[0051] In FIG 2 Both wheelsets 10 of the bogie 4 are shown with their axle boxes 34 and wheels 12. In addition, FIG 2 the two previously mentioned side panels 26 of the bogie panel 16 are shown.

[0052] The bogie cladding 16 further has an opening 32 between the parts 22, 24 of the bogie cladding 16 fastened to the bogie 4 and the side cladding 26 arranged on the left side of the vehicle, as well as between the parts 22, 24 of the bogie cladding 16 fastened to the bogie 4 and the side cladding 26 arranged on the right side of the vehicle. These openings 32 also each constitute a movement gap that enables relative movement between the respective side cladding 26 and the parts 22, 24 of the bogie cladding 16 fastened to the bogie 4.

[0053] At the previously mentioned openings 32, the bogie cladding 16 is each equipped with at least one elastically deformable flow-restricting means, which serves to reduce the inflow of outside air through the respective opening 32 into the bogie cavity 14 (cf. FIG 3 - FIG 6 ). In FIG 1 und FIG 2 For the sake of clarity, the flow restrictors are not shown.

[0054] FIG 3-6 each schematically show a first cladding element 36a of the bogie cladding 16 and a second cladding element 36b of the bogie cladding 16 arranged adjacent to the first cladding element 36a.

[0055] Between the two cladding elements 36a, 36b, the bogie cladding 16 has an opening 32, in particular in the form of a gap.

[0056] The two cladding elements 36a, 36b can be attached to the bogie 4. Alternatively, the two cladding elements 36a, 36b can be attached to the car body 6. Further alternatively, the first cladding element 36a can be attached to the bogie 4, while the second cladding element 36b is attached to the car body 6, or vice versa. For example, the first cladding element 36a can be one of the two base walls 20 of the bogie cladding 16 or an element of the respective base wall 20. The second cladding element 36 can, for example, be one of the two wheelset claddings 22 of the bogie cladding 16 or an element of the respective wheelset cladding 22.

[0057] In the version from FIG 3 The bogie covering 16 has a flow-preventing means 38 arranged at the opening 32, which is fastened to the first covering element 36a. This flow-preventing means 38 is designed as a brush, wherein the flow-preventing means 38 has a brush covering consisting of a plurality of brush fibers 40.

[0058] The flow-preventing means 38 extends in the variant from FIG 3 only over a portion of the width 42 of the opening 32. This means that the flow-restricting means 38 is spaced apart from the second cladding element 36b. With the aid of the flow-restricting means 38, a smaller portion of an outside air flow 44 flows through the opening 32 into the bogie cavity 14 (compared to the case where no such flow-restricting means 38 is arranged at the opening 32).

[0059] In the version from FIG 4 The bogie covering 16 comprises a first flow-restricting means 38a arranged at the opening 32 and fastened to the first covering element 36a, as well as a second flow-restricting means 38b arranged at the opening 32 and fastened to the second covering element 36b. The respective flow-restricting means 38a, 38b is designed as a brush and has a brush covering consisting of a plurality of brush fibers 40.

[0060] The two flow-restricting means 38a, 38b extend in the variant from FIG 4 only over a part of the width 42 of the opening 32. This means that the first flow restriction means 38a is spaced from the second cladding element 36b and the second flow restriction means 38b is spaced from the first cladding element 36a. In the embodiment variant of FIG 4 the two flow-restricting means 38a, 38b touch each other and engage with each other.

[0061] In the version from FIG 5 The bogie covering 16 comprises a first flow-restricting means 38a arranged at the opening 32 and fastened to the first covering element 36a, as well as a second flow-restricting means 38b arranged at the opening 32 and fastened to the second covering element 36b. These two flow-restricting means 38a, 38b are each designed as a brush and each have a brush facing consisting of a plurality of brush fibers 40.

[0062] In addition, the two flow-restricting means 38a, 38b extend in the variant from FIG 5 across the entire width 42 of the opening 32. This means that the first flow-restricting means 38a is in contact with the second cladding element 36b and the second flow-restricting means 38b is in contact with the first cladding element 36a. In the embodiment variant of FIG 5 the two flow-restricting means 38a, 38b are spaced apart from each other.

[0063] At the FIG 6 The bogie cover 16 has a flow-restricting means 38 arranged at the opening 32, which is attached to the first cover element 36a. This flow-restricting means 38 is designed as a sealing lip and is in contact with the second cover element 36b. However, this embodiment is not part of the claimed invention.

[0064] For each of the versions from FIG 3 bis FIG 6 the respective flow-inhibiting means 38, 38a, 38b inhibits the inflow of air through the opening 32 into the bogie cavity 14.

[0065] At least one of the two bulkheads 18 of the bogie cladding 16 (cf. FIG 1 oder FIG 2 ) may have an opening through which, for example, a cable and / or a fluid line is / are passed. At such an opening, the bogie cover 16 may also have a flow-restricting means of the type described above to reduce the inflow of air into the bogie cavity 14 through this opening.

[0066] FIG 7 shows schematically a bogie 4 and a bogie cover 16 of another rail vehicle 46 in a view from above.

[0067] The description of the following embodiment is primarily limited to the differences to the embodiment from FIG 1 und FIG 2 , which is referred to for the same features and functions.

[0068] For the bogie cover 16 made of FIG 7 Both side panels 26 each have two openings 32. One of the wheelset bearings 34 passes through each of these openings 32. In other words, one of the wheelset bearings 34 of the bogie 16 protrudes from each of the openings 32.

[0069] At these openings 32, the bogie cladding 16 is also provided with an elastically deformable flow-restricting means, which serves to reduce the inflow of outside air through the respective opening 32 into the bogie cavity 14 (cf. FIG 8 ).

[0070] FIG 8 shows an example of a section of one of the side panels 26 of the bogie panel 16 from FIG 7 .

[0071] In the illustrated section of the side panels 26 there is one of the openings 32 of the side panel 26, from which one of the wheelset bearings 34 protrudes.

[0072] The bogie cover 16 has a flow-restricting means 38 arranged at the opening 32, which is designed as a brush and comprises a plurality of brush fibers 40. This flow-restricting means 38 surrounds the wheelset bearing 34 protruding from the opening 32 in its circumferential direction 48.

[0073] In the present example, the brush fibers 40 of the flow-restricting means 38 are spaced apart from the wheelset bearing 34. Alternatively, the brush fibers 40 can touch the wheelset bearing 34.

[0074] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Rail vehicle (2, 46), comprising a bogie (4), a bogie cavity (14) in which the bogie (4) is embedded, a bogie cladding (16) by means of which the bogie (4) is at least partially clad, wherein the bogie cladding (16) has an opening (32), wherein the bogie cladding (16) has a flow-inhibiting means (38, 38a, 38b) arranged at the opening (32) to reduce an inflow of air through the opening (32) into the bogie cavity (14), characterised in that the flow-inhibiting means (38, 38a, 38b) is embodied as a brush.

2. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 1, characterised in that the flow-inhibiting means (38, 38a, 38b) is elastically deformable.

3. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bogie cladding (16) has a first cladding element (36a) and a second cladding element (36b) arranged adjacent to the first cladding element (36a), wherein said opening (32) is a gap between the first and the second cladding element (36a, 36b).

4. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 3, characterised in that the first and the second cladding element (36a, 36b) are attached to the bogie (4).

5. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 3, characterised by a body (6), wherein the first and the second cladding element (36a, 36b) are attached to the body (6).

6. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 3, characterised by a body (6), wherein the first cladding element (36a) is attached to the bogie (4) and the second cladding element (36b) is attached to the body (6) or the first cladding element (36a) is attached to the body (6) and the second cladding element (36b) is attached to the bogie (4).

7. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterised by a further flow-inhibiting means (38b) arranged at the opening (32) to reduce an inflow of air through the opening (32) into the bogie cavity (14), wherein the first-mentioned flow-inhibiting means (38a) is attached to the first cladding element (36a) and the further flow-inhibiting means (38b) is attached to the second cladding element (36b).

8. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 7, characterised in that the two flow-inhibiting means (38a, 38b) are spaced apart from one another.

9. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to claim 7, characterised in that the two flow-inhibiting means (38a, 38b) are in contact with one another and / or engage in one another.

10. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the first-mentioned flow-inhibiting means (38a) is in contact with the second cladding element (36b) and / or the further flow-inhibiting means (38b) is in contact with the first cladding element (36a).

11. Rail vehicle (2, 46) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the opening (32) is an opening of a cladding element (26) of the bogie cladding (16) through which an element (34) of the bogie (6) is guided.