Wheel carrier for carrying a wheel arranged on a turntable and test bench for testing turntables of rail vehicles

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel carrier for supporting a running wheel arranged on a bogie and to a test bench for testing bogies of rail vehicles, comprising a support device with several such wheel carriers, each supporting a running wheel arranged on the bogie during a testing process. The invention further relates to a method for testing a bogie of a rail vehicle. State of the art

[0002] A bogie test bench is used to measure and test various parameters of rail vehicle bogies. Specifically, a load application unit applies forces along one or more linear axes to the bogie to simulate the expected operating forces due to the vehicle weight as well as static and dynamic influences. Various functions and parameters, such as wheel loads, axle distances, spring deflection, etc., are then tested or determined. Depending on the test bench's equipment, it is possible to fully automatically test the axle distance, axle parallelism, suspension, wheel concentricity, wheel diameter, etc.

[0003] After the test, all values ​​are saved in a database and can be printed out as a test report. The data can be transferred to a higher-level system.

[0004] The load application unit exerts linear forces on the bogie, typically vertically downward forces. To achieve this, a defined position is reached using direct displacement measurement. The target force is then applied using force control. Typically, two load application units are provided, which are arranged on a crossbeam and can be moved relative to each other along a horizontal axis to adapt to different bogie dimensions or geometries. This allows forces such as those that occur when negotiating curves to be simulated.

[0005] Common load application units include hydraulic or electric load cylinders. Hydraulic load cylinders, for example, are designed as differential hydraulic cylinders and include a servo valve. They are controlled, for example, via an industrial PC. Such hydraulic cylinders are sensitive to transverse forces acting on the piston rod. Therefore, a so-called auxiliary yoke is usually present to absorb transverse forces. Accordingly, despite the hydraulic cylinders being inexpensive, the overall construction costs are relatively high. Maintenance and repair costs are also relatively high.

[0006] Electric load cylinders offer an alternative. These are designed, for example, as linear actuators with a ball screw drive. They are driven by a synchronous motor, which is usually controlled by a dedicated drive amplifier. However, such drives and corresponding spare parts are comparatively expensive.

[0007] In order to test different bogie models, such as motor and trailer bogies, different track gauges, 2- and 3-axle bogies, the relevant dimensions of the test bench can be adapted to the different requirements by manually or automatically adjusting individual components.

[0008] Bogie test benches are known that comprise individual wheel carriers, with each bogie wheel mounted on the bogie being supported by one of the wheel carriers for testing. The track gauge and axle spacing can be adjusted by adjusting the wheel carrier positions accordingly. For example, EP 1 918 689 B1 (Schenck Process GmbH) shows a bogie test bench with a height-adjustable entry track device and at least four positioning units (wheel carriers) with receiving prisms for the bogie wheels. The bogie is driven into the test bench on the wheel flanges of the bogie wheels via the entry track device. The entry track device is then lowered so that the bogie wheels can be picked up by the receiving prisms.The positioning units comprise a lower X-slide, a Y-slide, a height-adjustable Z-lifting device and a finely adjustable upper X-slide arranged on the X-slide with the receiving prism, the measuring device for the wheel contact force and a distance sensor.

[0009] Other bogie test benches of this type are known from EP 2 705 344 B1 and EP 1 918 689 A2 of Schenck Process GmbH, as well as from KR 2018 0079432 A of Beijing Lead Time Sci & Tech Co LTD.

[0010] In known bogie test stands, the bogie is moved into the actual test stand on the entry tracks manually, if necessary supported by a rope or cable winch.

[0011] The construction of such wheel carriers, with several linear guides arranged perpendicular to each other, is complex, especially since these linear guides must be dimensioned accordingly to the high contact forces to be absorbed. Description of the invention

[0012] The object of the invention is to create a wheel carrier belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which has a simple and mechanically stable construction.

[0013] The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the wheel carrier comprises a lifting unit with the following components: a platform; a first linear carriage which is displaceable along a longitudinal guide extending in a running direction perpendicular to the direction of action; a second linear carriage which is displaceable in the running direction along the longitudinal guide; a first lever mechanism for coupling the first linear carriage to the platform; and a second lever mechanism for coupling the second linear carriage to the platform.

[0014] In this case, a distance between the first linear slide and the second linear slide can be changed, so that a distance of the platform from the first linear slide and from the second linear slide can be changed in the direction of action.

[0015] The distance of the platform from the first linear slide and the second linear slide in the direction of action can be changed by changing the distance between the first linear slide and the second linear slide thanks to the first lever mechanism and the second lever mechanism. The first lever mechanism and the second lever mechanism are thus designed such that the distance of the platform from the first linear slide and the second linear slide in the direction of action can be changed by changing the distance between the first linear slide and the second linear slide.

[0016] The distance can be varied, in particular, by moving the first linear carriage and the second linear carriage along the longitudinal guide in the direction of travel or counter to the direction of travel, covering different travel distances. One of the linear carriages can be stationary while the other is moving. Both linear carriages can also be moved, either in the same direction (with different travel distances) or in opposite directions (with the same or different travel distances).

[0017] Preferably, two load application units are provided which are arranged on a cross member so as to be displaceable relative to one another along a horizontal axis in order to adapt to different bogie dimensions or geometries.

[0018] The parallel kinematic mechanism according to the invention enables movements in both the running direction (X-axis) and the direction of action (Z-axis), whereby forces exerted by the bogie on the road wheels can be optimally absorbed, essentially independent of the X and Z positions. Compared to the serial arrangement known from the prior art, only one mechanism is required for the corresponding degrees of freedom. This results in a simpler design and improved force absorption.

[0019] As explained below, the distance between the platform on the one hand and the linear slides (or longitudinal guide) on the other hand is adjusted for various purposes. These include, for example, gripping and releasing a wheel of the bogie under test, lifting the bogie from an inlet rail, adapting to different wheel and / or bogie geometries, or performing certain tests that require active, independent height adjustment of the individual wheels.

[0020] The movement of the linear slides along the longitudinal guide not only serves to adjust the height of the platform, but can also serve other purposes, such as adapting the wheel carrier positions to the dimensions of the bogie (e.g. to the axle distance), retracting the bogie into the device and / or centering the bogie under the load application unit.

[0021] Preferably, the first lever mechanism comprises two four-bar linkages, and the second lever mechanism comprises two further four-bar linkages, with the lever axes of all levers of the four-bar linkages extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel. The levers are preferably all the same length, so that two levers each define a parallelogram. This enables a particularly simple and stable construction, whereby the parallelism of the platform to the longitudinal guide can be ensured without any additional measures.

[0022] The lever axes preferably extend perpendicular to the running direction. In particular, the longitudinal guide advantageously runs horizontally, while the direction of action is directed vertically downwards and the lever axes run horizontally, transversely to the running direction.

[0023] Advantageously, the two four-bar linkages of the first lever mechanism are spaced apart from each other in a direction of the lever axes, and the two four-bar linkages of the second lever mechanism are also spaced apart from each other in a direction of the lever axes.

[0024] The greatest possible distance between the two four-bar linkages is advantageous because it improves the stability of the structure, especially when forces are applied off-center on the wheel carrier platform. It is particularly preferred that the two four-bar linkages of the first lever mechanism and the two four-bar linkages of the second lever mechanism be hinged on either side of the respective platform. This maximizes the distance without significantly increasing the overall width of the device.

[0025] Alternatively, the spaced four-bar linkages can be hinged on the underside of the platform.

[0026] Instead of the four-bar linkages, the wheel carriers can also be realized with individual levers, especially if a linear guide is additionally arranged on the wheel carrier for the platform along the direction of action.

[0027] Preferably, the first linear carriage and the second linear carriage are mechanically connected to one another by a device for adjusting their distance from one another. This allows the distance between the linear carriages, and thus the distance between the platform and the linear carriages, to be adjusted precisely and easily. The mechanism preferably also serves to absorb forces in the direction of the longitudinal guide. In particular, the forces acting from the bogie on the platform result in opposing axial forces parallel or anti-parallel to the direction of travel. A connecting mechanism that can absorb these forces in whole or in part prevents the forces from the linear carriages from being transferred to the linear guide. The linear carriages therefore primarily transfer forces parallel to the direction of action to the linear guide or its supporting structure.

[0028] Advantageously, the device for adjusting the distance comprises a a) a threaded spindle mounted on one of the linear slides so as to be rotatable and axially immovable, the axis of rotation of which extends in the direction of travel, and b) a rotatable driver arranged on the other of the linear slides.

[0029] By rotating the threaded spindle, the other linear slide can be moved relative to the first linear slide in the direction of the spindle's rotation axis. The rotating driver is mounted on the other linear slide in a manner that is rotatable but axially immovable, and it includes an internal thread that interacts with an external thread of the threaded spindle.

[0030] When designed accordingly, threaded spindles are suitable for absorbing high forces and enable precise and continuous adjustment of the distance between the two linear slides.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the threaded spindle and the driver form a ball screw drive. This minimizes friction between the components, resulting in a lower breakaway torque and reduced wear.

[0032] In principle, other spindle drives with suitably designed spindles and bearings can also be used.

[0033] Alternatively, the two linear slides have independent drives so that they can be adjusted and positioned independently of each other along the longitudinal guide. In this case, means must be provided to absorb the aforementioned forces in the direction of travel.

[0034] Advantageously, a drive motor is mounted on the first linear slide, the output of which acts on a pinion. The pinion interacts with a rack extending in the direction of travel to move the first linear slide. Rack and pinion drives enable precise positioning and long travel distances, and the component complexity on the rail side is minimized. In particular, no complex components are required at the ends of the travel path.

[0035] The drive motor is, in particular, a servomotor. In embodiments with a spindle for adjusting the distance between the linear slides, the drive motor for the spindle and the drive motor for the rack and pinion drive can be arranged on the same linear slide, or the drive motor for the rack and pinion drive can be arranged on the first linear slide, while the drive motor for the spindle is arranged on the second linear slide.

[0036] Instead of a rack and pinion arrangement, other drives can be used, e.g. spindle drives, belt or chain drives, linear drives, etc.

[0037] A test bench according to the invention for testing bogies of rail vehicles comprises a support device for supporting a bogie during a testing process, comprising several wheel carriers according to the invention for each supporting a running wheel arranged on the bogie.

[0038] In a first embodiment, the test bench comprises a load application unit for generating a linear force acting on the bogie, comprising a force generation unit for generating a base force and a transmission device for transmitting the base force into the applied force acting on the bogie, directed in a direction of action. This allows a single bogie to be tested.

[0039] In a second embodiment, the support device of the test bench comprises at least eight wheel carriers according to the invention to support all the running wheels of at least two bogies arranged on a car body. Thus, all the running wheels of two bogies arranged on a car body can be accommodated simultaneously by corresponding wheel carriers. A torsion test is then carried out, in particular, by adjusting the wheel carriers to different heights, with the linear force being exerted by the car body's own weight.

[0040] With the aid of the wheel carrier according to the invention, which can be moved along the longitudinal guide, the distance between two groups of wheel carriers can be easily adjusted to the distance between the bogies on the car body.

[0041] The test bench advantageously comprises two parallel infeed rails extending in the running direction for feeding the bogie to be measured. The bogie can then be easily fed to the test position in the running direction by means of the running wheels, in particular by rolling on the wheel flange.

[0042] The inlet rails must absorb high forces in the direction of action. Therefore, the inlet rails are preferably fixed vertically and in the direction of travel. This eliminates the need for a height-adjustable assembly for the inlet rails, which would have to be capable of absorbing the aforementioned high forces in the direction of action.

[0043] At least one of the inlet rails can be mounted with adjustable mounting in the transverse direction, allowing the test bench to be adapted to different track widths. Such adjustment devices can be implemented, for example, using linear guides running in the transverse direction, on which the support structures of the inlet rails are mounted. Such adjustments are usually relatively rare and can be performed manually or automatically.

[0044] Advantageously, the longitudinal guide and the inlet rails are arranged such that wheel receiving devices arranged on the platforms of the wheel carriers can be moved between an engagement position and a release position by a vertical movement of the respective platform, wherein in the engagement position forces can be transmitted in the running direction between the respective wheel receiving device and the respective wheel, while in the release position the respective wheel carrier is freely movable in the running direction with respect to the bogie.

[0045] In the engagement position, the bogie can thus be positioned relative to the load application unit by the coordinated movement of the wheel carriers in the running direction.

[0046] Preferably, the engagement position is defined such that the bogie's running wheels can roll on the inlet rails with their running surfaces or on the wheel flange. Thus, during the bogie's positioning, the vertical forces continue to be fully or largely absorbed by the inlet rail.

[0047] Preferably, each of the wheel carriers comprises a wheel receiving device arranged on the platform and a force measuring unit for measuring a force exerted on the wheel receiving device.

[0048] The wheel support device advantageously comprises two rotating rollers for interacting with the running surface of the respective running wheel. This facilitates the movement of the bogie in the engaged position of the wheel support devices while the running wheels roll with their flanges on the inlet rails. Particularly preferably, at least one of the rollers can be actively driven. This prevents static deformation of the wheel due to the forces acting during the testing process. Furthermore, driven wheels enable more extensive tests, for example, to determine the roundness of the wheels, the centricity of the wheel bearings, or similar.

[0049] Instead of rollers, other elements can also be used, such as prism-shaped mounts.

[0050] A method according to the invention for testing a bogie of a rail vehicle comprises the following steps: a) Moving the bogie in a running direction by running the wheel flanges of running wheels arranged on the bogie on two parallel inlet rails; b) Positioning the bogie and a plurality of wheel carriers of a support device relative to one another along the running direction such that a wheel carrier is assigned to each of the running wheels, wherein each of the wheel carriers comprises a lifting unit with a platform, a first linear carriage which is displaceable along a longitudinal guide extending in the running direction, a second linear carriage which is displaceable in the running direction along the longitudinal guide, a first lever mechanism for coupling the first linear carriage to the platform and a second lever mechanism for coupling the second linear carriage to the platform;c) Gripping the bogie by reducing the distance between the first linear slide and the second linear slide of the lifting units so that the wheel carriers are lifted and grip the running wheels in the area of ​​their running surface; d) Lifting the bogie until the wheel flanges of the running wheels are lifted off the inlet rails; e) Testing the bogie by exerting a linear force on the bogie, whereby the linear force is perpendicular to the direction of travel, and measuring the forces acting on the wheel carriers.

[0051] To test an individual bogie, it is positioned in an application position of a load application unit by moving the wheel carriers along the running direction. The application force is then exerted by a load application unit. The bogie can be grasped directly in a takeover position by all wheel carriers and moved to the application position (test position). In a preferred embodiment, initially only the running wheels of the frontmost wheel pair in the feed direction are grasped, specifically with the rearmost wheel carriers in the feed direction. The bogie is then moved in the feed direction with the help of these two wheel carriers until the wheel carriers can be transferred. The wheels of the first wheel pair are released again, all wheel carriers are then moved under the respective wheels and lifted so that the bogie can be grasped with all wheels and then moved to the test position.With this design, the required travel path of the wheel carriers along the longitudinal guide can be significantly reduced.

[0052] The bogies can be retracted safely and quickly using the method proposed in the invention. There is no need to attach drive devices such as ropes or cables from a winch to the bogie, nor is it necessary to position the bogie manually; instead, the positioning can be initiated and monitored from a safe distance. Accordingly, the risk of accidents is minimized.

[0053] When subjected to external forces, typical bogies deform, resulting in a slight increase in the axle distance due to the typical swing arm geometry. Therefore, during bogie testing, it is best to leave all linear slides freely movable in the direction of travel, while the distances between the first and second linear slides of each wheel carrier are fixed. Releasing the linear slides allows the increased axle distance to be easily accommodated.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, a drive motor is arranged on the first linear slide for each of the wheel carriers, the output of which acts on a pinion, wherein the pinion cooperates with a rack extending in the running direction to move the first linear slide, wherein the pinion is released for free rotation for testing the bogie, in particular by de-energizing an electric drive motor for the pinion.

[0055] The drive motors are typically servomotors. These and any downstream gearboxes are preferably designed so that only minimal braking forces act on the output when the motor is de-energized. Alternatively, a switchable clutch can be used between the motor and pinion or between the gearbox and pinion.

[0056] Instead of a rack and pinion arrangement, other drives can be used, e.g. spindle drives, belt or chain drives, etc.

[0057] Within the scope of the method according to the invention, the insertion of washers can be simulated by individually adjusting the heights of the wheel carriers.

[0058] This eliminates the need to test insert shim plates until the correct configuration is found. Adjusting or changing the height of the wheel carriers can be done under full load, allowing simulation, testing, and improvement in an iterative process without any time delay.

[0059] In a similar way, by adjusting the height of the wheel carriers to different heights, a torsion test of the bogie can also be carried out.

[0060] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims. Short description of the drawings

[0061] The drawings used to explain the embodiment show: Fig. 1 is an oblique view of an embodiment of the test bench according to the invention for bogies of rail vehicles, at the beginning of the bogie feed; Fig. 2 is an oblique view of the support device for the bogie; Fig. 3 is an oblique view of one side of the support device with two wheel carriers; Fig. 4 is an oblique view of the lifting unit of a wheel carrier; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lifting unit in the lowered state; Fig. 6 is an oblique view of the lifting unit in the raised state; Fig. 7 is an oblique view illustrating the interaction of an inlet rail and the wheel receiving device of the wheel carrier with a running wheel of the bogie; Fig. 8 is an oblique view of the test bench with the bogie in the test position; and Fig. 9 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the test bench according to the invention.

[0062] In principle, identical parts in the figures are provided with identical reference symbols. Ways to implement the invention

[0063] The Figure 1shows an oblique view of an embodiment of the test bench according to the invention for bogies of rail vehicles, at the beginning of the bogie feed. Figure 2 shows an oblique view of the support device for the bogie. The Figure 3 shows an oblique view of one side of the support device with two wheel carriers.

[0064] The test bench 1 comprises two parallel inlet rails 61, 62. Their height is fixed, while one of the inlet rails 61 is adjustable in the transverse direction, the other is also fixed in the transverse direction.

[0065] The bogie 50 is moved into the test position of test stand 1 on the inlet rails 61, 62. The bogie 50 comprises a bogie frame 51, on which the wheel axles 54 with the wheels 55 of the bogie 50 are mounted via secondary springs 52 and wheel bearings 53 with primary suspension.

[0066] At the test position, test bench 1 comprises a gantry 20 with two supports 21, 22, on which a cross member 25 is mounted so as to be vertically displaceable along a linear guide. Each of the supports 21, 22 consists of two vertical members 21.1, 21.2; 22.1, 22.2, which are arranged parallel to one another. The outer ends of the cross member 25 move in the space between the respective vertical members 21.1, 21.2; 22.1, 22.2. The linear guide comprises vertical rails and a carriage movable thereon, to which the cross member 25 is attached. A drive motor for a spindle is arranged on each of the carriages. The two spindles extend horizontally inward from the respective carriage, parallel to the cross member 25, and serve to transversely adjust two load application units 30.1, 30.2 arranged on the cross member 25 via another linear guide. The load application units 30.1 and 30.2 are identically constructed. The stroke of the cross member 25 on the supports 21 and 22 is approximately1,000 mm, so that the load application units 30.1, 30.2 can interact with different bogies and reference measuring cells for calibration.

[0067] The load application units 30.1, 30.2 each comprise a device for generating a downwardly directed base force. These can be hydraulic or electric load cylinders in a conventional manner, or preferably a hybrid system with a double-acting hydraulic cylinder whose cylinder chambers are supplied with hydraulic fluid by a bidirectional axial piston pump, as described in the pending International Patent Application PCT / EP 2020 / 085560, filed on December 10, 2020.

[0068] At their lower end, the corresponding piston rods have transmission pieces that interact with corresponding action points on the bogie 50 to transmit an acting force. In the example shown, the action points are located longitudinally centrally on the bogie frame and transversely in a plane that is approximately defined by the center of the running surfaces of the wheels of the corresponding side.

[0069] The cross member 25 further comprises a supply arrangement 28 with drag chains for supplying the load application units 30.1, 30.2 with electrical energy and control signals. Sensor signals from sensors arranged on the load application units 30.1, 30.2 are also transmitted via the drag chains of the supply arrangement 28 to a control and / or evaluation station.

[0070] The test bench 1 further comprises a support device 100 with four wheel carriers 110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4, wherein two wheel carriers 110.1, 110.2 cooperate with the first inlet rail 61 and two wheel carriers 110.3, 110.4 cooperate with the second inlet rail 62. In the Figure 1 a side 100.1 of the support device 100 is shown.

[0071] Each wheel carrier 110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4 comprises a lifting unit 120.1, 120.2 and a wheel support unit 150.1, 150.2 arranged thereon (cf. Figure 3 ). The lifting unit 120.1, 120.2 is described below in connection with the Figures 4-6described in more detail. At its upper end, it has, among other things, a platform 135.1, 135.2 on which the respective wheel receiving unit 150.1, 150.2 is mounted. The wheel receiving unit 150.1, 150.2 has two rotatable rollers 151.1, 152.1; 151.2, 152.2, which can be rotated by a servo motor. Their axes of rotation run horizontally and perpendicularly to the inlet rail 61. The wheel receiving unit 150.1, 150.2 also has a centering mechanism 155.1, 155.2 with a plunger which is essentially arranged between the rollers 151.1, 152.1; 151.2, 152.2 and can be moved by a further servo motor via a planetary gear and a spindle drive along a linear axis parallel to the rotational axes of the rollers 151.1, 152.1; 151.2, 152.2.

[0072] Each lifting unit 120.1, 120.2 comprises two linear slides 121.1, 122.1; 121.2, 122.2, which are movably mounted on a linear guide 140 parallel to the inlet rail 61. The linear guide 140 comprises two parallel profile rails 141, 142. A rack 145 is arranged parallel to these. Each of the linear slides 121.1, 121.2 carries a pinion driven by a drive motor, which cooperates with the rack 145 to position the respective linear slide 121.1, 121.2 along the linear guide 140. The other linear slide 122.1, 122.2 of the lifting unit 120.1, 120.2 is mechanically connected to the first linear slide 121.1, 121.2 via a spindle. This is explained further below in connection with the Figures 4-6 described in more detail.

[0073] The forces exerted by the two load application units 30.1, 30.2 on the bogie 50 can be controlled independently of each other. Thus, both symmetrical and asymmetrical forces can be exerted on the bogie 50 in the transverse direction. Using suitable, conventional measuring devices, the reaction of the bogie 50 to the applied forces can be recorded.

[0074] The Figure 4 shows an oblique view of the lifting unit of a wheel carrier, the Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of the lifting unit in the lowered position and the Figure 6 An oblique view of the lifting unit in the raised position. The lifting unit 120 comprises two linear slides 121, 122. These each have a support 123, 124, on the underside of which two guide carriages 125.1, 125.2; 126.1, 126.2 are mounted. These each comprise several ball raceways, which, when the wheel carrier is mounted, are aligned with the running surfaces of the respective profile rail (see Figure 3) work together.

[0075] A drive motor 131 is mounted on the outer end face of the support 123 of one of the linear slides 121. This is a servo motor with a vertically oriented drive axis. The latter acts via a planetary gear 132 on a pinion 133. This pinion meshes with the rack running parallel to the linear guide (see Fig. Figure 3 ). The drive motor 131 is designed so that the output rotates essentially freely when the motor is de-energized.

[0076] Another drive motor 127 is arranged on the support 124 of the other linear slide 122. This is again a servo motor, but its drive axis is horizontally oriented and runs longitudinally through the center of the support 124. The drive motor 127 acts via a planetary gear 128 on a spindle 129.1 of a ball screw drive 129. This further comprises a first bearing 129.2 in the linear slide 122 with the drive motor 127 and a second bearing 129.3 in the other linear slide 121. The latter comprises a rotatable but axially immovable threaded sleeve 129.4, which interacts with the external thread of the spindle 129.1, so that the distance between the two linear slides 121, 122 can be adjusted using the drive motor 127.

[0077] Two equally long levers 134.1...8 are hinged to the side surfaces of the supports 123, 124 via corresponding pivot bearings arranged at a horizontal distance. The levers are hinged to the platform 135 in bearings arranged laterally at the same horizontal distance, forming a total of four four-bar linkages 136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.4.

[0078] On the upper side of platform 135, two vertically oriented cylindrical guide pins 137.1, 137.2 are arranged, as well as three measuring cells 138.1, 138.2, 138.3 spanning a triangle. The latter are designed as shear beam measuring cells. The force introduction points are each located near the lateral edge of platform 135. The introduction point of the first measuring cell 138.1 is located centrally in the longitudinal direction, and the introduction points of the other measuring cells 138.2, 138.3 are located near the longitudinal ends of platform 135, thus achieving the best possible force distribution.

[0079] The Figures 4 and 5 show the lifting unit 120 in the lowered state, ie the two linear slides 121, 122 are at their maximum distance, and the platform 135 is minimally removed from the plane defined by the linear slides 121, 122. In the Figure 6 The lifting unit 120 is shown in its maximum raised position. The distance between the linear slides 121, 122 is smaller, and the distance of the platform 135 from the plane is greater due to the lever mechanism with the four four-bar linkages 136.1...4. The height of the platform 135 can thus be adjusted by operating the drive motor 127, with the maximum stroke being approximately 80 mm. The lifting unit 120 can also be positioned as a whole along the linear guide (i.e., parallel to the inlet rails) with the aid of the drive motor 131.

[0080] The Figure 7shows an oblique view to illustrate the interaction of an inlet rail and the wheel support device of the wheel carrier with a running wheel of the bogie.

[0081] The wheel support unit 150 of the wheel carrier 110 is positioned on the platform 135. It rests on the three measuring cells and is guided by the two guide pins 137.1, 137.2. For this purpose, the wheel support unit 150 has two openings on its underside that are slightly larger than the cross-section of the guide pins 137.1, 137.2 they accommodate. Furthermore, disc springs are used to secure the wheel support unit 150 with its openings relative to the guide pins 137.1, 137.2.

[0082] The wheel carriers 110 are arranged adjacent to the inlet rail 61 such that the rollers 152 of the wheel support units 150 can interact with a running surface 55b of the respective wheel 55, while the wheel 55 rolls with its flange 55a on a running surface 61a of the inlet rail 61. A vertical movement of the wheel support unit 150 can influence whether and how its rollers 152 interact with the wheel 55: In a lowered position, there is no interaction between the rollers 152 of the wheel support unit 150 and the wheel 55, and the corresponding wheel carrier 110 can also be guided underneath the wheel 55; in a middle position, the rollers 152 of the wheel support unit 150 contact the running surface 55b of the wheel 55, but the latter is still supported on the inlet rail 61 via the wheel flange 55a - thus, the bogie can be moved along the inlet rail 61 with the help of the wheel carriers 110; in a raised position, the wheel 55 is fully supported on the rollers 152 of the wheel support unit 150; the wheel flange 55a has lost contact with the inlet rail 61 - in this position, force measurements can be carried out to test the bogie, because all forces acting on the wheel 55 are transmitted via the measuring cells of the wheel carrier 110.

[0083] The Figure 8shows an oblique view of test stand 1 with bogie 50 in the test position. In this position, vertical forces can be exerted on bogie 50 using load application units 30.1, 30.2. Forces exerted by the wheels 55 of bogie 50 on the wheel carriers 110 are recorded in a conventional manner using the described measuring cells, transmitted to an evaluation device, and evaluated there.

[0084] The insertion of the bogie 50 into the test position comprises the following steps: 1. The bogie 50 is placed in one end area on the inlet rails 61, 62 so that the flanges of the wheels 55 can roll on the running surfaces of the inlet rails 61, 62. This placement can be carried out, for example, with the aid of a crane. 2. The two wheel carriers 110 facing the bogie 50 are moved under the bogie 50 so that they are positioned below the front wheels 55 facing the portal 20. 3. The aforementioned two wheel carriers 110 are raised until they reach their central position, in which the rollers of the wheel carriers 110 interact with the running surfaces of the wheels 55; however, the wheels 55 continue to be supported by their flanges on the inlet rails 61, 62. 4. The two wheel carriers 110 mentioned above are moved toward the portal 20, at least until the rear wheels 55 facing away from the portal 20 are also within the travel range of the wheel carriers 110. 5.All wheel carriers 110 are lowered so that they can move below the bogie 50 along their guides parallel to the inlet rails 61, 62. They are then moved to the positions of the four wheels 55 of the bogie 50. 6. All wheel carriers 110 are now raised to their central position. All wheels 55 of the bogie 50 now interact with one wheel carrier 110 each. 7. The bogie 50 can now be moved to an axially centered position below the portal 20. 8. All wheel carriers 110 are now raised further until the wheel flanges of the wheels 55 are released from the inlet rails 61, 62. The ball screw of the lifting unit is now fixed via the motor brake of the corresponding drive motor, thus also fixing the height of the wheels. 9. The bogie 50 can now be centered transversely to the inlet direction.For this purpose, the aforementioned plungers in the wheel support device are moved inward as needed to push the wheels 55 along the wheel shoulder to the desired transverse position. 10. The drive motors for the pinions are now de-energized so that the wheel carriers can move freely along their guides. 11. The forces can now be applied, and the resulting forces on the wheel carriers can be recorded using the measuring cells. Changes in the center distance due to the applied force are compensated for by allowing the wheel carriers to move essentially unhindered along their guides. During the measuring process, the wheels 55 are rotated using the driven rollers of the wheel carriers 110 to avoid static bending and deformation.

[0085] The device according to the invention can also be used to simulate the insertion of shim plates. To do this, the wheel carriers where the insertion of a shim plate is to be simulated are raised further. Once a balanced load distribution is achieved, the thicknesses of the required shims can be calculated from the additional elevation. A torsion test is also possible by raising the wheel carriers to different heights.

[0086] The device according to the invention enables simple calibration of the measuring cells and / or the load-applying units by aligning the corresponding wheel carrier and a load-applying unit and placing a reference measuring cell between the load-applying unit and the wheel carrier. The system can then be loaded using the load-applying unit, with the acting forces being measured by the reference measuring cell and the measuring cells.

[0087] The Figure 9is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of the test bench according to the invention. This corresponds in many respects to the previously described embodiment. The test bench 2 according to the further embodiment is used for the torsion test of two bogies 250.1, 250.2 attached to a car body 256. The car to be tested is moved along the inlet rails 261 to the wheel carriers 210.1, 210.2, 210.3, 210.4 and is gripped there by them as described above. The force acting on the bogies 250.1, 250.2 is provided by the car body 256 itself. The torsion is caused by a different height adjustment of the wheel carriers 210.1, 210.2, 210.3, 210.4 (and the four other wheel carriers arranged in a mirror image on the other side). Test bench 2 can be easily adapted to the dimensions of bogies 250.1, 250.2 and car body 256. For this purpose, the distances between the wheel carriers 210.1, 210.2; 210.3, 210.4 of the respective wheel carrier group 215.1, 215.2 to each other and, on the other hand, the distance between the two wheel carrier groups 215.1, 215.2 by moving the wheel carriers 210.1...4 along the corresponding profile rail 241. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, unless it deviates from the scope of protection of the claims.

[0088] This allows for different design details, in particular. The dimensions of the test bench can be selected differently, depending in particular on the bogies being tested. For bogies with more than four wheels, additional wheel carriers may be required.

[0089] In summary, the invention provides a test bench for testing bogies which has a simple construction.

Claims

1. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) for supporting a running wheel arranged on a bogie (250.1, 250.2), wherein the wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) comprises a lifting unit (120.1, 120.2) with the following components: - a platform (135.1, 135.2); - a first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) which is displaceable along a longitudinal guide (140) extending in a running direction perpendicular to the direction of action; characterized in that the lifting unit further comprises the following components: - a second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) which is displaceable in the running direction along the longitudinal guide (140); - a first lever mechanism for coupling the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2); and - a second lever mechanism for coupling the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2), wherein a distance between the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) is variable, so that a distance of the platform (135.1, 135.2) from the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and from the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) is variable in the direction of action.

2. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first lever mechanism comprises two four-bar linkages (136.1, 136.2) and in that the second lever mechanism comprises two further four-bar linkages (136.3, 136.4), wherein the lever axes of all levers (134.1.8) of the four-bar linkages (136.1, 136.2, 136.3, 136.4) extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to the running direction.

3. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the two four-bar linkages (136.1, 136.2) of the first lever mechanism are spaced apart from one another in a direction of the lever axes, and in that the two four-bar linkages (136.3, 136.4) of the second lever mechanism are spaced apart from one another in a direction of the lever axes.

4. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) are mechanically connected to one another by a device for adjusting their distance from one another.

5. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the device for adjusting the distance comprises a) a threaded spindle which is mounted rotatably and axially non-displaceably on one of the linear slides (121, 122) and the axis of rotation of which extends in the running direction, and b) a rotatable driver which is arranged on the other of the linear slides (122, 121).

6. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the threaded spindle and the driver form a ball screw drive (129).

7. Wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a drive motor (131) is arranged on the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2), the output of which drive motor acts on a pinion (133), wherein the pinion (133) interacts with a toothed rack (145) which extends in the running direction in order to displace the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2).

8. Test stand (1) for testing bogies (250.1, 250.2) of rail vehicles, comprising a supporting apparatus (100) for supporting a bogie (250.1, 250.2) during a testing operation, comprising a plurality of wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) for supporting in each case one running wheel arranged on the bogie (250.1, 250.2), wherein the wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) comprises a lifting unit (120.1, 120.2) with the following components: - a platform (135.1, 135.2); - a first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) which is displaceable along a longitudinal guide (140) extending in a running direction perpendicular to the direction of action; characterized in that the lifting unit further comprises the following components: - a second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) which is displaceable in the running direction along the longitudinal guide (140); - a first lever mechanism for coupling the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2); and - a second lever mechanism for coupling the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2), wherein a distance between the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) is variable, so that a distance of the platform (135.1, 135.2) from the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and from the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) is variable in the direction of action.

9. Test stand (1) according to Claim 8, comprising a load-action unit for generating a linear force of action on the bogie (250.1, 250.2), comprising a force-generating unit for generating a basic force and a transmission device for transmitting the basic force into the force of action which is oriented in a direction of action and acts on the bogie (250.1, 250.2).

10. Test stand (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the supporting apparatus (100) comprises at least eight wheel carriers according to Claim 1, in order to support all running wheels of at least two bogies (250.1, 250.2) arranged on a wagon body.

11. Test stand (1) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized by two run-in rails (61, 62), which are arranged in parallel and extend in the running direction, for feeding the bogie (250.1, 250.2) to be measured.

12. Test stand (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the longitudinal guide (140) and the run-in rails (61, 62) are arranged in such a way that wheel receiving devices (150, 150.1, 150.2) arranged on the platforms (135) of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) are movable between an engagement position and a release position by a vertical movement of the respective platform (135.1, 135.2), wherein, in the engagement position, forces can be transmitted in the running direction between the respective wheel receiving device (150, 150.1, 150.2) and the respective running wheel, while, in the release position, the respective wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) is freely movable in the running direction with respect to the bogie (250.1, 250.2).

13. Test stand (1) according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that each of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) comprises a wheel receiving device (150, 150.1, 150.2) arranged on the platform (135.1, 135.2) and a force-measuring unit for measuring a force exerted on the wheel receiving device (150, 150.1, 150.2) .

14. Method for testing a bogie (250.1, 250.2) of a rail vehicle, comprising the following steps: a) running in the bogie (250.1, 250.2) along a running direction, in that wheel flanges of running wheels arranged on the bogie (250.1, 250.2) run on two parallel run-in rails (61, 62); characterized by b) positioning the bogie (250.1, 250.2) and a plurality of wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) of a supporting apparatus (100) with respect to one another, along the running direction, such that a wheel carrier (110.1, 110.2) is assigned to each of the running wheels, wherein each of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) comprises a lifting unit (120.1, 120.2) with a platform (135.1, 135.2), a first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) which is displaceable along a longitudinal guide (140) extending in the running direction, a second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) which is displaceable in the running direction along the longitudinal guide (140), a first lever mechanism for coupling the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2) and a second lever mechanism for coupling the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) to the platform (135.1, 135.2); c) grasping the bogie (250.1, 250.2) by reducing a distance between the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2) and the second linear slide (122.1, 122.2) of the lifting units (120.1, 120.2), such that the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) are lifted and grasp the running wheels in the region of their running surface; d) lifting the bogie (250.1, 250.2) until the wheel flanges of the running wheels are lifted from the run-in rails (61, 62); e) testing the bogie (250.1, 250.2) by exerting a linear force of action on the bogie (250.1, 250.2), wherein the linear force of action is perpendicular to the running direction, and measuring forces acting on the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2).

15. Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that, for the testing of the bogie (250.1, 250.2), all linear slides (121, 122) are freely movable in the running direction, while the distances between the first linear slides (121.1, 121.2) and the second linear slides (122.1, 122.2) of in each case one wheel carrier (110) are fixed.

16. Method according to Claim 15, characterized in that, in each of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2), a drive motor (131) is arranged on the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2), the output of which drive motor acts on a pinion (133), wherein the pinion (133) interacts with a toothed rack which extends in the running direction in order to displace the first linear slide (121.1, 121.2), wherein, for the testing of the bogie (250.1, 250.2), the pinion (133) is released for free rotation, in particular by an electric drive motor (131) for the pinion (133) being switched without current.

17. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the insertion of shims is simulated by an individual setting of the heights of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2).

18. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized by the additional step of positioning the bogie (250.1, 250.2) by moving the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2) along the running direction, in a position of action of a load-action unit, and in that the linear force of action is exerted by means of the load-action unit.

19. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterized in that two bogies (250.1, 250.2) are arranged on a wagon body and all running wheels of the two bogies (250.1, 250.2) are received at the same time by corresponding wheel carriers (110), after which a torsion test is carried out by setting different heights of the wheel carriers (110.1, 110.2), wherein the linear force of action is exerted by means of a dead weight of the wagon body.

20. Method according to Claim 19, characterized by the additional step of setting a distance between two groups of wheel carriers (110) to a distance between the bogies (250.1, 250.2) on the wagon body.