DEVICE FOR REDUCING THE AIR RESISTANCE OF RAIL VEHICLES

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a railway vehicle nose, wherein the railway vehicle nose has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end section, such that the free coupling end section can be connected to a further central buffer coupling of a further railway vehicle nose, wherein the central buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position, wherein the central buffer coupling is designed and mounted such that the free coupling end section is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the railway vehicle nose has a front panel, wherein the front panel radially surrounds the central buffer coupling at least partially, such that a front opening pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front panel and the central buffer coupling.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a covering device for covering the front opening extending between a front panel and a central buffer coupling of a rail vehicle.

[0002] Rail vehicles, especially regional and suburban trains, typically have an open center buffer coupler at each of the two ends of a continuous train section. This center buffer coupler is used to couple multiple train sections together to create a longer train overall. Passengers cannot move between different train sections while the train is in motion.

[0003] The central buffer coupling is a component of the railway vehicle nose and is surrounded by the front panel of this railway vehicle nose.

[0004] As a rule, a train section has a rail vehicle nose with a central buffer coupling at both ends, so that the train section can also be coupled to other train sections at both ends.

[0005] Therefore, the front nose of the rail vehicle, viewed in the direction of travel during a journey of such a train, has a central buffer coupling that is not coupled to another central buffer coupling.

[0006] Since the central buffer coupler has limited mobility, at least in the horizontal direction, causing the coupler to pivot when cornering, a front opening extends between the central buffer coupler and the front panel surrounding it of the nose of the train or train section, which can also be described as the space between the central buffer coupler and the front panel.

[0007] At speeds exceeding 50 km / h, turbulence occurs in the area of ​​the front opening, increasing the train's drag. It has therefore been shown that the front opening is detrimental to a train's aerodynamics. In particular, when entering a tunnel, the front opening creates increased drag because the air within the tunnel cannot be effectively displaced due to the opening.

[0008] DE102018114245 A1 relates to a railway vehicle nose with a central buffer coupling extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis from a connection end on the car body side to a free end having a contact surface and / or contact element; with a cladding wall which circumferentially encloses the central buffer coupling around the longitudinal axis and extends from the connection end towards the free end. The railway vehicle nose according to the invention is characterized in that the cladding wall is formed by a flexible and / or elastically stretchable material which is stretched by a support structure, wherein the support structure has a plurality of rings and / or ring segments extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis and are supported against each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis by elastic pressure elements.

[0009] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve the aerodynamic properties of a railway vehicle nose mentioned above.

[0010] This problem is solved by the railway vehicle nose described in the claims and by the covering device described in the claims. According to the invention, the covering device is designed and arranged within the railway vehicle nose such that the first rigid support element is axially spaced from a region of the first material section and axially spaced from a region of the second material section.

[0011] The first material section can therefore extend from the first rigid support element in a first axial direction, and the second material section can extend from the first rigid support element in the opposite axial direction. This axially spaced arrangement of the rigid support element and the material sections allows for a high degree of mobility of the rigid support element, enabling movements of the center buffer couplings to be tracked by the rigid support element.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the railway vehicle nose according to the invention, the railway vehicle nose has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end section, such that the free coupling end section can be connected to a further central buffer coupling of a further railway vehicle nose, wherein the central buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position, wherein the central buffer coupling is designed and mounted such that the free coupling end section is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the railway vehicle nose has a front panel, wherein the front panel radially surrounds the central buffer coupling at least partially, such that a front opening pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front panel and the central buffer coupling, wherein the railway vehicle nose includes a cover device, wherein the cover device is designed and arranged such thatthat the front opening is at least partially covered by the cover device, wherein the cover device comprises a longitudinally oriented through-opening, wherein the free coupling end section projects from the inside out through the through-opening or is substantially flush with the through-opening, wherein the cover device has at least a first rigid support element, wherein the cover device has at least a first fabric-like material section and a second fabric-like material section, wherein the cover device is designed and arranged on the rail vehicle such that the first fabric-like material section extends at least partially radially between the front panel and the first rigid support element, wherein the cover device is designed such thatthat the second material-like section extends radially, at least in sections, between the central buffer coupling and the first rigid support element.

[0013] This combination of a rigid support element with two fabric-like material sections stiffens the cover device while simultaneously allowing movement of the opening defined by the cover. This enables the provision of a cover for the front opening that, due to the fabric-like material sections, can move with the center buffer coupler, thus ensuring that the coupler's movement is not restricted. At the same time, the stiffening provided by the rigid support element prevents significant axial compression or deformation of the cover device at higher speeds, thereby reducing the air resistance of the rail vehicle.The latter in turn leads to a better energy balance for the train and consequently to resource-saving consumption and improved economic efficiency.

[0014] In particular, the first fabric-like material section and the second fabric-like material section can be two separate fabric-like material webs.

[0015] The fabric-like material sections can include or consist of, in particular, polyester, polyamide, aramid, polypropylene, cotton, and / or viscose. However, other materials may also be used. The fabric-like material section can be a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a crocheted fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a laid fabric (e.g., a woven fabric).

[0016] The material section may include a coating. The coating may include a plastic. In particular, the coating includes an elastomer, a silicone, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), and / or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0017] The front panel can also be called the nose ring. The front opening can also be called the nose opening.

[0018] For the purposes of the present invention, the terms "radial" and "axial" refer to the longitudinal axis described.

[0019] For the purposes of the present invention, the rest position of the center buffer coupling is understood to be the position the center buffer coupling assumes when no external forces act upon it or have acted upon it. In particular, the rest position can be the position in which the center buffer coupling extends parallel to the longitudinal alignment of the rail vehicle.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the cover device is designed such that it is connected to the front panel via a radial outer edge of the cover device or rests against the front panel, wherein the cover device is designed such that it is connected to the center buffer coupling via a radial inner edge of the cover device or rests against the center buffer coupling.

[0021] This ensures that the front opening is adequately concealed. The cover can also be made airtight against the front panel or be airtightly connected to it. In particular, the cover can be connected to the front panel and simultaneously rest exclusively against the center buffer coupling. This simplifies the installation of the cover.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in a first pivoting direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total rotation angle of up to 40 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the pivoting direction, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total rotation angle of up to 35 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the pivoting direction, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total rotation angle of up to 30 degrees. This ensures sufficiently good curve negotiation of the rail vehicle during operation on regional lines and enables a simple and cost-effective implementation of the cover device.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in a second pivoting direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total rotation angle of a maximum of 25 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the second pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total rotation angle of a maximum of 20 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the second pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total rotation angle of a maximum of 15 degrees. This ensures sufficiently good behavior of the rail vehicle on gradients during operation on regional lines and enables a simple and cost-effective implementation of the cover device.

[0024] According to the invention, the first rigid support element is arranged within the front opening, such that the first rigid support element is radially surrounded by the front panel. This arrangement of the rigid support element has proven advantageous. Because when the first rigid support element is arranged in the free space surrounded by the front panel, it does not obstruct any existing wiring and / or compressed air supply channels on most existing railway vehicle noses, which extend along the center buffer coupler to the free end section of the center buffer coupler.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the cover device has at least one second rigid support element, wherein the second rigid support element defines the smallest cross-sectional area of ​​the through-opening, wherein the second rigid support element is designed and arranged such that the center buffer coupler projects through the through-opening, and wherein the center buffer coupler and the cover device are designed and arranged such that pivoting the center buffer coupler relative to the longitudinal axis causes a change in the position and / or location of the second rigid support element. The second rigid support element can, in particular, be the rigid support element of the cover device that is located closest to the center buffer coupler. This allows a movement of the center buffer coupler to be coupled to a movement of the cover device in a simple manner.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the cover device comprises a first module, wherein the first module covers a first area of ​​the front opening in the rest position of the center buffer coupler, and wherein the cover device comprises a second module, wherein the second module covers a second area of ​​the front opening in the rest position of the center buffer coupler, wherein the first area and the second area of ​​the front opening are not congruent, and wherein the first module of the cover device and the second module of the cover device can be connected to each other via a locking device and can be detached from each other without damage. The locking device can, in particular, comprise a screw connection and / or a click connection. The modular design of the cover device enables particularly easy installation of the cover device on existing rail vehicle systems.The modules can be designed so that the outer module is first connected to the front panel, and then the inner module is connected to the outer module. Since the individual modules are lighter than the entire cover assembly, it is easier for the installer to align them correctly.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the cover device is designed such that it essentially completely closes the front opening. This ensures that there is less turbulence in the area of ​​the rail vehicle nose when the rail vehicle travels at higher speeds above 50 km / h.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle nose according to the invention, the central buffer coupling extends both inside and outside the front opening in the rest position. The cover device described in this disclosure is particularly advantageous for rail vehicles with such a central buffer coupling.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the railway vehicle nose according to the invention, the front panel is essentially rigid, and the front panel is preferably made of metal and / or an inelastic plastic.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the railway vehicle nose according to the invention, the railway vehicle nose is designed in such a way that the front opening cannot be closed or partially closed by a movable front flap.

[0031] The problem underlying the invention is also solved by a covering device for covering a front opening extending between a front panel and a central buffer coupling of a rail vehicle, wherein the covering device is designed such that the front opening can be covered at least partially with the covering device, wherein the covering device has at least a first rigid support element, wherein the covering device has at least a first fabric-like material section and a second fabric-like material section, wherein the covering device is designed and can be arranged on the rail vehicle such that the first fabric-like material section can be arranged radially at least partially between the front panel and the first rigid support element, wherein the covering device is designed such thatthat the second material section can be arranged radially, at least section by section, between the central buffer coupling and the first rigid support element. According to the invention, the cover device is designed and arranged within the nose of the rail vehicle such that the first rigid support element is axially spaced from a region of the first material section and axially spaced from a region of the second material section.

[0032] Such a covering device makes it advantageous to improve the flow characteristics of a rail vehicle with a front opening by using the covering device to cover the front opening.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first fabric-like material section, the second fabric-like material section, and the first rigid support element are components of a bellows. Such a bellows can comprise several rigid support elements, each designed as a frame profile, with a fabric-like material section, designed as a material web, extending between each pair of adjacent frame profiles. The material web can be curved in a wave-like or folded manner in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Two adjacent material webs abut each other at their respective end sections and are received in a recess of the frame profile. By clamping the frame profile, the two end sections can be positively connected to each other and to the frame profile.It has been shown that such bellows-type cover devices can be moved particularly smoothly when the central buffer coupling is moved, while at the same time ensuring that the front opening remains covered.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first fabric-like material section and the second fabric-like material section are designed and arranged such that they each have a fold or a wave. Folds and waves are particularly suitable for enabling smooth sliding of the first rigid support element relative to other rigid support elements and / or relative to the front panel, while simultaneously ensuring high axial stiffness and consequently low axial deflection.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the covering device according to the invention, the folds or waves of the first and second material sections are designed such that the respective center of curvature of a fold or wave is located between the longitudinal axis and the apex of the fold or the apex of the wave. In other words, the folds or waves are directed outwards.

[0036] Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the covering device according to the invention, the folds or waves of the first and second material sections can be designed such that the respective apex of the fold or wave is arranged between the longitudinal axis and the center of curvature of the fold or wave. In other words, the folds or waves are directed inwards.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device is designed such that it can be connected to or attached to the front panel on the outside, and preferably the cover device is designed such that it can be connected to or attached to the center buffer coupling on the inside. This enables a good connection with the front panel in order to achieve an aerodynamically advantageous effect.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the covering device according to the invention, the first material-like section is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fit, force-fit or material-fit manner, in particular by force-fit, wherein the second material-like section is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fit, force-fit or material-fit manner, in particular by force-fit.

[0039] In particular, the rigid support elements can each have one or more recesses into which the fabric-like material sections are inserted and subsequently clamped by deforming the recesses. The deformation of the recesses can be achieved, for example, by hammering or pressing.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first rigid support element is self-supporting. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device itself is self-supporting. Accordingly, the cover device has a shape and structure that, on its own, remains intact without additional external support. This is advantageous for the rigidity of the cover device with respect to forces exerted by axially directed air currents.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the first or the second material-like section extends between two rigid support elements of an adjacent pair of rigid support elements. The plurality of rigid support elements increases the mobility of the through-opening—and consequently of a central buffer coupling projecting through the through-opening—and the associated displacement of the support elements relative to one another.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first rigid support element is a closed ring, wherein the ring surrounds a circular, elliptical, or polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-section. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are closed rings. It has been found that closed rings, especially those with a rectangular cross-section, which can also be called frames, exhibit a stiffness that is advantageous for the cover device.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to each other exclusively via an intervening fabric-like material section. Consequently, no additional connecting elements are necessary, thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are arranged concentrically to one another. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are arranged essentially concentrically to one another. This advantageously allows for good displacement of two adjacent rigid support elements relative to each other.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the plurality of rigid support elements together form a pyramid shape or a cone. This also enables a high degree of displacement of the through-opening in the vertical and horizontal directions with minimal material expenditure.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has between 4 and 18 rigid support elements. According to another embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has between 8 and 14 rigid support elements. It has been found that this number of rigid support elements is ideally suited to providing the necessary adjustability of the opening for a central buffer coupler of a regional train and at the same time also enables simple and cost-effective manufacturing and installation.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial distance of at least 0.5 cm. According to another embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial distance of at least 1 cm. These minimum parameter values ​​guarantee good displacement of the rigid support elements relative to each other.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have a maximum axial distance of 10 cm. According to another embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have a maximum axial distance of 5 cm. According to yet another embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have a maximum axial distance of 3 cm. These maximum parameter values ​​guarantee good rigidity of the cover device.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device extends over a total area of ​​a maximum of 6 m².

[0050] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device extends over a total area of ​​a maximum of 4 m².

[0051] According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to each other exclusively via an intermediate fabric-like material section.

[0052] It is understood that features described in the preceding description exclusively in connection with and in isolation from a covering device according to the invention may also constitute features of a covering device that is part of a railway vehicle nose according to the invention. At the same time, features of a covering device described exclusively in connection with the superior unit railway vehicle nose also constitute optional features of a standalone embodiment of a covering device according to the invention.

[0053] Further advantages, features, and applications of the present invention will become clear with reference to the following description of embodiments thereof and the accompanying figures. In the figures, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a railway vehicle nose according to the invention with an integrated cover device. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the inside of an embodiment of a cover device according to the invention. Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the outside of the Fig. 2 The embodiment shown. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover device according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a railway vehicle nose 1 with an exposed central buffer coupler 2. A cover 7, as defined in the present disclosure, is located between the central buffer coupler 2 and a front panel 4. In the exemplary embodiment, this cover 7 consists of several rigid support elements 5, wherein each adjacent pair of rigid support elements 5 is connected by a fabric-like material section 6, which forms regular waves in its resting state. The rigid support elements 5 are designed as closed rectangular frames with rounded corners. The material sections extending between two adjacent frames form regular waves in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0055] The cover is designed such that the center buffer coupler 2 projects through the openings in the rigid support elements 5, and the coupler end section 3 remains visible and accessible from the outside. The outer surface of the first rigid support element 5a is connected to the front panel 4 of the rail vehicle nose 1 via the outer edge of the cover 8. From this starting point, the cover 7 extends inwards in a funnel shape to the center buffer coupler 2.

[0056] If another rail vehicle is connected to the depicted vehicle via the coupling end section 3 and subsequently set in motion, the center buffer coupling 2 will also move both horizontally – when negotiating curves – and vertically – when traversing inclines. The corrugated, fabric-like material sections 6 between the individual rigid support elements 5 allow the cover 7 to follow the movement, for example, when cornering to the right. In this scenario, the inner side of the cover 7 will compress more, so that the inner corrugations of the fabric-like material section 6 cover a smaller area of ​​the front opening. Simultaneously, the outer side of the cover 7 will stretch.The range of motion provided by a wave-like arrangement of the fabric-like material section 6 thus provides a covering device that moves with a horizontal movement of the central buffer coupling.

[0057] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows the inside of a cover device 7 in one possible embodiment. This device consists of numerous axially sequentially arranged, rigid support elements 5, which are connected to one another via fabric-like material sections 6. A subgroup of rigid support elements 5 and the associated fabric-like material sections 6 can form a module that extends between two rigid support elements that define the module. In the application example, the cover device 7 contains two such modules, which are connected to one another via a locking device 12.

[0058] The locking device 12 may in particular comprise a positive locking connecting element.

[0059] In the embodiment shown here, the first module 10 is the inner module. This first module 10, together with the inner edge 9 of the cover device 7, which is also the inner edge of the module 10, forms a through-opening 14 through which the central buffer coupling 2 projects when the cover device is in the position shown in the figure. Fig. 1 The second module, 11, is the external module in the application example. This is implemented as shown in Fig. 1 shown - with the outer edge 8 of the cover device 7 attached to the front panel 4 of the rail vehicle nose 1. The outermost element of the second module 11, which is directly connected to the front panel 4, is a rigid fastening element 13.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows the rear view of the in Fig. 2The illustrated embodiment of the cover device 7 shows the inner rigid support element 5, which defines the through-opening 14 for the central buffer coupling 2 with the inner edge of the cover device 9. The remaining rigid support elements 5, which in combination with the fabric-like material sections 6 form the first and second modules 10, 11, are only partially visible through the through-opening 14. Likewise, only a portion of the locking device 12, which connects the two modules via the rigid support elements 5, is visible.

[0061] Fig. 4Figure 8 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cover device 7. This consists of the first module 10, which is connected to the second module 11 via the locking device 12. Modules 10 and 11 each comprise the fabric-like material sections 6, which are arranged in a wave-like pattern, and the rigid support elements 5. The outermost element of the second module is the rigid fastening element 13, which can be attached to the front panel 4 of a railway vehicle nose 1 by means of the outer edge of the cover device 8.

[0062] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows the inner fabric-like material section 6 of the first module 10 for two different layers 15, 15a. The first layer 15 of the inner fabric-like material section 6 shows it in the rest position of the cover device 7, i.e., when a central buffer coupling 2 projecting through the through-opening 14 – as in Figure 1 – is in place. Fig. 1- in the rest position. The second position 15a shows the behavior of the cover device 7 when it is deflected from the rest position - for example by a vertical pivoting of a central buffer coupling 2 protruding through the through-opening 14.

[0063] The rigid support elements 5 are located in the Fig. 4The illustrated embodiment features frame profiles with a U-shaped cross-section. In the recess formed by the U-shaped cross-section, two adjacent end sections of two fabric-like material sections 6 are attached such that the two fabric-like material sections 6 can form folds or waves. When the passage opening 14 is deflected vertically – caused by a vertical pivoting of the central buffer coupling 2 – the inner support element 5, which rests against the central buffer coupling 2 with its inner edge 9 of the cover device 7, or can rest against it, moves in a vertical direction. The fabric-like material section 6 attached in the recess can also follow this movement. Subsequently, the unfolding of this fabric-like material section 6 causes a vertical movement of the next adjacent rigid support element 5.In this way, a chain of coupled relative movements of the rigid support elements 5 can take place to enable the mobility of the central buffer coupling 2 while simultaneously covering the front opening. Reference symbol list

[0064] 1 Rail vehicle nose 2 Center buffer coupling 3 Coupling end section 4 Front panel 5 Rigid support element 5a First rigid support element 5b Second rigid support element 6 Fabric material section 6a First fabric material section 6b Second fabric material section 7 Cover device 8 Outer edge of the cover device 9 Inner edge of the cover device 10 First module 11 Second module 12 Locking device 13 Rigid fastening element 14 Through opening 15 First layer of the fabric material section 15a Second layer of the fabric material section

Claims

1. Rail vehicle front nose (1), wherein the rail vehicle front nose (1) comprises a center buffer coupling (2) which has a free coupling end portion (3), such that the free coupling end portion (3) is connectable to a further center buffer coupling (2) of a further rail vehicle front nose (1), wherein the center buffer coupling (2) extends along a longitudinal axis in a neutral position, wherein the center buffer coupling (2) is designed and mounted such that the free coupling end portion (3) can be pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the rail vehicle front nose (1) comprises a front panel (4), wherein the front panel (4) radially surrounds the center buffer coupling (2), at least in portions, such that a front opening, substantially pointing in the longitudinal direction, is defined between the front panel (4) and the center buffer coupling (2), wherein the rail vehicle front nose (1) comprises a cover device (7), wherein the cover device (7) is designed and arranged such that the front opening is at least partially covered by the cover device (7), wherein the cover device (7) comprises a through opening (14) aligned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the free coupling end portion (3) projects from the inside to the outside through the through opening (14) or is substantially flush with the through opening (14), wherein the cover device (7) comprises at least a first stiff support element (5a), wherein the cover device (7) comprises at least a first fabric-like material portion (6a) and a second fabric-like material portion (6b), wherein the cover device (7) is designed and can be arranged on the rail vehicle such that the first fabric-like material portion (6a) extends radially, at least in portions, between the front panel (4) and the first stiff support element (5a), wherein the cover device (7) is designed such that the second fabric-like material portion (6b) extends radially, at least in portions, between the center buffer coupling (2) and the first stiff support element (5a), characterized in that the cover device (7) is designed and arranged within the rail vehicle front nose (1) such that the first stiff support element (5a) is axially spaced apart from an area of the first fabric-like material portion (6a) and axially spaced apart from an area of the second fabric-like material portion (6b).

2. Rail vehicle front nose (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover device (7) is designed such that it is connected to the front panel (4) via a radial outer edge of the cover device (8) or abuts the front panel (4), wherein the cover device (7) is designed such that it is connected to the center buffer coupling (2) via a radial inner edge of the cover device (9) or abuts the center buffer coupling (2).

3. Rail vehicle front nose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first stiff support element (5a) is arranged within the front opening, at least in portions, such that the first stiff support element (5a) is radially surrounded by the rail vehicle front nose (1), at least in portions.

4. Rail vehicle front nose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover device (7) comprises at least a second stiff support element (5b), wherein the second stiff support element (5b) defines a through opening (14), wherein the second stiff support element (5b) is designed and arranged such that the center buffer coupling (2) projects through the through opening (14), wherein the center buffer coupling (2) and the cover device (7) are designed and arranged such that pivoting the center buffer coupling (2) relative to the longitudinal axis causes a change in position and / or orientation of the second stiff support element (5b).

5. Rail vehicle front nose (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover device (7) comprises a first module (10), wherein the first module (10) covers a first area of the front opening, wherein the cover device (7) comprises a second module (11), wherein the second module (11) covers a second area of the front opening, wherein the first area and the second area of the front opening are not congruent, wherein the first module (10) and the second module (11) consist of stiff support elements and fabric-like material portions, wherein the first module (10) of the cover device (7) and the second module (11) of the cover device (7) are connectable to one another via a closure device (12) and are non-destructively detachable from one another.

6. Cover device (7) for covering a front opening extending between a front panel (4) and a center buffer coupling (2) of a rail vehicle, wherein the cover device (7) comprises a through opening (14) aligned in a longitudinal direction, wherein the cover device (7) is designed such that the front opening can be covered, at least in portions, by the cover device (7), wherein the cover device (7) comprises at least a first stiff support element (5), wherein the cover device (7) comprises at least a first fabric-like material portion (6a) and a second fabric-like material portion (6b), wherein the cover device (7) is designed and can be arranged on the rail vehicle such that the first fabric-like material portion (6a) can be arranged, at least in portions, radially between the front panel (4) and the first stiff support element (5a), wherein the cover device (7) is designed such that the second fabric-like material portion (6b) can be arranged, at least in portions, radially between the center buffer coupling (2) and the first stiff support element (5a), characterized in that the cover device (7) is designed and can be arranged within the rail vehicle front nose (1) such that the first stiff support element (5a) is arranged axially spaced apart from an area of the first fabric-like material portion (6a) and axially spaced apart from an area of the second fabric-like material portion (6b).

7. Cover device (7) according to claim 6, wherein the first fabric-like material portion (6a), the second fabric-like material portion (6b) and the first stiff support element (5a) are components of a bellows.

8. Cover device (7) according to claim 7 or 6, wherein the first fabric-like material portion (6a) and the second fabric-like material portion (6b) are designed and arranged such that they each comprise a fold or a corrugation, wherein the folds or corrugations of the first and second material portions (6) are preferably designed such that the respective center of curvature of a fold or corrugation is arranged between the longitudinal axis and the apex of the fold or the apex of the corrugation.

9. Cover device (7) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first material portion (6a) is connected to the first stiff support element (5a) in a form-fitting, force-fitting or materially bonded manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner, wherein the second material portion (6b) is connected to the first stiff support element (5a) in a form-fitting, force-fitting or materially bonded manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner.

10. Cover device (7) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the first stiff support element (5a) is designed to be self-supporting, wherein preferably the entire cover device (7) is designed to be self-supporting.

11. Cover device (7) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the cover device (7) comprises a plurality of stiff support elements (5), wherein the first or the second fabric-like material portion (6, 6a, 6b) extends between two stiff support elements (5) of at least one adjacent pair of stiff support elements (5).

12. Cover device (7) according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the first stiff support element (5a) is a closed ring, wherein the ring surrounds a circular, elliptical or polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-section, wherein preferably all stiff support elements are closed rings.

13. Cover device according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the cover device is designed such that it is connectable to the front panel on the outside or can abut the front panel.

14. Cover device according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the cover device is designed such that it is connectable to the center buffer coupling on the inside or can abut the center buffer coupling.