CENTER SUPPORT FOR MAINTENANCE TRACK SYSTEM

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] According to the preamble of claim 1, the invention relates to a hinged central support for a maintenance track system. The maintenance track system is suitable for maintenance work on rail vehicles and comprises a pivotable double-track bridge with two pairs of track beams. Each pair of track beams comprises two movable track beams, which, in particular, are pivotable about two vertically oriented beam pivot axes. When the (double) track bridge is closed, the track beams rest at their ends on corner supports and centrally on the common central support. When the track bridge is closed, the pairs of track beams run parallel to each other, with the track beams of the first and second pairs being aligned.

[0002] The folding center support comprises a pivoting element which is pivotably mounted in a frame, specifically about a horizontal pivot axis, and which can be pivoted from a support position to a pivot position. When the track bridge is closed, two adjacent end sections of the aligned track beams of one of the two track beam pairs rest firmly on each center support. When the closed track bridge is traversed, the forces acting on the track beams are transferred via the (four) corner supports and the (two) center supports into the maintenance track system. The center support can be locked in the support position by means of a locking and unlocking device.

[0003] The term "locking device" is used below to refer to a device that can both lock and unlock the pivoting element. In the locked position, the pivoting element cannot be moved from the support position. In the unlocked position, the pivoting element can be pivoted from the support position to the swivel position and back again from the swivel position to the support position. Traversing the track beams of the system is only possible when the center support is in the support position and when the center support is locked or secured in the support position by the locking device.

[0004] The invention further relates to a maintenance track system according to the preamble of claim 8. Accordingly, the maintenance track system comprises a pivotable double-track bridge with two pairs of track beams, each pair of track beams comprising two movable track beams, in particular pivotable about two vertically oriented beam pivot axes, which, when the double-track bridge is closed, rest at their ends on corner supports and centrally on a common central support. The central support comprises a pivoting element which is pivotably mounted in a frame, in particular about a horizontally extending support pivot axis, and which can be pivoted from a support position to a pivot position, wherein the central support can be locked in the support position by means of a locking and unlocking device. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0005] Maintenance track systems with fold-away center supports are used for maintenance work on rail vehicles. Such a maintenance track system is known from DE 20 2017 005 428 U. To ensure sufficient safety when traversing the system, i.e., when traversing the track beams or pairs of track beams, the center support is locked in its support position. Locking is achieved, for example, with a movable lever or hook located on one side of the support frame, which engages, at least partially, a bolt located on one side of the support's pivoting element. Dynamic influences and loads acting on the components of the fold-away support pose a problem. These loads arise, for example, when the support is operated or when traversing the system.These dynamic loads cause forces and moments to be transmitted to the one-sided locking mechanism, which contribute to structural changes in components of the support, particularly the frame: the components of the support "distort," thereby mechanically impairing or blocking the pivoting / folding and / or locking function; a failure of the mechanism can be a consequence. This is where the invention comes into play. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Against this background, the problem to be solved is to improve the locking and unlocking of a central support of a maintenance track system. This problem is solved by a hinged central support according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. It is therefore provided that the locking device comprises two locking elements movable parallel to the support's pivot axis. The locking elements are mounted in the frame. The locking elements can be inserted into at least one first element receptacle arranged in a first end face of the pivot element for locking and can be pulled out for unlocking.According to the invention, by providing two locking elements, preferably arranged symmetrically, on the support, loads and forces / moments are transferred homogeneously from the components to the pivot element and from there to the frame of the support when the system, in particular the locking device, is actuated. The frame and the locking device retain their respective structure even under dynamic influences, and the locking and unlocking process is not impaired by structural changes in the components.

[0007] Particularly high stability and a uniform distribution of the forces / moments acting on the components are achieved when the frame, in a side view, has a U-shaped profile or cross-section with two opposing frame walls or legs, wherein the pivot element is pivotally mounted between the side walls (legs) of the U-shaped frame. This also ensures that the pivot element is stably mounted on both sides, i.e., left and right, by means of the support pivot axis supported in the legs of the frame. The first locking element can be movably mounted in the first leg of the U-shaped frame, and the second locking element in the second leg.

[0008] The locking elements can be designed as locking bolts, particularly those with a circular cylindrical shape. Symmetry, and thus a uniform distribution of forces / moments, is achieved when the locking bolts are aligned within the frame. It is advantageous if the alignment (line or direction) of the locking bolts and the pivot axis of the support are parallel to each other. An offset may be present between the pivot axis of the support and the alignment of the locking bolts.

[0009] The arrangement of frame and swivel element can be formed in a mirror-symmetrical manner, with the plane of symmetry being perpendicular to the support swivel axis, and with the first locking bolt being arranged on the first side of the plane of symmetry and the second locking bolt being arranged on the opposite second side of the plane of symmetry.

[0010] Preferably, the locking device can be actuated by means of a drive, in particular an electric and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic one.

[0011] Furthermore, an improvement in the locking and unlocking of a central support of a maintenance track system is achieved with a maintenance track system according to claim 8. The central support of the system is therefore formed according to a central support as described and claimed herein.

[0012] The aforementioned components, as well as those claimed and described in the exemplary embodiments, to be used according to the invention, are not subject to any special exceptional conditions with regard to their size, shape, material selection and technical conception, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be applied without restriction.

[0013] Further details, features, and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, as well as from the following description and the accompanying drawing, which illustrates—by way of example—an embodiment of a central support for a maintenance track system. Individual features of the claims or embodiments can also be combined with other features of other claims and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The drawing shows Fig. 1A - Your maintenance track system with a folding center support (closed), in various views, Fig. 1E - Your maintenance track system with a folding center support (open) in various views, Fig. 2A - Your upright center support in various views, and Fig. 3A - Your folded-down center support in various views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0015] A maintenance track system 1 with two pairs of track beams 2, each with two pivotable track beams 3, i.e., with a total of four pivotable track beams 3, is in the Figures 1A to 1H shown in different views. Figures 1A to 1D show a perspective view ( Fig. 1A 9, a front view ( Fig. 1B ) a side view ( Fig. 1C ) and supervision ( Fig. 1D ) a closed maintenance track system 1, which Figures 1E to 1H show views of the closed facility ( Fig. 1E : in perspective, Fig. 1F Front view, Fig. 1G : side view and Fig. 1H(Supervision). For operation on system 1, the track beams 3 are oriented parallel to the fixed tracks 4 in system 1. The end sections 5 of the track beams 3 adjacent to the fixed tracks 4 then rest on four corner supports 6 of system 1. A hinged center support 7 is arranged between the track beams 3 of a track beam pair 2, on which the adjacent end sections 8 of the track beams 3 of a track beam pair 2 rest.

[0016] The track beams 3 can be pivoted out of the system 1 about four vertically extending beam pivot axes 9. By pivoting out the track beams 3, the underside of a rail vehicle parked in the system 1 becomes more easily accessible, allowing maintenance and repair work to be carried out on the rail vehicle. Accessibility to the underside of the rail vehicle is further improved by the fact that the central support 7 can be folded down.

[0017] For this purpose, the central support 7 is formed in multiple parts and has a pivoting swivel element 10 which is movably mounted in a frame 11 fixedly arranged in the system 1. Various views of an embodiment of the foldable central support 7 are shown in the Figures 2A to 3D depicted. The Figures 2A to 2C show views of the erected support 7, which Figures 3A to 3D show views of the folded-down support 7.

[0018] The pivoting element 10 of the central support 7 can be pivoted laterally about the support pivot axis 13 by means of a pivot bolt 12 arranged horizontally in the frame 11. The support pivot axis 13 and the axis of symmetry of the pivot bolt 12 are geometrically identical. The pivoting movement results from a combination of the Figures 2B and 3B as well as 2C and 3D, wherein the swivel element 10 according to Fig. 3C by a swivel angle of 90° or nearly 90° in the plane of the drawing according to the Figures 2C and 3Cfrom the support position ( Fig. 2C ) into the swivel position ( Fig. 3C ) is swivel-mounted.

[0019] The Figures 2A and 3A Each figure shows a side view of support 7, with the support pivot axis 13 running parallel to the plane of the paper. Figures 2B and 2C show a sectional view according to the one in the Figures 2C and 3D drawn section plane. Fig. 3C shows a front view of the folded-down support 7.

[0020] As in Figures 2A and 3A As can be seen, the frame has a U-shaped form. The frame 11 has two side frame walls 14 (legs of the U-arrangement) which are connected (in one piece) to a lower frame wall 15. The pivot element 10 is arranged between the side frame walls 14. The pivot bolt 12 is supported at its end in the side frame walls 14.

[0021] Parallel to the pivot pin 12, the locking pins 16 of the support 7 are arranged in the side frame walls 14. The pins 16 are linearly movable parallel to the support pivot axis 13, for example by means of a drive. Fig. 2B The locking bolts 16 engage in bolt receptacles 17 of the pivot element 10 and lock it. According to Fig. 3C The locking bolts 16 can be moved out of the bolt receptacles 17 of the pivot element 10 to unlock the support 7.

[0022] Both when the folding center support 7 is operated and when a rail vehicle travels on the maintenance track 1, dynamic loads are generated. These loads are absorbed by at least some of the components of the center support 7 and at least partially transferred to the track 1. Structural changes to the components of the center support 7 are avoided during the transfer of these loads by ensuring that the bearing and locking mechanism of the pivot element 10 is symmetrically designed. The arrangement of the pivot element 10 and the frame 11 is such that a plane of mirror symmetry is formed, with identical bearings and bolts (16) and corresponding receptacles (17) on each side of the plane of symmetry. The plane of mirror symmetry runs perpendicular to the plane of the paper according to Fig. 3A and parallel to the paper plane according to Fig. 3B / 3DDue to this symmetrical arrangement, the loads are distributed evenly to the frame 11 and to the bolts 16 and axle 13. This ensures that the frame 11, the pivoting element 10 and / or the bolts 16 are not subjected to any or virtually no (over-)stress – even when dynamic loads are introduced into the arrangement 1. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0023] 1 Maintenance track system 2 Pair of track beams 3 Track beams 4 Fixed track 5 End section 6 Corner support 7 Center support 8 End section 9 Beam swivel axis 10 Swivel element 11 Frame 12 Swivel bolt 13 Support swivel axis 14 (Side) Frame wall / Leg 15 Lower frame wall 16 Locking bolt / Locking element 17 Bolt receptacle / Element receptacle

Claims

1. A foldable central support (7) for a maintenance track installation (1), wherein the maintenance track installation (1) comprises a double track bridge that can be pivoted open and has two track beam pairs (2), wherein each track beam pair (2) comprises two track beams (3), which are movable, in particular pivotable about two vertically oriented beam pivot axes (9), and, when the double track bridge is closed, rest on a corner support (6) at each end and on the common central support (7) in the centre, wherein the central support (7) comprises a pivot element (10), which is mounted in a frame (11) pivotably, in particular about a horizontal support pivot axis (13), and which is pivotable from a supporting position into a pivoting position, and wherein the central support (7) can be arrested in the supporting position by means of a locking device, characterised in that the locking device comprises two locking elements (16), which are movable parallel to the support pivot axis (13), are mounted in the frame (11), and can be inserted into at least one first element receptacle (17), which is arranged in a first end face of the pivot element (10), and into a second element receptacle (17), which is arranged in a second end face of the pivot element (10) opposite the first end face, for locking and can be removed for unlocking.

2. The central support (7) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the frame (11) has a U-shaped cross section with two opposing, in particular lateral, walls (14) or flanges, and in that the pivot element (10) is arranged between the walls (14) or flanges of the U-shaped frame (11).

3. The central support (7) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the first locking element (16) is arranged in the first flange (14) of the U-shaped frame (11), and the second locking element (16) is arranged in the second flange (14) of the U-shaped frame (11).

4. The central support (7) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the locking elements (16) are formed as locking bolts (16), in particular circular cylindrical locking bolts, and in that the locking bolts (16) are arranged in alignment in the frame (11).

5. The central support (7) according to Claim 4, characterised in that the alignment of the locking bolts (16) and the support pivot axis (13) are arranged parallel to one another.

6. The central support (7) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the assembly consisting of the frame (11) and the pivot element (10) is mirror-symmetrical, wherein the plane of symmetry is perpendicular to the support pivot axis (13), and wherein the first locking bolt (16) is arranged on the first side of the plane of symmetry, and the second locking bolt (16) is arranged on the opposite second side of the plane of symmetry.

7. The central support (7) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the locking device can be actuated by means of a drive, in particular an electric and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic drive.

8. A maintenance track installation (1) comprising a double track bridge that can be pivoted open and has two track beam pairs (2), wherein each track beam pair (2) comprises two track beams (3), which are movable, in particular pivotable about two vertically oriented beam pivot axes (9), and, when the double track bridge is closed, rest on a corner support (6) at each end and on a common central support (7) in the centre, wherein the central support (7) comprises a pivot element (10), which is mounted in a frame (11) pivotably, in particular about a horizontal support pivot axis (13), and which is pivotable from a supporting position into a pivoting position, and wherein the central support (7) can be arrested in the supporting position by means of a locking device, characterised in that the central support (7) is formed according to one of Claims 1 to 7.