Rail vehicle coupler head and front plate for a rail vehicle coupler head

Abstract

The invention relates to an end plate (10) for a rail vehicle coupling head with coupling elements, comprising a coupling projection (1) extending forward from the end plate (10), and a coupling opening (6) for receiving a coupling projection of corresponding coupling elements of a compatible end plate, wherein the end plate (10) has an end-face contact surface (7) for receiving compressive forces when coupling the compatible end plate. The invention is characterized in that the end-face contact surface (7) is provided with at least one recess (3) positioned outside the coupling elements, which is at least partially open at the edge, and that at least one open-edge recess (3) has a base surface that is set back by at least 2.5 mm or at least 5 mm from the contact surface (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an end plate for a railway vehicle coupling head and to a railway vehicle coupling head with such an end plate.

[0002] Documents DE 20 2015 005 670 U1 and DE 20 2015005671 U1 disclose embodiments of such end plates of a coupling head which have edge-opening recesses or milled areas on their horizontal and vertical side surfaces in order to be able to arrange functional components locally close to the coupling head housing.

[0003] For winter operation of rail vehicles, it is essential to keep their coupling heads largely free of ice and snow, because ice and snow accumulation on the coupling head, particularly on the end plate, can prevent proper coupling. For example, the end plates of rail vehicle coupling heads have vertical contact surfaces surrounding the coupling elements, which transmit the pressure forces between the end plates of coupled rail vehicle coupling heads. If snow or ice accumulates on these contact surfaces, the end plates, and therefore the coupling heads, cannot be pushed far enough against each other to couple the coupling elements of both rail vehicle coupling heads. Traditionally, such ice and snow accumulations must therefore be removed manually from the end plates.In passenger cars, rail vehicles, or locomotives, electric heating of the end plates can be provided to melt ice and snow accumulations. However, for example, in freight couplings, such as those specifically addressed in the present invention, no electrical energy is available for corresponding electric heating devices, so that in practice, manual removal of ice and snow accumulations is still necessary.

[0004] The publications EP 1 805 073 B1, EP 1 632 414 B1 and EP 1 293 409 A1 reveal railway vehicle coupling heads with electrically heated end plates.

[0005] WO 2015 / 036482 A1 discloses a coupling head of a central buffer coupling with a coupling head housing and with an end plate closing the coupling head housing at its end face and detachably connected to the coupling head housing, wherein the coupling head housing has a first connection area for coupling with the end plate and a second connection area for making the connection with a coupling rod and the coupling head housing is designed as a one-piece forged component, wherein the first connection area on the coupling head housing is formed by at least two separately arranged contact surfaces for at least indirect support on partial surfaces of the end plate and the coupling head housing is connected to the end plate in the first connection area via frictional connections.

[0006] KR200 342 776 Y1 discloses a coupling with a coupling horn projecting from a plane of plates, wherein on one side next to this a flat recessed surface area extends to the outer circumference.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of providing an end plate for a rail vehicle coupling head in which the need for manual removal of snow or ice accumulations is at least largely avoided even when no electric heating is provided.

[0008] The problem according to the invention is solved by an end plate with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims specify particularly advantageous and expedient embodiments of the invention as well as a rail vehicle coupling head with a corresponding end plate.

[0009] An end plate according to the invention for a railway vehicle coupling head has coupling elements comprising a coupling projection extending forward from the end plate and a coupling opening for receiving a coupling projection of corresponding coupling elements of a compatible end plate. Accordingly, the forward direction, starting from a front face of the end plate, is the direction in which the end plate can be moved relative to a mating coupling in order to couple two railway vehicle coupling heads together.

[0010] The coupling projection can, for example, encompass or be formed by a so-called coupling cone, also known as a standard coupling cone. The coupling opening is typically circular and cylindrical or funnel-shaped in cross-section to accommodate a corresponding coupling cone.

[0011] The end plate has a front contact surface, i.e., a contact surface facing forward, to absorb pressure forces when coupling a compatible end plate of another rail vehicle coupling head. During such coupling, the front contact surfaces of both end plates are in contact with each other.

[0012] According to the invention, the end-face contact surface of the end plate is provided with at least one recess positioned outside the coupling elements, which is at least partially open at the edges. This means that a single continuous recess, which is at least partially open at the edges, can be provided, or two or more individual recesses, which are at least partially open at the edges, can be provided.

[0013] The open-edged recess according to the invention ensures that, during the coupling process, when the two end plates of the rail vehicle coupling heads move towards each other, snow trapped between the end plates and scraped or compressed during the coupling process can escape into the at least one recess and over its open-edged section, thus getting out of the engagement area of ​​the two end plates or the coupling elements. This comparatively simple design of the end plate allows the other components, such as the coupling elements, to be retained without modification. This also makes it possible to implement the invention with different coupling types and coupling head variants, regardless of whether the rail vehicle coupling head is, for example, equipped with a detachable end plate, a pneumatic coupling, and / or a so-called gripper.Rather, the recess according to the invention is applicable to each of the aforementioned coupling heads or coupling head variants.

[0014] The end-face contact surface can, for example, comprise or be formed by a multitude of contact surface segments, which are distributed across the front of the end plate and are raised above adjacent areas, i.e., projecting from them. Each contact surface segment has, in particular, a flat front surface that is designed to rest against the end plate of a mating coupling or a rail vehicle coupling head to be coupled.

[0015] The contact surface segments are positioned and designed in such a way as to provide spatially separated local force introduction areas for absorbing pressure forces during the coupling process.

[0016] The number and size of the contact surface segments can be selected such that the total contact area is reduced to the necessary minimum to reliably transmit the compressive forces occurring during operation. For example, the contact surface segments can collectively withstand a compressive force of at least 2,000 kN (kilonewtons) or more. With such comparatively small contact surface segments, the risk of snow or ice accumulating on these segments is minimized.

[0017] The arrangement and geometric design of the contact surface segments depend essentially on the basic geometry of the end plate and the arrangement of the dome elements. The contact surface segments are arranged at a distance from the dome elements, forming at least a partial recess that is open at least partially. This recess extends to the outer circumference of the end plate, preferably directly to its outer circumference.

[0018] Preferably, the end plate is characterized by a substantially rectangular base. This base can be further extended to include areas for arranging the gripper or other entry surfaces for the coupling process. The coupling elements are arranged centrally. In this case, the contact surface segments are preferably arranged in the four corner areas outside the coupling elements, with the contact surface segments either being flush with the outer circumference of the end plate or being located in the outer edge area or in the area of ​​the outer circumference on the end face. In the latter case, these segments, together with the surface areas facing the outer circumference of the end plate, form additional sliding surfaces for snow, etc.

[0019] Preferably, the end plate according to the invention has a plurality of edge-open recesses positioned outside the coupling elements. The individual edge-open recesses or sections of an edge-open recess particularly preferably extend around the coupling elements and between the individual contact surface segments to the outer circumference of the end plate. Preferably, these are flush with the outer circumference.

[0020] To optimize snow removal during the coupling process, the at least one open-edged recess can include at least one slope located in an edge region of the recess, the surface of which faces towards the edge. In other words, the end plate has a chamfer in the area of ​​the slope, i.e., a surface on the front that is increasingly recessed towards the edge. This increases the space available for snow removal towards the outer circumference of the end plate. Alternatively or additionally, the recess can also be provided with slopes that point towards the center, i.e., in particular along the outer circumference between two contact surface segments, extending from each of these segments towards the center.

[0021] This means that the slopes of the recesses can be formed, particularly in the edge area, i.e., the area of ​​the outer circumference opposite the contact surface and / or the base of the recess, viewed in the direction from the dome elements to the edge area (in the installation position, vertical direction) and / or perpendicular to it (in the installation position, horizontal direction).

[0022] The chamfers and bevels can vary depending on the manufacturing process.

[0023] The inclined surface preferably has an angle of at least 10° to the contact surface and / or a base surface of the recess.

[0024] Furthermore, it can additionally or alternatively be provided that the circumferential surface areas of the contact surface segments defining the recess, which are arranged perpendicularly or at an angle to the actual contact surface relative to the base of the recess and which define the contour of the recess, are designed in such a way that the individual edge-open recess towards the outer circumference of the end plate is characterized along this circumferential surface either by the same width or a constant cross-sectional geometry in a plane parallel to the contact surface between two adjacent contact surface segments or preferably with a changing cross-sectional geometry, in particular an expansion in the direction of the outer circumference of the end plate.

[0025] The recess, which is at least partially open at the edge, can vary in its geometric dimensions in the individual directions along its extension across the face of the end plate. For example, the recess can have a constant height / depth or a variable height / depth in the longitudinal direction of the end plate; furthermore, its design can vary towards the outer circumference of the end plate.

[0026] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one edge-open recess comprises at least one circumferential groove that partially or completely encloses the coupling projection over its circumference and is at least partially, and in particular exclusively partially, open to the edge.

[0027] If individual contact surface segments forming the end face are provided, their surface area or front surface is preferably smaller than the surface area or front surface of the at least one recess that is at least partially open at the edge. The front surface of the at least one recess that is open at the edge is also referred to as the base surface. For example, the end face contact surface has at least three or four raised contact surface segments arranged distributed along the outer circumference of the contact surface. If the contact surface has a shape that is at least substantially square or rectangular, for example, one raised contact surface segment can be provided at each corner.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the end plate has a gripper projecting from the front of the end plate, which is at least partially or completely enclosed around its circumference by a recess that is at least partially open at the edges. Depending on the embodiment, openings or penetrations may also be provided through which compressed snow can escape. For example, this open-edged recess enclosing the gripper is formed by a flat surface that is set back parallel or at an angle to the contact surface. In other words, the gripper extends from such a surface. The gripper can, for example, be formed by or comprise an arc-shaped or angled rod that projects from the surface.

[0029] According to the invention, at least one open-edged recess has a base surface that is set back by at least 2.5 mm or at least 5 mm from the contact surface. According to the invention, the base surface runs partially or completely parallel to the contact surface and has the aforementioned slope(s) in at least one or some sections.

[0030] This significant setback of the base surface relative to the contact surface provides sufficient space during the coupling process and in the coupled state, into which snow and ice can be displaced without impairing the coupling process or the coupled state.

[0031] The end plate according to the invention is in particular free of electrical heating. However, the invention can also be used in combination with electrically heated end plates.

[0032] A rail vehicle coupling head according to the invention comprises a coupling head housing and an end plate according to the invention which is detachably or permanently connected to the coupling head housing. The rail vehicle coupling head can, for example, be designed as a freight coupling or as a component of a freight coupling.

[0033] The invention is particularly applicable to center buffer couplings. It can be used in passenger and freight applications.

[0034] The invention will below be described by way of example using an embodiment and the figures. They show:

[0035] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional top view of an end plate according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side sectional view through the end plate from the Figure 1 .

[0036] In the Figures 1 and 2An end plate 10 is shown, which can either be formed in one piece with a coupling head housing 11 or can be detachably connected to such a coupling head housing. A corresponding coupling head housing 11 is shown schematically in dashed lines in the Figure 2 shown. The end plate 10 and the coupling head housing 11 together form a railway vehicle coupling head 13 or are at least components thereof.

[0037] In Figure 1An example coordinate system is shown attached to the end plate 10. In its installed position on the rail vehicle coupling head 13, the X-direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle. The Y-direction describes the lateral direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The Z-direction describes the vertical direction. The end plate 10 has a front face 14 facing away from the coupling head housing 11 for interaction with a mating rail vehicle coupling head (not shown). On the rear side facing away from the front face 14, the end plate 10 is either formed integrally with the coupling head housing 11, depending on its connection to it, or designed and connected to it for interaction.

[0038] The end plate 10 has a front contact surface 7 for interacting with a contact surface of a mating rail vehicle coupling head, in particular for absorbing compressive forces when coupling the compatible end plate of a mating rail vehicle coupling head. The end face 14 also has corresponding coupling elements for coupling with the mating rail vehicle coupling. For this purpose, in the illustrated case, a coupling projection 1, designed here as a coupling cone, projects from the front of the end plate 10. A coupling opening 6 is positioned laterally next to it, which can receive a corresponding coupling projection of a mating rail vehicle coupling. According to the invention, the front contact surface 7 is provided with at least one recess 3, positioned outside the coupling elements and open at least partially at its edge.This divides the contact surface 7 into spatially separated contact surface segments 5, which form local force application areas, particularly for the introduction of compressive forces. In the illustrated case, the contact surface 7 is formed by individual contact surface segments 5 distributed around the circumference of the end plate 10. For example, four contact surface segments 5 are provided: one contact surface segment 5 in each corner of the end plate 10, which has a substantially rectangular base on which the coupling elements are provided, and another contact surface segment between two contact surface segments 5 arranged laterally in the corner regions. The design of the partially open-edged recess in the edge region or in the area of ​​the outer circumference of the end plate 10 can vary depending on the manufacturing process.If the end plate 10 has a particularly long extension between the corners, an additional contact surface segment 5 can be provided between the corners, for example in the axial center, as in the . Figure 1 This is shown. This contact surface segment 5 has a ring shape here.

[0039] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a gripper 8 is provided projecting from the end plate 10 in the front direction, which works together with a corresponding gripper of the counter coupling to center the two end plates or rail vehicle coupling heads together during the coupling process.

[0040] According to the invention, the end-face contact surface 7 is provided with a partially edge-open recess 3 outside the coupling elements formed here by the coupling projection 1, the coupling opening 6 and the gripper 7. This edge-open recess 3 can be considered as a single continuous edge-open recess or as a plurality of adjacent, at least partially, and preferably completely edge-open recesses 3.

[0041] The open-edged recess 3 segments the contact surface 7 into individual contact surface segments 5. This creates a space between the contact surface segments 5 into which snow can penetrate during coupling.

[0042] The at least one recess 3, positioned outside the coupling elements and open at least partially at its edge, extends from the area of ​​the outer circumference, preferably directly from the outer circumference 15 of the grudge geometry describing the end plate 10, towards the coupling elements, in particular at a distance from them. If this is substantially rectangular, the recesses in the respective corner areas extend to the outer circumference 15, thereby dividing the contact surface 7 into spatially separated segments forming local force application areas.

[0043] To facilitate the removal of snow from this space, slopes 4 are provided in edge areas, i.e., in the area of ​​the outer circumference 15 of the end plate 10 or the open-edged recess 3. In the illustrated embodiment, two slopes 4 are provided at the upper end of the end plate 10, as well as a further slope at the open-edged recess 3 or the part of the open-edged recess 3 from which the grabber 8 protrudes.

[0044] When coupling the rail vehicle coupling head to a matching rail vehicle coupling head, a coupling funnel is pushed onto the coupling projection 1. This allows snow adhering to the coupling projection 1 to be pressed towards the front into the area of ​​the end plate 10 surrounding the coupling projection 1. To allow this snow to escape, the coupling projection 1 is enclosed by a circumferential groove 2, which is open at its edges, specifically in the areas of the slope 4 and in the vertical direction between the contact surface segments 5 at the outer lateral edge next to the coupling head 1. This circumferential groove 2 is also shown in the illustration in the Figure 2 visible.

[0045] To enable the end plate 10 to be screwed to the coupling head housing 11, screw openings 12 are provided, in particular in the contact surface segments 5. To prevent snow from becoming trapped in these screw openings 12, they could also be designed to be open at the edges.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the open-edged recess 3, which encloses the gripper 8, is formed by a surface 9 that is set back from other open-edged recesses 3 or other areas of the open-edged recess 3. This setback surface 9 can, for example, be oriented at an angle to the contact surface 7 or the other areas of the open-edged recesses 3. However, a parallel orientation is also possible. Finally, the setback surface 9 can be provided in a common plane with the other areas of the open-edged recesses 3 to form a common base surface for the open-edged recesses 3. Additional openings in the area of ​​the gripper are also possible. Here, compressed snow can also be pushed through and fall out to the rear. Reference symbol list

[0047] 1Coupling projection; Cone 2Circular groove 3Open-edged recess 4Slope 5Contact surface segment 6Coupling opening 7Contact surface 8Grip 9Recessed surface 10End plate 11Coupling head housing 12Screw opening 13Rail vehicle coupling 14End face 15Outer circumference

Claims

1. End plate (10) for a rail vehicle coupling head with coupling elements, comprising a coupling projection (1) that protrudes in a forward direction from the end plate (10), and a coupling opening (6) for receiving a coupling projection of corresponding coupling elements of a compatible end plate, wherein the end plate (10) has a front contact surface (7) for absorbing compressive forces during coupling with the compatible end plate; the front contact surface (7) is provided with at least one recess (3) positioned outside the coupling elements and open at the edges at least in sections; characterized in that the at least one edge-open recess (3) has a base surface that is set back by at least 2.5 mm or at least 5 mm relative to the contact surface (7), runs partially or completely parallel to the contact surface, and has one or more bevels in at least one or some sections.

2. End plate (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the end-side contact surface (7) comprises a plurality of edge-open recesses (3) positioned outside the coupling elements.

3. End plate (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one open-edged recess (3) comprises at least one bevel (4) arranged in an edge region of the recess (3), the surface of which faces toward the edge and / or toward the center.

4. End plate (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bevel (4) has an angle of at least 10° relative to the contact surface (7).

5. End plate (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one edge-open recess (3) comprises at least one circumferential groove (2) that is at least partially open at the edges and partially or completely encloses the coupling projection (1) of the along its circumference.

6. End plate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end-side contact surface (7) comprises at least three or four raised contact surface segments (5) distributed along the outer circumference of the contact surface (7).

7. End plate (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact surface (7) has a substantially quadrangular or rectangular shape and a raised contact surface segment (5) is positioned in the region of each corner.

8. End plate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling elements comprise a gripper (8) projecting from the end plate (10) in the front direction, which is at least partially enclosed along its circumference by a recess (3) that is open at the edges at least in sections.

9. End plate (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the open-sided recess (3) surrounding the gripper (8) is formed by a flat surface (9) set back parallel or at an angle to the contact surface (7).

10. End plate (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base surface is at least in sections parallel to the contact surface (7).

11. End plate (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the open-edged recess (3) surrounding the gripper (8) has openings, in particular through-openings.

12. End plate according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the coupling projection (1) comprises a coupling cone or is formed by it.

13. Rail vehicle coupling head comprising a coupling head housing (11) and an end plate (10) detachably or non-detachably connected to the coupling head housing (11) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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