Bogie for a railway vehicle, railway vehicle comprising such a bogie

Abstract

A bogie (6) for a railway vehicle, comprises a chassis (10), a first axle (16a), a second axle (16b) and a third axle (16c) mounted on the chassis, each axle having a motor unit (20) mounted on the axle, the second axle being positioned between the first axle and the third axle along a main direction of the bogie, in which each axle defines a first side and a second side respectively along the main direction, the motor unit of the first axle being placed on the first side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie along the main direction, the motor unit of the second axle being placed on the second side of the axle, towards the third axle along the main direction, and in which the bogie has a receiving area situated between the first axle and the second axle for connecting a drive device (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bogie for a railway vehicle. The invention relates to a railway vehicle comprising at least one such bogie.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to bogies comprising three powered axles (sometimes called “type C” bogies, notably used in “Co'Co'” type locomotives according to the classification of the International Union of Railways - UIC).

[0003] Bogies are known which have three axles and where each axle is provided with a traction motor mounted on this axle. Each bogie is connected to the chassis of the vehicle by a connecting and damping device comprising in particular a drive rod, one end of which is fixed to the frame

[0004] Such a bogie is for example known from document EP2832621A1.

[0005] One problem is that inserting this connecting device requires space, which increases the length of the bogie to the point of complicating the integration of the bogie into certain railway vehicles.

[0006] It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a bogie for a railway vehicle which is more compact, for example to free up space under the body of the railway vehicle without lengthening the bogie, in particular to more easily insert a drive rod.

[0007] To this end, one aspect of the invention relates to a bogie for a railway vehicle, comprising a chassis, a first axle, a second axle and a third axle mounted on the chassis, each axle comprising a power unit mounted on the axle, the second axle being positioned between the first axle and the third axle along a main direction of the bogie, wherein each axle defines a respective first side and second side along the main direction.

[0008] The power unit of the first axle is placed on a first side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie in the main direction. The power unit of the second axle is placed on the second side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie in the main direction, and the bogie has a receiving area for connecting a drive device, the receiving area being located between the first axle and the second axle.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, by reversing the arrangement of the motor unit of the first axle in relation to the other axles (and in particular in relation to the second axle), it is possible to free up sufficient space to allow the insertion of the drive device between the first axle and the second axle. This space saving comes from the fact that the motor unit of the first axle is turned towards the outside of the bogie, instead of being turned towards the second axle as is the case in known bogies. This space saving makes it possible to provide a more compact bogie and, ultimately, to limit the spacing between the bogies of the vehicle.

[0010] According to advantageous but not obligatory aspects, such a bogie may incorporate one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in any technically admissible combination: the motor unit comprises a traction motor or a geared motor fixed to a casing mounted concentrically around the axle. the traction motor or the geared motor is further fixed to a transverse upright of the chassis. the bogie chassis comprises two longitudinal uprights and transverse uprights. the motor unit is a suspended motor of the "cannon-box" type;. the bogie comprises the drive device, the drive device preferably being a drive rod. the drive device is fixed to a transverse upright of the chassis positioned between the first axle and the second axle.

[0011] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a railway vehicle comprising at least one bogie as previously defined, each of said bogies being mechanically coupled to a drive device fixed on the one hand to the receiving zone on the chassis of the bogie between the first axle and the second axle of said bogie and on the other hand to a body or chassis of the railway vehicle.

[0012] According to another aspect, each of said bogies is oriented such that the first axle of this bogie is disposed at the end of the railway vehicle.

[0013] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a bogie given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic representation, in a sectional view, of a railway vehicle comprising a bogie according to the invention; [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic representation of a bogie of the railway vehicle of the figure 1 ; [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic representation of an axis of the bogie of the figure 2 .

[0014] There figure 1 represents a railway vehicle 2 comprising at least one bogie 6.

[0015] For example, vehicle 2 is a railway car, or a wagon, or a locomotive, or any other railway vehicle.

[0016] In the illustrated example, the vehicle 2 comprises a chassis 4 or a body 4 and two bogies 6. Each bogie 6 is arranged at one end of the vehicle 2. Preferably, the bogies 6 are identical or similar.

[0017] The distance “L” corresponds to the length between the inner ends of the two bogies 6 of vehicle 2, this distance being measured along the longitudinal axis of vehicle 2.

[0018] A bogie 6 is shown in more detail with reference to the figure 2 .

[0019] The bogie 6 comprises a chassis 10 which, in the example illustrated, comprises two longitudinal uprights 12 and a plurality of transverse uprights or transverse beams 14, which for example extend perpendicular to the longitudinal uprights 12. For example, the chassis 10 is a metal part formed from a single piece.

[0020] The longitudinal uprights 12 and the transverse uprights 14 here delimit three housings 16 each configured to receive an axle.

[0021] The bogie 6 has three axles: a first axle 16a, a second axle 16b and a third axle 16c, these three axles being mounted on the chassis 10.

[0022] For example, the first axle 16a and the third axle 16c are arranged at opposite ends of the bogie 6. The second axle 16b is placed between the first axle 16a and the third axle 16c.

[0023] The bogie 6 further comprises a receiving area for connecting a drive device such as a drive rod 18.

[0024] The receiving zone is located between the first axle and the second axle. The drive device 18 is connected to the vehicle 2, for example directly connected to the chassis 4 or to the body 4 of the vehicle 2. In practice, the drive device 18 may be part of a connecting and damping device associated with the bogie 6.

[0025] As illustrated on the figures 2 And 3 , each axle 16 has a motor unit 20 mounted on each axle. In other words, each axle is motorized.

[0026] The engine block 20 is configured to rotate the wheels 22 of the axle, in order to drive the vehicle 2 in motion along a railway track.

[0027] For example, engine block 20 is a suspended "cannon-box" type engine.

[0028] In the example illustrated, the motor unit 20 comprises a traction motor 26 for example fixed to a casing 24 (or housing) mounted around the axle, the casing 24 being able to be mounted concentrically with the axle.

[0029] The geometric axis X20 schematically represents the direction of axle 16.

[0030] The traction motor 26 is coupled to a transmission device 28, such as a reduction gear. For example, the transmission device 28 may comprise one or more gears.

[0031] The traction motor 26 and the transmission device 28 can be grouped within the same geared motor group, for example inside the same casing.

[0032] The transmission device 28 is here mounted around the axle, for example concentrically with the axis X20.

[0033] For example, the transmission device 28 may be placed near one end of the axle, between a wheel 22 and the housing of the traction motor 24. In other words, the transmission device 28 is off-center relative to the center of the axle, and is placed toward one side of the axle.

[0034] Preferably, the traction motor 26 or the geared motor 26 can also be fixed to a transverse upright 14 of the chassis. This fixing is preferably carried out by an anti-winding connecting rod to prevent rotation of the geared motor group around the axle.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the motor unit 20 of the first axle 16a is placed on a first side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie, the motor unit 20 of the third axle 16c is placed on a second side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie, and the motor unit 20 of the second axle 16b is oriented in the same way as the third axle.

[0036] In other words, the first axle 16a is reversed relative to the second axle (e.g. mounted with reverse symmetry relative to the second axle 16b).

[0037] More generally, the motor unit of the second axle 16b is placed on a second side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie, while the motor unit of the first axle 16a is placed on a first side of the axle, towards the outside of the bogie, the motor unit of the third axle being able to be placed indifferently on a first or a second side of the axle.

[0038] In addition, as visible on the figure 2 , the transmission device 28 of the first axle 16a is here placed on the opposite side relative to the transmission device 28 of the second axle 16b.

[0039] Thanks to the invention, by reversing the arrangement of the first axle 16a relative to the other axles of the bogie and in particular relative to the second axle 16b, it is possible to free up sufficient space between the first axle 16 and the second axle 16b to allow the insertion of the drive device 18 between the first axle and the second axle.

[0040] On the contrary, if the first axle were arranged in the same way as the second axle, there would not be enough space to insert the drive device 18.

[0041] The vehicle chassis would then have to be lengthened to accommodate the drive device, or the spacing L between the two bogies would have to be shortened, which would prevent technical equipment from being accommodated under the body between the bogies.

[0042] Also, attaching the drive device 18 between the first axle and the second axle, rather than connecting it to one end of the bogie, allows sufficient length to be maintained between the two bogies 6, which allows sufficient space to be available to accommodate equipment, in particular traction equipment, under the chassis 4.

[0043] In this example given for illustration purposes, the length between the end axles of vehicle 2 (i.e., between the first axles 16a of the two bogies 6) is equal to 16.82 meters. The distance between two consecutive axles of the same bogie is equal to 2 meters. The length L available between the two bogies 6 is equal to 6.3 meters.

[0044] By comparison, increasing the length of each bogie 6 without changing the orientation of the first axle 16a only provides a useful length of 5.8 meters between the two bogies 6. And, attaching the drive device to the end of the bogie without lengthening the bogie only provides a useful length of 4.5 meters between the two bogies 6.

[0045] Furthermore, not increasing the distance between the first axle and the second axle of bogie 6 is advantageous because it improves the dynamic behavior of vehicle 2, for example by providing better curve registration, and by reducing the force exerted on the railway track.

[0046] Preferably, as visible on the figure 1 , each of the two bogies 6 of the vehicle 2 is arranged such that the first axle 16a of each bogie 6 is oriented towards the corresponding end of the vehicle 2.

[0047] For example, the motor unit 20 of the first axle 16a of the front bogie is facing the front of the car 2, and the motor unit 20 of the second axle 16b of the front bogie is facing the rear of the car 2.

[0048] Each of the two bogies 6 of the vehicle 2 is mechanically coupled to a drive device 18 fixed to a receiving zone on the chassis of the bogie between the first axle 16a and the second axle 16b of said bogie.

[0049] Many other embodiments are possible.

[0050] The embodiments and variations contemplated above may be combined with each other to create new embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Bogie (6) for a railway vehicle (2), including a base frame (10), a first axle (16a), a second axle (16b) and a third axle (16c) mounted on the base frame, each axle including an engine block (20) mounted on the axle, the second axle being positioned between the first axle and the third axle (16a, 16c) according to a main direction of the bogie, wherein each axle defines a respective first side and a second side according to the main direction, the engine block of the first axle being placed on the first side of the first axle, towards the outside of the bogie according to the main direction and the engine block of the second axle being placed on the second side of the second axle, towards the third axle according to the main direction, being turned with respect to the first engine, and wherein the bogie includes a receiving area for connecting a drive device (18), the receiving area being located between the first axle and the second axle.

2. Bogie according to claim 1, wherein each engine block includes a traction engine or a geared engine (26) fixed to a casing (24) mounted concentrically around the corresponding axle.

3. Bogie according to the preceding claim, wherein the traction engine or the geared engine (26) is further fixed to a cross member (14) of the base frame.

4. Bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base frame (10) of the bogie includes two longitudinal members (12) and cross members (14).

5. Bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each engine block is a "canon-box" -type suspended engine.

6. Bogie according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bogie comprises the drive device, the drive device preferably being a drive rod.

7. Bogie according to the preceding claim, wherein the drive device is fixed to a cross member of the base frame positioned between the first and second axles.

8. Railway vehicle (2) including at least one bogie (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, the bogie or each bogie (6) being mechanically coupled to a drive device (18) fixed on the one hand to the receiving area on the base frame of the bogie between the first axle (16a) and the second axle (16b) of said bogie and on the other hand to a body or a base frame of the railway vehicle.

9. Railway vehicle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein each of said bogies (6) is oriented such that the first axle (16a) of said bogie is disposed at the end of the railway vehicle.

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