Clutch adapter with a vertically adjustable clutch support

Abstract

According to the invention, a clutch adapter (11) with a vertically continuously adjustable clutch support (14, 15) for a rail vehicle (21) is equipped with two clutch supports (14, 15) which are arranged one over the other and in a vertically adjustable manner together on the clutch adapter (11) such that two different clutches (22, 23) can be simultaneously installed, wherein at least one clutch support (14) can be folded away. Preferably, the upper clutch support (14) can be folded up by means of a spindle lift gear (18) and can be locked in the folded-up position. The two clutch supports (14, 15) can be guided on the clutch adapter (11) by means of a vertical guide (12) and can be moved up and down by means of a trapezoidal threaded spindle (19a).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling adapter with a vertically continuously adjustable coupling carrier for a rail vehicle. State of the art

[0002] So-called coupling cars are used to combine rail vehicles with different coupling systems into a train. For example, a locomotive with a drawbar coupling can pull an express train equipped with a center buffer coupling. The coupling car has a drawbar coupling on one side and a center buffer coupling on the other, allowing it to couple with both the locomotive and the express train.

[0003] However, there are also other couplings, such as the close coupling. In order for this coupled car to pull a car with a close coupling, it must be converted from a center buffer coupling to a close coupling, meaning a different coupling must be mounted on the coupling carrier.

[0004] Since this is relatively time-consuming, it was proposed in EP3590784A1, Fig. 8-11 to attach a horizontal bolt to a draw hook that is perpendicular to the direction of travel. One leg of an articulated arm is pivotally attached to this horizontal bolt on either side of the draw hook. A center buffer coupling can be mounted on this articulated arm. Using a cable, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted upwards from its horizontal functional position into a vertical position, making the draw hook accessible and allowing it to be connected to a draw hook of the next vehicle using a coupling rod. This allows switching between the center buffer coupling and the draw hook coupling without complex conversion work. The disadvantage of this solution is that the draw hook coupling and the alternatively provided coupler do not necessarily have the same standard height above the track, and if this is not the case, this solution is of limited use.

[0005] A similar solution is described in EP0808759A1, but with two different couplings pivoting around the horizontal pin, creating a total of three coupling options (e.g., coupling hook, shunting coupling, center buffer coupling). When the drawbar coupling is to be used, the unused couplings are pivoted upwards and downwards.

[0006] A similar solution is also described in EP1055580A2, but here the coupling that is not required is pivoted sideways around a vertical axis.

[0007] A coupling adapter of the type mentioned above is known from CN210618139U. This describes a height-adjustable coupling in which the coupling support is continuously adjustable relative to the coupling adapter using a hydraulic cylinder in a vertical guide to compensate for height differences in different coupling systems. This makes it possible, for example, to mount a close coupling, which has a standard height of 865 mm above the top of the rail, and a center buffer coupling, which has a standard height of 1030 mm above the top of the rail, alternatively. Each coupling can be adjusted precisely to the standard height.

[0008] However, to change from a central buffer coupling to a close coupling, for example, a conversion is necessary, which - as mentioned above - is time-consuming (takes more than an hour).

[0009] WO2018 / 086774A1 is also known from the prior art, which discloses a coupling adapter with a vertically continuously adjustable coupling carrier for a rail vehicle. Description of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to avoid these disadvantages.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a coupling adapter of the type mentioned at the outset in that two coupling supports are arranged one above the other and are jointly vertically adjustable on the coupling adapter so that two different couplings can be mounted simultaneously, and that at least one coupling support can be folded away.

[0012] According to the invention, the known height adjustability is utilized not only to bring each coupling to its exact standard height, but also to position one of the two mounted couplings (for example) in the position of the other coupling when switching from one coupling to the other. Switching between the couplings is thus achieved simply by adjusting the height.

[0013] Since different couplings generally protrude to different extents, the longer coupling can be used directly, while the shorter coupling does not interfere. However, when using the shorter coupling, the longer coupling can be in the way. Therefore, the invention provides that one of the two coupling supports, including the coupling mounted on it, can be folded away. The longer coupling is then mounted on this coupling support.

[0014] It's practical if the upper coupling support can be folded away, and can be folded upwards. The top offers the most space, making this solution suitable for all couplings.

[0015] To facilitate folding up, it is advisable that the upper coupling carrier can be folded up using a spindle lifting gear.

[0016] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the upper coupling support can be locked in the raised position. This prevents vibrations from causing the inherently self-locking screw jack to move slowly and the raised coupling to slowly sink.

[0017] A particularly simple solution for adjusting the two coupling adapters vertically is that the two coupling supports are guided on the coupling adapter by means of a vertical guide and can be moved up and down by means of a trapezoidal thread spindle. Short description of the drawings

[0018] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a coupling adapter according to the invention from the side; Fig. 2 the same from the front; Fig. 3 the same mounted on a coupling carriage, from the side and with the close coupling and the central buffer coupling mounted thereon, the close coupling being in the position of use; and Fig. 4 the same, with the center buffer coupling in use position. Best way of carrying out the invention

[0019] The coupling adapter 11 according to the invention is firstly designed using the Fig. 1 and 2 It has a vertical guide 12 (only in Fig. 2(see) on which a carriage 13 is arranged so as to be vertically displaceable. Two coupling supports 14 and 15 are attached to this carriage 13. A coupling can be screwed to each of these coupling supports 14 and 15 by means of screws 14a and 15a respectively. The lower coupling support 15 is secured by means of fixing rods 15b and 15c (only in Fig. 1 (see) is rigidly connected to the carriage 13. These fixing rods 15b and 15c can be pulled out by means of the levers 15b' and 15c' after a single rotation. The coupling carrier 14, however, is attached to a rocker 16, which rotates around an axis 17 (only in Fig. 1 can be seen) is pivotally attached to the carriage 13. This rocker 16 surrounds the carriage 13 on both sides like a fork and has aligned openings 17a and 17b on both sides of the carriage 16 (only in Fig. 1 to see). In the Fig. 1In the position shown, the opening 17b is aligned with a corresponding opening in the slide 13. A fixing rod 17c is inserted into these aligned openings, so that the rocker arm 16 is fixed in this position. The fixing rod 17c can be removed by turning the lever 17c'. It is now possible to pivot the rocker arm 16 90° clockwise about the axis 17 until the opening 17a is aligned with the corresponding opening in the slide 13. The fixing rod 17c can now be reinserted, so that the rocker arm 16 is also fixed in this second position.

[0020] Since pivoting the rocker 16 with the coupling mounted requires considerable force, a spindle lifting gear 18 is provided. The spindle 18a (only in Fig. 2(see figure) is mounted axially immovably on the slide 13 and engages a nut (not visible in the figure) that is connected to the rocker 16. Via a square 18b, the spindle 18a can be rotated via a gear 18c, so that the nut moves up or down along the spindle 18a, so that the rocker 16 is pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0021] For vertical movement of the carriage 13 in the vertical guide 12, a trapezoidal thread spindle 19a (only in the Fig. 3 and 4 (see) is provided, which can be set in rotation by means of a square 19b and a gear 19c and thus moves the carriage 13 up or down.

[0022] In the Fig. 3 and 4The coupling adapter 11 according to the invention is shown in use. It is mounted on a coupling car 21. A central buffer coupling 23 is mounted on the upper coupling carrier 14, and a close coupling 22 is mounted on the lower coupling carrier 15.

[0023] According to Fig. 3 The close coupling 22 is in use. For this purpose, the carriage 13 was adjusted upwards so that its axis is exactly 865 mm above the top edge of the rail 24. For this purpose, a pointer 32 (see Fig. 1 ) is provided, which is located exactly at the height of the horizontal coupling axis of the coupling support 15, as well as a corresponding scale 30, from which the height above the top edge of the rail 24 can be read. The center buffer coupling 23 is pivoted upwards by means of the rocker arm 16 so that it is not in the way.

[0024] According to Fig. 4The central buffer coupling 23 is in use. For this purpose, the carriage 13 was adjusted downwards so that its axis is exactly 1030 mm above the top edge of the rail 24. For this purpose, a pointer 31 (see Fig. 1 ) is provided, which is located at the height of the horizontal coupling axis of the coupling support 14. The exact height above the top edge of the rail 24 can be read from the aforementioned scale 30. Since the center buffer coupling 23 is longer than the close coupling 22, the close coupling 22, which is located below the center buffer coupling 23, does not cause any interference.

Claims

1. Coupling adapter (11) with a vertically continuously adjustable coupling carrier (14, 15) for a rail vehicle (21), characterized in that two coupling carriers (14, 15) are arranged one above the other and are jointly vertically adjustable on the coupling adapter (11), so that two different couplings (22, 23) can be mounted simultaneously, and in that at least one coupling carrier (14) can be folded away.

2. Coupling adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper coupling carrier (14) can be folded away, namely folded up.

3. Coupling adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper coupling carrier (14) can be folded up by means of a spindle lifting gear (18).

4. Coupling adapter according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper coupling carrier (14) can be locked in the folded-up position.

5. Coupling adapter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the two coupling carriers (14, 15) are guided on the coupling adapter (11) by means of a vertical guide (12) and can be moved up and down by means of a trapezoidal thread spindle (19a).

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