Mechanical traction coupling closure and traction coupling having such a mechanical traction coupling closure

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical traction coupling closure having a core piece which is rotatable about a main axis and has a mouth for receiving a coupling lug; having a main bolt on which the core piece is rotationally fixedly mounted; having an interlocking connection between the core piece and the main bolt, the connection comprising a connecting element which is interlockingly inserted into two opposite cutouts in the core piece and in the main bolt. The mechanical traction coupling closure according to the invention is characterized in that the cutout in the core piece and the cutout in the main bolt together form an at least substantially circular cutout cross section and the connecting element is a cylindrical pin.

Description

[0001] Mechanical train coupling lock and train coupling with such a mechanical train coupling lock

[0002] The present invention relates to a mechanical train coupling lock for a train coupling, in particular a central buffer coupling, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a train coupling with a coupling head having such a mechanical train coupling lock.

[0003] Mechanical train coupling locks, as per the present invention, comprise a frog that is rotatable about a main axis and has a mouth for receiving a coupling eye. When coupling train couplings whose coupling heads each have such a mechanical train coupling lock, the coupling eyes, each of which is rotatably connected to the frog, are inserted with their free ends into the mouth of the opposite frog, thereby rotating the frog together with the main pin about a main axis and thereby locking the two train couplings together, because the two frogs are mechanically locked together with the coupling eyes.

[0004] Traditionally, a positive connection between the crossing point and the main bolt is created with a so-called key connection. Such a connection is described, for example, in DE 10 2021132 991 A1. A corresponding key is inserted into two opposing recesses, one in the crossing point and one in the main bolt, and must be glued there. The recess is created by punching a so-called keyway. The key glued into this punched keyway must undergo a quality inspection. Thus, creating the positive connection between the crossing point and the main bolt is time-consuming. Another disadvantage is the possible need to disassemble the crossing point, key, and main bolt for maintenance purposes and then reassemble them. This is not possible in the field and requires visits to appropriately equipped workshops.A positive-locking component connection in an energy absorption device of a rail vehicle coupling is disclosed in WO 2021 / 224305 A1.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of specifying a mechanical train coupling lock with a frog and a main bolt, wherein a positive connection between the frog and the main bolt can be reliably produced with a short expenditure of time and can also be released, in particular for repair purposes.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by a mechanical train coupling lock having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims describe advantageous and particularly useful embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, a train coupling according to the invention, in particular a center buffer coupling, is specified with a coupling head having a mechanical train coupling lock according to the invention.

[0007] The mechanical train coupling lock according to the invention comprises a frog that is rotatable about a main axis and has a mouth for receiving a coupling eye. A coupling eye is advantageously also pivotally connected to the frog, so that this coupling eye can be inserted with its free end into the mouth of a frog of a matching train coupling lock.

[0008] The mechanical train coupling lock according to the invention has a main bolt on which the frog is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner. Thus, rotational movements of the main bolt are transmitted to the frog and vice versa. To establish the rotationally fixed mounting, a positive connection is provided between the frog and the main bolt. This connection comprises a connecting element that is positively inserted into two opposing recesses in the frog and the main bolt. Accordingly, the two opposing recesses, one in the frog and one in the main bolt, are open-edged and face each other, so that together they form a bore or a recess cross-section.

[0009] According to the invention, the recess in the center piece together with the recess in the main bolt forms an at least substantially circular or (completely) circular recess cross-section or elliptical recess cross-section and the connecting element is a pin element, in particular a cylindrical pin in the case of a circular design of the recess cross-section or a pin element with an elliptical cross-section in the case of an elliptical design of the recess cross-section, which is positively inserted into this common recess cross-section.

[0010] The design with a circular recess cross-section is considered to be a particularly preferred design.

[0011] The solution according to the invention offers the advantage of significantly reducing the work steps for producing the positive connection, in particular the provision of the connecting means and the conditions in the connection area on the individual components, and thus making the connection more cost-effective and time-saving overall. A further advantage is the simple, time-saving, and precise assembly of the frog and main bolt of a mechanical train coupling lock, especially when these must be assembled in large quantities or replaced in the field. The complex testing required after bonding the keyway is also eliminated. Another advantage is increased component strength of the frog due to the elimination of the keyways subject to notch effects.

[0012] Regarding the implementation of a positive connection using cylindrical pins in general, reference can be made to the following documents: - Burgtorf, U.; Garzke, M.; Schäfer, G.: Longitudinal pin connections with play - an underestimated shaft-hub connection? Communications from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, No. 22, 1997, pp. 19-24

[0013] - Korte, T.: Structural strength of longitudinal pin connections In: Communications from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at the Clausthal University of Technology, No. 33, 2008, pp. 17-22

[0014] - Schäfer, G.; Korte, T.: Longitudinal pins as low-notch shaft-hub connections In: Communications from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, No. 43, 2018, pp. 23-24.

[0015] Using such connections in a coupling lock not only provides significant strength advantages for the components in the force flow but also allows for easier assembly and repair.

[0016] Preferably, only one such connecting element is provided. The manufacturing effort for the required grooves on the frog and bolts is thus further reduced compared to designs with multiple such connecting elements. At the same time, the frog is further weakened only at one point.

[0017] For strength reasons, the connecting element, in particular the cylindrical pin, can preferably be a solid cylindrical pin, i.e., a cylindrical pin that is not hollow and does not have a longitudinal bore. However, an alternative design for the cylindrical pin is also conceivable, with a partially or completely hollow design. In this case, it has a longitudinal bore.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the two recesses on the frog and the main bolt have different cross-sections. In other words, the recess parts on the frog and the main bolt forming the recess for receiving the connecting element are asymmetrically designed.

[0019] For example, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cross-section of the recess in the frog is larger than the cross-section of the recess in the main pin. Thus, the connecting element, particularly in the case of a circular cross-section, can be arranged with a cylindrical pin center axis outside the main pin in the frog. As a result, the frog surrounds a larger section of its outer circumference than the main pin when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the cylindrical pin center axis. The cylindrical pin center axis is therefore located outside the main pin's flight path in a cross-section through the recess. This allows the cylindrical pin to retain its position in the frog, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding.

[0020] As a rule, the cylindrical pin extends parallel to the main bolt, i.e. the cylindrical pin center axis is parallel to the main axis.

[0021] The invention eliminates the notch effect of a keyway, which has a positive effect on the component strength of both the frog and the main pin. In particular, if the cylindrical pin is free of adhesive or material bonding to the frog and the main pin, advantages can be achieved in the maintenance of the train coupling lock because the cylindrical pin can be easily removed to break the positive connection between the frog and the main pin.

[0022] For simplified maintenance purposes, the cylindrical pin is preferably inserted into the frog and / or the main bolt with a transition fit or even a clearance fit. To achieve a particularly secure fit of the cylindrical pin, it can be inserted into the frog and / or the main bolt with a press fit.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the cylindrical pin is inserted with a press fit only in the center piece and without a press fit in the main bolt. This allows for a clearance fit in the main bolt, which in particular has at least virtually zero clearance.

[0024] The cylindrical pin can be inserted into a blind hole in the crossing, so that a corresponding circumferential projection in the crossing forms the bottom of the blind hole. Alternatively, a through hole in the crossing is also possible. The blind hole has the advantage that the cylindrical pin does not simply fall out during dismantling. This is particularly beneficial during replacement work in the field, as it prevents the pin from falling into the track bed. The combination of the blind hole and the enlarged design of the recess in the crossing compared to the recess in the main pin is particularly advantageous. The recess in the crossing encompasses the connecting element up to its middle area, meaning that the pin cannot fall out either in the longitudinal direction of the main pin or perpendicular to the recess in the crossing (off-center recess).

[0025] A train coupling according to the invention has a coupling head comprising a mechanical train coupling lock of the type shown here. The train coupling is designed, in particular, as a central buffer coupling.

[0026] The invention will be described below using an exemplary embodiment and the figures.

[0027] Shown are: Figure 1 an embodiment of a mechanical train coupling lock according to the present invention in a plan view obliquely from above;

[0028] Figure 2 shows an axial section through the main bolt of the mechanical train coupling lock from Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the positive connection between the frog and the main bolt.

[0030] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a mechanical train coupling lock according to the invention, comprising a frog 1 mounted on a main pin 2 with a positive connection. The frog 1, together with the main pin 2, is rotatable about a main axis 6 and has a mouth 5 for receiving a coupling eye (not shown). Furthermore, a connection 10 is provided for a coupling eye (not shown here), with a corresponding rotation axis of the connection 10 being parallel to the main axis 6.

[0031] A recess 7 is provided in the frog 1, and a recess 8 is provided in the main pin 2. The two recesses are particularly evident in Figures 2 and 3. The two recesses 7, 8 are directly opposite each other and together form a circular recess cross-section, viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the main axis 6. A cylindrical pin 3 is inserted into this shared recess cross-section as a connecting element. As can be seen particularly from Figure 3, the cylindrical pin center axis 4, which extends through the center of the shared recess, is offset towards the frog 1, so that the cross-section of the recess 7 in the frog 1 is larger than the cross-section of the recess 8 in the main pin 2. Thus, a larger circumferential area of ​​the cylindrical pin 3 is enclosed by the frog 1 than by the main pin 2.In other words, the contact area between the cylindrical pin 3 and the frog 1 is larger than the contact area between the cylindrical pin 3 and the main bolt 2. For clarity, the so-called flight circle 11 of the main bolt 2 is shown in Figure 3. The offset arrangement of the cylindrical pin 3 in the direction of the frog 1 enables the cylindrical pin 3 to retain itself in the frog 1, which simplifies assembly.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen from Figure 2, the recess 7 in the frog 1 is preferably formed by a blind bore 9 into which the cylindrical pin 3 is inserted. This, in combination with the design of the recess with different cross-sectional areas on the frog and the main pin, offers the advantage that the cylindrical pin is held securely in place even when the main pin is removed. Alternatively, however, a through bore could also be provided.

[0033] Reference symbol

[0034] 1 core

[0035] 2 Main bolt 3 Cylinder pin

[0036] 4 cylindrical pin center axis

[0037] 5 mouths

[0038] 6 Main axis

[0039] 7 Recess in the frog 8 Recess in the main bolt

[0040] 9 Blind hole

[0041] 10 Connection

[0042] 11 Flight circle

Claims

Patent claims Mechanical train coupling lock with a frog (1) which is rotatable about a main axis (6) and has a mouth (5) for receiving a coupling eye; with a main bolt (2) on which the frog (1) is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner; with a positive connection between the frog (1) and the main bolt (2), which connection comprises a connecting element which is positively inserted into two opposing recesses (7, 8) in the frog (1) and in the main bolt (2); characterized in that the recess (7) in the frog (1) and the recess (8) in the main bolt (2) together form an at least substantially circular or elliptical recess cross-section and the connecting element is a pin element, in particular a cylindrical pin (3) or a pin element with an elliptical cross-section.Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the two recesses (7, 8) have different cross-sections. Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross-section of the recess (7) in the frog (1) is larger than the cross-section of the recess (8) in the main pin (2). Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) has a cylindrical pin center axis (4) that is arranged in the frog (1) outside the main pin (2).

5. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) extends parallel to the main bolt (2).

6. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted with a press fit into the core (1) and / or the main bolt (2).

7. Mechanical train coupling lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted with a press fit only into the frog (1) and is inserted with a clearance fit, but in particular free of clearance, into the main bolt (2).

8. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted into the frog (1) and / or the main bolt (2) with a clearance or transition fit.

9. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is free from any adhesive bond or material connection with the core piece (1) and the main bolt (2).

10. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted into a blind bore (9) in the core (1).

11. Mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cylindrical pin (3) is inserted into a through hole in the frog (1). Train coupling, in particular a central buffer coupling, with a coupling head having a mechanical train coupling lock according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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