Railway axle box body

Abstract

This axle box body (1) comprises an axle box bearing (2) and two supports (3) arranged radially on either side of the bearing (2) and comprising a common lower sole (4). The supports (3) each comprise an upper sole (5) opposite the lower sole (4) and intended to receive suspension means of a railway vehicle body. Each support (3) further comprises two walls (6, 7) which each extend between the upper sole (5) and the lower sole (4) while being axially spaced from each other at least in part, an air circulation channel (9) being formed between the lower sole, the upper sole and the two walls (6, 7) of each support (3).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of railway axle boxes. State of the prior art

[0002] A railway axle box is a component that connects the wheels to the chassis of railway rolling stock, or bogie. It must be strong, reliable, and lightweight to ensure the safety, performance, and energy efficiency of rail transport.

[0003] The prior art includes various types of axle boxes. These boxes have disadvantages in terms of cost, weight, durability, and maintenance. For example, none of these boxes fully meets the growing demands of the railway market, which calls for reducing the mass of rolling stock and energy consumption.

[0004] The invention aims to solve this problem by proposing an axle box of optimized design, while ensuring its robustness and reliability.

[0005] The axle box according to the invention thus makes it possible to improve the performance of railway rolling stock, both in terms of reducing mass and energy consumption, and in terms of durability. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to an axle box body comprising an axle box bearing and two supports arranged radially on either side of the bearing. Such an axle box bearing is intended to receive a bearing unit provided with at least one rolling bearing.

[0007] According to a general characteristic, the supports comprise a common lower sole. Each support further comprises an upper sole opposite the lower sole and intended to receive means for suspending a railway vehicle body.

[0008] According to another general characteristic, each support further comprises two walls which each extend between the upper sole and the lower sole while being axially spaced from each other at least in part.

[0009] According to another general characteristic, an air circulation channel is formed between the lower sole, the upper sole and the two walls of each support. In other words, each support is hollow and is provided with a channel allowing air to circulate inside each support.

[0010] This provides an axle box body with improved durability thanks to the cooling provided by the air circulation through the hollow supports of the body. In addition, when a bearing unit with at least one bearing is mounted inside the axle box body, it also benefits from improved durability thanks to this same cooling.

[0011] Furthermore, such an axle box body benefits from a reduced mass thanks to the hollow supports.

[0012] In addition, the shape of such supports allows good load recovery while optimizing material distribution.

[0013] Advantageously, the axle box body comprises a single central web extending only between an upper face of the lower flange and an outer surface of the bearing. Such a web makes it possible to further reduce the mass of the axle box body.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the central core has a variable width. Such a core makes it possible to optimize the distribution of material.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the upper sole of each support is secured to the bearing through two arms axially opposed to each other and extending between the upper sole and the bearing, an air passage being formed between the bearing, the upper sole of each support and the associated arms. Such an air passage further promotes the cooling of the axle box body and contributes to the lightening of the axle box body. In addition, when a bearing unit provided with at least one bearing is mounted inside the axle box body, such an air passage also promotes the cooling of the bearing unit and the bearings. In addition, such a configuration simplifies the manufacture of the axle box body by minimizing machining.

[0016] Preferably, each arm has a cross-section selected from a polygonal section, a circular section or an elliptical section.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, each arm is secured to an associated vertical upright arranged on the bearing. Such uprights allow good transmission of forces between the bearing and the supports.

[0018] Advantageously, the uprights have a variable thickness. Such uprights allow for optimized material distribution.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, each air circulation channel extends radially between two openings longitudinally delimiting said channel.

[0020] Preferably, the air circulation channels are oriented in the same radial direction. Such a design promotes uniform air circulation and cooling of the axle box body and a bearing unit.

[0021] For example, the axle box body is made of cast iron or steel. Such an axle box body can be easily manufactured by casting or 3D printing.

[0022] The invention also relates to an axle box comprising a bearing unit provided with at least one bearing and mounted within an axle box body as described above. Such a bearing unit generally comprises one or more associated sensors allowing monitoring of the bearing. Brief description of the figures

[0023] The present invention will be better understood upon studying the detailed description of embodiments, taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] is a front perspective view of an axle box body according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, [ Fig 2 ] is a side perspective view of the axle box body of the Figure 1 , And [ Fig 3 ] is a top perspective view of the axle box body of the Figures 1 and 2 . Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The axle box body 1 shown in figures 1, 2 And 3 comprises an axle box bearing 2 and two supports 3 arranged radially on either side of the bearing 2.

[0025] The supports 3 each comprise a common lower sole 4.

[0026] Each support 3 further comprises an upper sole 5 opposite the lower sole 4 and intended to receive means for suspending a railway vehicle body, in particular springs.

[0027] Each support 3 further comprises two walls 6, 7 which each extend between the upper sole 5 and the lower sole 4 while being axially spaced from each other at least in part. As is particularly visible in Figure 2 , the walls 6, 7 preferably meet at a distal end 8 of each support 3. Alternatively, it remains possible for the walls 6, 7 not to meet.

[0028] At least one air circulation channel 9 is formed between the lower sole 4, the upper sole 5 and the two walls 6, 7 of each support 3. Each air circulation channel 9 extends radially between two openings 10, 11 longitudinally delimiting said channel and which are formed on each support 3. As particularly visible on the Figure 2 , the opening 10 is formed between the walls 6, 7 at the distal side 8 of the support 3. The opening 11 is formed between the lower sole 4, the upper sole 5 and the two walls 6, 7 of each support 3.

[0029] Preferably, the air circulation channels 9 are oriented in the same radial direction R-R'. Alternatively, it remains possible for the air channels 9 to be oriented in different directions.

[0030] The axle box body comprises a single central web 12 extending only between an upper face 13 of the lower flange 4 and an outer surface 14 of the bearing 2. Preferably, the central web has a variable width. As particularly visible on the Figure 2 , the central core 12 thickens near the junctions 12a, 12b respectively with the outer surface 14 of the bearing 2 and with the upper face 13 of the lower sole 4.

[0031] The upper sole 5 of each support 3 is secured to the bearing 2 through two arms 15 axially opposite each other and extending between the upper sole 5 and the bearing 2. An air passage 16 is formed between the bearing 2, the upper sole 5 of each support 3 and the associated arms 15. In other words, the air passage 16 represents an obstacle-free zone intended to promote the circulation of air. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the upper sole 5 of each support 3 and the bearing 2 is achieved through two arms 15. Alternatively, it remains possible to provide a different number of arms, for example one arm or three arms.

[0032] Preferably, each arm 15 has a polygonal cross-section, for example a rectangular cross-section. The polygonal cross-section of the arms 15 may have chamfered and / or rounded edges. Alternatively, the arms 15 have a circular or elliptical cross-section. Generally, the dimensions of the cross-section of the arms 15 are chosen according to the loads to be supported by the supports 3.

[0033] Each arm 15 is secured to an associated vertical upright 17 arranged on the bearing 2. Preferably, each vertical upright 17 has a variable thickness, so as to allow material optimization. Alternatively, the vertical uprights 17 may have a constant thickness.

[0034] The axle box body 1 may be made of cast iron or steel, and may be obtained by manufacturing processes such as casting or 3D printing. Preferably, the axle box body 1 is a single-piece unit, so as to minimize the number of spare parts.

[0035] According to another aspect, the invention relates to an axle box comprising an axle box body as described above associated with a bearing unit. The bearing unit comprises at least one bearing and is generally provided with one or more associated sensors allowing monitoring of the bearing. Such an axle box may further comprise additional known parts, such as sealing means, support rings and covers. Such an axle box finds a particularly interesting application in the field of railway rolling stock.

Claims

1. Axle box body (1) comprising an axle box bearing (2) and two supports (3) arranged radially on either side of said bearing (2) and comprising a common lower sole (4), said supports (3) each comprising an upper sole (5) opposite said lower sole (4) and intended to receive suspension means of a railway vehicle body, said body (1) being characterized in that each support (3) further comprises two walls (6, 7) which each extend between the upper sole (5) and the lower sole (4) while being axially spaced from each other at least in part, an air circulation channel (9) being formed between the lower sole, the upper sole and the two walls (6, 7) of each support (3).

2. Axle box body (1) according to claim 1, comprising a single central core (12) extending only between an upper face (13) of the lower sole (4) and an outer surface (14) of said bearing (2).

3. Axle box body (1) according to claim 2, wherein the central web (12) has a variable width.

4. Axle box body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper sole (5) of each support (3) is integral with the bearing (2) through two arms (15) axially opposite one another and extending between said upper sole (5) and said bearing (2), an air passage (16) being formed between the bearing (2), the upper sole (5) of each support (3) and the associated arms (15).

5. Axle box body (1) according to claim 4, wherein each arm (15) has a cross-section selected from a polygonal section, a circular section or an elliptical section.

6. Axle box body (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each arm (15) is integral with an associated vertical upright (17) arranged on said bearing (2).

7. Axle box body (1) according to claim 6, wherein said uprights (17) have a variable thickness.

8. Axle box body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each air circulation channel (9) extends radially between two openings (10, 11) longitudinally delimiting said channel.

9. Axle box body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air circulation channels (9) are oriented in the same radial direction (R-R').

10. Axle box comprising a bearing unit provided with at least one bearing and mounted inside an axle box body (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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