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. 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 drawbacks in terms of cost, weight, durability, and maintenance. For example, none of these boxes fully meets the growing demands of the railway market, which requires reducing rolling stock weight and energy consumption.

[0004] Document WO 2015 / 028046 A1 discloses a railway axle box belonging to the prior art.

[0005] The invention aims to solve this problem by proposing an axle box with an optimized design, while ensuring its robustness and reliability.

[0006] 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

[0007] 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 equipped with at least one bearing.

[0008] According to a general characteristic, the supports include a common lower plate. Each support further includes an upper plate opposite the lower plate and intended to receive suspension means for a railway vehicle body.

[0009] According to another general characteristic, each support further comprises two walls which each extend between the upper and lower footings, being axially separated from each other at least in part.

[0010] Another general characteristic is that an air circulation channel is formed between the bottom sole, the top sole, and the two walls of each support. In other words, each support is hollow and equipped with a channel allowing air to circulate inside it.

[0011] Thus, the axle box body has improved durability thanks to the cooling provided by air circulation through the hollow supports within the body. Furthermore, when a bearing unit with at least one bearing is mounted inside the axle box body, it also benefits from improved durability due to this same cooling.

[0012] Furthermore, such an axle box body benefits from a reduced mass thanks to the hollow supports.

[0013] Furthermore, the shape of such supports allows for good load transfer while optimizing material distribution.

[0014] 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 further reduces the mass of the axle box body.

[0015] In one particular embodiment, the central core has a variable width. Such a core allows for optimized material distribution.

[0016] In one particular embodiment, the upper flange of each support is attached to the bearing by means of two axially opposed arms extending between the upper flange and the bearing. An air passage is formed between the bearing, the upper flange of each support, and the associated arms. This air passage further promotes cooling of the axle housing and contributes to its weight reduction. Moreover, when a bearing unit with at least one bearing is mounted inside the axle housing, this air passage also promotes cooling of the bearing unit and the bearings. Furthermore, this configuration simplifies the manufacturing of the axle housing by minimizing machining.

[0017] Preferably, each arm has a cross-section chosen from a polygonal section, a circular section, or an elliptical section.

[0018] In one particular embodiment, each arm is attached to an associated vertical post located on the bearing. Such posts allow for efficient transmission of forces between the bearing and the supports.

[0019] Advantageously, the uprights have a variable thickness. Such uprights allow for optimized material distribution.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, each air circulation channel extends radially between two openings longitudinally delimiting said channel.

[0021] Preferably, the air circulation channels are oriented in the same radial direction. Such a design promotes homogeneous airflow and cooling of the axle housing and bearing unit.

[0022] For example, the axle box body is made of cast iron or steel. Such an axle box body can be easily manufactured by molding or 3D printing.

[0023] The invention also relates to an axle box comprising a bearing unit equipped with at least one bearing and mounted inside an axle box body as described above. Such a bearing unit generally includes one or more associated sensors for monitoring the bearing. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The present invention will be better understood upon study of the detailed description of embodiments, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] is a front perspective view of an axle box body according to an 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

[0025] The axle box body 1 illustrated in figures 1, 2 And 3 includes an axle box bearing 2 and two supports 3 arranged radially on either side of bearing 2.

[0026] The supports 3 each include a common lower plate 4.

[0027] Each support 3 further includes an upper plate 5 opposed to the lower plate 4 and intended to receive suspension means for a railway vehicle body, in particular springs.

[0028] Each support 3 further comprises two walls 6, 7, each extending between the upper flange 5 and the lower flange 4, being axially separated 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 that the walls 6, 7 do not meet.

[0029] 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 on 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.

[0030] Preferably, the air circulation channels 9 are oriented along the same radial direction R-R'. Alternatively, it remains possible for the air channels 9 to be oriented in different directions.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The upper plate 5 of each support 3 is fixed to the bearing 2 by means of two arms 15 that are axially opposed to each other and extend between the upper plate 5 and the bearing 2. An air passage 16 is formed between the bearing 2, the upper plate 5 of each support 3, and the associated arms 15. In other words, the air passage 16 represents an unobstructed area designed to promote air circulation. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the upper plate 5 of each support 3 and the bearing 2 is achieved by means of two arms 15. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a different number of arms, for example, one arm or three arms.

[0033] Preferably, each arm 15 has a polygonal cross-section, for example, a rectangular one. The polygonal cross-section of the arms 15 may have chamfered and / or rounded edges. Alternatively, the arms 15 may 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.

[0034] Each arm 15 is attached to an associated vertical support 17 located on the platform 2. Preferably, each vertical support 17 has a variable thickness to allow for material optimization. Alternatively, the vertical supports 17 may have a constant thickness.

[0035] The axle box body 1 can be made of cast iron or steel, and can be produced by manufacturing processes such as molding or 3D printing. Preferably, the axle box body 1 is a single piece, in order to minimize the number of separate parts.

[0036] In 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 equipped with one or more associated sensors for monitoring the bearing. Such an axle box may further comprise known additional parts, such as sealing means, support rings, and covers. Such an axle box finds 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) disposed 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 means for suspending a railway vehicle carbody, said body (1) being characterized in that each support (3) further comprises two walls (6, 7) that each extend between the upper sole (5) and the lower sole (4), being axially spaced apart from one another 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 web (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, wherein the upper sole (5) of each support (3) is joined to the bearing (2) through two arms (15) that are axially opposite one another and extend 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 joined to an associated vertical upright (17) disposed 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) that longitudinally delimit said channel.

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

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

Images