Automatic train coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic train coupling with a coupling head which comprises a coupling lock with a latch, wherein the coupling lock is configured as a rotary lock with a coupling eye and a central piece, and the central piece can be rotated about a main axis between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The coupling eye has a first end, which is connected to the central piece in a rotatable manner about a coupling eye axis, and a second free end, and the central piece has jaws which are designed to receive the second end of a coupling eye of a mating coupling head. The automatic train coupling comprises a decoupling device which comprises a motor that is connected to the central piece via a drive connection in order to rotate the central piece out of the coupled position and into the decoupled position. The latch of the coupling lock is designed to be released by moving the mating coupling head against the coupling head in order to rotate the central piece about the main axis out of the decoupled position or a coupling-ready position, which is offset relative to the decoupled position in the direction of the coupled position, and into the coupled position. The automatic train coupling according to the invention is characterized by a locking mechanism which can be actuated in a selective manner, said locking mechanism being activatable in the decoupled or coupled position of the central piece in order to block a rotation of the central piece out of the decoupled position or the coupling-ready position and into the coupled position when the latch of the coupling lock is released. Figure 1a

Description

[0001] Automatic train coupling

[0002] The present invention relates to an automatic train coupling, in particular for a freight wagon of a rail vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A generic train coupling is disclosed in DE 10 2021 132 991 A1. Such an automatic train coupling has a coupling head comprising a coupling lock with a locking mechanism. The coupling lock is designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye and a frog, and the frog is rotatable about a main axis between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The coupling eye is rotatably connected to the frog by a first end and has a second free end, which is intended to engage a mouth of the frog of the opposite coupling head when the coupling head and a matching coupling head are brought together, thereby rotating the frog about the main axis from the uncoupled position or a position ready for coupling, slightly offset from the uncoupled position in the direction of the coupled position, into the coupled position.Accordingly, the free end of the coupling eye of the opposite coupling head also enters a mouth of the frog of the generic coupling head in order to rotate the frog about the main axis from the uncoupled position or the ready-to-couple position into the coupled position.

[0004] In the coupled position, the frogs are held by a spring mechanism and by the mutual interlocking of the frogs and the coupling eyes, as well as the pressure system between the end plates of the train couplers. The coupling and uncoupling process is described, for example, in DE 10 2019 102 455 A1. To move a frog into the uncoupled position, as described in DE 10 2021 132 991 A1, an uncoupling device with a motor is provided. This motor is connected to the frog via a drive connection in order to rotate the frog from the coupled position to the uncoupled position. In the uncoupled position, or after the frog has been slightly rotated back into the ready-to-couple position, the frog can be held by a ratchet rod connected to it, which engages in a detent position when the frog is moved into the uncoupled position or the ready-to-couple position.Furthermore, a plunger is provided with which the locking of the ratchet rod can be released when the oppositely positioned coupling head presses on the plunger when the coupling heads are moved together, so that the frog is rotated into the coupled position and held there, in particular by the spring accumulator and the pressure force of the coupling eyelet which enters the mouth of the frog.

[0005] If the coupling head or the frog of the generic automatic train coupling is held in the uncoupled position or in the optionally additionally provided ready-to-couple position, i.e. ready to couple again, in order to automatically recouple when two train couplings or two coupling heads come into contact again, this automatic re-coupling can be undesirable during push-pull operation of rail vehicles, for example on a hump. During push-pull operation of this type, the wagons of a train, whereby each wagon is referred to as a rail vehicle in the present case, are uncoupled before or on the hump and are then supposed to roll off in a targeted manner into the designated directional track. For this to happen, the train couplings must remain safely separated until they reach the next wagon, i.e. the next rail vehicle on the directional track behind the hump.The aim is to reliably prevent any unintentional re-coupling before uncoiling. For this purpose, the respective frog can be held in the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position using the uncoupling device, with the uncoupling device being continuously actuated to maintain a so-called buffer position. A return of the frog to the coupled position is therefore not possible as long as the buffer position, in which the uncoupling device is actively actuated, is not released. Even with the aforementioned ratchet rod in its locked position, the frog can be held in the desired uncoupled or ready-to-couple position.

[0006] The problem, however, is that on the directional track, a train coupler held in the buffer position can come into contact with a train coupler in the coupled position. Accordingly, if such an automatic train coupler includes a frog, the frog can be twisted into the coupled position and the coupling eye protrudes accordingly far from the coupling head, for example in front of the end plate. If the train coupler in the buffer position makes contact with the train coupler in the coupled position, the free end of the coupling eye of the train coupler in the coupled position strikes the mouth of the frog of the train coupler in the uncoupled or ready to couple position and exerts a corresponding twisting force or impact on the frog in the uncoupled or ready to couple position, twisting it from the uncoupled or ready to couple position into the coupled position.If, at the same time, the train coupler in the coupled position and the coupler in the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position actuates the plunger that releases the ratchet rod from its locked position, the ratchet rod can no longer secure the frog against rotation from the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position to the coupled position. This transfers a comparatively large impact force to the uncoupling device, which is connected to the frog by drive, potentially damaging the uncoupling device or at least causing excessive wear.The present invention is based on the object of improving an automatic train coupling of the illustrated design in such a way that the transmission of such an impact force to the uncoupling device is avoided even when the automatic train coupling, which is in the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position, impacts an opposite train coupling which is in the coupled position.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by an automatic train coupling having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims specify advantageous and particularly expedient embodiments of the automatic train coupling according to the invention, as well as a rail vehicle with an automatic train coupling according to the invention.

[0008] An automatic train coupling according to the invention has a coupling head comprising a coupling lock with a locking mechanism. The coupling lock is designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye and a frog. The frog is rotatable about a main axis between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The coupling eye is connected to the frog at a first end rotatable about a coupling eye axis and has a second free end. The second free end has, for example, a latch for locking with the frog of an opposing coupling head.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the uncoupled position is simultaneously a so-called ready-to-couple position. This means that the coupling lock or its frog is moved into the uncoupled position for uncoupling and is then held in this position until an oppositely identical coupling head is approached again in order to be coupled, i.e., mechanically locked, with the coupling head. According to another embodiment, as particularly related to the present invention, in addition to the coupled position and the uncoupled position, a ready-to-couple position of the coupling head or frog is provided. The frog can therefore be rotated around the main axis selectively into the coupled, uncoupled, or ready-to-couple position.As a rule, the ready-to-couple position is a rotational position of the frog between the coupled position and the uncoupled position and is closer, usually significantly closer, to the uncoupled position than to the coupled position. In particular, the frog is rotated around its main axis from the uncoupled position by a few degrees back toward the coupled position to reach the ready-to-couple position. It is then locked in the ready-to-couple position, for example, with a ratchet bar, as explained below.

[0010] The frog has a mouth configured to receive the second end of a coupling eye of the oppositely arranged coupling head. The oppositely arranged coupling head can be constructed identically to the coupling head according to the invention. However, other embodiments are also possible that are compatible with the present coupling head according to the invention, thus being capable of engaging the mouth of the frog with a coupling eye and lockingly receiving the coupling eye of the coupling head according to the invention.

[0011] The automatic train coupling according to the invention has a decoupling device comprising a motor connected to the frog via a drive connection in order to rotate the frog from the coupled position to the uncoupled position and, if necessary, in particular back, to the ready-to-couple position. The decoupling device can be designed in particular as described in DE 10 2021 132 991 A1. The locking mechanism of the coupling lock of the coupling head of the automatic train coupling according to the invention is designed to be released by moving the oppositely aligned coupling head against the coupling head in order to rotate the frog from the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position about the main axis into the coupled position.For example, the locking mechanism of the coupling lock comprises a plunger and a ratchet rod, wherein the ratchet rod is at least indirectly connected to the frog and has a locking position which can be released by actuating the plunger, in which locking position the ratchet rod blocks the frog against rotation from the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position into the coupled position, wherein the plunger can be actuated by moving the opposite coupling head towards the coupling head in order to release the locking position of the ratchet rod.

[0012] According to the invention, the automatic train coupling or its coupling head comprises a selectively operable locking mechanism that can be activated in the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position of the frog, thus being selectively operable to block rotation of the frog from the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position into the coupled position when the coupling lock is released. Such a locking mechanism is thus provided in addition to the locking of the coupling lock, for example, with the ratchet rod.

[0013] The invention makes it possible to actively block the automatic recoupling of the train coupling in the uncoupled position, or the so-called ready-to-couple position, by mechanically blocking the otherwise occurring rotation of the frog, for example, after it has been released by releasing the ratchet rod from its locked position, by specifically actuating the locking mechanism. By mechanically blocking the rotation of the frog, shock loading of the uncoupling device, in particular its motor, is prevented, even if the ratchet rod has been released from its locked position.

[0014] The locking mechanism preferably comprises an actuator and a locking bar, wherein the locking bar can be displaced by the actuator, in particular against the force of a spring element, for example a tension spring or compression spring, between a locking position in which the actuator blocks rotation of the frog when the locking of the coupling lock is released, and a release position in which the actuator releases rotation of the frog when the locking of the coupling lock is released. Thus, the actuator can act directly mechanically or in contact with the frog or on a component connected to it in a rotationally rigid manner in the direction of rotation, or even on the uncoupling device.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator has an electromagnetic drive. Such a locking mechanism can then be particularly easily retrofitted to the coupling head, requiring only minor modifications to existing coupling heads. According to one embodiment, such an electromagnetically driven actuator can also operate without a spring element.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the actuator has an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic drive. Such drives provide reliable actuation, and the actuator can be easily integrated into the coupling head.

[0017] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator is driven by the motor of the uncoupling device. This eliminates the need for an additional drive for the actuator. The uncoupling device comprises, in particular, a rotary member, particularly in the form of a rotary lever, which can be rotated about a rotation axis with the motor. This rotary member is connected to the frog for rotating the frog from the coupled position to the uncoupled position and, if necessary, also to the alternative ready-to-couple position.

[0018] The locking bar can engage the uncoupling device, in particular the rotary member or the rotary lever, to indirectly prevent the desired rotation of the frog from the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position to the coupled position, as well as the transmission of adverse impact forces to sensitive components of the uncoupling device, such as the motor. Such pressure surges can then be absorbed by the locking bar.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the locking bar engages the frog or an arm rigidly connected to the frog in the direction of rotation around the main axis. This also prevents the unwanted transmission of impact forces to sensitive components of the uncoupling device, because the locking bar dissipates such impact forces accordingly.

[0020] The decoupling device preferably has a driver which is driven by the motor and rotates the rotary member. A rotational play can then be provided between the driver and the rotary member so that in the uncoupled position of the core, the driver is movable relative to the rotary member, in particular can be rotated about the axis of rotation about which the rotatable rotary member can be rotated. The driver can then be drivenly connected to the actuator in order to actuate the actuator within the said rotational play to move the locking bolt into the locked position without the rotary member being rotated in the process. The driver is preferably designed as a rotary element to which the actuator in the form of an actuating arm is connected and / or by which the actuator in the form of an actuating arm is rotated.Such an actuating arm can then, for example, engage the locking bolt by rotating it, shifting, tilting, or twisting it from the release position to the locked position. The actuating arm can have a plunger shape, a hook shape, or another shape, such as a rotary lever.

[0021] A rail vehicle according to the invention has an automatic train coupling according to the invention of the design shown here.

[0022] The invention will be described below using exemplary embodiments and the figures.

[0023] They show:

[0024] Figure 1a an automatic train coupling in the coupled position;

[0025] Figure 1 b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 1 a in the uncoupled position;

[0026] Figure 1c shows the automatic train coupling from Figures 1a, 1b in the ready-to-couple position;

[0027] Figure 2 shows the automatic train coupling with a first embodiment of a locking mechanism in the locking position;

[0028] Figure 3a shows the automatic train coupling with a second embodiment of the locking mechanism in the locking position;

[0029] Figure 3b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 3a with the locking mechanism in the release position;

[0030] Figure 4a shows the automatic train coupling with a third embodiment of the locking mechanism in the locked position; Figure 4b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 4a with the locking mechanism in the released position;

[0031] Figure 5a shows the automatic train coupling with a fourth embodiment of a locking mechanism in the release position;

[0032] Figure 5b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 5a with the locking mechanism in the locked position;

[0033] Figure 6a shows the automatic train coupling with a fifth embodiment of a locking mechanism in the release position;

[0034] Figure 6b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 6a with the locking mechanism in the locked position;

[0035] Figure 7a shows the automatic train coupling with a sixth embodiment of a locking mechanism in the release position;

[0036] Figure 7b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 7a with the locking mechanism in the locked position.

[0037] The figures show exemplary embodiments of automatic train couplings, each of whose coupling heads 1 comprises a lockable coupling lock 2 and a decoupling device 8, as well as a possible exemplary embodiment of a selectively operable locking mechanism 10, which here acts on the coupling lock 2 or on the decoupling device 8 to prevent the transmission of impact forces to sensitive components of the decoupling device 8 when ready for coupling. The corresponding components are each designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

[0038] Figure 1 shows the coupling head 1 of the automatic train coupling with the frog 4, which is rotatable about the main axis 5, in three different positions. These positions differ from one another in the rotational position of the frog 4 about the main axis 5. In Figure 1a, the frog 4 assumes the coupled position, in Figure 1b the uncoupled position, and in Figure 1c a position ready for coupling, which here is rotated by a comparatively small angle towards the coupled position compared to the uncoupled position. However, as explained at the beginning, this is not mandatory.

[0039] In detail, the coupling closure 2 comprises, in addition to the frog 4, a coupling eye 3, which is connected to the frog 4 by a first end 3.1 so as to be rotatable about a coupling eye axis 6, and has a second free end 3.2 intended to engage the mouth 7 of the frog 4 of a matching coupling head 1. The frog 4 of the coupling head 1 shown also has a corresponding mouth 7, which is arranged to receive a second end 3.2 of a coupling eye 3 of a matching coupling head 1.

[0040] In the coupled position according to Figure 1a, in which the frog

[0041] 4 in the top view shown is in the maximum counterclockwise position and assumes the coupled position, the jaw 7 is arranged comparatively far inside the coupling head 1, that is to say behind the front plate 22. The latch (not shown) at the second end 3.2 of a coupling eye 3 (not shown) of an oppositely identical coupling head 1 is hooked into the jaw 7. In order to uncouple the train coupling, that is to say to move it into the uncoupled position in Figure 2, the frog 4 is rotated around the main axis

[0042] 5 is rotated so that the mouth 7 is in its forwardmost position, which is arranged only comparatively slightly behind the end plate 22. The rotation of the frog 4 is effected by the uncoupling device 8, which comprises a motor 9 connected to the frog 4 via a drive connection, for example an angular gear.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the uncoupling device 8 comprises a rotary member in the form of a rotary lever 16, which can be rotated with the motor 9 about a rotation axis 15 and is connected to the frog 4 in order to rotate it. The rotary lever 16 can be connected directly to the frog 4 or, as shown here by way of example, via at least one intermediate piece 17, which is articulated to the rotary lever 16 and the frog 4.

[0044] In order to rotate the rotary lever 16 about the rotational axis 15, a driver 19 is provided, which is rotated about the rotational axis 15 by the motor 9. The driver 19 engages with at least one stop surface on the rotary lever 16 in order to pull on the frog 4, here for example via the intermediate piece 17, in a tangential direction to the main axis 5, so that the frog 4 is rotated into the uncoupled position shown in Figure 1b. The motor 9 can then return the driver 19, essentially force-free, to its original position, so that the driver 19 does not hinder a subsequent rotation of the frog 4 into the coupled position when the oppositely aligned coupling head 1 is moved against the end plate 22.During this return movement of the driver 19, the rotating element, in this case the rotary lever 16, also rotates backward, together with the frog 4, until the frog 4 is in the coupling-ready position, in which the ratchet rod 12 connected to the frog 4 engages in its detent position. The reversing of the frog 4 is effected by the spring-loaded mechanism 23 connected to the frog 4. When the frog 4 is rotated from the coupled position to the uncoupled position, this spring-loaded mechanism 23 is tensioned.

[0045] In its locked position, the ratchet rod 12 prevents the frog 4 from moving further toward the coupled position and thus leaving the ready-to-couple position. This situation in the ready-to-couple position is shown in Figure 1c.

[0046] When re-coupling, the locking position of the ratchet rod 12 is released by actuating the plunger 11, whereby the plunger 11 is actuated by a coupling cone 24 of the opposing coupling head 1. The coupling cone 24 accordingly plunges into a so-called coupling funnel through the end plate 22.

[0047] In the coupling-ready position shown in Figure 1c, the driver 19 can be rotated further backward, i.e., in the direction in which it is rotated when the frog 4 is moved from the uncoupled position to the coupling-ready position, without entraining the rotary member, here the rotary lever 16. Accordingly, a rotational play is provided between the driver 19 and the rotary member, which can be exploited to activate a selectively operable locking mechanism 10 with the driver 19. This will be shown below using the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 5 to 7. Thus, the motor 9 can also be used to actuate the locking mechanism 10.

[0048] Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the locking mechanism 10 has its own electromagnetic drive. The locking mechanism 10 comprises an actuator 13, here an electromagnetic actuator 13, and a locking bar 14, which is displaced by the actuator 13 between a locked position and a release position. In the locked position shown in Figure 2, the locking bar 14 engages behind the rotary member, here in the form of the rotary lever 16, such that its rotation about the rotation axis 15 is blocked when the frog 4 pulls it from the ready-to-couple position into the coupled position, here via the intermediate piece 17, in the sense of a rotation about the main axis 5.Thus, if a coupling eye 3 of an opposing coupling head 1 impacts the mouth 7 of the frog 4, this impact force cannot be transmitted via the rotary lever 16 to the drive connection between the rotary lever 16 and the motor 9 in the buffer position shown. Impact-sensitive components typically located there, such as the motor 9 and / or a gear, such as an angle gear, are protected. The locking mechanism 10 can, in particular, operate without a spring-loaded mechanism.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the locking mechanism 10 has a spring-loaded locking bar 14. This allows damping of the pressure surges acting on the locking mechanism 10 in the buffer position. For this purpose, the locking bar 14 is supported against the force of a spring element 21. The locking bar 14 is supported on the rotary member of the uncoupling device 8, here on an extension of the rotary lever 16 extending beyond the rotation axis 15. Of course, another support could also be provided, for example, separately from the rotary lever 16.

[0050] When the locking bolt 14 is in its locking position, which is shown in Figure 3a, the rotary member, in particular the rotary lever 16, as in Figure 2, cannot transmit a pressure surge to the remaining drive connection of the uncoupling device 8. In addition, as explained, the pressure surge is dampened by the spring element 21.

[0051] The pivoting of the locking bar 14 between the locked position and the released position is effected by an actuator 13, which can be designed as an electromagnetic actuator or as another type of actuator. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 13 pivots the locking bar 14 laterally into the rotational range of the rotary lever 16 in order to prevent the rotary lever 16 or its extension from rotating.

[0052] Otherwise, the mode of operation of the train coupling shown in Figure 3 is identical to that of the embodiments in Figures 1 and 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the locking bolt 14 of the locking mechanism 10 engages an arm 18 which is connected to the frog 4 in a rotationally fixed manner about the main axis 5, in order to specifically mechanically block, in the buffer position of the train coupling, the undesired rotation of the frog 4 from the ready-to-couple position into the coupled position or the transmission of a corresponding pressure surge to the uncoupling device 8. Here, too, a spring element 21 is provided which dampens the rotation of the arm 18 and thus the compression of the locking bolt 14. The pivoting of the locking bolt 14 into the rotation range of the arm 18 is again carried out by an actuator 13, which is actuated, for example, electromagnetically or in some other way.

[0053] In the locked position, the locking bolt 14 blocks rotation of the frog 4 in the direction of the coupled position and thus prevents the transmission of the pressure surge to the uncoupling device 8.

[0054] In the embodiment according to Figure 5, the motor 9 is used to move the locking bolt 14 from the release position to the locked position against the force of the spring element 21. For this purpose, the driver 19, when rotated within the illustrated rotational play without driving the rotary lever 16, engages an actuating arm 20, which moves the locking bolt 14 from its release position to its locked position. The locking bolt 14, in turn, as in the embodiment according to Figure 2, blocks the rotary lever 16, so that it cannot be pulled by the frog 4 via the intermediate piece 17 or another connection, thereby transmitting a pressure surge to the uncoupling device 8 in the buffer position.

[0055] Figure 5a shows the release position of the locking bolt 14, into which the locking bolt 14 is pulled by the force of the spring element 21, which also moves the actuating arm 20 into a corresponding release position when the actuating arm 20 is not subjected to force by the driver. Figure 5b shows the corresponding force-loaded position of the actuating arm 20 by the driver 19, in which, in the buffer position, the actuating arm 20 has moved the locking bolt into the locked position.

[0056] Accordingly, the actuating arm 20 can be regarded as the actuator 13 of the locking mechanism 10.

[0057] In the embodiment according to Figure 6, the actuator 19, similar to the embodiment in Figure 5, engages at least indirectly on the locking bar 14 via an actuating arm 20 in order to move the locking bar from its release position (Figure 6a) into its locking position (Figure 6b) against the force of the spring element 21. The actuating arm 20 is thus the actuator 13. In addition, the locking mechanism 10 has a damping element 25, here in the form of a compression spring, which, as in the embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4, the spring element 21 dampens pressure surges and, here, the rotational movements of the actuating arm 20 caused by the pressure surges, because the locking bar 14 is resiliently supported on the damping element 25.

[0058] The locking bolt 14 in turn engages the rotary member, advantageously an extension of the rotary lever 16.

[0059] In the embodiment according to Figure 7, corresponding to the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, an actuating arm 20 is used with the driver 19 in the area of ​​the rotational play of the uncoupling device 8 to move the locking bolt 14 into its locked position. Here, however, the locking bolt 14 again blocks an arm 18 which is rigidly connected to the frog 4. Advantageously, the locking bolt 14 is again assigned a damping element 25 in order to dampen pressure surges which act on the frog 4 via the mouth 7. At the same time, the locking bolt 14 is advantageously moved with the actuating arm 20, which represents the actuator 13, from its locked position into its released position against the force of the spring element 21. Furthermore, the corresponding components of the other

[0060] Reference is made to embodiments whose function is identical.

[0061] List of reference symbols

[0062] 1 coupling head

[0063] 2 dome closure

[0064] 3 coupling eyelets

[0065] 3.1 first end

[0066] 3.2 second end

[0067] 4 Heart

[0068] 5 Main axis

[0069] 6 coupling eye axle

[0070] 7 mouths

[0071] 8 Uncoupling device

[0072] 9 Engine

[0073] 10 Locking mechanism

[0074] 11 stamps

[0075] 12 latch rod

[0076] 13 Actuator

[0077] 14 locking bolts

[0078] 15 axis of rotation

[0079] 16 rotary levers

[0080] 17 Intermediate piece

[0081] 18 arms

[0082] 19 drivers

[0083] 20 Actuating arm

[0084] 21 Spring element

[0085] 22 Front plate

[0086] 23 spring accumulators

[0087] 24 clutch cones

[0088] 25 Damping element

Claims

Patent claims Automatic train coupling with a coupling head (1) which comprises a coupling lock (2) with a locking device, wherein the coupling lock (2) is designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye (3) and a frog (4), wherein the frog (4) is rotatable about a main axis (5) between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, the coupling eye (3) is connected to the frog (4) with a first end (3.1) so as to be rotatable about a coupling eye axis (6) and has a second free end (3.2), and the frog (4) has a mouth (7) which is arranged to receive a second end (3.2) of a coupling eye (3) of an oppositely identical coupling head (1); with an uncoupling device (8) which comprises a motor (9) which is connected to the frog (4) via a drive connection in order to rotate the frog (4) from the coupled position into the uncoupled position;wherein the locking of the coupling closure (2) is designed to be released by moving the opposite coupling head (1) against the coupling head (1), in order to rotate the frog (4) about the main axis (5) from the uncoupled position or a position ready for coupling offset from the uncoupled position in the direction of the coupled position into the coupled position; characterized by a selectively actuable locking mechanism (10) which can be activated in the uncoupled position or the position ready for coupling of the frog (4) in order to block rotation of the frog (4) from the uncoupled position or the position ready for coupling into the coupled position when the locking of the coupling closure (1) is released.

2. Automatic train coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking of the coupling lock (1) comprises a stamp (11) and a ratchet rod (12), wherein the ratchet rod (12) is at least indirectly connected to the frog (4) and has a detent position which can be released by actuating the stamp (11), in which it blocks the frog (4) against rotation from the uncoupled position or ready-to-couple position into the coupled position, wherein the stamp (11) can be actuated by moving the opposite coupling head (1) against the coupling head (1).

3. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking mechanism (10) comprises an actuator (13) and a locking bolt (14) and the locking bolt (14) can be displaced by the actuator (13), in particular against the force of a spring element (21), between a locking position in which it blocks rotation of the frog (4) when the locking of the coupling lock (1) is released, and a release position in which it releases rotation of the frog (4) when the locking of the coupling lock (1) is released.

4. Automatic train coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuator (13) has an electromagnetic drive.

5. Automatic train coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuator (13) has an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic drive.

6. Automatic train coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that the actuator (13) can be driven by the motor (9) of the uncoupling device (8). Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the uncoupling device (8) comprises a rotary member, in particular in the form of a rotary lever (16), which is rotatable with the motor (9) about a rotational axis (5) and is at least indirectly connected to the frog (4) for rotating it from the coupled position to the uncoupled position. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the locking bolt (14) engages the uncoupling device (8), in particular the rotary member. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the locking bolt (14) engages the frog (4) or an arm (18) rigidly connected to the frog (4) in the direction of rotation about the main axis (5).Automatic train coupling according to claims 6 and 7, and in particular one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the uncoupling device (8) comprises a driver (19) driven by the motor (9), which rotates the rotary member while driven by the motor (9), and in that a rotational play is provided between the driver (19) and the rotary member, so that in the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position of the frog (4), the driver (19) is movable relative to the rotary member, in particular rotatable about the rotational axis (15), and in that the driver (19) is drive-connected to the actuator (13) in order to actuate the actuator (13) within the rotational play to move the locking bolt (14) into the locked position. Automatic train coupling according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver (19) is designed as a rotary element to which the actuator (13) is connected in the form of an actuating arm (20). and / or by which the actuator (13) in the form of an actuating arm (20) is rotated. A rail vehicle with an automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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