Automatic train coupling

Abstract

An automatic train coupling with a coupling head (1) which comprises a coupler lock (2) with a locking mechanism, wherein the coupler lock (2) is embodied as a turn lock with a coupler lug (3) and a core element (4), wherein the core element (4) is rotatable about a main axis (5) between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, the coupler lug (3) is connected with a first end (3.1) to the core element (4) so as to be rotatable about a coupler lug axis (6) and has a second free end (3.2), and the core element (4) has a mouth (7) which is arranged for receiving a second end (3.2) of a coupler lug (3) of a compatible or diametrically opposed coupling head (1); with a main bolt (20) which extends along the main axis (5), wherein the core element (4) is arranged non-rotatably or rotatably on the main bolt (20); characterized by an angle of rotation sensor (18) which senses an angle of rotation of the core element (4) about the main axis (5).

Description

[0001] Automatic train coupling

[0002] The present invention relates to an automatic train coupling with a coupling head comprising a coupling lock with a frog, in particular according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Generic automatic train couplings have 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, also referred to as a hook disc. The frog is rotatable about a main axis between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The coupling eye is connected to the frog by a first end so that it can be rotated about a coupling eye axis and has a second free end. The frog has a mouth arranged to receive a corresponding second end of a coupling eye of a matching or at least compatible coupling head. This allows two matching coupling heads to be moved toward each other and mechanically locked together via their frogs and coupling eyes. Such a generic train coupling is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2021 132 991 A1.

[0004] WO 2021 / 028136 A1 and DE 40 13493 A1 describe other automatic train couplings of this type, in which additional coupling devices, in this case an electric cable coupling and an air coupling, are mechanically connected to the coupling lock. DE 10 2016 104 188 A1 also describes the simultaneous coupling of a hydraulic and / or pneumatic air coupling with the mechanical central buffer coupling.

[0005] In order to reliably determine whether the mechanical coupling is in the coupled or uncoupled state in the aforementioned automatic train couplings, position sensors are proposed that reliably detect a single, specific rotational position of the main pin. Two position sensors arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation of the main pin around a main axis can also be provided, one of which detects the coupled position and the other the uncoupled position. These two position sensors therefore always deliver contradictory signals, thus creating redundancy. The position sensors can, for example, work together with cams on an extension of the main pin.

[0006] DE 10 2019 101 996 A1 describes an arrangement of a sensor which extends along a predetermined narrow angular range in the direction of rotation over the surface of the main bolt, to which an inductive pickup with a receiving surface is located directly radially opposite in the coupling position of the main bolt.

[0007] A disadvantage of known automatic train couplings with position sensors for detecting the coupled position and the uncoupled or ready-to-couple position is that two position sensors are usually required, and yet they can only detect whether the coupling lock is in either the coupled or the uncoupled position. As described in DE 10 2021 132 991 A1, in addition to the coupled position and uncoupled position, such a coupling lock can also provide further rotational positions in which the coupling lock or its frog is held. In particular, such a frog can be rotated beyond the uncoupled or coupled position into an overdrawn position or held in an intermediate position between the uncoupled position and the coupled position.It may be necessary to hold the frog precisely in a predetermined twisting position, for example in a so-called buffer position, i.e. a position in which the coupling lock is held permanently open. If such a twisting position deviates from the coupling position and the uncoupling position, this position cannot be adequately detected using conventional position sensors. The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic train coupling in which the position of the coupling lock can be monitored better than before. In this case, an exact detection of the twisting position of the frog in different, in particular more than two, twisting positions should be possible or a continuous detection of the twist angle of the frog should be enabled, whereby the detection works reliably, is robust and the manufacturing outlay is low.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by an automatic train coupling having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims describe advantageous and particularly useful embodiments of the invention.

[0009] An automatic train coupling according to the invention has a coupling head which includes a coupling lock with a locking device, wherein the coupling lock is designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye and a frog, wherein the frog is rotatable about a main axis between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, the coupling eye is connected to the frog with a first end so as to be rotatable about a coupling eye axis and has a second free end, and wherein the frog has a mouth which is arranged to receive a second end of a coupling eye of an oppositely identical coupling head. The automatic train coupling comprises a main bolt which extends along the main axis and the frog is arranged either in a rotationally fixed or rotatable manner on the main bolt.

[0010] According to the invention, a rotation angle sensor is provided in the automatic train coupling, which detects a rotation angle of the frog about the main axis.

[0011] With such an angle encoder, which is also referred to as a rotary encoder or angular position encoder, not only individual positions around a rotational axis can be detected, but also the extent of the rotation starting from an initial rotational position around the main axis, i.e. the angle by which the frog has rotated around the main axis. The detection of the angle of rotation is preferably continuous, i.e. without interruption around the main axis. For example, the angle of rotation can be detected starting from a reference position at 0° up to a maximum angle of rotation, which is preferably more than 45°. In particular, the maximum angle of rotation is 180° or 90°. The rotation of the frog can accordingly be limited to the maximum angle of rotation or less.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the inventive solution, the main bolt and / or the center piece have a sensor structure for forming a rotor of the rotary angle sensor. This sensor structure is directly incorporated into a material of the main bolt and / or the center piece and faces a detection device in a stator of the rotary angle sensor. The rotor is thus formed directly by the main bolt or the center piece, i.e., it is not connected to the main bolt or the center piece as a separate component, but is designed integrally with it.

[0013] In an alternative design to the integral encoder structure on the main pin or frog, the rotary encoder comprises a rotor and a stator that can be rotated about the main axis. In a first design, the rotor is connected to the main pin in a rotationally fixed manner, and in a second design, it is connected to the frog in a drive-free manner. In particular, it is fixedly mounted on the main pin or fixed on the frog, so that it rotates together with the main pin or frog. Various options exist regarding the design of the connection. For example, a material connection or a form fit are conceivable.

[0014] If the rotor is arranged as a separate component on the frog or the main bolt, this offers the advantage that the main bolt or frog does not require any machining to form the rotor. However, this requires precise positioning during rotor assembly. Furthermore, there is a risk of relative displacement of the rotor relative to the frog or the main bolt due to environmental influences such as shocks, vibrations, centrifugal forces or acceleration forces, and the like. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor structure is therefore incorporated directly into the material of the main bolt or the frog, for example in the form of a defined interference geometry, which can be correspondingly detected by a detection device in the opposite stator.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the rotary encoder is designed as an absolute encoder, in contrast to an incremental encoder, since an absolute encoder does not need to be initialized.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the automatic train coupling, the frog is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the main bolt extending along the main axis. Thus, the frog always rotates together with the main bolt, so that, according to one embodiment of the invention, the angle of rotation of the main bolt is directly detected by the angle sensor. Accordingly, the sensor structure can then be incorporated directly into the material of the main bolt.

[0017] Alternatively, the angle of rotation of a frog that rotates on a stationary main bolt can also be measured. In this case, the sensor structure can be incorporated directly into the frog material.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotor and stator of the rotary encoder are positioned opposite each other in the direction of the main axis. This requires a particularly small amount of additional space in the radial direction.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the rotor and the stator of the rotary encoder are positioned opposite each other in the radial direction relative to the main axis or obliquely relative to the main axis, respectively, to occupy a small space in the axial direction. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the main pin comprises an integral shaft collar extending in particular in a ring around the main axis, which has or forms the encoder structure.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the main bolt comprises a shaft collar, in particular a shaft collar running in a ring shape around the main axis, against which the rotor or the encoder structure rests or is connected to it.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment in which the rotor is formed by the frog, the frog may have a collar which has the encoder structure.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the encoder structure has recesses arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction around the main axis. Such recesses can be machined into the main pin or the frog, particularly by material forming. This eliminates any requirement for a rotor mounting and eliminates the risk of relative displacement of the rotor during operation of the traction coupling.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the stator comprises a detection device, in particular an electronic detection device, for detecting the current rotation angle of the rotor and a signal output for outputting rotation angle signals depending on the detected current rotation angle of the rotor. The rotor can be free of any components that require electrical power for detecting the rotation angle. The stator can accordingly have its own power supply or a connection for a power supply.

[0024] The stator preferably comprises an electronic signal processing device connected to the detection device and the signal output for processing signals received by the detection device and, depending on this, providing the angle of rotation signals at the signal output. The electronic signal processing device can be supplied with electrical energy either from the integrated power supply or via the power supply connection.

[0025] The signal present at the signal output can be a digital or analog signal. For example, the stator is equipped with an electronic signal processing device that has a CAN interface and forms the signal output. Other data protocols or data interfaces are also possible.

[0026] The signals present at the signal output can be evaluated and further processed by a CPU. Such a CPU can be located on the train coupler or on or in the car equipped with the automatic train coupler. Shielded cables are preferred for connection to the signal output for control and / or data communication.

[0027] The rotary encoder, especially both the rotor and the stator, should preferably be protected against environmental influences by a housing, either with its own housing or solely by at least one housing already present in or on the train coupling. The rotor and stator can be installed in a common housing or in different housings, which are then preferably firmly connected to each other.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the coupling head comprises a coupling housing that encloses the frog and in which the frog is mounted. The rotary encoder is positioned within the coupling housing and is enclosed by it. Another embodiment of the invention provides that an air coupling with an air coupling housing is arranged on the coupling housing, and the rotary encoder is arranged at least partially within the air coupling housing or on the air coupling housing.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the rotary encoder is positioned outside the dome closure housing, for example in a separate housing or shielded with a cover.

[0030] It is advantageous to position the angle sensor outside the power flow between a drive for uncoupling the coupling lock and the frog. This avoids mechanical weakening of the uncoupling drive.

[0031] If the encoder structure is provided on a shaft collar of the main bolt, the shaft collar is preferably positioned outside the force flow through the main bolt. For example, the shaft collar is arranged in the area of ​​an axial end of the main bolt, which is positioned along the main axis above or below the frog and is free of force-introducing connections.

[0032] The main bolt can be a single-part or multi-part design. In a multi-part design, it has several sections, for example two, arranged one behind the other, particularly in the direction of the main axis, which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0033] Particularly preferably, a shaft journal is arranged on the shaft collar, which axially engages with the stator or extends through the stator. This allows for particularly good radial guidance of the stator on the main pin.

[0034] In the case of a frog that can be rotated relative to the main bolt, the rotary encoder can be positioned in the interface between the frog and the main bolt, for example with the stator in a recess of the main bolt or on the outer circumference of the main bolt.

[0035] The encoder structure is then provided radially inside the core.

[0036] According to a particularly easy-to-implement solution, which can be implemented without major intervention in the coupling mechanism, the angle sensor is arranged outside the coupling lock housing on the main bolt, in particular above the coupling lock housing. In such a configuration, the angle sensor is preferably arranged at a free end of the main bolt, through which no operating force is introduced when uncoupling the coupling lock. Rather, an operating force can be introduced below the angle sensor into the main bolt.

[0037] Especially if the main bolt extends beyond the dome locking housing, it can be constructed in multiple parts. However, this is not mandatory.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main pin and / or the frog is / are rotatable by a maximum of or less than 180° around the main axis, and the sensor structure extends by more than 180° around the main axis. In particular, the sensor structure extends completely around the main axis. If the at least one detection device extends circumferentially around the main axis over a larger angular range, in particular at least substantially completely, than the main pin and / or the frog is / are rotatable about the main axis, redundant detection of the angle of rotation of the main pin and / or the frog can be achieved.

[0039] In an embodiment in which the rotor rests on the frog or is formed by the frog, the frog can have a collar against which the rotor rests or against which a sensor marking and / or sensor structure rests. The invention will be explained below using exemplary embodiments and the figures.

[0040] They show:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an automatic train coupling designed according to the invention;

[0042] Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of an automatic train coupling according to the invention;

[0043] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an automatic train coupling according to the invention with modified positioning of the rotary angle sensor;

[0044] Figure 4 shows another possible positioning of a rotary angle sensor in an automatic train coupling according to the invention;

[0045] Figure 5 shows the positioning of a rotary angle sensor in an automatic train coupling according to the invention with a fixed main bolt;

[0046] Figure 6 shows an embodiment for the integration of the rotor of the rotary encoder into the main bolt;

[0047] Figure 7 is a plan view of an opened coupling closure housing of an automatic train coupling according to the invention;

[0048] Figure 8 shows an automatic train coupling according to the invention with the rotary angle sensor arranged in the housing of an air coupling;

[0049] Figure 9a shows an automatic train coupling according to the invention in the coupled position; Figure 9b shows the automatic train coupling from Figure 9a in the uncoupled position;

[0050] Figure 9c shows the automatic train coupling from Figures 9a, 9b in the ready-to-couple position.

[0051] Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a train coupling according to the invention with a coupling head 1 comprising a coupling lock 2 with a locking mechanism. The coupling lock 2, which is designed as a rotary lock, comprises a coupling eye 3 and a frog 4. The frog is rotatable about the main axis 5 between a coupled position and an uncoupled position and, if necessary, beyond this, into a so-called over-drawn position.

[0052] The coupling eye 3 has a first end 3.1, with which it is connected to the frog so as to be rotatable about a coupling eye axis 6, and a second free end 3.2, which, when the train coupling or the coupling lock 2 is coupled with a matching coupling lock, engages the mouth 7 of the frog 4 of the matching coupling head 1. Accordingly, the free end 3.2 of the coupling eye 3 of the matching coupling head 1 engages the mouth 7 of the frog 4 shown here.

[0053] A rotary encoder 18 is provided in or on the coupling head 1, which detects the angle of rotation of the frog 4 around the main axis 5. The rotary encoder 18 has a rotor 18.1 and a stator 18.2. In the illustrated embodiment, the frog 4 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the main pin 20, so that the rotor 18.1 can be formed by the main pin 20 and the stator 18.2 can be held stationary near the rotor 18.1. However, if the frog 4 rotates around the main pin 20, the main pin 20 can also accommodate the stator 18.2, and the rotor 18.1 can be formed by the frog 4 opposite the stator 18.2. With the rotary angle sensor 18, the rotation of the main bolt 20 and / or the frog 4 can be precisely detected over a predetermined angular range, whereby not only individual end positions in this angular range can be detected, but also the rotation angle between the end positions.The arrangement of the rotary angle sensor 18 can be selected variably, depending on whether the rotary angle sensor 18 is to be positioned directly in the area of ​​the mechanical dome closure 2, in particular within a dome closure housing 29, as shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 9, or outside of it.

[0054] The main bolt 20 is mounted in the coupling locking housing 29, and the coupling locking housing 29 encloses the frog 4. A front plate 22 is connected to the front end of the coupling locking housing 29, which encloses the coupling cone 24 and the coupling funnel 25. The coupling cone 24 and the coupling funnel 25 are the usual components of an automatic train coupler of the Scharfernberg type. When coupling two opposing train couplers, the coupling cone 24 and the coupling funnel 25 are joined together in pairs so that the front plates 22 and thus the coupling heads 1 are centered relative to one another. At the same time, the coupling eyes 3 engage the mouths 7 of the frogs 4, rotating the frogs 4 around the main axis 5, so that the coupling eyes 3 and the frogs 4 are locked together in a tension-resistant manner.

[0055] For uncoupling, the uncoupling device 8 is actuated, which comprises a motor 9 which is connected to the frog 4 via a drive connection, for example but not necessarily an angular gear.

[0056] In Figures 9a to 9c, for example, the coupling head 1 with the coupling lock 2 is shown in three different positions, whereby these positions differ from one another by the rotational position of the frog 4 about the main axis 5. In Figure 9a, the frog 4 assumes the coupled position, in Figure 9b the uncoupled position, and in Figure 9c a coupling-ready position, which here is rotated by a comparatively small angle towards the coupled position compared to the uncoupled position.

[0057] In the coupled position according to Figure 9a, in which the frog 4 is in the top view shown in the maximum counterclockwise position and assumes the coupled position, the mouth 7 is arranged comparatively far inside the coupling head 1 behind the end plate 22. The latch (not shown here) at the second end 3.2 of the coupling eye 3 (not shown) of an oppositely identical coupling head 1 is hooked into the mouth 7. In order to uncouple the train coupling, i.e. to move it into the uncoupled position shown in Figure 9b, the frog 4 is rotated about the main axis 5 until the mouth 7 is in its forwardmost position, which is arranged only comparatively slightly behind the end plate 22. This rotation is effected, as explained, by the uncoupling device 8.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 the latter 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 9b. 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.

[0060] 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 9c.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In the coupling-ready position shown in Figure 9c, the driver 19 can be rotated further backward, i.e., in the direction in which it is rotated when moving the frog 4 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 (not shown in detail) with the driver 19.Such a selectively operable locking mechanism can, for example, be activated in the uncoupled position and / or the ready-to-couple position of the frog in order 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, in order to prevent shock loading of the uncoupling device 8, in particular of its motor 9, when the automatic coupling is in the uncoupled position or ready-to-couple position and impacts an opposite train coupling which is in the coupled position.

[0063] Due to the inventive arrangement of the rotary encoder 18, each of the aforementioned positions can be precisely and reliably monitored with the rotary encoder 18. Because, in particular, only a maximum rotation angle of 90° needs to be monitored, a comparatively coarse and robust encoder structure 21 can be used on the rotor 18.1. One exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 6.

[0064] In the embodiment according to Figure 6, the rotor 18.1 of the rotary encoder 18 is formed directly from the material of the main bolt 20. A plurality of recesses 10 are provided in a shaft collar 20.1 of the main bolt 20, arranged one behind the other and spaced apart in the circumferential direction around the main axis 5. These recesses form a sensor structure 21 directly on the main bolt 20, which is detected by a detection device 26 in the stator 18.2 in order to detect the current angle of rotation of the rotor 18.1 or the rotation of the rotor 18.1. Because the rotor 18.1 rotates only over a limited angular range around the main axis 5, for example of a maximum of 90°, a redundant detection of the current angle of rotation of the rotor 18.1 can be achieved if the encoder structure 21 is provided accordingly over a comparatively larger angular range around the main axis 5 in the rotor 18.1, in particular completely.For this purpose, the detection device 26 also extends beyond the maximum rotation angle range of the rotor 18.1, or several, in particular two, detection devices 26, in particular electronic detection devices 26, are provided in the stator 18.2, which extend one behind the other in the circumferential direction around the main axis 5. This is shown as an example in Figure 6, according to which two electronic detection devices 26 are provided. The stator 18.2 further has an electronic signal processing device 28 and a signal output 27. The electronic signal processing device 28 is electrically connected to the detection device(s) 26 and the signal output 27 and receives signals from the detection device(s) 26, which correspond to the currently detected rotation angle of the rotor 18.1 relative to a reference angle, processes these signals and provides corresponding output signals at the signal output 27, which can then be further processed externally.

[0065] The main bolt 20 has a shaft journal 20.2 located on the shaft collar 20.1, which extends through the stator 18.2 in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the main axis 5. This ensures a secure relative arrangement and guidance of the stator 18.2 radially to the main bolt 20. However, a design with recesses 10, as shown in Figure 6, also requires no corresponding shaft journal 20.2.

[0066] Figures 2 to 5 show exemplary arrangements of the rotary encoder 18 in or on the dome closure housing 29. Such a dome closure housing 29, as is particularly evident from Figure 7, encloses the mechanical components of the dome closure 2 and the uncoupling device 8 and shields them from environmental influences. If the rotary encoder 18 is positioned entirely within the dome closure housing 29, the dome closure housing 29 also shields the rotary encoder 18 from environmental influences.

[0067] The dome closure housing 29 can also be used as a support structure for the stator 18.2 of the rotary angle sensor 18. This is shown in Figures 2 to 4. According to Figure 2, the stator 18.2 of the rotary angle sensor 18 is mounted on top of the dome closure housing 29 and surrounds the rotor 18.1 radially outward in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the rotor 18.1, which is formed by a shaft collar 20.1 with an integrated sensor structure 21, has the sensor structure 21, shown only schematically here, on its radially outer surface.

[0068] The rotor 18.1 is designed as an integral part of the main bolt 20, i.e. the encoder structure 21 is formed by the material of the main bolt 20.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the stator 18.2 is also mounted on top of the dome closure housing 29. The rotary encoder 18 is designed as shown in Figure 6.

[0070] In Figure 4, the rotor 18.1 is formed by the frog 4. The stator 18.2 of the rotary encoder 18 is positioned within the dome closure housing 29 and is supported by the dome closure housing 29. The encoder structure 21, indicated only schematically, can be provided on a radially outer circumferential surface of the frog 4 or on an axial end face of the frog 4, depending on the extent to which the stator 18.2 faces the rotor 18.1 in the radial or axial direction. A diagonal arrangement would also be possible.

[0071] The rotor 18.1 can be designed in particular by a sensor structure 21 on a collar 4.1 of the frog 4.

[0072] In the embodiment according to Figure 5, the frog 4 rotates about the main axis 5 relative to the stationary main bolt 20, which is fixedly mounted in the dome closure housing 29. The rotary encoder 18 is provided in an interface between the main bolt 20 and the frog 4, i.e., radially between the main bolt 20 and the frog 4. For example, a sensor structure 21, shown only schematically, is incorporated radially inward into the frog 4, and the stator 18.2 is provided radially outward on the main bolt 20 or in a recess in the main bolt 20. In the embodiment according to Figure 8, an air coupling 13 is provided on top of the dome closure housing 29, which is actuated by the main bolt 20 and has its own air coupling housing 14. According to the invention, the rotary encoder 18, which is shown only schematically here, can be provided in such an air coupling housing 14. Accordingly, the stator 18, which is not shown in detail,2 are carried by the air clutch housing 14 and the rotor 18.1 is formed by the main bolt 20.

[0073] In the embodiments in which the stator 18.2 is mounted on top of the dome closure housing 29, a cover is advantageously provided, which is mounted, for example, on the dome closure housing 29 and covers the stator 18.2 in order to protect it from environmental influences.

[0074] A particularly robust rotary encoder 18 can be achieved if the stator 18.2 is potted, with the electronic devices provided therein being embedded in particular in the potting compound.

[0075] The invention is particularly applicable to automatic train couplings which are designed as Scharfenberg couplings with a coupling cone and a coupling funnel.

[0076] List of reference symbols

[0077] 1 coupling head

[0078] 2 dome closure

[0079] 3 coupling eyelets

[0080] 3.1 first end

[0081] 3.2 second end

[0082] 4 Heart

[0083] 4.1 Federal

[0084] 5 Main axis

[0085] 6 coupling eye axle

[0086] 7 mouths

[0087] 8 Uncoupling device

[0088] 9 Engine

[0089] 10 recess

[0090] 11 stamps

[0091] 12 latch rod

[0092] 13 Air coupling

[0093] 14 Air clutch housing

[0094] 15 axis of rotation

[0095] 16 rotary levers

[0096] 17 Intermediate piece

[0097] 18 rotary encoders

[0098] 18.1 Rotor

[0099] 18.2 Stator

[0100] 19 drivers

[0101] 20 main bolts

[0102] 20.1 Shaft collar

[0103] 20.2 Shaft journal

[0104] 21 Donor structure

[0105] 22 Front plate

[0106] 23 spring accumulator 24 clutch cone

[0107] 25 coupling funnels

[0108] 26 Recording device

[0109] 27 Signal output 28 Signal processing device

[0110] 29 dome closure housing

Claims

Patent claims 1. An automatic train coupling with a coupling head (1) comprising a coupling lock (2) with a locking mechanism, the coupling lock (2) being designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye (3) and a frog (4), the frog (4) being rotatable about a main axis (5) between a coupled position and an uncoupled position, the coupling eye (3) being connected to the frog (4) with a first end (3.1) rotatable about a coupling eye axis (6) and having a second free end (3.2), and the frog (4) having a mouth (7) arranged to receive a second end (3.2) of a coupling eye (3) of a compatible or oppositely identical coupling head (1); with a main bolt (20) extending along the main axis (5), the frog (4) being arranged in a rotationally fixed or rotatable manner on the main bolt (20); characterized by a rotary angle sensor (18) which detects a rotation angle of the frog (4) about the main axis (5).

2. Automatic train coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary angle sensor (18) comprises a rotor (18.1) rotatable about the main axis (5) and a stator (18.2) and the rotor (18.1) is connected to the frog or the main bolt, in particular is fixedly mounted thereon or is formed integrally with the frog or the main bolt.

3. Automatic train coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main bolt (20) and / or the frog (4) for forming a rotor (18.1) of the rotary angle sensor (18) has a sensor structure (21) which is introduced directly into a material of the main bolt (20) and / or the frog (4) and is opposite a detection device (26) in a stator (18.2) of the rotary angle sensor (18).

4. Automatic train coupling according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frog (4) is connected to the main bolt (20) in a rotationally fixed manner and the transmitter structure (21) is introduced directly into a material of the main bolt (20), in particular is formed by it.

5. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotor (18.1) and the stator (18.2) are opposite each other in the direction of the main axis (5) or the rotor (18.1) and the stator (18.2) are opposite each other in the radial direction to the main axis (5) or obliquely to the main axis (5).

6. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the main bolt (20) has a shaft collar (20.1), in particular a shaft collar running in a ring shape around the main axis, which has the transmitter structure (21).

7. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the main bolt (20) has a shaft collar (20.1), in particular a shaft collar running in a ring around the main axis or the frog has a collar (4.1) against which the rotor (18.1) rests.

8. Automatic train coupling according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the shaft collar (20.1) is positioned outside a force flow through the main bolt (20).

9. Automatic train coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that the shaft collar (20.1) is arranged in the region of an axial end of the main bolt (20), which is positioned along the main axis (5) above or below the frog (4) and is free of force-introducing connections.

10. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that a shaft journal (20.2) is arranged on the shaft collar (20.1), which axially engages in the stator (18.2) for the radial guidance thereof on the main bolt (20) or passes through it.

11. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frog (4) has a collar (4.1) which has the transmitter structure (21).

12. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the transmitter structure (21) comprises recesses (10) arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction around the main axis (5).

13. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the main bolt (20) and / or the frog (4) is / are rotatable by a maximum of or less than 180° around the main axis (5) and the transmitter structure (21) extends by more than 180° around the main axis (5), in particular extends completely around the main axis (5).

14. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the stator (18.2) has at least one Detection device (26), in particular electronic detection device (26), for detecting the current angle of rotation of the rotor (18.1) and a signal output (27) for outputting angle of rotation signals as a function of the detected current angle of rotation of the rotor (18.1).

15. Automatic train coupling according to claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the at least one detection device (26) extends in the circumferential direction about the main axis (5) over a larger angular range, in particular at least substantially over the entire circumference, than the main bolt (20) and / or the frog (4) is / are rotatable about the main axis (5).

16. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the stator (18.2) comprises an electronic signal processing device (28) which is connected to the detection device (26) and the signal output (27) in order to process signals received from the detection device (26) and, in dependence thereon, to provide the rotation angle signals at the signal output (27).

17. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the coupling head (1) has a coupling closure housing (29) which encloses the frog (4) and in which the frog (4) is mounted, wherein the rotary angle sensor (18) is positioned within the coupling closure housing (29) and is enclosed by it.

18. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the coupling head (1) has a coupling closure housing (29) which encloses the frog (4) and in which the frog (4) is mounted, wherein on the coupling closure housing (29) an air coupling (13) is arranged with an air coupling housing (14) and the rotary angle sensor (18) is arranged at least partially within the air coupling housing (14) or on the air coupling housing (14).

19. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the coupling head (1) has a coupling closure housing (29) which encloses the frog (4) and in which the frog (4) is mounted, wherein the rotary angle sensor (18) is positioned outside the coupling closure housing (29).

20. Automatic train coupling according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the angle of rotation sensor (18) has its own angle of rotation housing in which the rotor (18.1) and the stator (18.2) are positioned.

Images