Switch actuating device

Abstract

Switch setting device (1) comprising a carriage (7) displaceable in the setting direction and driven by a drive unit in the setting direction, a connecting rod (9) displaceable in the setting direction between a first and a second setting position, with which the carriage is coupled in the setting direction by means of a drive coupling (8), and a locking device (14, 15) for locking the carriage in an end position area, wherein the drive coupling allows a displacement of the connecting rod relative to the carriage in the event of a collision and has a force-displacement characteristic for the dependence of a collision distance on the collision force acting on the connecting rod, wherein the force-displacement characteristic has a local maximum at a maximum transmissible collision force.The switch setting device has a position sensor which generates a switching signal depending on the approach path when a switching point (SP) is reached, and the force-displacement characteristic is flattened in the area (43) of the switching point (SP) when the target force is below the maximum approach force.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switch setting device comprising a carriage displaceable in the setting direction, which can be driven in the setting direction by a drive unit, an actuating rod displaceable in the setting direction between a first and a second setting position, with which the carriage is coupled in the setting direction by means of a drive coupling, and a locking device for locking the carriage in an end position area, wherein the drive coupling allows a displacement of the actuating rod relative to the carriage in the event of a collision and has a force-displacement characteristic for the dependence of a collision distance on the collision force acting on the actuating rod, wherein the force-displacement characteristic has a local maximum at a maximum transmissible collision force.

[0002] Such a device is known from WO 2024 / 003660 A1.

[0003] Switch operating devices are used for the mechanical switching of movable switch components by means of an electromechanical or hydraulic drive unit that drives a connecting rod. The switch drive includes a locking device for locking the connecting rod's end positions and an end-position testing device. This end-position testing device mechanically scans the current state of the switch and generates a test signal. This signal reliably determines whether the switch has been correctly switched and whether the adjacent and adjacent switch rails are in their respective correct end positions.

[0004] To lock the actuating rod, a first locking slide is provided for locking in one end position and a second locking slide for locking in the other end position. The locking slides are designed so that, in the locked position, they simultaneously engage in corresponding locking recesses of the test slides, thus also locking these in their respective end positions. The locking slides are spring-loaded in the direction of the actuating rod and the test slides, respectively, so that they engage in their respective locking recesses under spring pressure. Therefore, to unlock the respective end position, it is necessary to retract the corresponding locking slide from its locking recess.

[0005] In the design according to WO 2024 / 003660 A1, it is provided that the locking slides can assume not only a first locking position in which the actuating rod is locked, but also a second locking position in which the respective locking slide remains engaged with the recess of a carriage coupled to the actuating rod, but the test slides are released. This second locking position of the locking slide, which lies between the first locking position and the release position, has the advantage that the carriage remains locked when the switch is traversed.

[0006] To enable the otherwise undesirable movement of the switch, the carriage can be coupled to the connecting rod via a coupling mechanism. During normal operation, the coupling ensures that the movement provided by the carriage is transferred to the connecting rod. However, when the switch is being moved, such high forces act on the connecting rod in the locked position of the switching mechanism that the coupling gives way, and the connecting rod is moved relative to the carriage into the opposite end position. The coupling has a force-displacement characteristic curve that describes the relationship between the movement distance and the force acting on the connecting rod. This force-displacement characteristic is usually designed so that the force increases with increasing movement distance. For this purpose, the coupling is typically equipped with a force-bearing coupling element that is tensioned depending on the movement distance.At the point where the ramp coupling reaches its maximum energy storage capacity, no force, or only a significantly reduced force, is encountered to oppose further acceleration. At this point, the force-displacement characteristic curve exhibits a local maximum, indicating the maximum transmissible acceleration force.

[0007] The movement of the tie rod relative to the carriage can have causes other than the point being run over. This includes cases where, due to wear or other malfunctions outside of an operating process, or incorrect adjustments of the linkage (e.g., between multiple drive levels of a point), the tie rod is subjected to excessively high forces, leading to actuation or adjustment of the tie rod even when the carriage is locked. Such events can also occur with point operating devices that are not designed to be run over.

[0008] Within the scope of the present inventions, any events that lead to an adjustment of the actuating rod when the carriage is locked are referred to as collision events, regardless of whether the switch or switch-setting device is collidable or non-colliable in the classical sense.

[0009] It is desirable to monitor a switch setting device in such a way that the onset of such collision events can be detected early, i.e. before the occurrence of more serious collision events, without requiring an inspection of the switch setting device by railway personnel for harmless collision events.

[0010] The invention therefore aims to enable such remote monitoring.

[0011] To solve this problem, the invention provides that, in a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the switch setting device has a position sensor which generates a switching signal when a switching point is reached, depending on the approach path, and that the force-displacement characteristic curve is flattened in the area of ​​the switching point when the target force is below the maximum approach force, so that the switching signal is reliably generated when the target force is applied.

[0012] The invention is thus based on the idea of ​​detecting the occurrence of a collision not only when the maximum collision force has been reached, but also at a lower target force. For this purpose, a position sensor, such as an electrical switch, which can be switched depending on the collision path, is provided. When a specific collision path is detected by the electrical switch, the force that occurred can be deduced from the force-displacement characteristic of the collision coupling.Since the actual force-displacement relationship during a collision does not always correspond to the target force-displacement relationship due to component tolerances and adjustment inaccuracies, a specific force cannot be accurately determined when a particular collision path is detected by the electrical switch. This is because early detection in a still safe state is only possible within a slight adjustment of the actuating rod, which is usually made more difficult by a simultaneous steep increase in force. To reduce this inaccuracy, the invention provides that the force-displacement characteristic is flattened in the region of the switching point of the position sensor when the target force is below the maximum collision force.This creates a region within the area of ​​the target force to be detected where the force varies less with the detected approach path than in the preceding region of the force-displacement characteristic curve, so that a deviation in the detection of a specific approach path leads only to a small deviation in the detected approach force. The approach path is defined here as the displacement of the actuating rod relative to the stationary housing of the switch operating device.

[0013] The target force is preferably 70-90% of the maximum impact force.

[0014] Preferably, the drive-on coupling includes an energy storage device acting between the actuating rod and the carriage. The energy storage device defines the force that must be applied axially to the actuating rod to cause a specific displacement of the actuating rod relative to the carriage against the effect of the energy storage device. The energy storage device can be any device that can absorb and release kinetic energy from the actuating rod.

[0015] Preferably, an existing electrical switch, originally intended for detecting a locked or unlocked state of the actuating device, can also be used as a position sensor for detecting the described collision events. In this context, a preferred embodiment of the switch actuating device provides that the locking device has at least one locking slide that can be displaced transversely to the direction of movement. This slide engages a recess in the slide under force to lock it in an end-position range. As a result of a collision event, when the maximum collision force is reached within the recess, the slide is moved from a first locking position to a second locking position and interacts with an electrical switch as a position sensor, depending on its displacement.

[0016] The approach path of the actuating rod is translated into a displacement path of the locking slide, so that, with the carriage held stationary, a direct dependency arises between the approach path and the actuation path of the locking slide for actuating the electrical switch.

[0017] The flattening of the force-displacement characteristic can preferably be achieved by designing the locking slide to trigger a lateral offset of the carriage in the direction of the approach path before reaching the second locking position. This lateral offset of the carriage relieves the load on the approach clutch, thus reducing the increase in the force exerted by the approach clutch during the offset.

[0018] This can be achieved in a particularly advantageous way by having the locking slide have a contact surface extending transversely to the direction of movement, which interacts with a counter surface of the slide. The contact surface and / or the counter surface has a transition section extending obliquely to the direction of movement, the sliding of which on the counter surface or contact surface generates the lateral offset. The contact surface is the stop surface via which the holding forces for locking a movement of the slide in the direction of movement are transferred to the slide. For this purpose, the contact surface typically runs perpendicular to the direction of movement.The inclined transition section allows the locking slide to move laterally as it extends. The inclination of this transition section defines the relationship between the extent of the lateral displacement and the displacement of the locking slide, thus determining the degree of flattening in the force-displacement curve. The displacement of the locking slide, due to the associated travel of the actuating rod, increases the impact force, while the lateral displacement of the slide reduces the impact force. The difference between these two contributions defines the slope of the force-displacement curve.

[0019] Preferably, the inclined transition section is arranged at the transition from a main section of the locking slide to a tapered end section. Likewise, the inclined transition section of the opposing surface can be arranged at the transition from a base section of the recess to a widened end section.

[0020] Regarding the design of the ramp coupling, a preferred embodiment provides that the ramp coupling has a movable coupling element actuated by a power storage device, which is pressed by the power storage device into a coupling recess of the actuating rod.

[0021] Preferably, the actuating rod has a support area or engagement area for the coupling element that is parallel to the direction of actuation, extending from the coupling recess. The coupling element rests on this area or engages into it by frictional locking or positive locking after the maximum engagement force has been overcome. After the actuating rod has been displaced relative to the slide by a certain distance, this prevents the energy storage device from pushing the coupling element back into the coupling recess. This prevents the clutch element from being pushed back into the coupling recess, thus maintaining this state and ensuring that the triggered switching signal is continuously displayed.

[0022] Before reaching the maximum impact force, automatic resetting is still possible, whereby a preferred embodiment in this context provides that in the end position area of ​​the slide the coupling element can be returned to the coupling recess by the energy storage device before the maximum impact force or before the target force is reached.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises a drive unit with an engagement element that interacts with the slide to move the slide in the positioning direction.

[0024] Preferably, it is further provided that two motion transmission elements, preferably rocker arms, are arranged on the slide, which can be actuated by the attack piece and convert at least part of the movement of the attack piece into a movement of an actuating element that can be displaced in the recess of the slide, which is arranged in a locking position between the locking slide and the actuating rod and engages in the first locking position of the locking slide in a recess of the actuating rod, which preferably has a ramp for displacing the locking slide into the second locking position by means of the actuating element.

[0025] To implement the same locking mechanism for a second position of the actuating rod, it is provided that a first locking slide in the first position can be displaced under force into a first locking position, in which the first locking slide engages in a first recess of the slide, and a second locking slide in the second position can be displaced under force into a first locking position, in which the second locking slide engages in a second recess of the slide, wherein two motion transmission elements, preferably rocker arms, are arranged on the slide, which can be actuated by the actuating element and convert at least part of the movement of the actuating element into a movement of an actuating element that can be displaced in the first or second recess of the slide, which is in a locking position between the first or second recess of the slide.is arranged between the second locking slide and the actuating rod and engages in a first or second recess of the actuating rod in the first locking position of the first or second locking slide.

[0026] This design is based on the idea of ​​not allowing the locking slide to interact directly with the actuating rod in the locked position, but rather via an actuating element that can be operated by a motion transmission element. This actuating element is preferably designed as a rotatably mounted roller or cylinder, at least in the contact area with the actuating rod or locking slide. The locking effect of the locking slide is achieved by its engagement in a recess of the slide. The actuating element is designed to move the locking slide from its locked position to a release position at the beginning of the switching process, i.e., to disengage it from the recess of the slide. This is achieved by the motion transmission element being driven by the drive unit via the engagement element at the beginning of the switching process, and the actuating element pushing the locking slide away.This allows for the unlocking of each position, i.e., the end position, using simple means. Because a separate motion transmission element, in particular a rocker arm, is provided for unlocking each of the two end positions, the corresponding unlocking mechanisms can be implemented separately, with a mirror-symmetrical arrangement of the motion transmission elements being particularly advantageous. Furthermore, this makes it possible to position the drive-on coupling in the area between the motion transmission elements and therefore at a central position on the carriage, thus avoiding asymmetrical force application.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the motion transmission elements are each designed as rocker arms which are pivotably mounted and whose first lever arm can be actuated by the attack piece and whose second lever arm has the respective actuating element.

[0028] Further advantages of unlocking by means of motion transmission elements, in particular rocker arms, and actuating elements that can be operated by these, are that the unlocking mechanism can be arranged in a space-saving manner between the drive unit and the housing base, that material savings are possible, the manufacturing effort is reduced and guide rods of the switching ruler can be dispensed with, since small bushings are sufficient to guide the rocker arms.

[0029] This design also makes the unlocking process insensitive to back stress. Back stress can arise, for example, from jammed foreign objects or bent switch blades and causes stress on the components involved in locking the respective end position. However, since the locking slide in the first locked position is not directly engaged with the tie rod, but with the carriage, the back stress acting on the locking slide is limited to the amount that can be transmitted by the overrun coupling or the actuating force of the switch drive. To unlock the locking slide, the spring force acting on it and the frictional force resulting from any tension with the carriage must first be overcome.The locking slide can be reliably unlocked by means of a motion transmission element, for example a rocker arm, which transmits the actuating force of the drive to the locking slide via the actuating element in principle without any reduction.

[0030] The locking of the slide by means of locking slides engaging in corresponding recesses in the slide further advantageously ensures that the position of the slide in a locked position is unambiguously determined by the position of the recesses in the slide when the locking slide abuts in the respective recess in both directions of travel, i.e., is essentially free of play. Preferably, an at least partially conical geometry of the locking slides in engagement with the recesses can ensure free-play locking of the slide, wherein the conical geometry includes a change in the cross-section of the locking slide, in which the width of the cross-section, measured in the direction of travel, preferably decreases continuously towards the free end of the locking slide. This results in two significant advantages: 1. Impacts on the tongue rail are absorbed directly by the locking unit to prevent damage to the spindle, including the locking slide.1. To protect the drive unit from damage caused by impacts. 2. A fixed reference position of the slide and adjusting rod enables the earliest possible and most accurate detection of operationally relevant deviations in the measurement results of a test air measurement. Determining the actual test air depends to a certain extent on a consistently identical, clearly defined position of the slide connected to the adjusting rod. The unambiguous position of the slide with adjusting rod thus makes a safety-relevant contribution.

[0031] The locking mechanism of the carriage, using locking slides that engage in corresponding recesses in the carriage, advantageously ensures that the stroke of the adjusting rod is clearly defined and easily identifiable by the distance between the two recesses in the carriage. The stroke can be changed by replacing the carriage with one that has appropriately spaced recesses, resulting in strokes of, for example, 150 mm, 180 mm, or 220 mm. Instead of replacing the entire carriage, only a portion of it can be replaced to change the distance between the recesses. The two recesses can thus be incorporated into the carriage as an insert that can be interchangeably assembled with the carriage.

[0032] To provide a second locking level as a fallback level in addition to the locking of the actuating rod, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the first locking slide engages in a first recess of the checker slides in the first locking position, and the second locking slide engages in a second recess of the checker slides in the first locking position. This also secures the checker slides in their end positions.

[0033] When the switch is being traversed, care must be taken to ensure that the locking slides are unlocked. This unlocking cannot be achieved by actively actuating the motion transmission elements, particularly rocker arms, but rather by pushing the actuating element out of the recess in the connecting rod as a result of a relative displacement of the connecting rod relative to the carriage. A preferred embodiment provides that the actuating element and / or the recess in the connecting rod is dimensioned such that, following a traversing process in which the actuating element is pushed out of the first or second recess in the connecting rod by relative displacement of the connecting rod relative to the locked carriage, it moves the first or second locking slide into a second locking position. In this second locking position, the first locking slide remains engaged with the first recess of the carriage.The second locking slide remains engaged with the second recess of the carriage, but the test slides are released. This second locking position of the locking slides, which lies between the first locking position and the release position, has the advantage that the carriage remains locked when the switch is traversed, and the traversing process can be detected as such in the second locking position.

[0034] To ensure that the unlocking of the respective end position occurs during a switching process before the actuating rod is set in motion, it is preferably provided that the engagement piece for moving the slide in the respective positioning direction interacts with a respective stop of the slide after a free stroke, wherein the respective motion transmission element, in particular the first lever arm of the respective rocker arm, can be actuated by the engagement piece along the free stroke.

[0035] In particular, it is provided that the actuating element of the second lever arm, at the end of the free travel of the driver, moves the first or second locking slide out of engagement with the first or second recess of the slide to assume a release position.

[0036] In this context, the first and second locking slides are designed to be out of engagement with the first and second recesses of the test slides in the second locking position.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second locking slides are each provided with a first locking lug and a second locking lug, wherein the first locking lug is arranged to engage in the first and second recess of the slide in the first and second locking positions of the locking slide, respectively, and the second locking lug is arranged to engage in the first and second recess of the test slides in the first locking position.

[0038] To achieve a compact design, a preferred embodiment provides that the first and second locking slides are guided to slide against each other transversely to the direction of movement. This sliding arrangement also allows for better absorption of the locking forces acting on the locking slides transversely to their movement direction, i.e., in the direction of movement.

[0039] Particularly advantageous is the sliding guide of the locking slides in a locking block, which positively engages the sliding locking slides on both outer sides.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing. In this drawing, Fig. 1 a perspective view of a switch mechanism with an open cover, Fig. 2 a simplified partial view of the switch setting device according to Fig. 1 in a right end position, Fig. 3 a representation according to Fig. 2 at the beginning of a positioning process, Fig. 4 a representation according to Fig. 2 during a positioning process, Fig. 5 a representation according to Fig. 2 upon reaching the left end position, Fig. 6 a representation according to Fig. 2 with locked left end position, Fig. 7 a vertical section of the sled of Fig. 1 including ramp coupling Fig. 8 a horizontal section of the device according to Fig. 1 in the area of ​​the sled in a locked left end position, Fig. 9 a representation according to Fig. 7 during a collision Fig. 10 a representation according to Fig. 8 in a position of the adjusting rod according to Fig. 9 , Fig. 11a and 11b a detailed view of the locking slide in the recess of the carriage according to the invention in a first locking position in a sectional view and a perspective view, Fig. 12 a representation according to Fig. 11 in an intermediate position of the locking slide, Fig. 13 a representation according to Fig. 11 in a second locking position of the locking slide, Fig. 14 a representation according to Fig. 13 with the locking slide in a holding position and Fig. 15 A representation of the coupling recess of the ramp device.

[0041] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a switch-setting device 1, in whose housing 2 all components required for the drive and transmission of the setting movement, for locking the end positions, for end position testing, and for enabling the switch to be traversed are arranged. A drive unit is provided, comprising an electric motor 3 and a spindle drive driven by the electric motor 3 via a gearbox 4, which provides a linear setting movement in the direction of the axis of the spindle 5. For this purpose, an engagement piece 6 equipped with a spindle nut interacts with a carriage 7 in the manner described in more detail below to transmit the setting movement to the carriage 7. The carriage 7, in turn, is coupled to the setting rod 9 via a coupling 8, through which the setting movement is transmitted to the switch rails (not shown) in the direction indicated by the double arrow 10.The slide 7 and the attack piece 6 are preferably guided by rolling motion in grooves in the housing base.

[0042] The hand crank 11 is part of a hand drive, with which the drive unit can be operated manually if required.

[0043] To verify the correct engagement of the end positions, check slides 12 and 13 are connected to the tongue rails, which are also slidably mounted in the housing 2 as indicated by the double arrow. Furthermore, a first locking slide 14 and a second locking slide 15 are provided, which are guided separately and slidably between a release position and at least one locking position, transversely, and in particular perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the actuating rod 9 and the check slides 12, 13. In the locking position, the corresponding locking slide 14, 15 causes the actuating rod 9 and the check slides 12, 13 to lock in the corresponding end position, as will be explained in more detail in the following figures.

[0044] In Fig. 2 The switching device is shown in its right-hand end position. To lock this end position, the first locking slide 14, acted upon by the force of a spring 17, engages with a locking lug in a left-hand, first recess or cam 16a of the slide 7. The locking lug is spring-loaded against a roller 19a, which engages in a first recess 18a of the actuating rod 9 (see Fig. 7 and 8The roller 19a is arranged on a second lever arm 21a of a rocker arm 20a, which is pivotably mounted about the axis 22a on the slide 7. The first lever arm 23a is arranged to be actuated by the actuating element 6. For locking the left end position, a mirror-image configuration of the described components is provided on the right side of the slide 7. Accordingly, a rocker arm 20b is pivotably mounted about the axis 22b on the slide 7, wherein the first lever arm 23b is arranged to be actuated by the actuating element 6, and the second lever arm 21b carries a roller 19b, which is displaceably held in the second recess 18b of the actuating rod 9.

[0045] In the Fig. 2 In the depicted end position, a locking lug of the first locking slide 14 engages in first recesses 25 and 26 of the first and second test slides 12,13 respectively, in order to also test or lock the test slides 12,13 in their end position.

[0046] In Fig. 2 und Fig. 3 It is further evident that the attack piece 6 engages between two stops 24a and 24b on the slide 7, the attack piece 6 being dimensioned such that, starting from an end position, it only engages with the opposite stop 24a or 24b after traversing a free travel x, so that the slide 7 is only moved in the direction of change after this free travel x. For the unlocking of the in Fig. 2 In the end position shown, the drive unit moves the attack piece 6 to the left, whereby, as the attack piece 6 traverses the free travel x, it actuates the first lever arm 23a of the rocker arm 20a, causing the rocker arm 20a to pivot about the axis 22a and the roller 19a, arranged on the second lever arm 21a, to emerge from the first recess 18a of the actuating rod 9 and push the first locking slide 14 out of the first recess 16a of the slide 7. Simultaneously, the checker slides 12 and 13 are also unlocked. In this way, the Fig. 3 The unlocked state shown is reached. The free travel x consists of a first and a second partial travel. During the first partial travel, the rocker arm 20a is not yet engaged. This distance before the rocker arm is actuated is greater in versions with an electromechanical drive than in a hydraulic drive. The second partial travel then serves to actuate the rocker arm 20a.

[0047] The further displacement of the attack piece 6 to the left, due to its contact with the stop 24a of the slide 7, causes a displacement of the slide 7 together with the connecting rod 9 coupled to it, as shown in Fig. 4 The tester slides 12 and 13 are also carried along in the switching direction by the tongue rails. After completing the entire switching path, the Fig. 5 The left end position shown is reached, in which the second locking slide 15 can now enter the second recess or cam 16b of the slide 7 under spring pressure. Here, the second locking slide 15 presses the roller 19b, arranged on the second lever arm 21b of the rocker arm 20b, into the second recess 18b of the actuating rod 7, in order to lock the actuating rod 9 in the left end position, as shown in Fig. 6 as shown. At the same time, a locking lug of the second locking slide 15 engages in the second recesses 27 and 28 of the test slides 12 and 13 respectively, so that these are also checked or locked in their end position.

[0048] In the Fig. 2 bis 6 It is further evident that the first and second locking slides 14,15 are positively engaged in a locking block 29 and guided there in the direction of movement.

[0049] The left end position is shown again in the sectional views according to Fig. 7 and 8 shown, whereby in Fig. 7 Additionally, the design details of the approach coupling 8 are shown. The approach coupling 8 comprises a pressure element 30, which is pressed against the actuating rod 9 by a spring 31 via an interposed ball or roller 32. The ball or roller 32 engages in a recess 33 of the actuating rod 9, thereby ensuring a force-fit and positive coupling of the actuating rod 9 with the carriage 7. In the event of the switch being approached, the switch rails exert such a force on the actuating rod 9, and from there on the locked carriage 7, that the ball or roller 32, together with the pressure element 30, is pressed upwards against the force of the spring 31, resulting in a relative displacement of the actuating rod 9 to the carriage 7. This is shown in the Fig. 9 and 10 presented from a comparison of Fig. 8 and 10It is evident that during the approach, roller 19b is simultaneously pushed out of the second recess 18b of the actuating rod 9, whereby roller 19b in turn pushes back the second locking slide 15 in the second recess 16b of the carriage 7. The second locking slide 15, however, remains in an intermediate position (second locking position) in which the carriage 7 remains locked. The displacement of the second locking slide 15 is sufficient, however, for the locking lug associated with the test slides 12, 13 to emerge from the second recesses 27 and 28 of the test slides 12, 13, respectively, in order to release them and detect the approach.

[0050] Since the unlocking of the tester slides 12 and 13 described above only occurs after a certain travel distance, the second recess 27 formed in the first tester slide 12 is larger in the longitudinal direction than the second recess 28 formed in the second tester slide 12. This takes into account the fact that, in the right-hand end position shown here, from which the switch is operated, the first tester slide 12 is associated with the trailing switch rail, which is displaced ahead of the adjacent switch rail during the operation. The same applies to the first recesses 25 and 26 effective in the other end position, although conversely, the first recess 26 formed in the second tester slide 13 is longer than the first recess 25 formed in the first tester slide 12, since the second tester slide 13 is associated with the trailing switch rail.

[0051] The Fig. 11 bis 14 Figure 1 shows the geometry of the recess 18b of the actuating rod 9, the locking slide 15, and the recess 16b of the carriage 7 adapted according to the invention to create a flattened region of a force-displacement characteristic curve of the ramp coupling. The locking slide 15 comprises a main section 34 and an end section 35 tapered in the actuating direction. The transition from the main section 34 to the tapered end section 35 is effected by an inclined contact surface 36 formed on the stop surface of the locking slide 15 on the left side of the drawing. Similarly, the recess 16b has a base section 37 and an extended end section 38, between which an inclined contact surface 39 is arranged, with both contact surfaces 36, 39 in the Fig. 11 The first locking position of the locking slide 15 shown are in contact with each other.

[0052] Fig. 11a This shows a sectional view and Fig. 11b a perspective view, in which, analogous to the training according to Fig. 6 Two locking gates are provided.

[0053] When the actuating rod 9 is displaced relative to the slide 7, the actuating element 19b is displaced from the recess 18b due to its shape, which in turn pushes the locking slide 15 out slightly, so that the Fig. 12 The intermediate position of the locking slide 15 shown is reached. This intermediate position is reversible, i.e., the actuating rod 15 can be returned to its original position by the action of the spring 31 ( Fig. 11 ) be pushed back.

[0054] With a further relative displacement of the adjusting rod 9, the in Fig. 13 The depicted locking position is reached, and it is evident that the tapered end section 35 of the locking slide 15 has entered the area of ​​the widened end section 38 of the recess 16b. This allows a lateral displacement of the slide 7 in the direction of arrow 40, thereby enabling the Fig. 14 The position shown is reached.

[0055] During the described displacement, a switching signal from the electrical switch is to be generated because this represents a range in which the maximum approach force has not yet been reached. This only occurs when the actuating element 19b fully extends from the recess 18b and causes a further displacement of the locking slide 15. Upon reaching the maximum approach force, the ball 32 comes to rest on a flat surface 41 adjoining the recess 33 of the actuating rod 9, as shown in Fig. 15 The spring 31 can no longer generate a restoring force that would allow the actuating rod to return to its original position before the collision occurred.

[0056] At the end of the flat surface 41, the ball 32 strikes a stop surface in a form-fitting manner, which prevents further displacement. The in Fig. 15 The depicted ramp coupling is therefore intended for a non-overrunnable switch, in which a non-destructive ramp is not possible.

[0057] Fig. 16Figure 1 shows an exemplary force-displacement characteristic curve for the dependence of the approach distance on the approach force acting on the actuating rod 6. The approach distance is plotted on the x-axis and the approach force on the y-axis. The force-displacement characteristic curve rises in an initial section 42, starting with a zero approach distance, and flattens out in a subsequent section 43. In the flattened section 43, a target force Z, at the point of which a switching signal is to be generated, lies on the y-axis, and the switching point SP of the switch lies on the x-axis. It can be seen that a shift in the switching point SP due to component tolerances or setting inaccuracies leads only to a small deviation in the target force Z to be signaled.The characteristic curve shows a steeper slope again in area 44, which follows the flattened area 43, where the maximum of the characteristic curve is also located, corresponding to the maximum impact force.

Claims

1. Switch setting device comprising a carriage displaceable in the setting direction, which can be driven in the setting direction by a drive unit, an actuating rod displaceable in the setting direction between a first and a second setting position, with which the carriage is coupled in the setting direction by means of a drive coupling, and a locking device for locking the carriage in an end position area, wherein the drive coupling allows a displacement of the actuating rod relative to the carriage in the event of a collision and has a force-displacement characteristic for the dependence of a collision distance on the collision force acting on the actuating rod, wherein the force-displacement characteristic has a local maximum at a maximum transmissible collision force. characterized by the fact thatthe switch setting device has a position sensor which generates a switching signal depending on the approach path when a switching point is reached, and that the force-displacement characteristic curve is flattened in the area of ​​the switching point when the target force is below the maximum approach force.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that The locking device has at least one locking slide that can be moved transversely to the direction of movement, which engages in a recess of the slide under force to lock the slide in an end position area and, as a result of a collision event, when the maximum collision force is reached within the recess, is moved from a first locking position to a second locking position and interacts with an electrical switch as a position sensor depending on its displacement.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact thatThe locking slide is designed to trigger a lateral offset of the carriage in the direction of the approach path before reaching the second locking position.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that The locking slide has a contact surface extending transversely to the direction of movement, which interacts with a counter surface of the slide, wherein the contact surface and / or the counter surface has a transition section extending obliquely to the direction of movement, the sliding of which on the counter surface or contact surface generates the lateral offset.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the inclined transition section is arranged at the transition of a main section of the gate valve into a tapered end section.

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the inclined transition section of the opposite surface is arranged at the transition of a basic section of the recess into an extended end section.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that The ramp coupling has a movable coupling element actuated by a power storage device, which is pressed by the power storage device into a coupling recess of the actuating rod.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that The adjusting rod then has a support area parallel to the adjusting direction or a locking area for the coupling element on which the coupling element rests or into which the coupling element locks into place by friction or positive locking after the maximum impact force has been overcome.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that In the end position area of ​​the slide, the coupling element can be returned to the coupling recess by the energy storage device before the maximum impact force or before the target force is reached.

10. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized by the fact thatIn the recess of the slide, a movable actuating element is arranged between the locking slide and the actuating rod, which engages in a locking recess of the actuating rod in the first locking position of the locking slide, which preferably has a ramp for moving the locking slide into the second locking position by means of the actuating element.

11. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized by , further comprising two tester slides running parallel to the actuating rod, which are slidably mounted in the actuating direction between a first and a second actuating position, wherein the locking slide engages in a recess of the tester slides in the first locking position and releases the tester slides in the second locking position.

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