Electric contact coupling for an automatic central buffer coupling of a track-guided vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contact coupling (8) for an automatic center buffer coupling (1) of a track-guided vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling (8) has a housing (9) with at least one electrical contact carrier (10) with contact terminals (11), wherein the housing (9) is longitudinally displaceable in the coupling direction relative to a coupling head (2) of the center buffer coupling (1) between a first position, in which the electrical contact coupling (8) is in its coupling-ready rest position, and a second position, in which the electrical contact coupling (8) is in its coupled position. The electrical contact coupling (8) further has a flap (23) which is pivotably hinged to the housing (9) and is designed to cover an end face of the housing (9) in the first position and to pivot open when the housing (9) transitions from the first position to the second position.According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the flap (23) is assigned a positive guidance system which is designed to positively guide the flap (23) when moving it into its position covering the front surface of the housing (9) and to fix it without play in its position covering the front surface of the housing (9).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to track-guided vehicles and in particular to rail vehicles. Specifically, the invention relates to coupling arrangements for track-guided vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, which include automatic train couplings.

[0002] According to one aspect of the present invention, this relates to an automatic central buffer coupler, in particular for a freight wagon of a railway vehicle, wherein the automatic central buffer coupler has an electrical contact coupler.

[0003] According to a further aspect of the invention, this relates to an electrical contact coupling for an automatic central buffer coupling, in particular for a freight wagon of a rail vehicle.

[0004] An electrical contact coupling according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is known - at least in principle - for example from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1.

[0005] This prior art relates in detail to an electrical contact coupling for an automatic center buffer coupling of a rail vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling has a housing with at least one electrical contact carrier which has contact terminals for electrical connections. The housing is longitudinally displaceable in the coupling direction relative to a coupling head of the center buffer coupling between a first position, in which the electrical contact coupling is in its coupling-ready rest position, and a second position, in which the electrical contact coupling is in its coupled position.

[0006] The electrical contact coupling known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 further comprises a flap or cover which is pivotally hinged or mounted on the housing of the electrical contact coupling and is designed to cover an end face of the housing with the contact terminals in the first position of the housing. The flap or cover of the electrical contact coupling is further designed such that it pivots open when the housing transitions from the first position to the second position, thus exposing the end face of the housing with the contact terminals.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of optimizing the electrical contact coupling known in particular from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 in such a way that the functional reliability of the electrical contact coupling is ensured for the longest possible period of time without maintenance, even under harsh weather conditions.

[0008] In particular, there is a need to provide improved sealing between the cover or flap of the electrical contact coupling and the end face of the housing, ensuring that the sealing is also ensured in the event of bearing inaccuracies of the bearing of the cover or flap, particularly those caused by wear and / or tolerances, and / or in the event of uneven actuation and disengagement of the cover or flap.

[0009] This problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of independent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to an electrical contact coupling for an automatic central buffer coupling of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling has a housing with at least one electrical contact carrier and contact terminals for electrical connections.

[0011] As with the electrical contact coupling known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1, the electrical contact coupling according to the invention provides that the housing of the electrical contact coupling is longitudinally displaceable in the coupling direction relative to a coupling head of the central buffer coupling between a first position, in which the electrical contact coupling is in its coupling-ready rest position, and a second position, in which the electrical contact coupling is in its coupled position.

[0012] The electrical contact coupling according to the invention also has – like the electrical contact coupling known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 – a cover or flap which is pivotally hinged and / or mounted on the housing of the electrical contact coupling and is designed to cover an end face of the housing with the contact terminals in the first position of the housing. The cover or flap of the electrical contact coupling is further designed such that it pivots open when the housing of the electrical contact coupling transitions from the first position to the second position, thus exposing the end face of the housing with the contact terminals.

[0013] In order to ensure that even with (even minor) bearing inaccuracies, particularly those caused by wear and / or tolerances, and with uneven drive and disengagement of the cover or flap, precise positioning of the cover or flap on the end face of the housing in the first position of the housing is achievable, the invention provides that the cover or flap is assigned a positive guidance system which is designed to positively guide the cover or flap when it is moved into its position covering the end face of the housing and to fix it without play in its position covering the end face of the housing.

[0014] In particular, the cover or flap is mounted in a movable and, in particular, pivotable manner relative to the housing, wherein the positive guidance system is designed to compensate for, in particular, tolerance-related bearing inaccuracies and / or uneven drive and retraction of the flap or cover when moving the cover or flap into its position covering the end face of the housing.

[0015] The advantages achievable with the solution according to the invention are obvious: By providing a corresponding positive guidance system, which ensures that even in the case of tolerance-related or wear-related bearing inaccuracies, at least in the first position of the housing of the electrical contact coupling, it is fixed without play in its position covering the end face of the housing, an optimized seal between the cover or flap and the end face of the housing in the first position of the housing is ensured even during longer operating times of the electrical contact coupling.

[0016] Several options exist for implementing the positive guidance system associated with the cover or flap. According to one easily implemented yet effective design variant of the positive guidance system, the cover or flap is positively guided by a specific geometric design of its bearing points. These bearings allow the cover or flap to be moved and, in particular, pivoted on the housing of the electrical contact coupling. This clamps the cover or flap into position when the housing of the electrical contact coupling is moved into its initial position, resulting in a backlash-free fixation of the cover or flap in its position covering the end face of the housing.

[0017] Specifically, the mounting of the cover or flap on the housing of the electrical contact coupling is designed such that, when the housing of the electrical contact coupling is moved into the first position, the cover or flap is displaced by a predetermined or definable distance perpendicular to the coupling direction, particularly in the vertical direction, relative to the housing of the electrical contact coupling and / or a guide system of the electrical contact coupling. As a result, when the housing of the electrical contact coupling is moved into the first position, the cover or flap is pressed into a forced position. In this forced position, the cover or flap is in a play-free, fixed state, thus enabling a particularly watertight and dustproof seal of the end face of the housing.

[0018] In detail, according to implementations of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, the electrical contact coupling has a guide system with at least one and preferably two guide rods extending parallel to each other and in the coupling direction, in particular laterally, with which a movement of the housing of the electrical contact coupling is guided or can be guided when the housing is moved longitudinally relative to the coupling head of the central buffer coupling.

[0019] The guide system is designed with preferably two guide rods extending parallel to each other and in the coupling direction, in particular laterally, to guide the housing in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods and, when moving the housing into the first position, to exert a force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rods on the housing in such a way that, when moving the cover or flap into its position covering the end face of the housing, the cover or flap is positively guided into the position covering the end face of the housing and positively fixed there (without play).

[0020] When the housing is moved longitudinally relative to the coupling head of the center buffer coupling, the housing slides on at least one guide rod.

[0021] This forced guidance and forced fixing of the cover or flap when moving the housing of the electrical contact coupling into the first position, and thus when moving the cover or flap into its position covering the front surface of the housing, compensates for any wear-related and / or tolerance-related bearing inaccuracies.

[0022] According to an implementation of the last-mentioned embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, the housing has at least one linear sliding bearing, in particular in the form of a sliding or guide bushing, with which a movement of the housing is guided or can be guided when the housing is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling and relative to the at least one guide rod (21).

[0023] It is advantageous for the at least one guide rod to have a particularly radially projecting area which, when the housing is moved into the first position, interacts with the at least one linear sliding bearing in such a way that the force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod is generated.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the housing has a front linear sliding bearing facing the cover or flap, in particular in the form of a sliding or guide sleeve, and a rear linear sliding bearing facing away from the cover or flap, in particular in the form of a sliding or guide sleeve. In this configuration, when the housing is moved longitudinally relative to the coupling head of the central buffer coupling and relative to the at least one guide rod, movement of the housing is guided by means of the front and rear linear sliding bearings.

[0025] Preferably, the front and rear linear sliding bearings for the housing form a sliding guide with a predetermined and / or definable clearance of preferably ±1 mm during its movement when the housing is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head of the central buffer coupling.

[0026] The predetermined and / or definable play of the sliding guide formed by the front and rear linear sliding bearings is selected in particular such that, in the second position of the housing, relative movements of the housing of the electrical contact coupling to a housing of a counter-electrical contact coupling coupled to the electrical contact coupling are compensated.

[0027] In other words, the sliding guide formed by the front and rear linear sliding bearings allows for a floating mounting of the housing.

[0028] In general terms, according to implementations of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, it is provided that at least the front linear sliding bearing and preferably both the front linear sliding bearing and the rear linear sliding bearing each have a further degree of freedom for translation such that when moving the housing into the first position, a tilting movement of the housing about a tilting axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod is forced.

[0029] This tilting movement can be used for forced guidance and forced fixing of the cover or flap when transferring it into its position covering the front surface of the housing.

[0030] With regard to the guide system of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, in realizations of the present invention it is provided that the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods of the guide system are preferably each designed as a spring guide rod, in which a compression spring is received by a spring mechanism from an end region of the corresponding guide rod and clamped between a stop formed on the housing of the electrical contact coupling and a pressure plate attached to the end of the guide rod.

[0031] In this context, it is advantageous that the pressure plate attached to the end of the guide rod is, in particular, part of an anti-rotation device.

[0032] It is also advisable that the compression spring of the spring mechanism be assigned a bellows in which the compression spring of the spring mechanism is at least partially or partially enclosed.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, in embodiments of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, it is provided that the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods of the guide system each run at least partially or in sections laterally next to the housing of the electrical contact coupling, preferably each at least substantially in a horizontally spaced area from a central longitudinal axis of the housing of the electrical contact coupling.

[0034] According to implementations of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, the guide system has at least one support with which the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods of the guide system together with the housing which is movable relative to the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods are preferably connected or connectable to the coupling head of the central buffer coupling above the coupling head of the central buffer coupling.

[0035] In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the carrier to be designed in at least two parts and to have carrier areas arranged at least partially or in sections laterally on the housing of the electrical contact coupling.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous that the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods of the guide system each pass through a passage formed in the support or each through a passage formed in a support area of ​​the support and are preferably detachably fixed there to the support or to the corresponding support area of ​​the support.

[0037] In preferred embodiments of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, a pivoting mechanism is used as the drive or actuator for moving the cover or flap into its position covering the end face of the electrical contact coupling housing (and vice versa) and for synchronizing this movement with the movement of the electrical contact coupling housing. It is advantageous for the cover or flap to be associated with a cam mechanism of the pivoting mechanism, which is at least partially closed, in order to detect a longitudinal movement of the electrical contact coupling housing relative to the preferably two guide rods of the guide system, and to use the detected movement to pivot the cover or flap relative to the housing.

[0038] In accordance with this aspect, the cam mechanism of the pivoting mechanism, which is at least partially enclosed, is provided to have a guide groove and a tap element that is at least partially or partially received in the guide groove. The tap element is, in particular, a T-nut, preferably a T-nut that is at least substantially rotationally symmetrical.

[0039] The tapping element is arranged eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of the cover or flap, about which the cover or flap can pivot relative to the housing of the electrical contact coupling, and is operatively connected to the cover or flap.

[0040] It is specifically provided that the tap-off element and / or the guide groove itself, which is at least partially or partially received in the guide groove of the cam disc mechanism of the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap, is designed in order to clamp the tap-off element against the guide groove when the housing is moved into the first position due to the force component generated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod of the guide system.

[0041] In this context, it is conceivable, for example, that at least in the area of ​​the guide groove in which the tap-off element is located when the housing is in the first position or is being moved into the first position, a chamfer is formed which makes it possible for the tap-off element to be clamped against the guide groove when the housing is moved into the first position due to the force component generated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of at least one guide rod of the guide system.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned design variants and / or aspects, it is advantageous for the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap to incorporate a spring element, particularly in the form of a coil spring, which pre-tensions the cover or flap into its position covering the front face of the housing. This easily implemented yet effective measure also increases the contact pressure of the cover or flap against the front face of the housing when the cover or flap is in its position covering the housing, which also has a positive effect on optimized sealing.

[0043] With regard to implementations of the pivoting mechanism associated with the cover or flap, in embodiments of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, it is provided that the cam mechanism, which is at least partially closed, is designed to prevent a pivoting movement of the cover or flap, at least substantially, when a position of the cover or flap is fixed relative to the housing of the electrical contact coupling.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, according to embodiments of the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap, it is provided that the cam mechanism, which is at least partially closed, is designed in such a way that a pivoting movement of the cover or flap, initiated or attempted manually, is at least substantially prevented when the housing of the electrical contact coupling is in its second position.

[0045] In implementations of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, a cam disc mechanism is arranged laterally to the cover or flap of the electrical contact coupling, each of which is connected to a control arm, wherein the control arm is connected to one of the preferably two lateral guide rods of the guide system. In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the control arm and the guide rod to form a (monolithic) unit, especially in the form of a preferably machined forged part. Of course, other embodiments are also possible.

[0046] The cover or flap and / or the end face of the housing has / has in particular a preferably circumferential seal for sealing the housing when the cover or flap is in its position covering the end face of the housing.

[0047] In summary, the new geometry of the guide rod and cam, in combination, ensures a clean, play-free fit of the housing in its first position.

[0048] In the retracted, ready-to-engage position (first position), the front sliding bearings sit on the increased diameter of the guide rod in this area, thereby minimizing play at this point; the housing can only tilt around the Y-axis at this point.

[0049] The downwardly offset cam contour forces the pin guided within it, which is attached to the flap, and thus the flap and the housing together, to tilt downwards at the front and the housing upwards at the rear, until the rear sliding bearings rest against the underside of the guide rods.

[0050] Thus, the entire system is free of play in this position and the flap is pressed against the seal of the housing.

[0051] The invention is not limited to an electrical contact coupling of the aforementioned type, but also relates to an automatic central buffer coupling for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, with a coupling head for mechanically and frictionally connecting a first car to an adjacent second car, and with an electrical contact coupling of the aforementioned type according to the invention arranged above the coupling head.

[0052] Aspects of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] They show: FIG. 1 schematically a side view of an automatic center buffer coupler known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1; FIG. 2 schematically and in a front view of the automatic center buffer coupler according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3A-3C each schematically and each in a side view of the automatic center buffer coupling according to FIG. 1 electrical contact coupling used, specifically in the first position of the electrical contact coupling ( FIG. 3A ), in the second position of the electrical contact coupling ( FIG. 3C ) and in an intermediate position of the electrical contact coupling ( FIG. 3B ); FIG. 4 Schematic and in a longitudinal section view an exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention for an automatic center buffer coupling, for example according to FIG. 1 , whereby in FIG. 4A The exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention is in a state in which the cover or flap of the electrical contact coupling is in its position covering at least part or area of ​​the end face of the housing of the electrical contact coupling, but is (still) not forcibly fixed there; FIG. 4B schematically and in a longitudinal section view the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention. FIG. 4A , namely in a state in which the cover or flap of the electrical contact coupling is forcibly fixed in its position covering the end face of the housing; FIG. 5 schematically a detailed view of the cam disc mechanism of the pivoting mechanism of the exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention. FIG. 4B FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, both schematically and in an isometric view; FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, both schematically and in an isometric view; and FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling according to the invention, both schematically and in an isometric view.

[0054] In the figures of the drawings, identical reference symbols denote identical or functionally equivalent elements, parts or components, unless otherwise stated.

[0055] To understand the invention and, in particular, its technical contribution to the prior art, reference is first made to the descriptions in FIG. 1 und 2 as well as 3A to 3C the construction and operation of an automatic central buffer coupling 1 known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 or an electrical contact coupling 8 known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 is described.

[0056] Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions of the central buffer coupling 1 known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 and the electrical contact coupling 8 known from DE 10 2022 131 836 A1 also apply, by analogy, to the central buffer coupling and electrical contact coupling according to the invention, respectively, the latter being the electrical contact coupling of the central buffer coupling, which will be described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 5 until FIG. 8 is described.

[0057] In detail, it shows FIG. 1 A schematic and side view illustration of an embodiment of an automatic center buffer coupler 1 according to DE 10 2022 131 836 A1. The automatic center buffer coupler 1 is, in particular, an automatic train coupler for a freight wagon of a rail vehicle. Specifically, it is an automatic center buffer coupler 1 of the Scharfenberg® type.

[0058] The automatic central buffer coupler 1 has a coupler head 2 for mechanically and frictionally connecting a first car (not shown) with an adjacent second car (also not shown).

[0059] The coupling head 2 comprises a coupling head housing in which a coupling lock is received. Although not apparent in the drawings, the coupling lock is preferably designed as a rotary lock with a coupling eye and a frog, wherein the frog is rotatable about a principal axis between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The coupling eye is preferably rotatably connected to the frog at a first end about a coupling eye axis and has a free end. The frog also has a jaw which is arranged to receive a second end of a coupling eye of a compatible coupling head of a mating coupling.

[0060] The coupling head 2 of the automatic center buffer coupling 1, as formed in this way, creates a rigid connection when coupled to a coupling head 2 of a mating coupling. This coupling thus enables the coupling of electrical connections in particular. This is achieved via an electrical contact coupling 8 attached to the coupling head 2.

[0061] At the in FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 In the automatic central buffer coupling 1 shown, the electrical contact coupling 8 is detachably arranged and fastened above the coupling head 2 of the mechanical coupling using screws.

[0062] As can be seen in particular from the presentation in FIG. 1 As can be seen in the figure, which shows the coupling head 2 of the automatic center buffer coupling 1 in the uncoupled state, the coupling head housing has a profile on its front side. The profile is formed by a cone 4 and a funnel 5. The cone 4 and the funnel 5 are enclosed by a wide, flat end face. The end face can be formed by an end plate 3 detachably connected to the coupling head housing or by an end plate 3 integrally formed with it.

[0063] To increase the gripping range within which a coupling process can still be initiated as intended and completed after alignment with axially offset center buffer couplings 1, the design in FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 The central buffer coupling 1 shown has a gripper 6.

[0064] Above the coupling head 2 of the automatic central buffer coupling 1, an exemplary embodiment of an electrical contact coupling 8 is arranged and connected to the coupling head housing of the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1 by means of a screw connection.

[0065] In FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 The electrical contact coupling 8 is shown in a state in which it is extended or coupled. In this state, a flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is pivoted upwards, so that the front face of the electrical contact coupling 8 is exposed.

[0066] The design and function of the central buffer coupling 1 according to FIG. 1 oder FIG. 2 The electrical contact coupling 8 used will then be described with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 3A bis FIG. 3C described in more detail.

[0067] In short, the electrical contact coupling 8, for example, exhibits the following characteristics according to the in FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 The illustrated embodiments each comprise a housing 9 with at least one electrical contact carrier 10. The at least one electrical contact carrier 10 has contact terminals 11, particularly for electrical connections.

[0068] The housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is longitudinally displaceable in the coupling direction relative to the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1 between a first position, in which the electrical contact coupling 8 is in its coupling-ready rest position, and a second position, in which the electrical contact coupling 8 is in its coupled position.

[0069] A guidance system is used for this purpose. During the FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 The guide system of the electrical contact coupling 8 comprises two guide rods 21 extending parallel to each other and in the coupling direction, with which a movement of the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is guided when the housing 9 is moved longitudinally relative to the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1.

[0070] For example, how FIG. 1 und FIG. 2 As shown, the guide rods 21 of the guide system are designed in particular as spring guide rods.

[0071] In other words, each guide rod 21 of the guide system is assigned a spring mechanism 13 with which the housing 9 is pre-tensioned into the second position, i.e., the position in which the electrical contact coupling 8 is in its ready-to-couple or coupled position.

[0072] Furthermore, the guide system has a carrier 22 with which the guide rods 21 together with the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 which is movable relative to the guide rods 21 can be connected to the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1 above the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1, for example via a screw connection.

[0073] The representation in FIG. 3A bis FIG. 3C It can be seen in particular that the electrical contact coupling 8 further comprises a cover or flap 23 which is designed to cover an end face of the housing 9 with the contact terminals 11 in the first position of the housing 9. In this context, reference should be made to the illustration in FIG. 3A referred.

[0074] The cover or flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is further designed such that it automatically pivots open when the housing 9 transitions from the first position to the second position, thus exposing the end face of the housing 9 with the contact terminals 11. Reference is made in this regard to the illustration in FIG. 3C refer to which the electrical contact coupling 8 is shown in the second position of the housing 9.

[0075] A closed cam mechanism 24 is used for the automatic opening of the flap 23. A guide groove is formed in a side plate, into which a guide element connected to the flap 23 engages. When the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 moves longitudinally relative to the guide rods 21 of the guide system, the movement is detected by the element engaging in the guide groove and used to pivot the cover or flap 23 relative to the housing 9.

[0076] Specifically, the flap 23 has bolts on both sides which project laterally into a guide contour or guide groove of a sheet metal plate attached to the guide rods 21. When moving forward, i.e., towards the coupling plane, the bolts follow the contour or guide groove and thus press the cover or flap 23 into the open position.

[0077] During retraction, the contour or guide groove ensures that the cover or flap 23 closes. Preferably, torsion springs are used on both sides, which are located on the flap pivot axis and bear against the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 on one side and against the cover or flap 23 on the other.

[0078] In this way, the leg springs always try to push the cover or flap 23 in the closed position, thus supporting the closing of the electrical contact coupling 8 when the housing 9 is retracted and, in particular, preventing rattling noises.

[0079] The guide contour or guide groove is designed such that the cover or flap 23 cannot be opened manually when the electrical contact coupling 8 is retracted, but can only be pivoted upwards by approximately 1° before the bolt rests against the sheet metal. This prevents persons from unintentionally or without authorization touching the contacts located under the flap 23.

[0080] In the extended, open position without counter-coupling, the housing 9 is extended approximately 3 mm beyond the coupling plane. When the electrical contact couplings of two assemblies to be coupled meet, they deflect backwards against their compression springs and are pressed together by them.

[0081] The representation in FIG. 2 It can be seen in particular that the electrical contact coupling 8 has centering elements 25 which align the electrical contact couplings 8 relative to each other. Due to the extremely flat cover or flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8, the centering elements 25 cannot be arranged in an area covered by the cover or flap 23.

[0082] Therefore, the centering elements 25 are arranged laterally and below the flap 23.

[0083] The present invention, as subsequently described by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 4 bis FIG. 8 The design, which is described in more detail below, aims to provide improved sealing between the cover or flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8 and an end face of the housing 9 when the cover or flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is closed.

[0084] In particular, the invention is based on the finding that the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 can hang vertically downwards, for example due to play in the tap elements 18 of the cam disc mechanism of the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap 23 in the at least partially or partially closed guide groove 17, which is approximately 1.0 mm around its circumference.

[0085] Preferably, the cover or flap 23 is slightly pushed upwards by the tap element 18, which is attached to the cover or flap 23 and received in the guide groove 17 of the cam mechanism, and in the position in which the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is in the first position, it no longer lies exactly against the sealing area or the seal on the end face of the housing 9, consequently a watertight and dustproof seal is not possible even when the cover or flap 23 is in its position covering the end face of the housing 9.

[0086] Furthermore, due to tolerance-related and / or wear-related play in the system, the cover or flap 23 can also "wobble" upwards in the cam, i.e., when the tap elements 18 of the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap 23 are received in the guide groove 17 of the at least partially closed cam mechanism, or can be easily moved, for example, by hand, so that no clearly defined position of the cover or flap 23 is possible when the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is in the first position, and when the cover or flap 23 is in its theoretically intended position covering the end face of the housing 9.

[0087] As can be seen in particular from the sectional views FIG. 4A und FIG. 4B The pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap 23 of the electrical contact coupling 8 according to the invention has a positive guidance system which is designed to positively guide the cover or flap 23 when moving it into its position covering the front surface of the housing 9 and to fix it without play in its position covering the front surface of the housing 9.

[0088] In particular, the positive guidance system is designed to compensate for tolerance-related and / or wear-related bearing inaccuracies of the tap element 18 received in the guide groove 17 of the closed cam mechanism of the pivoting mechanism when moving the cover or flap 23 into its position covering the end face of the housing 9, and to positively guide the cover or flap 23 into its position covering the end face of the housing 9 and to positively fix it there (cf. FIG. 4B ).

[0089] For this purpose, it is provided that each guide rod 21 of the guide system has a front and a rear linear sliding bearing 14, 15, each in the form of a guide bushing, by which the corresponding guide rod 21 of the guide system is moved longitudinally relative to the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 when the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is moved longitudinally. FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B (not shown) coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1 is guided at least in some areas.

[0090] The guide rod 21 has a radially projecting section 16 which, when the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is moved into the first position, interacts with the front linear sliding bearing 14 in such a way that a force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 21 is generated. Due to this generated force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 21, the cover or flap 23 is positively guided into its position covering the end face of the housing 9 and positively fixed there.

[0091] In detail, at least the front linear sliding bearing 14 has such a further degree of freedom for translation that when the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8 is moved into the first position, a tilting movement of the guide rod 21 about a tilting axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 21 is generated.

[0092] According to the views FIG. 4A und FIG. 4B It can also be seen that the cover or flap 23 is associated with a closed cam mechanism of the associated pivoting mechanism for detecting a longitudinal movement of the housing 9 relative to the corresponding guide rod 21 of the guide system and for using the detected movement to pivot the cover or flap 23 relative to the housing 9.

[0093] The closed cam mechanism has a guide groove 17 and a tap element 18 in the form of a T-nut which is received at least partially or in sections in the guide groove 17, wherein the tap element 18 is arranged eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of the cover or flap 23, about which the cover or flap 23 can be pivoted relative to the housing 9, and is operatively connected to the cover or flap 23.

[0094] According to the detailed view FIG. 5 It can be seen in particular that the tap-off element 18, which is at least partially or partially received in the guide groove 17, and / or the guide groove 17 itself are designed to clamp the tap-off element 18 against the guide groove 17 when the housing 9 is moved into the first position due to the force component generated and acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 21.

[0095] This is particularly because, at least in the area of ​​the guide groove 17 in which the tap element 18 is located when the housing 9 is in the first position or is being moved into the first position, a chamfer is formed which makes it possible for the tap element 18 to be clamped against the guide groove 17 when the housing 9 is moved into the first position due to the force component generated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 21.

[0096] According to the isometric view FIG. 6 It can be deduced that the pivoting mechanism of the cover or flap 23 has a spring element 19 in the form of a coil spring, by means of which the cover or flap 23 is pre-tensioned into its position covering the front surface of the housing 9.

[0097] The comparison of the representations in FIG. 4A und FIG. 4B This shows that, to clamp the cover or flap 23 in the first position of the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8, the housing 9, together with the cover or flap 23, lowers at the front (i.e., in the area of ​​the coupling plane) and is raised at the rear (i.e., at the opposite end area) until the rear guide rests against the underside of the rear guide rod 21. The entire system is then in a forced position without play, and the cover or flap 23 rests against the seal on the front face of the housing 9 of the electrical contact coupling 8, does not wobble, and cannot be pushed upwards by hand.

[0098] In FIG. 6 An exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling 8 according to the invention is shown in an isometric and schematic view.

[0099] The exemplary embodiment of the electrical contact coupling 8 shown there is characterized in particular by the fact that the carrier 22 of the guide system, with which the two lateral guide rods 21 together with the housing 9, which is displaceable relative to the two lateral guide rods 21, can be connected to the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1 above the coupling head 2 of the central buffer coupling 1, is designed as a one-piece carrier 22. A central web of the one-piece carrier 22 is designed to be relatively thin.

[0100] In FIG. 7 An alternative embodiment of the electrical contact coupling 8 according to the invention is shown, wherein the carrier 22 is designed in multiple parts and in particular in three parts, and the middle part is designed as a sheet metal part which is inserted into milled pockets of the top of the side parts of the carrier 22.

[0101] The middle part serves in particular as a stiffener for a cover 20 that may be attached to the top of the electrical contact coupling 8 as protection against damage from falling objects, such as bulk goods, and also prevents the side parts from twisting by sitting in the pockets.

[0102] In FIG. 8 An embodiment of the electrical contact coupling 8 according to the invention is shown, in which a corresponding cover 20 is mounted on the top of the electrical contact coupling 8.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Bezugszeichenliste

[0104] 1 (Automatic) center buffer coupling 2 Coupling head 3 End plate 4 Cone 5 Funnel 6 Gripper 8 Electrical contact coupling 9 Housing 10 Electrical contact carrier 11 Contact terminal 13 Spring mechanism 14 Front linear slide bearing 15 Rear linear slide bearing 16 Protruding section of guide rod 17 Guide groove 18 Tapping element 19 Spring element 20 Electrical contact coupling cover 21 Guide rod 22 Carrier 23 Cover / flap 24 Cam mechanism 25 Centering element

Claims

1. Electrical contact coupling (8) for an automatic center buffer coupling (1) of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, wherein the electrical contact coupling (8) has a housing (9) with at least one electrical contact carrier (10) and contact terminals (11) in particular for electrical connections, wherein the housing (9) is longitudinally displaceable in the coupling direction relative to a coupling head (2) of the center buffer coupling (1) between a first position in which the electrical contact coupling (8) is in its coupling-ready rest position and a second position in which the electrical contact coupling (8) is in its coupled position, wherein the electrical contact coupling (8) further comprises a cover or flap (23) which is pivotably hinged and / or mounted on the housing (9) and is designed to cover an end face of the housing (9) with the contact terminals (11) in the first position of the housing (9),and which is further designed such that it pivots open when the housing (9) transitions from the first position to the second position, thus exposing the end face of the housing (9) with the contact terminals (11), , characterized by the fact that a positive guidance system is assigned to the cover or flap (23), which is designed to positively guide the cover or flap (23) when moving it into its position covering the front face of the housing (9) and to fix it without play in its position covering the front face of the housing (9).

2. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 1, wherein the cover or flap (23) is movably and in particular pivotably mounted relative to the housing (9), and wherein the positive guidance system is further configured to compensate for, in particular, tolerance-related and / or wear-related bearing inaccuracies and / or uneven drive of the cover or flap (23) when moving the cover or flap (23) into its position covering the end face of the housing (9).

3. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical contact coupling (8) has a guide system with at least one and preferably two guide rods (21) extending parallel to each other and in the coupling direction, in particular laterally, with which a movement of the housing (9) is guided or can be guided when the housing (9) is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1), wherein the guide system is configured to guide the housing (9) in the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21) and, when the housing (9) is moved into the first position, to exert a force component on the housing (9) acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21),that when the cover or flap (23) is moved into its position covering the end face of the housing (9), the cover or flap (23) is guided into the position covering the end face of the housing (9) and is forcibly fixed there, wherein, when the housing (9) is moved longitudinally relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1), the housing slides on the at least one guide rod (21).

4. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 3, wherein the housing (9) has at least one linear sliding bearing (14, 15), in particular in the form of a sliding or guide bushing, with which a movement of the housing (9) is guided or can be guided when the housing (9) is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1) and relative to the at least one guide rod (21), wherein the at least one guide rod (21) has a particularly radially projecting area (16) which, when the housing (9) is moved into the first position, interacts with the at least one linear sliding bearing (14, 15) in such a way that the force component acting perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21) is generated.

5. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the housing (9) has a front linear sliding bearing (14) facing the cover or flap (23), in particular in the form of a sliding or guide sleeve, and a rear linear sliding bearing (15) facing away from the cover or flap (23), in particular in the form of a sliding or guide sleeve, wherein, when the housing (9) is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1) and relative to the at least one guide rod (21), a movement of the housing (9) is guided by means of the front and rear linear sliding bearings (14, 15), wherein the front and rear linear sliding bearings (14, 15) form a sliding guide for the housing (9) during its movement when the housing (9) is longitudinally displaced relative to the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1) with a predetermined and / or definable clearance of preferably ±1 mm.

6. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined and / or definable clearance of the sliding guide formed by the front and rear linear sliding bearings (14, 15) is selected such that in the second position of the housing (9) relative movements of the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8) to a housing of a counter-electrical contact coupling coupled to the electrical contact coupling (8) are compensated; and / or the sliding guide formed by the front and rear linear sliding bearings (14, 15) forms a floating bearing for the housing (9);and / or wherein at least the front linear sliding bearing (14) and preferably both the front linear sliding bearing (14) and the rear linear sliding bearing (15) each have a further degree of freedom for translation such that when moving the housing (9) into the first position, a tilting movement of the housing (9) about a tilting axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21) is forced.

7. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods (21) are preferably each designed as a spring guide rod, in which a compression spring is received by a spring mechanism (13) from an end region of the corresponding guide rod (21) and clamped between a stop formed on the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8) and a pressure plate attached to the end of the guide rod (21), wherein the pressure plate attached to the end of the guide rod (21) is preferably part of an anti-rotation device, and wherein the compression spring of the spring mechanism (13) is preferably associated with a bellows in which the compression spring of the spring mechanism (13) is received at least partially or partially;and / or wherein the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods (21) each extend at least partially or in sections laterally next to the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8), preferably each at least substantially in a region horizontally spaced from a central longitudinal axis of the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8).

8. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the guide system has at least one carrier (22) with which the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods (21) together with the housing (9) which is displaceable relative to the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods (21) are preferably connected or connectable above the coupling head (2) of the central buffer coupling (1).

9. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 8, wherein the carrier (22) is designed in at least two parts and each has support areas arranged at least partially or partially laterally of the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8); and / or wherein the preferably two, in particular lateral, guide rods (21) each extend through a passage formed in the carrier (22) or each through a passage formed in a support area of ​​the carrier (22) and are preferably detachably fixed there with the carrier (22) or with the support area of ​​the carrier (22).

10. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the cover or flap (23) is associated with a cam disc mechanism of a pivoting mechanism, in particular at least partially closed, for detecting a longitudinal movement of the housing (9) relative to the preferably two guide rods (21) of the guide system and for using the detected movement to pivot the cover or flap (23) relative to the housing (9).

11. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 10, wherein the cam disc mechanism of the pivoting mechanism, which is in particular at least partially closed, has a guide groove (17) and a tap element (18) which is received at least partially or in sections in the guide groove (17), in particular in the form of a T-nut, wherein the tap element (18) is arranged eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis of the cover or flap (23) about which the cover or flap (23) can be pivoted relative to the housing (9) and is connected or at least operatively connected to the cover or flap (23).

12. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to claim 11, wherein the tap element (18) which is at least partially or partially received in the guide groove (17) and / or the guide groove (17) are formed, when the housing (9) is moved into the first position, the tap element (18) is clamped against the guide groove (17) due to the force component generated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21), wherein at least in the area of ​​the guide groove (17) in which the tap element (18) is located when the housing (9) is in the first position or is moved into the first position, a chamfer is preferably formed which enables the tap element (18) to be clamped against the guide groove (17) when the housing (9) is moved into the first position due to the force component generated perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one guide rod (21).

13. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the pivoting mechanism has a spring element (19), in particular in the form of a coil spring, by means of which the cover or flap (23) is biased into its position covering the end face of the housing (9); and / or wherein the cam mechanism, in particular at least partially closed, is designed to prevent a pivoting movement of the cover or flap (23) at least substantially when a position of the cover or flap (23) relative to the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8) is fixed;and / or wherein the cam disc mechanism, which is at least partially closed, is designed such that a pivoting movement of the cover or flap (23), initiated or attempted manually, is at least substantially prevented when the housing (9) of the electrical contact coupling (8) is in its second position; and / or wherein a cam disc mechanism is arranged laterally to each side of the cover or flap (23), each of which is connected to a control arm, the control arm being connected to one of the preferably two lateral guide rods (21), preferably in that the control arm and the guide rod (21) form a unit, in particular in the form of a preferably machined forged part.

14. Electrical contact coupling (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cover or flap (23) and / or the end face of the housing (9) has / has a seal for sealing the housing (9) when the cover or flap (23) is in its position covering the end face of the housing (9).

15. Automatic central buffer coupler (1) for a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, comprising: - a coupler head (2) for mechanically and frictionally connecting a first car to an adjacent second car; and - an electrical contact coupler (8) arranged above the coupler head (2) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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