Railway vehicle with a system for adjusting the transverse distance between wheel groups

Abstract

A railway vehicle (1) comprises a frame (2), at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups comprising a right wheel group (31) and a left wheel group (32) mounted to the frame (2) and suitable for rolling with respective rails (R1, R2) that are arranged side-by-side; an actuator (6) for adjusting the transverse distance between said right wheel group and said left wheel group; an articulating linkage (10) from said right wheel group (31) to said left wheel group (32); wherein said articulating linkage (10) is mounted to the frame (2) in a joint (5).

Description

"RAILWAY VEHICLE WITH A SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING THE TRANSVERSE DISTANCE BETWEEN WHEEL GROUPS"TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] . The object of the present invention is a railway vehicle.

[0002] . This invention relates in particular to a vehicle adapted to proceed on a railway.STATE OF THE ART

[0003] . The known railway convoys are generally unsuitable for adjusting the track, that is, the transverse distance between the wheels, which are usually conical to be compatible with a variety of distances between the rails. In fact, the wheelsets or bogies of a railway convoy have wheels that have a smaller diameter on the outer edges and larger on the inner edges.

[0004] . The profile of the rails, seen in cross section, typically has a crown shape that defines the upper rolling surface of the rail which is thus curved and convex. Below the crown, there is a narrower stem portion and a foot defining a lower fence plane of the rail.

[0005] . Otherwise, railway vehicles having driving wheels with vertical axis for rolling on the inner surface of the rail stem are also known.

[0006] . For example, the prior art document WO-2018-060945 shows a railway vehicle solution for inspection of the underframe of railway convoys on the tracks having driving wheels with vertical axis to roll on the inner face of the stem of the rails of the railway, and stabilization wheels with sub-horizontal axis resting on the lower fence plane of the rail. Such a vehicle further comprises a frame which forms a platform on which operating members such as cameras are mounted for the inspection of the underframe of the railway convoy.

[0007] , This type of railway vehicle having driving wheels with vertical axis is precluded by the opportunity to take advantage of the conicity of the wheels to accommodate any variations in the distance between the rails which can occur, for example, near a station with many side- by-side tracks of different sizes or even at curves along the track, where the track gauge increases.

[0008] . The need is therefore felt to allow an adjustment of the track of a railway vehicle, particularly in the context of railway vehicles with driving wheels with vertical axis.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] . The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a solution that allows a railway vehicle to adjust the track.

[0010] . These and other objects are achieved by a railway vehicle according to claim 1.

[0011] . Some advantageous embodiments are the object of the dependent claims.

[0012] . According to an aspect of the invention, a railway vehicle comprises a frame and a right wheel group and a left wheel group mounted to the frame and adapted to come into rolling contact with respective side-by-side rails, and an articulating linkage from said right wheel group to said left wheel group, wherein said articulating linkage is mounted to the frame in a joint, and an actuator operatively connected to both said right wheel group and said left wheel group, to adjust the transverse distance thereof.

[0013] , The actuator can be a linear actuator.

[0014] . The actuator can be mounted to both the right and left wheel groups and articulated to the articulating linkage.

[0015] , The frame can comprise two opposite transverse guides for guiding the transverse movement of the wheel groups of said at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups.

[0016] . Preferably, the railway vehicle is a bogie for inspection and / or maintenance of an underframe of a railway convoy.

[0017] , In accordance with an embodiment, the railway vehicle comprises a plurality of pairs of transversally opposite wheel groups, and a respective plurality of articulating linkages, so as to form a plurality of modular units, and a respective plurality of actuators, wherein for each pair of opposite wheel groups an actuator of said plurality and an articulating linkage of said plurality are provided, forming a modular unit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] . Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:- figure 1 is an axonometric view of a vehicle installed between the rails of a railway, according to an embodiment;- figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle installed between the rails of a railway, according to an embodiment;- figure 3A is an axonometric view of a portion of a vehicle, according to an embodiment;- figure 3B shows the portion of figure 3 A where some parts are transparent for clarity;- figure 4A is an axonometric view of a portion of a vehicle, according to an embodiment;- figure 4B shows the portion of figure 4 A where some parts are transparent for clarity;- figure 5 is a top plan view of an articulating linkage, according to an embodiment;- figures 6 and 7 are axonometric views of a vertical adjustment device, according to some embodiments;- figures 8A and 8B show in cross-section the vertical adjustment device of figure 7, in some possible operating configurations.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] . In accordance with a general embodiment, a railway vehicle 1 is provided.

[0020] . The railway vehicle 1 comprises a frame 2 and at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups comprising a right wheel group 31 and a left wheel group 32. The right 31 and left 32 wheel groups of said at least one pair are mounted to the frame 2 and are adapted to come into rolling contact with respective side-by-side rails R1 , R2.

[0021] , Of course, a wheel group 31, 32 can comprise a single wheel.

[0022] . In accordance with an embodiment, at least some wheel groups are tracked wheel groups and can comprise at least one driving wheel, i.e. , traction wheel.

[0023] . The railway vehicle 1 is preferably a variable-track vehicle in which it is possible to adjust the transverse distance Y between transversally opposite wheel groups 31, 32. Said opposite wheel groups 31 , 32 are preferably arranged side-by-side and equidistant from the midline M of the railway vehicle.

[0024] , The variable-track railway vehicle 1 is preferably of the type suitable for moving in a travel direction X along the railway, rolling on the surfaces of the rail R1, R2 which are facing internally, i.e., towards the other rail R2 or R1 of the same railway, belonging to the stem G of the rail R1 or R2. Each wheel group 31 , 32 can be resiliently preloaded in the external transverse direction to abut the inner stem G of the facing rail R1, R2.

[0025] . Advantageously, the railway vehicle 1 further comprises an actuator 6 operatively connected to both said right wheel group 31 and to said left wheel group 32 of the at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups. Activating the actuator 6 allows to adjust the transverse distance between the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32.

[0026] . For example, where the wheel groups 31, 32 each comprise a wheel with vertical axis 35, 38, the transverse distance can be identified by the transverse distance Y between the vertical axes V1 and V2 of the wheels with vertical axis 35, 38 of the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32.

[0027] , In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the railway vehicle 1 comprises an actuator 6 which is a linear actuator 6 mounted to both said right wheel group 31 and said left wheel group 32 of the at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups. The provision of the linear actuator 6 serves to adjust the transverse distance between said right wheel group 31 and said left wheel group 32 by means of, for example, linear extension or contraction of the actuator 6. As a result, the distance between at least one wheel group 31 , 32 and the frame 2 is allowed to be adjusted. For example, when in operating conditions, thelinear actuator 6 is extended by increasing the transverse distance Y between the right wheel group 31 and the left wheel group 32 and at the same time extracting at least one wheel group 31 , 32 with respect to the frame 2 of the railway vehicle. For example, the linear actuator is an electro-mechanical and / or electro-hydraulic and / or electro-pneumatic actuator.

[0028] . -With further advantage, the railway vehicle 1 further comprises an articulating linkage 10 from said right wheel group 31 to said left wheel group 32, where said articulating linkage 10 is mounted to the frame 2 in a joint 5.

[0029] . The provision of the articulating linkage 10 between the wheel groups 31 , 32 which is mounted to the frame 2 defining a joint 5, for example an at least rotational joint, allows a symmetrical movement of the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32 with respect to the frame 2, i.e., with respect to the joint 5, even in the case of employing a single linear actuator 6 not constrained to the frame 2 but only fixed to the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32.

[0030] . In accordance with an embodiment, said actuator 6 is a rotary actuator (not shown) acting on the joint 5, where the joint is a rotational joint 5 with substantially vertical axis. For example, the rotary actuator can comprise a stepper motor.

[0031] , In accordance with an embodiment, the articulating linkage 10 comprises a rotatable element 4, for example a crank mounted to the frame 2 in the rotational joint 5 with vertical axis J5. The rotatable element 4 can be a pulley and / or a disk or the like. As shown for example in figure 5, said articulating linkage 10 can further comprise two opposite connecting rods 61 , 62 (a right connecting rod 61 and a left connecting rod 62) which are articulated to the rotatable element 4 in radially opposite portions with respect to the joint 5 and equidistant therefrom. Preferably, the two opposite connecting rods 61 , 62 have the same length. At the opposite end, the connecting rods 61, 62 are preferably articulated at junctions 33, 34 to the respective wheel group 31, 32. Where the actuator 6 is a telescopically extendable linear actuator, the linear actuator itself can also be articulated to the connecting rods 61, 62 at said junctions 33, 34 also to the respective extendable portion 65 or 66 of the actuator 6.

[0032] . The actuator 6 preferably comprises a first portion 65 fixed to the right wheel group 31 and a second portion 66 fixed to the left wheel group 32, wherein the first portion 65 is linearly movable with respect to the second portion 66. For example, the first portion 65 can be a telescopically extendable stem from the second portion 66 of the actuator 6, or vice versa. For example, the first portion 65 can be a threaded stem and the second portion 66 a nut, or vice versa. The articulating linkage 10 is therefore preferably articulated at the junctions 33, 34 of the connecting rods 61 , 62 to both the first portion 65 and the second portion 66 of the actuator 6 as well as being articulated at the same junctions 33, 34 of the connecting rods 61 , 62 to both wheel groups 31 , 32 of the at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups.

[0033] . When in operating conditions, the distance between the right wheel group 31 and theleft wheel group 32 can be adjusted by the actuator 6. Thanks to the provision of such an articulating linkage 10 between the right wheel group 31 and the left wheel group 32, it is possible to extend them symmetrically with respect to the frame 2, for example with respect to a definable midline axis of the frame 2 of the railway vehicle 1. For example, the extension of the actuator 6 determines an extension of the articulated kinematics 10 by moving the junctions 33 and 34 of the connecting rods 61 and 62 away, which consequently rotates the rotatable element 4 with respect to the axis of the joint 5. Thereby, the elongation imposed by the actuator 6 on the articulated kinematics 10 which is articulated to the frame 2 is distributed equally between the opposite wheel groups 31, 32 with respect to the joint 5 and therefore with respect to the frame 2.

[0034] , The articulated kinematics 10 preferably makes a kinematics in a horizontal plane in which the rotation axis J5 of the joint 5 is parallel to the rotation axes of the junctions 33, 34, 71 , 72 and to the vertical axis V1, V2 of at least some wheels 35, 38 of the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32.

[0035] . Preferably, the joint 5 is located in a transversally mid portion of the frame 2 of the railway vehicle and is positioned along the midline M of the railway vehicle, for example. The midline M is substantially parallel to the travel direction X, i.e. , parallel to the direction of the rails R1 , R2.

[0036] . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is a bogie 1 for inspection of an underframe of a railway convoy. The railway vehicle 1 is preferably a variable-track bogie for inspection of an underframe of a railway convoy and can comprise a robotic positioning arm for an operative portion 18 thereof equipped, for example, with an inspection camera or other means for inspecting the underframe. The operative portion 18 comprising a camera can be arranged on a support that is not a robotic arm. The vehicle 1 can be battery-powered 17 which can be housed on the frame 1.

[0037] , As shown for example in figure 1, the railway vehicle 1 can comprise a plurality of pairs of transversally opposite wheel groups 31 , 32 comprising said at least one pair of wheel groups, and a respective plurality of actuators 6 comprising said actuator, and a respective plurality of articulating linkages 10 comprising said articulating linkage, so as to form a plurality of modular units. For each pair of opposite wheel groups an actuator 6 of said plurality and an articulating linkage 10 of said plurality can be provided, forming a modular unit.

[0038] . The modular unit can be a modular traction unit (driving) comprising for example two opposite traction wheel groups each comprising a driving wheel 35. The opposite driving wheel groups can be opposite tracked wheel groups in which the wheels are wheels with vertical axis. Or, the modular unit can be a modular centering unit (without driving wheels).

[0039] . Preferably, each wheel group 31 , 32 comprises at least one substantially wheel withvertical axis 35, 38, which can be a centering wheel 38 or a driving wheel 35, for example associated with a motor 30 thereof, and at least one sub-horizontal axis stabilizing wheel 37 for rolling on the lower fence plane P of the rail R1, R2.

[0040] . The modular units can further comprise a vehicle frame thereof and can be assembled together on-site i.e., on the railway, to simplify the transport operations of the railway vehicle off-track as well as to allow the assembly of more modular units if necessary.

[0041] . . The frame 2 can have a generally box-like body and can comprise longitudinal beams 27 and transverse beams 24 to form a platform. The frame 2 has a transverse extension thereof and a longitudinal extension thereof. The transverse extension of the frame 2 is preferably less than the transverse distance between the rails R1, R2 placed side-by- side of the railway and in particular of the distance between the stems G of the rails facing one another. Longitudinally, the frame 2 extends for a longitudinal extension thereof, i.e., in the extension direction of the railway, i.e., in the direction of travel X of the vehicle along the railway.

[0042] . Openings for extracting the wheel groups 31 , 32 can be provided in the longitudinal beams 27.

[0043] , In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the frame 2 comprises two opposite transverse guides 25, 26 for guiding the transverse movement of the wheel groups 31, 32 of said at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups. The transverse guides 25, 26 can be provided on a transverse beam 24 of the frame 2 near or at the transverse end portions thereof where the wheel groups 31, 32 are mounted. Said guides 25, 26 are preferably directed horizontally.

[0044] . The railway vehicle 1 can comprise a drive system configured to transmit command signals to the actuator 6. Said drive system can comprise an electronic control and data processing unit that can be located on the vehicle 1 or in addition remotely. The drive system, for example, automatically transmits the command signals to the actuator 6. The drive system can transmit the command signals based on stored instructions and / or based on a command applied by a user in real time.

[0045] . As mentioned above, the articulating linkage 10 can comprise a connecting rod-crank linkage between the two opposite junctions 33, 34 to the wheel groups 31 , 32, comprising a rotatable crank with respect to the frame at a joint and two opposite connecting rods 61 , 62 connected to the crank 4 at two junctions 71 , 72 which are radially opposite with respect to the joint 5 and equidistant therefrom (from the axis J5 of the joint 5). The rotatable element 4 in the joint 5 can be in the form of a rotating rod or beam or can be in the form of a disk, such as a pulley or still a rocker. In accordance with an embodiment, the rotatable element 4 has an elongated and curved shape. The connecting rods 61, 62 connect the rotatable element 4 to the opposite wheel groups 31 , 32 and preferably between each connecting rod 61 , 62 andthe rotatable element 4 a junction 71 , 72 is provided and at the opposite end of the connecting rod another articulating junction 33, 34 to the respective wheel group 31, 32 and to a portion 65, 66 of the actuator 6 is provided.

[0046] . In accordance with an embodiment, the joint 5 is movable transversally with respect to one or more fixing brackets 21 , 22, 23 of the frame 2 of the railway vehicle 1. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a central fixing bracket 23 of the frame 2 comprises a transversal sliding guide 8 for the joint 5. Thereby, where the distance between the rails R1 and R2 undergoes a variation such as when travelling through a curve, the wheel groups 31 , 32 connected to the frame 2 by means of the articulating linkage 10 in the joint 5, could translate transversally with respect to the frame 2. The guide 8 preferably comprises its transverse limit switches 81 , 82. Thereby the transverse length of the guide 8 determines the offset between the wheel groups 31 and the frame 2 with respect to the midline M. An elastic device comprising two opposite elastic elements 91 , 92 between the joint 5 and the lateral fixing bracket 21 , 22 can be provided. To limit the rotation of the rotatable element 4 of the articulating linkage 10, circumferential limit switches 12 can be provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a hub 11 is provided comprising two opposite circumferential limit switches 12 in the form of circumferential projections for respective curved arms of the rotatable element 4.

[0047] , In accordance with an embodiment, at least one pair of wheel groups 31 , 32 comprises a driving wheel 35 and a stabilizing driven wheel 37 with a sub-horizontal or horizontal axis and suitable for rolling on a lower fence plane P of the rail R1 , R2. Between the driving wheel 35 and the stabilizing driven wheel 37 of said wheel group, a preloading device 36 (for example comprising a spring) can be provided to bring the driving wheel 35 into abutment against the inner stem G of the respective rail R1 or R2, in a manner known per se.

[0048] . In accordance with an embodiment, it is possible to adjust the vertical layout of the railway vehicle 1 by adjusting the vertical distance between wheel group 31 , 32 and frame 2, as shown for example in figures 6, 7 and 8 A-B. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the railway vehicle 1 comprises at least one height adjustment device 13 for adjusting the vertical position of at least one wheel group 31 or 32 with respect to the frame 2. Preferably, the height adjustment device 13 comprises an inclined plane mechanism 14 which can be driven with an adjustment screw 15. The adjustment screw 15 can be mounted with its head facing internally towards the frame 2 of the vehicle to allow a simple adjustment manoeuvre even when the railway vehicle is on the railway between the rails. Preferably, the vertical position of each wheel group with respect to the frame is independently adjustable from the others.

[0049] . In accordance with an embodiment, the height adjustment device 13 is locateddownstream, i.e., externally, with respect to the transverse guide 25, 26 of the frame 2 to guide the transverse movement of a respective right or left wheel group 31, 32.

[0050] . Thanks to the characteristics described above, provided separately or jointly with one another in particular embodiments, it is possible to meet the aforementioned needs, obtaining the aforementioned advantages, and in particular:

[0051] , - it is possible to adjust the track, i.e., the transverse distance between opposite wheel groups, by extracting or retracting both the right wheel group and the left wheel group by the same amount;

[0052] , - where a linear actuator is provided, this can extend from the right wheel group to the left wheel group and adjust the distance between the wheel groups by contraction / extension of a linearly extendable portion thereof, for example a telescopically extendable portion:

[0053] . - where a linear actuator is provided, this can extend from the right wheel group to the left wheel group and be fixed to said right and left wheel groups and at the same time be articulated to the articulating connecting rod-crank connection;

[0054] . - the wheel groups can be tracked wheel groups comprising a continuous track wound on one or more wheels of the wheel group.

[0055] . It is understood, however, that the foregoing is of exemplary and non-limiting value, therefore any variations of detail which may become necessary for technical and / or functional reasons, are considered from now on to fall within the same protective scope defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Railway vehicle (1) comprising:-a frame (2);- at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups comprising a right wheel group (31) and a left wheel group (32) mounted to the frame (2) and suitable for rolling on respective rails (R1 , R2) that are arranged side-by-side;-an articulating linkage (10) from said right wheel group (31) to said left wheel group (32) of said at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups, wherein said articulating linkage (10) is mounted to the frame in a joint (5);- an actuator (6) operatively coupled to both said right wheel group (31) and a left wheel group (32) of said at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups, to adjust the transverse distance between said right wheel group and said left wheel group.

2. Railway vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the articulating linkage (10) comprises a rotatable element (4); the rotatable element (4) is mounted to the frame (2) in said joint (5); said joint (5) allowing at least the rotation of the rotatable element (4) with respect to the frame (2) about an axis of rotation (J5); wherein, preferably, the axis of rotation is a vertical axis; and / or wherein the rotatable element (4) is a crank.

3. Railway vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the articulating linkage (10) further comprises two opposite connecting rods (61 , 62) that are articulated to the rotatable member (4) in radially opposite portions thereof with respect to the joint (5) and equally spaced therefrom; and wherein, preferably, the two opposite connecting rods have the same length.

4. Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (6) is a linear actuator extending from the right wheel group (31) to the left wheel group (32); and wherein, preferably, said linear actuator comprises a first portion (65) fixed to the right wheel group (31) and a second portion (66) fixed to the left wheel group (32); and wherein the first portion (65) is linearly movable with respect to the second portion (66), for example in a telescopic manner; and wherein, preferably, the articulating linkage (10) is articulated to both the first portion (65) and the second portion (66) of the actuator (6) and / or is articulated to both the wheel groups (31 , 32) of the at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups.

5. Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (2) comprises two opposite transversally extending guides (25, 26) to guide the transverse motion of the wheel groups of said at least one pair of transversally opposite wheel groups.

6. Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint (5) is in a transversally mid portion of the frame (2) of the railway vehicle.

7. Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drive system configured to transmit control signals to the actuator (6), for example automatically and / or based on stored instruction and / or based on a real-time user command.

8. Railway vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said vehicle is a bogie for inspection and / or maintenance of an underframe of a rail convoy.

9. Railway vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 8, comprising at least one height adjustment device (13) to adjust the vertical position of at least one wheel group with respect to the frame (2); wherein, preferably-the height adjustment device (13) comprises a mechanism with an inclined plane (14) that can be activated with an adjustment screw (15); and / or wherein- the vertical position of each wheel group with respect to the frame is adjustable independently from the others; and wherein, preferably,- the height adjustment device (13) is located downstream, that is to say externally to, the transversally extending guide (25, 26) of the frame (2) to guide the transversal motion of a respective wheel group (31 , 32); and / or wherein-the joint (5) is transversally movable with respect to the frame (2) of the railway vehicle; and wherein, preferably, the frame (2) comprises a transverse sliding guide (8) to guide the transverse motion of the joint (5).

10. Railway vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:-a plurality of pairs of transversally opposite wheel groups (31, 32) comprising said at least one pair of wheel groups:- a respective plurality of articulating linkages (10) comprising said articulating linkage, so that to form a plurality of modular units;- a respective plurality of actuators (6) comprising said actuator; wherein for each pair of opposite wheel groups (31 , 32), an actuator (6) of said plurality and an articulating linkage (10) of said plurality are provided, thereby forming a modular unit.

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