Traction-buffer device

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of transport engineering and concerns traction-buffer devices and shock absorbers installed between railway cars. The objective is to limit the angular movement of the rod relative to the longitudinal axis to improve the accuracy of centering its head, which contacts the traction-bearing rod. The objective is achieved by designing a traction-buffer device that contains components arranged along the longitudinal axis, including a traction-bearing rod, a fork, a rod positioned with its front part inside the fork, and a rear support element that contacts the rear stops. The rear part of the rod passes through the rear support element and is fixed by a traction element. A spring device is positioned between the front and rear stops, and the rear support element is designed in the form of a tubular stop with walls that enclose the rod with the traction element. The walls of the tubular stop are configured to contact the mentioned traction element, and the depth of the rear part of the rod inside the tubular stop exceeds the shortest distance between the walls of the tubular stop. The front part of the rod is designed with a head. Other elements of the invention are also described.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of transport engineering and concerns shock absorbers and traction-buffer devices installed between railway cars.

[0002] Various designs of traction-buffer devices are known, such as the traction-buffer device [1, Patent WO2023121537A1, IPC B61G9 / 06, priority date December 21, 2021, published on June 29, 2023], which is based on a damper and is taken as a prototype. It includes mounting and traction brackets, a damper housed in its own casing, a piston mounted on the damper head, and a set of elastomeric elements assembled into a package. The damper can be any known type of shock absorber.

[0003] The disadvantage of the prototype [1] is the complexity of the traction-buffer device due to the use of a complex damper, such as a hydraulic or gas-pneumatic type, as well as the insufficiently reliable centering of the damper within its housing relative to the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0004] The analysis of the described design of the traction-buffer device and the identified shortcomings determines the task of the invention-limiting the angular movement of the rod (6) relative to the longitudinal axis to improve the accuracy of centering its head (11), which contacts the traction-bearing rod (4).

[0005] The task is achieved by designing the traction-buffer device (fig. 1-5), which is configured for installation in a pocket (3) of a coupling unit equipped with front and rear stops (1, 2), containing components arranged along the longitudinal axis (O1): a traction-bearing rod (4), a fork (5), a rod (6) positioned with its front part (6-1) inside the fork, and a rear support element (7) contacting the rear stops (2). The rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) passes through the rear support element (7) and is fixed by a traction element (8). A spring device (9), with a spacer length (k), is positioned between the front and rear stops (1, 2).

[0006] The rear support element (7) is designed as a tubular stop (T) with walls (10), forming its throat (12), which encloses the rod (6) with the traction element (8). The mentioned throat (12) of the tubular stop (T) is capable of contacting the traction element (8). The length (b) of the tubular stop (T) is greater than its width (c), and the depth (a) of the rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) inside the throat (12) exceeds the shortest distance (n) between the walls (10) of the tubular stop (T). The front part (6-1) of the rod (6) is designed with a head (11).Additional features of the invention aimed at improving its advantages:

[0007] The head (11) of the rod (6) is designed to absorb impacts from the traction-bearing rod (4); The head (11) of the rod (6) is made with unequal width and thickness (p, s), where the width (p) is greater than the thickness (s); The transition from the rod (6) to its head (11) is designed with a thickening (12) towards the mentioned head (11); A stop element (13) is positioned between the spring device (9) and the tubular stop (T), which is also in contact with the end of the traction element (8); An additional spring device (14) is installed between the stop element (13) and the tubular stop (T), and the traction element (8) extends towards the fork (5) and is enclosed by the additional spring device (14); The traction element (8) is designed as a bushing secured on the rod (6), limiting the angular movement of the front part (6-1) of the rod (6) relative to the longitudinal axis (O1), functioning as a traction stop and centering the rod (6) in the tubular stop (T); The length (m) of the traction element (8) exceeds the spacer length (k) of the spring device (9); The rod (6) is made with unequal width and thickness (d, e), where the width (d) is greater than the thickness (e), and the spring device (9) is made in the form of packages of polymer elastic elements (15), which are made with unequal width and thickness (f, g), with the width (f) greater than the thickness (g). The stop element (13) is positioned in contact with the front stop (1) of the pocket (3), where it encloses the spring device (9). Additionally, between the additional spring device (14) and the tubular stop (T), an additional traction stop (16) is installed, with which the end of the traction element (8) is in contact; The spring devices (9, 14) are made with different tension forces, with the tension force of the spring device (9) being greater than that of the additional spring device (14); The spring devices (9, 14) are made in the form of packages of polymer elastic elements (15), where the total volume of polymer material in the polymer elastic elements (15) of the spring device (9) is greater than the total volume of material in the polymer elastic elements (15) of the additional spring device (14); Inside the fork (5), on the front part (6-1) of the rod (6), an internal spring device (17) is installed, positioned behind the head (11) of the rod (6) towards the rear stop (2). The essence of the invention is explained by the illustrations, where:

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a frontal section of the traction-buffer device; Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section of the traction-buffer device; Fig. 3 shows a frontal section of the traction-buffer device for the design variant with the additional (14) and internal (17) spring devices; Fig. 4 shows a horizontal section of the traction-buffer device for the design variant with the additional (14) and internal (17) spring devices; Fig. 5 shows the same as Fig. 4, but for the case where the stop element (13) is in contact with the front stops (1); Fig. 6 shows section A-A from Fig. 1 for the design variant with a round-shaped rod (6) and a round-shaped polymer elastic element (15); Fig. 7 shows section A-A from Fig. 1 for the design variant with a rectangular-shaped rod (6) and a rectangular-shaped polymer elastic element (16); Fig. 8 shows section B-B from Fig. 1.

[0009] The traction-buffer device is configured for installation in a pocket (3) of a coupling unit provided with front and rear stops (1, 2) (Figs. 1-5). It contains components arranged along the longitudinal axis (O1), including a traction-bearing rod (4), a fork (5), a rod (6) positioned with its front part (6-1) inside the fork, and a rear support element (7) contacting the rear stops (2). The rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) passes through the rear support element (7) and is fixed by a traction element (8). A spring device (9) with a spacer length (k) is positioned between the front and rear stops (1, 2).

[0010] Between the fork (5) and the spring device (9), and in contact with them as well as with the front stops (1), a front support element (18) may be installed, which encloses the rear part of the fork (5) (Figs. 1-2), designed to improve the stability of its position in the pocket (3).

[0011] The rear support element (7) is designed in the form of a tubular stop (T) with walls (10) that enclose the rod (6) with the traction element (8) (Figs. 1-5). The walls (10) of the tubular stop (T) are capable of contacting the traction element (8). The length (b) of the tubular stop (T) is greater than its width (c), and the depth (a) of the rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T) exceeds the shortest distance (n) between the walls (10) of the tubular stop (T). The front part (6-1) of the rod (6) is designed with a head (11).

[0012] The described design of the tubular stop (T) ensures the centering of the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T), limits the angular movement of the rod (6) relative to the longitudinal axis (O1), and reduces the likelihood of the head (11) skewing.

[0013] The head (11) of the rod (6) is beneficially designed to absorb impacts from the traction-bearing rod (4) (Figs. 1-5). This ensures reliable transmission of force from the traction-bearing rod (4) to the spring device (9) during the formation of the train.

[0014] The head (11) of the rod (6) may be made with unequal width and thickness (p, s), where the width (p) is greater than the thickness (s) (Figs. 1-5). The width (p) may be more than 70 mm. This design increases the contact area of the head (11) with the traction-bearing rod (4) and reduces wear on the contact surfaces.

[0015] The transition from the rod (6) to its head (11) is beneficially made with a thickening (12) towards the mentioned head (11) (Figs. 1, 3). The thickening (12) may be designed with a radius of more than 20 mm. This design increases the strength of the transition area between the rod (6) and its head (11).

[0016] Between the spring device (9) and the tubular stop (T), a stop element (13) may be installed, which is also in contact with the end of the traction element (8) (Figs. 1, 2, 5). This design ensures more reliable transmission of forces from the spring devices through the tubular stop (T) to the rear stops (2) in buffer mode operation. It also ensures more accurate adjustment of the tension force of the spring devices and uniform transmission of traction force to the spring devices from the traction-bearing rod (4) in traction mode operation.

[0017] An additional spring device (14) may be installed between the stop element (13) and the tubular stop (T) (Figs. 3-5). The traction element (8) may be extended towards the fork (5) and enclosed by the additional spring device (14). The use of the additional spring device (14) increases the energy absorption capacity of the traction-buffer device and improves its efficiency.

[0018] The traction element (8) may be designed as a bushing secured on the rod (6) and installed to limit the angular movement of the front part (6-1) of the rod (6) relative to the longitudinal axis (O1) (Figs. 1-5, 8). The mentioned traction element (8) may also be installed to function as a traction stop for the spring device (9) and to center the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T).

[0019] The described design of the traction element (8) ensures the centering of the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T), limits its angular movement relative to the longitudinal axis (O1), and reduces the likelihood of the head (11) of the rod (6) skewing.

[0020] The function of the traction stop refers to ensuring contact with the spring devices and transmitting the traction force from the traction-bearing rod (4) to the mentioned spring devices.

[0021] The length (m) of the traction element (8) may exceed the spacer length (k) of the spring device (9) (Figs. 1-5).

[0022] The rod (6) is beneficially made with unequal width and thickness (d, e), where the width (d) is greater than the thickness (e) (Figs. 1-5, 7). The thickness (e) of the rod (6) may be more than 70 mm. This design ensures sufficient strength and stiffness of the rod (6).

[0023] In another design option, the rod (6) may be round in shape (Fig. 6), which simplifies its manufacturing process.

[0024] The spring device (9) may be made in the form of packages of polymer elastic elements (15) (Figs. 1-5). The mentioned polymer elastic elements (15) may be made with unequal width and thickness (f, g), where the width (f) is greater than the thickness (g) (Fig. 7). This shape of the polymer elastic elements (15) contributes to increasing the energy absorption capacity of the spring device (9) and enhancing the efficiency of the traction-buffer device.

[0025] In another design option, the polymer elastic elements (15) may be round in shape (Fig. 6).

[0026] The stop element (13) may be positioned in contact with the front stop (1) of the pocket (3), where it encloses the spring device (9) (Fig. 5). Between the additional spring device (14) and the tubular stop (T), an additional traction stop (16) may be installed, with the end of the traction element (8) in contact with it (Figs. 3-5). This design ensures more reliable transmission of forces from the spring devices (9, 14) through the tubular stop (T) to the rear stops (2), as well as more accurate adjustment of the tension force of the spring devices.

[0027] The spring devices (9, 14) may have different tension forces, with the tension force of the spring device (9) being greater than that of the additional spring device (14).

[0028] The term "tension force of the spring device" refers to the minimum force that must be applied to it for the spring device to begin compressing.

[0029] The spring devices (9, 14) may be made in the form of packages of polymer elastic elements (15) (Figs. 1-5). The total volume of polymer material in the polymer elastic elements (15) of the spring device (9) may be greater than the total volume of polymer material in the polymer elastic elements (15) of the additional spring device (14).

[0030] Inside the fork (5), on the front part (6-1) of the rod (6), an internal spring device (17) may be installed, positioned behind the head (11) of the rod (6) towards the rear stop (2) (Figs. 3, 4). The internal spring device (17) can be made in the form of individual polymer elastic elements (15) or in the form of packages of polymer elastic elements (15), as well as steel spiral, disc, or other types of springs. The use of the internal spring device (17) additionally increases the energy absorption capacity of the traction-buffer device and improves its operational smoothness.The principle of operation of the traction-buffer device is as follows.

[0031] During the movement of the railway train in acceleration mode, the traction force from the traction-bearing rod (4) is transmitted to the fork (5), the additional spring device (14) (if present), the head (11), the rod (6), the traction element (8), the spring device (9), the additional traction stop (16) (if present), the front support element (18) (if present), and the front stops (1) (Fig. 5). At the same time, the maximum spacer length of the additional spring device (14) is limited. This design ensures the constant position of the traction-bearing rod (4) regardless of the condition of the spring devices (9, 17). Moreover, the design of the tubular stop (T) ensures the centering of the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T), limits its angular movement relative to the longitudinal axis (O1), and reduces the likelihood of the head (11) skewing.

[0032] The term "spacer length of the spring device" refers to its length in the installed position of the traction-buffer device.

[0033] Thus, the described design of the traction-buffer device ensures the limitation of the angular movement of the rod (6) relative to the longitudinal axis (O1), improving the accuracy of centering its head (11), which contacts the traction-bearing rod (4).List of sources used:

[0034] Patent WO2023121537A1, IPC B61G9 / 06, priority date December 21, 2021, published on June 29, 2023 / prototype / . LIST reference designations and the names of the elements to which these designations relate NºNAME1front stops2rear stops3pocket4traction-bearing rod5fork6rod6-1front part of the rod (6)6-2rear part of the rod (6)7rear support element8traction element9spring device10walls of the tube stop (T)11head of the rod (6)12thickening of the transition of the rod (6) into the head (11)13stop element14additional spring device15polymer elastic element16additional traction stop17internal spring device18front support elementO1longitudinal axisadepth of the rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) inside the tube stop (T)blength of the tube stop (T)cwidth of the tube stop (T)dwidth of the rod (6)ethickness of rod (6)fwidth of polymer elastic element (15)gthickness of the polymer elastic element (15)klength of the spring device (9)mlength of the traction element (8)nshortest distance between the walls (10) of the tube stop (T)pwidth of the head (11) of the rod (6)sthickness of the head (11) of the rod (6)Ttubular stopA-Adesignation of the cross section in Fig. 1B-Bdesignation of the cross section in Fig. 1

Claims

1. A traction-buffering device, made with the possibility of installation in a pocket (3) of a coupling unit provided with front and rear stops (1, 2) and containing a traction-bearing rod (4), a fork (5) placed along a longitudinal axis (O1), a rod (6) arranged therein with its front part (6-1), and a rear support element (7) in contact with the rear stops (2), through which the rear part (6-2) of said rod (6) is passed and secured by a traction element (8), wherein between the front and rear stops (1, 2) there is a spring device (9) having a spreading length (k), characterized in that the rear support element (7) is in the form of a tubular stop (T) with walls (10) enclosing the rod (6) with the traction element (8), wherein said walls (10) of the tubular stop (T) are made with the possibility of contacting said traction element (8), at the same time, the length (b) of the tubular stop (T) is greater than its width (c), wherein the depth (a) of the rear part (6-2) of the rod (6) inside the tubular stop (T) is greater than the shortest distance (n) between the walls (10) of said tubular stop (T), moreover, the front part (6-1) of the rod (6) is made with a head (11).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (11) of the rod (6) is made with the function of absorbing the impact from the traction-bearing rod (4).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (11) of the rod (6) is made unequal in width and thickness (p, s), the width (p) being greater than the thickness (s).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transition of the rod (6) into its head (11) is made with a thickening (12) towards said head (11).

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that between the spring device (9) and the tubular stop (T) there is a stop element (13) also in contact with the traction element (8).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that an additional spring device (14) is arranged between the stop element (13) and the tubular stop (T), wherein the traction element (8) is extended towards the fork (5) and is encompassed by said additional spring device (14).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction element (8) is in the form of a sleeve, is fixed to the rod (6) and is mounted with the function of limiting the angular movement of the front part (6-1) of the rod (6) with respect to the longitudinal axis (O1), and with the function of traction stop and centering of said rod (6) in the tubular stop (T).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the length (m) of the traction element (8) exceeds the spacer length (k) of the spring device (9).

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (6) is made unequal in width and thickness (d, e), the width (d) being greater than the thickness (e), and the spring device (9) is made in the form of packages of polymeric elastic elements (15) which are made unequal in width and thickness (f, g), the width (f) being greater than the thickness (g).

10. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop element (13) is arranged in contact with the front stop (1) of the pocket (3), whereby the said stop element (13) embraces the spring device (9), and between the additional spring device (14) and the tubular stop (T) there is an additional traction stop (16) in contact with which the traction element (8).

11. The device according to any one of claim 6, claim 10, characterized in that the spring devices (9, 14) have unequal tightening forces, the tightening force of the spring device (9) being greater than the tightening force of the additional spring device (14).

12. The device according to any one of claim 6, claim 10, claim 11, characterized in that the spring devices (9, 14) are made as packages of polymeric elastic elements (15), wherein the total volume of the polymeric material of the polymeric elastic element s (15) of the spring device (9) is greater than the total volume of the material of the polymeric elastic elements (15) of the additional spring device (14).

13. Device according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that within the fork (5), an internal spring device (17) is provided on the front part (6-1) of the rod (6), located behind the head (11) of said rod (6) towards the rear stop (2).

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