Draught / buffing-gear housing for receiving and indirectly supporting at least one energy-absorbing device to be integrated into a predefined installation space, in particular the uic-standard installation space of a rail vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a draught / buffing-gear housing (1) for receiving and indirectly supporting at least one energy-absorbing device to be integrated into a predefined installation space (E), in particular the UIC-standard installation space of a rail vehicle, comprising a main housing structure, which surrounds a receiving space (11) for an energy-absorbing device and optionally one or more pressure plates (16, 17) and has an interface for receiving a coupling shaft bolt (8) for connection to a coupling rod, the main housing structure (2) being formed by an upper chord (3) and a lower chord (4), which extend in the longitudinal direction and are spaced apart in the vertical direction and can be interconnected at least indirectly to form a receiving space. The invention is characterised in that at least one spacer and / or guide element (10) is provided on the outer periphery of the main housing structure (2).

Description

[0001] Train buffer housing for receiving and indirectly supporting at least one energy absorption device for integration into a predefined installation space, in particular the UIC installation space of a rail vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a train buffer housing for accommodating and indirectly supporting at least one energy-absorbing device for integration into a predefined installation space, in particular the UIC installation space of a rail vehicle. The aforementioned UIC standard, in particular UIC 530-1, describes an installation space for spring mechanisms of central buffer couplings.

[0003] Pull / buffer devices are used in train couplings to cushion train shocks and pressure shocks. These have energy-absorbing devices, particularly in the form of spring devices, which transmit tensile forces and compressive forces between opposing first and second connections of the pull and buffer device. For example, DE 20 2004 014 532 U1 discloses a spring mechanism installation box with a spring mechanism that is connected in an articulated manner to a coupling arm on the one hand and to an installation box screwed to a stop plate of the vehicle on the other. Compressive forces are transmitted to the pressure stops on the vehicle via a pull-Z pressure piece, a spring, a rear plate, and a housing, and tensile forces are transmitted to the pull stops via a hinge pin, the housing, the rear plate, the spring, and the pull-pressure piece. Further pull-Z buffer devices are described in WO2022223391A1 and WO2022223394A1.In these designs, the pulling and buffering device comprises a housing that forms a first connection for connecting to a coupling shaft, in particular in the form of a receptacle for a coupling shaft bolt, and further comprises a second connection for fastening the pulling and buffering device to a vehicle structure. Pure spring mechanisms or combined spring-damper combinations are used as energy absorption devices. For example, the housing has an upper chord and a lower chord, which are arranged on either side of the spring mechanism. The upper chord and the lower chord can be connected to one another, for example, via vertical components, in particular sheet metal components, and can also be manufactured as sheet metal components. It is particularly preferred if the housing is assembled entirely from sheet metal parts, in particular sheet metal plates, which enables cost-effective production and easy adaptability to different installation spaces.The sheet metal components can be manufactured, for example, by punching or flame cutting, which is particularly cost-effective.

[0004] For freight wagon transport, the available installation height is extremely important for a supplier of freight transport wagons. The elimination of the obligation to comply with the UIC installation space has led to a wide variety of existing rail vehicles with different installation heights. On the other hand, the height should be kept as low as possible to maximize space for freight transport. This means that different drawbar / buffing devices would have to be provided for the individual variants, which makes converting larger stocks more difficult.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of modifying a draw-to-Z buffing device in such a way that the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided. In particular, the requirement for a draw-to-Z buffing device with the lowest possible height while simultaneously allowing for installation in a wide variety of given installation situations must be taken into account.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by an embodiment according to the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0007] A train-buffering device housing for receiving and indirectly supporting at least one energy-absorbing device for integration into a predefined installation space, in particular the UIC installation space of a rail vehicle, comprises a base housing structure surrounding a receiving space for an energy-absorbing device and optionally one or more pressure plates, with an interface for receiving a coupling shaft bolt for connection to a coupling rod, wherein the base housing structure is formed by an upper chord and lower chord, each extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction, which can be connected to one another at least indirectly to form the receiving space. According to the invention, at least one spacer and / or guide element is provided on the outer circumference of the base housing structure.

[0008] A spacer element or guide element is, in particular, an element provided on the base housing structure of the pull-Z-bump device housing, which defines a standardized basic design, and extending from it. The primary function of a spacer element is to bridge the gap between the base housing structure and the conditions of the installation space, particularly the components that define the installation space in a vehicle.

[0009] In addition to bridging the distance between the basic structure and the connection or support areas in the installation space, a guide element also performs a guide function for the pull-Z-bump device housing in the installation space.

[0010] The solution according to the invention thus offers the advantage of being able to cover a multitude of different installation situations with a standardized basic housing structure and, in combination with an energy-absorbing device, a standardized pull-to-bump device and the spacer and / or guide elements that can be assigned to it. For this purpose, only the spacer and / or guide element needs to be adapted. The basic housing structure of the pull-to-bump device housing and thus also of the pull-to-bump device remains unchanged. The variability and adaptation of spacer and / or guide elements for adjusting the size of the pull-to-bump device housing can basically be provided in two different ways:

[0011] According to a first particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one spacer and / or guide element is formed integrally with the pull-to-push device housing. The adaptation and adjustment to different installation dimensions is achieved in a first embodiment during production by appropriately shaping the spacer and / or guide elements on the base housing structure to the required or desired distance dimension for integration into the installation space.

[0012] In a particularly advantageous variant of this first design, the basic housing structure of the pull-Z-bump device housing is designed as a forged or cast component. In this case, demolding can be carried out easily during production by inserting or removing forged or cast elements. This solution is particularly simple, time-saving, and cost-effective to implement, and the adjustment is integrated into the manufacturing steps of the basic housing structure.

[0013] According to a second approach, the alignment can be achieved by bonding the individual required spacer and / or guide elements to the base housing structure. However, this solution requires an additional work step and, depending on the type of bond chosen, additional stresses on the base housing structure, which would have to be considered during its design.

[0014] According to a third design, it is also conceivable to provide the formations forming the spacer and / or guide elements in a standardized, predefined size on the base housing structure and then to adjust them by subsequent machining, particularly by machining, of the spacer and / or guide elements. While this solution also offers the advantage of easy adaptability independent of the base housing structure, it also requires additional processing steps.

[0015] According to a second embodiment, the at least one spacer and / or guide element is formed by a separate component, in particular a plate-shaped component or profile component, which can be connected or is connected to the base housing structure of the pull-to-push device housing in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner. This solution also uses a standardized base housing structure, which only needs to be completed with the spacer and / or guide elements designed according to the application requirements.

[0016] In all embodiments, the individual spacer and / or guide elements can be provided on just one side of the basic housing structure or on multiple sides. One or more such spacer and / or guide elements can be provided on one side. The design and dimensioning of the individual spacer and / or guide elements then depends on the requirements of the installation space. Multiple such elements offer the advantage of uniform housing support within the installation space. Furthermore, different dimensions make it particularly easy to compensate for local distance differences across the extension of the basic housing structure within the installation space.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one spacer and / or guide element is provided only to compensate for different height dimensions and is therefore arranged on the upper chord and / or lower chord of the basic housing structure, in particular when viewed in the installed position, aligned in a vertical direction on these extending away from the basic housing structure.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the interface for receiving a coupling shaft bolt in the longitudinal direction of the pull / push device housing is arranged in a first end region of the base housing structure and at least one spacer and / or guide element is arranged in the first end region and at least one further spacer and / or guide element is arranged in the second end region of the base housing structure of the pull / push device housing opposite the first end region and / or in the region of the extension between the first and second end regions.

[0019] To ensure a simple construction of the basic housing structure and a high degree of standard components, the upper and lower chords are designed as separate components that are connected to one another via components that form separate wall sections. The upper and lower chords, as well as the components that form the wall sections, are preferably designed as identical parts. This simplifies the automation of production and allows them to be easily completed to form the basic housing structure. According to a particularly advantageous development, the upper and lower chords are designed as separate components with wall sections that are integrally formed on them and can be connected to one another to form the wall sections. In this case, the wall sections are formed directly onto the upper and lower chords.In this case, the basic housing structure is two-part, with a particularly preferred design in which the upper and lower chords are constructed as identical parts, and the connecting joint is located in the wall areas. The advantage of this solution is a particularly high degree of standardization combined with simplified production and assembly.

[0020] The components forming the upper and lower chords as well as the wall areas can be made of sheet metal in one case, or forged or cast parts in another case.

[0021] The basic housing structure may further comprise stops for interacting with stops provided in the installation space, wherein the stops are formed integrally with the basic housing structure or on pressure plates which can be guided in the receiving space.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred weight- and load-optimized design, the base housing structure is designed as a frame-like support structure. The upper chord and the lower chord each comprise longitudinally extending beams spaced apart from one another in the width direction from the first connection in the first end region, which are connected to one another via one or more cross beams. This makes the drawbar / buffer housing relatively lightweight.

[0023] The upper and lower chords, as well as the components forming the wall areas, can be sheet metal components, particularly plate-shaped components, in which the supporting structure is created by burning out sheet metal sections. In an advantageous alternative design, the upper and lower chords, as well as the components forming the wall areas, are designed as cast or forged components. This design allows for the precise, integral formation of spacer and / or guide elements in a simple manner by providing or removing cast or forged element inserts.

[0024] The invention is explained below with reference to figures.

[0025] Figures 1a and 1b as well as 2a and 2b show, by way of example, two designs of a train-buffering device housing 1 that can be adapted to a predefined installation space E for receiving and indirectly supporting energy absorption elements for integration into the predefined installation space E, indicated here only by dash-dotted lines. Figures 1a and 2a show a longitudinal side view, while Figures 1b and 2b show a top view. The installation space E is preferably the so-called UIC installation space of a rail vehicle. This is partially standardized in its dimensions. The train-buffering device housing 1 describes a receiving space 11 for the arrangement of the energy absorption elements and, if necessary, further functional elements, such as plates or stop-forming elements, in particular pressure plates for interacting with corresponding components in the installation space E, and / or pretensioning devices for energy absorption.

[0026] The draw / buffing device housing 1 is characterized by its longitudinal, width, and height dimensions. A coordinate system has been created to clarify the individual directions. The X-direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the entire draw / buffing device in a rail vehicle when installed. The Y-direction corresponds to the width direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis viewed in a horizontal plane, and the Z-direction corresponds to the height direction.

[0027] The pull-Z-bump device housing 1 comprises a basic housing structure 2 defining a receiving space 11 and, according to the invention, spacer and / or guide elements 10 provided on its outer circumference 13 for adapting to the required installation dimensions for fitting into the installation space E.

[0028] The tension-and-bump device housing 1, in particular the basic housing structure 2, is constructed in several parts, preferably at least two parts. The tension-and-bump device housing 1, in particular the basic housing structure 2, comprises at least one upper chord 3 and one lower chord 4. The upper chord 3 and lower chord 4 are arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction and thus form the upper and lower sides of the tension-and-bump device housing 1, in particular of the basic housing structure 2. The upper chord 3 and lower chord 4 are connected to one another at least indirectly by forming or utilizing lateral wall regions 9 of the tension-and-bump device housing 1. According to Figures 1a and 1b, the lateral wall regions 9 are constructed as separate, in particular plate-shaped components, which are each non-positively or positively connected to the upper and lower chords 3, 4, for example via fastening elements not shown in detail here.Figures 2a and 2b, on the other hand, illustrate an advantageous design of these partial wall areas 9.3a, 9.3b and 9.4a, 9.4b, which are formed integrally with the respective upper and lower chords.

[0029] In a merely two-part design of the tension-thrust device housing 1, in particular the basic housing structure 2, the individual housing parts comprising the upper and lower chords 3, 4 are preferably designed as identical parts and can be connected to one another in the region of a parting joint T. The parting joint T advantageously runs in the middle between the upper and lower chords 3, 4, viewed in the vertical direction. The connection is made force-fitting or form-fitting, in particular via connecting elements not shown here.

[0030] The upper and lower chords 3, 4 as well as the lateral wall areas 9 form or define the receiving space 11 for the arrangement of the energy-absorbing elements and, if necessary, further functional elements, such as plate-forming or stop-forming elements, in particular pressure plates for interacting with corresponding components in the installation space E, and / or pretensioning devices for energy absorption. The pull / buffer device housing 1 further forms, in a first axial end area 6, a first connection 5 for interacting or coupling with a coupling rod (not shown in detail here). This first connection 5 is designed, in particular, in the form of a receptacle 7 for a coupling shaft bolt. The coupling shaft bolt is shown in Figure 3 and designated 8. However, this is not part of the pull / buffer device housing 1.

[0031] The spacer and / or guide elements 10 are arranged in Figures 1 and 2 on both the upper and lower chords 3, 4 and are preferably designed integrally therewith. They extend over a partial region in the longitudinal and width directions of the basic housing structure 2 as well as along its outer circumference 13, viewed vertically away from it in the installed position. A plurality of spacer and / or guide elements 10 are provided on each of the upper and lower chords 3, 4. These are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the upper and lower chords 3, 4 - Figures 1a and 2a - spaced apart from each other over their extension from the first end region 6 to the second end region 12 and also spaced apart from each other in the width direction - Figures 1b, 2b. The individual spacer and / or guide elements 10 are designed differently here, by way of example, with regard to their dimensions. In addition to their dimensions, they can also vary from one another in their cross-sectional profile.The specific design is determined depending on the installation space situation.

[0032] The pull / push device housing 1, in particular the base housing structure 2 according to Figures 1a and 1b, is formed as a sheet metal component, in particular from plate-shaped elements. The plate-shaped elements of the upper and lower chords 3, 4 are flame-cut to form a structure characterized by two beams 14 adjoining the first end region 6 and extending longitudinally to the second end region 12, and by cross beams 18 connecting these beams in the width direction.

[0033] The tension-striking device housing 1 according to Figures 2a and 2b is preferably designed as a cast or forged component and essentially consists only of an upper chord 3 and lower chord 4, each with laterally formed partial wall regions 9.3a, 9.4a. The individual upper chord 3 and lower chord 4 are each characterized by an extension in the longitudinal direction and a width direction, wherein the extension in the width direction corresponds at least to the extension of the energy absorption device to be accommodated in the receiving space 11. The lateral wall regions 9 are formed by the individual partial wall regions 9.3a, 9.4a integrally formed on the upper chord 3 and lower chord 4. Here, too, the basic housing structure 2 is formed by beams 14 extending from the first end region 6 and cross beams 18 connecting these in the width direction. The basic housing structure 2 is relatively open and delicate.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a pull / push device 20 with a pull / push device housing 1 designed according to the invention, in particular the basic housing structure 2 according to Figures 2a and 2b. The upper and lower chords 3, 4 are preferably of identical design. The energy absorption device 15 integrated in the receiving space 11 is designed, for example, as a spring mechanism. The pull / push device housing 1, in particular the basic housing structure 2, further forms additional functional surfaces for further components. In the case shown, a front pressure plate 16 is provided. A rear plate 17, in cooperation with a pull rod (not shown) passing through the energy absorption device 15, serves to pretension the latter. The spacer and guide elements 10 are formed integrally with the upper and lower chords 3, 4. Due to the cast or forged part design, these are produced during the production of cast or forged element inserts.

[0035] List of reference symbols

[0036] 1 drawbar / buffer housing

[0037] 2 Basic housing structure

[0038] 3 upper chord

[0039] 4 lower chord

[0040] 5 first connection

[0041] 6 first end area

[0042] 7 Recording

[0043] 8 coupling shaft bolts

[0044] 9 Wall area

[0045] 10 Distance and / or guide element

[0046] 11 Recording room

[0047] 12 second end area

[0048] 13 Outer circumference

[0049] 14 carriers

[0050] 15 Energy absorption device

[0051] 16 front pressure plate

[0052] 17 rear pressure plate

[0053] 18 crosspieces

[0054] 20 Pull-Z buffer device

[0055] 21 fasteners

[0056] E Installation space

Claims

Patent claims 1. A drawbar / pushrod housing for receiving and indirectly supporting at least one energy dissipation device for integration into a predefined installation space, in particular the UIC installation space of a rail vehicle, comprising a base housing structure surrounding a receiving space for an energy dissipation device and optionally one or more pressure plates, said base housing structure having an interface for receiving a coupling shaft bolt for connection to a coupling rod, wherein the base housing structure is formed by an upper chord and a lower chord, each extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged at a distance from one another in the vertical direction, which can be connected to one another at least indirectly to form a receiving space, characterized in that at least one spacer and / or guide element is provided on the outer circumference of the base housing structure.

2. Pull-Z-push device housing according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one spacer and / or guide element is formed integrally with the basic housing structure.

3. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one spacer and / or guide element is formed by a separate component, in particular a plate-shaped component or profile component, which is connected to the basic housing structure in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner.

4. Pull-Z-push device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of spacer and / or guide elements are provided on one or more sides of the basic housing structure.

5. Pull-Z-push device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one spacer and / or guide element are arranged on the upper chord and / or lower chord, in particular when viewed in the installed position, are aligned vertically with them.

6. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the interface for receiving a coupling shaft bolt is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pull-Z-bump device housing in a first end region and at least one spacer and / or guide element is provided in the first connection region and at least one further spacer and / or guide element is provided in the second end region of the pull-Z-bump device housing opposite the first end region and / or in the region of the extension between the first and second end regions 7. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper chord and lower chord are designed as separate components which are connected to one another via components forming separate wall regions.

8. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper chord and lower chord are designed as separate components with wall sections formed integrally thereon and connectable to one another to form the wall sections.

9. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper chord and lower chord are designed as identical parts and the connecting joint is arranged in the wall areas.

10. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that stops are provided on these for interaction with stops provided in the installation space, wherein the stops are formed integrally with the housing or on pressure plates which can be guided in the receiving space.

11. Pull / bump device housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pull / bump device housing is designed as a frame-like supporting structure.

12. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to claim 11, characterized in that the upper belt and the lower belt each extend from the connection area in Width-wise extending beams arranged at a distance from one another and connected to one another via one or more cross beams.

13. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the upper chord and the lower chord are designed as a plate component.

14. Pull-Z-bump device housing according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the upper flange and the lower flange and wall area are designed as a forged component or cast component and the spacer andZor guide elements are formed by forged or cast element inserts during Forging or casting of the basic housing structure.

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