Fastening device, assembly and associated vehicle

Abstract

Mounting Device, Assembly, and Associated Vehicle The invention relates to a mounting device (15) for attaching a contact brush (10) to a vehicle, the brush (10) being intended to electrically connect the vehicle to equipment located near the vehicle during vehicle movement. The mounting device (15) comprises a support (30) for attachment to the vehicle and a mounting member (35) configured to be attached to the support (30), the mounting member (35) being intended to attach the contact brush (10) to the support (30). This mounting device (15) includes means for adjusting the position of the brush adapted to move, in a longitudinal direction (L), relative to the support (30), an assembly formed by the contact brush (10) and the mounting member (35). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fixing device, associated assembly and vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a contact brush to a vehicle, as well as to a vehicle comprising such a fixing device.

[0002] Contact brushes are used by certain vehicles such as trains to make electrical contact between the vehicle and equipment arranged near the vehicle during the movement of the vehicle. For example, contact brushes are used in railway vehicles to connect equipment on board the vehicle to signaling equipment, such as electrical contacts arranged at the edge of the track, in order to allow the detection of the presence of a vehicle in a portion of the track.

[0003] Contact brushes are frequently fixed under the chassis of the vehicle, for example at an axle, by a suitable fixing device, and generally comprise one or more blades generally extending vertically from a base, fixed to the brush support, so as to bear against the corresponding equipment to ensure electrical contact.

[0004] To better take into account the differences in height of the chassis of the different vehicles, as well as the different types of equipment likely to be placed at the edge of the track, the brushes are frequently mounted on notched plates whose notches cooperate with complementary shapes provided in the support to be able to place the plate in different positions on the support, so as to adjust the height between the base of the brush and the ground. Thus, the brush is positioned in a reproducible manner on the support, since the notches allow precise positioning of the plate on the support.

[0005] However, the supports of the state of the art, due to the use of notched plates, do not allow a fine adjustment of the height between the brush and the ground, since the number of possible positions for the notched plate is limited by the configuration of the plate and the complementary part of the support. Consequently, the adjustment of the height of the brush relative to the trackside equipment is made with a step corresponding to the spacing between two notches of the plate, i.e. generally a spacing of between 4 and 6 millimeters (mm).

[0006] It is therefore frequently necessary to fix the brush in a position in which the contact between the equipment and the blades generates significant friction, whereas if the brush were moved upwards by a distance corresponding to a step between two notches (i.e. the notched plate were moved by one notch on the support), the contact between the blades and the equipment would not be sufficient. This results in limited reliability, resulting from a poor electrical connection between the brush and the equipment, or a significant risk of wear and therefore damage to the brush.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a support intended to fix a contact brush to a vehicle, which makes it possible to improve the reliability of the contact brush.

[0008] For this purpose, a fixing device is proposed for fixing a contact brush to a vehicle, the brush being intended to electrically connect the vehicle to equipment arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle, the fixing device comprising a support intended to be fixed to the vehicle and a mounting member configured to be fixed to the support, the mounting member being provided for fixing the contact brush to the support, the fixing device comprising means for adjusting the position of the brush capable of moving in a longitudinal direction, relative to the support, an assembly formed by the contact brush and the mounting member.

[0009] According to advantageous but not obligatory embodiments, the fixing device has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0010] - the adjustment means comprise an adjustment screw extending along an axis, the adjusting screw being configured to move in the longitudinal direction parallel to the axis, relative to the support, the assembly formed by the contact brush and the mounting member when the adjusting screw is rotated around the axis.

[0011] - the support comprises at least one bearing face extending in a plane, the axis being parallel to the plane, the mounting member bearing against the bearing face when the mounting member is fixed to the support, the support further comprising at least one opening opening onto the bearing face, the or each opening extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first dimension measured in the longitudinal direction, the adjustment means comprising, for each opening, a fixing element received in the opening and configured to exert on the mounting member a force tending to press the mounting member against the bearing face, the fixing element having a second dimension measured in the longitudinal direction, the second dimension being strictly less than the first dimension.

[0012] - the support comprises two openings offset from each other according to a transverse direction perpendicular to the axis, the contact brush being, in particular, interposed in the transverse direction between the two openings.

[0013] - the support comprises two bearing faces parallel to each other and delimiting the support in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the member of mounting comprising a first support element and a second support element, each support element being configured to come into contact with a corresponding support face when the mounting member is fixed to the support, each fixing element being configured to exert on the support elements a force tending to bring the support elements closer to each other.

[0014] - each fastening element is a bolt.

[0015] - the first support element is configured to support the brush, the adjustment screw being configured to exert on the contact brush a force tending to move the contact brush relative to the support in the longitudinal direction when the adjustment screw is rotated about the axis.

[0016] - the contact brush comprises at least one blade intended to come into contact with the equipment when the contact brush is attached to the vehicle by the attachment device, each blade extending in a direction of elongation, the direction of elongation being parallel to the longitudinal direction when the brush is attached to the vehicle by the attachment device.

[0017] - the support comprises a plate extending in a plane parallel to the long direction horizontal, the support further comprising a rib for stiffening the plate, the rib being in particular fixed to the same face of the plate as the contact brush.

[0018] - the adjustment screw is configured to be inserted jointly into a first cavity of the rib and in a second cavity of said assembly and is configured to exert a force tending to move said assembly closer or further away from the rib when the screw pivots about its axis.

[0019] - the adjustment screw has a head resting against a portion of the support, the fixing device comprising a locknut mounted on the screw to clamp said portion between the locknut and the head of the screw. An assembly is also provided comprising a fixing device as previously described and a contact brush.

[0020] Also provided is a vehicle comprising a fixing device as previously described or an assembly as previously described.

[0021] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a first face of an assembly formed of a support and a contact brush, comprising an adjustment screw,

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of another face of the assembly of [Fig.l], and

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlargement of the head of the adjustment screw of [Fig.l].

[0025] A first assembly 5 comprising a contact brush 10 and a device 15 of Attachment of the contact brush to a vehicle is shown in [Fig.l].

[0026] The vehicle is in particular a public transport vehicle such as a railway vehicle, in particular a train or a tram, or even a trolleybus or a road vehicle.

[0027] A longitudinal direction L, a transverse direction T and a lateral direction X are defined for the assembly 5, these directions being perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal direction L is, for example, a vertical direction when the fixing device 15 fixes the contact brush 10 to the vehicle, this vehicle being in circulation on a horizontal track or ground. In this case, the directions X and T are horizontal directions. However, the orientation of the different directions L, X and T in a terrestrial reference frame are likely to vary.

[0028] The contact brush 10 is configured to electrically connect the vehicle to which the assembly is attached to equipment arranged near the vehicle, in particular when the vehicle is moving.

[0029] The equipment is, for example, signaling equipment configured to signal a presence of the vehicle in a predefined portion of traffic lanes when the equipment is electrically connected, via the contact brush 10, to a device on board the vehicle. Alternatively, the equipment is configured to electrically power the vehicle, for example with a supply current from a propulsion motor of the vehicle.

[0030] The contact brush 10 comprises, in a manner known per se, at least one electrically conductive blade 20 extending in a direction of elongation, in particular a plurality of blades 20 whose directions of elongation are parallel to each other, and a base 22 from which the blade(s) 20 extend.

[0031] The base 22 comprises, for example, a set of spacers separating the blades 20 from each other and securing one end of each blade 20 to the other blades 20.

[0032] Each direction of elongation is for example parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0033] Each blade 20 is intended to come into contact with an electrical connector of the corresponding equipment to electrically connect the contact brush 10 with the equipment.

[0034] When the contact brush 10 is fixed to the vehicle by the fixing device 15, each blade 20 is electrically connected to an electrical conductor 25 connecting the contact brush 10 to a device on board the vehicle, this conductor 25 being visible in [Fig.2].

[0035] Each blade 20 is in particular a flat blade extending in a plane defined by a straight line parallel to the direction of elongation and by a second direction of the blade 20, the second directions of the blades 20 being in particular parallel to each other, in particular parallel to the transverse direction T.

[0036] The blades 20 are, for example, arranged parallel to each other, each blade 20 being in particular superimposable on each other blade 20 by a translation in the lateral direction X.

[0037] The fixing device 15 comprises a support 30, a mounting member 35, at least one fixing element 40 and means for adjusting the position of the brush 10, these means comprising in particular an adjustment screw 45.

[0038] The support 30 is, in a manner known per se, configured to be fixed to the vehicle, for example to a chassis of the vehicle, or even to a reducer.

[0039] The support 30 is, furthermore, configured to support the mounting member 35. In particular, the support 30 is configured to support a second assembly comprising the mounting member 35 and the contact brush 10, when the mounting member 35 and the contact brush 10 are secured to each other, as will appear subsequently.

[0040] In particular, the term “support” is understood to mean that the support 30 is configured to cooperate with the mounting member 35 to fix the mounting member 35 to the support 30, this fixing resulting in the mounting member 35 being secured to the vehicle when the support 30 is fixed to the vehicle.

[0041] The support 30 comprises a first plate 50, a rib 55 and an element 60 for guiding the conductor 25.

[0042] The support 30 is, for example, made of a metallic material such as steel, in particular stainless steel.

[0043] The guide element 60 is configured to accommodate a portion of the conductor 25, to prevent relative movement of the conductor with respect to the contact brush 10. Indeed, such movement would risk causing a disconnection of the conductor 25 and the contact brush 10.

[0044] The first plate 50 is configured to be fixed to the vehicle, for example via openings (not shown) for screwing the first plate 50 to the vehicle, or by any other means.

[0045] The first plate 50 extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction L, in particular in a plane parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse T directions.

[0046] A length is defined, in the longitudinal direction L, for the first plate 50. The length of the first plate 50 is, for example, between 180 mm and 250 mm.

[0047] A width is defined, in the transverse direction T, for the first plate 50. The width of the first plate 50 is, for example, between 480 mm and 550 mm.

[0048] A thickness is defined, in the lateral direction X, for the first plate 50. The thickness of the first plate 50 is, for example, between 15 mm and 20 mm.

[0049] It should be noted that all dimensions mentioned in this description are subject to variation.

[0050] The first plate 50 has two bearing faces 65A and 65B, these bearing faces 65A, 65B delimiting the first plate 50 in the lateral direction X. Each bearing face 65A, 65B is, for example, perpendicular to the lateral direction X.

[0051] Among the two bearing faces 65A, 65B, the bearing face 65A, called the first bearing face, is opposite the contact brush 10. In particular, the first bearing face 65A is interposed between the bearing face 65B (called the second bearing face 65B) and the contact brush 10.

[0052] The second bearing face 65B is intended to bear against the vehicle when the support 30 is fixed to the vehicle.

[0053] The guide element 60 is, for example, fixed to the second bearing face 65B.

[0054] Each bearing face 65A, 65B comprises, for example, a bearing portion 70A, 70B, the two bearing portions 70 being opposite one another, in particular superimposable on one another by a translation in the lateral direction X.

[0055] A thickness of the first plate 50, measured between the two support portions 70A, 70B, is strictly less than a thickness of the first plate 50 measured between two points of the first plate 50 not belonging to the support portions 70A, 70B.

[0056] The two support portions 70A, 70B are, in particular, portions of the first plate 50 which have been machined specifically to ensure better parallelism of the support portions 70A, 70B with respect to each other.

[0057] The first plate 50 delimits at least one fixing opening 75, for example two fixing openings 75. In addition, the first plate 50 delimits a passage opening 80.

[0058] Each of the fixing openings 75 or passage openings 80 passes through the first plate 50 in the lateral direction X.

[0059] The two fixing openings 75 are, for example, superimposable on one another by a translation in the transverse direction T.

[0060] An offset, in the transverse direction T, between the two fixing openings 75, that is to say the length of the translation leading to the two openings 75 being superimposed on one another, is, for example, between 100 millimeters (mm) and 250 mm, for example equal to 160 mm.

[0061] Each fixing opening 75 extends in the longitudinal direction L. Each fixing opening 75 has a length, measured in the longitudinal direction tudinal L, included, for example, between 40 mm and 100 mm, in particular equal to 70 mm.

[0062] A width of each fixing opening 75 measured in the transverse direction T is, for example, between 10 mm and 25 mm, in particular equal to 18 mm.

[0063] The two fixing openings 75 frame, in the transverse direction T, the contact brush 10. In other words, the contact brush 10 is interposed between the two fixing openings 75 in the longitudinal direction T.

[0064] The passage opening 80 is interposed in the transverse direction T between the two fixing openings 75. In particular, the contact brush 10 and the passage opening 80 are opposite each other in the lateral direction X. The conductor 25 passes in particular through the passage opening 80 to connect the contact brush 10 to the on-board device.

[0065] The passage opening 80 extends, in particular, in the longitudinal direction L from an end face of the first plate 50, this end face delimiting the first plate 50 in the longitudinal direction L. In particular, the passage opening 80 opens onto this end face.

[0066] The passage opening 80 is, for example, substantially rectangular, with rounded corners in particular, the sides of the passage opening 80 each being perpendicular either to the longitudinal direction L or to the transverse direction T.

[0067] The passage opening 80 has a dimension, in the longitudinal direction L, of between 110 mm and 125 mm.

[0068] The passage opening 80 has a dimension, in the transverse direction T, of between 80 mm and 110 mm.

[0069] The rib 55 is configured to stiffen the first plate 50.

[0070] The rib 55 extends, from the first plate 50, in particular from the first face 65A, in the lateral direction X. A width of the rib 55, measured in the lateral direction X, is between 80 mm and 120 mm.

[0071] A thickness of the rib 55, measured in the longitudinal direction L, is between 8 mm and 14 mm.

[0072] The rib 55 extends over the first plate 50 over a length, measured in the transverse direction T, greater than or equal to 350 mm.

[0073] According to the example shown in the figures, the rib 55 has three arms extending from the same central point of the rib 55. However, it should be noted that the shape and dimensions of the rib 55 are likely to vary.

[0074] The rib 55 is, for example, welded onto the plate 50.

[0075] At least a portion 85 of the rib 55 is arranged, in the longitudinal direction tudinal L, opposite the passage opening 80.

[0076] The portion 85 of the rib 55 comprises a first cavity configured to partially accommodate the adjustment screw 45.

[0077] The first cavity passes through the portion 85 of the rib 55 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0078] The mounting member 35 is configured to fix the contact brush 10 to the support 30. In particular, the mounting member 35 is configured to support the contact brush 10, in particular to exert on the contact brush 10 a force opposing the weight of the contact brush 10.

[0079] The mounting member 35 forms, with the contact brush 10, a second assembly 90 when the mounting member 35 supports the contact brush 10.

[0080] The mounting member 35 is configured to be fixed to the support 30. In particular, the mounting member 35 is configured to bear against one or each bearing face 65A, 65B, in particular against one or the bearing portions 70A, 70B when the mounting member 35 is fixed to the support 30.

[0081] The mounting member 35 is made for example of a metallic material, such as carbon steel or stainless steel.

[0082] The mounting member 35 comprises at least a first support element 95, a clamping element 115 and optionally a second support element 100.

[0083] The first support element 95 and the clamping element 115 of the mounting member 35 are, for example, in one piece.

[0084] The support element 95 is formed by a plate 105 and a first insulator 110 and is configured to bear against the first support face 65A, in particular against the support portion 70A.

[0085] The plate 105 is interposed between the first insulating element 110 and the contact brush 10, in particular the base 22 of the contact brush 10.

[0086] The plate 105 is a metal plate, made of carbon steel or stainless steel.

[0087] The plate 105 has a width, measured in the transverse direction T, strictly greater than the offset between the two fixing openings 75. For example, the width of the second plate 105 is between 210 mm and 230 mm.

[0088] The plate 105 has a height, measured in the longitudinal direction L, of between 68 mm and 80 mm.

[0089] The plate 105 comprises at least one opening, in particular as many openings as there are fixing openings 75 in the first plate 50, each of the openings of the plate 105 passing through the plate 105 in the lateral direction X. Each opening of the plate 105 is configured to accommodate a respective fixing element 40, this fixing element 40 jointly passing through the opening in question of the plate 105 and a corresponding passage opening 75.

[0090] The first insulating element 110 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a composite of glass fibers and silicone. Such composites are notably sold under the brand SI GC 201.

[0091] The insulating element 110 is interposed between the plate 105 and the first bearing face 65A. In particular, the insulating element 110 forms a barrier between the plate 105 and the first bearing face 65A.

[0092] The insulating element 110 has in particular, in the directions L and T, dimensions strictly greater than those of the plate 105.

[0093] The clamping part 115 is configured to fix the contact brush 10 to the plate 105.

[0094] The clamping part 115 is, in particular, configured to be passed through by each fixing element 40.

[0095] In addition, the clamping part 115 is configured to receive the end of one or more, in particular two, clamping screws 120, each clamping screw jointly passing through the base 22 of the contact brush 10, the clamping part 115 and the plate 105 to exert on the clamping part 115 and on the plate 105 a force tending to press the clamping part 115 and the plate 105 against the contact brush 10.

[0096] The clamping part 115 is, in particular, in the shape of a “U”, the base 22 being received in the cavity delimited by the clamping part 115.

[0097] The clamping part 115 comprises, in particular, a bottom 125, two tabs 130 and two end portions 135.

[0098] The bottom 125 extends in the transverse direction T between its two ends.

[0099] The base 22 is interposed between the bottom 125 and the second plate 105.

[0100] Each leg 130 extends from one end of the bottom 125 in the direction lateral X. The base 22 is interposed in the transverse direction T between the two legs 130.

[0101] Each tab 130 connects one end of the bottom 125 to a corresponding end portion 135.

[0102] Each end portion 135 extends from the corresponding tab 130 in the transverse direction T. In particular, each end portion 135 extends in a direction opposite to the other end portion 135, i.e. away from the other end portion 135.

[0103] Each end portion 135 bears against the plate 105. In particular, the plate 105 is sandwiched between the first insulating element 110 and the two end portions 135.

[0104] Each end portion 135 is, in particular, crossed by a corresponding fixing element 120.

[0105] The second support element 100 is configured to bear against the second support face 65B, in particular against the support portion 70B.

[0106] The second support element 100 comprises, for example, a third plate 140 and a second insulating element 145.

[0107] The third plate 140 is a metal plate, in particular made of stainless steel.

[0108] The third plate 140 has a width, measured in the transverse direction T, strictly greater than the offset between the two fixing openings 75. For example, the width of the third plate 140 is between 210 mm and 235 mm.

[0109] The third plate 140 has a height, measured in the longitudinal direction L, of between 45 mm and 60 mm.

[0110] The third plate 140 comprises at least one opening, in particular as many openings as there are fixing openings 75 in the first plate 50, each of the openings of the third plate 140 passing through the third plate 140 in the lateral direction X. Each opening of the third plate 140 is configured to accommodate a respective fixing element 40, this fixing element 40 jointly passing through the opening in question of the third plate 140 and a corresponding passage opening 75.

[0111] The third plate 140 comprises in particular at least two openings, each receiving a respective fixing element 120.

[0112] The third plate 140 is, for example, identical to the second plate 105.

[0113] The second insulating element 145 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a composite of glass fibers and silicone.

[0114] The second insulating element 145 is interposed between the third plate 140 and the second bearing face 65B. In particular, the second insulating element 145 forms a barrier between the third plate 140 and the second bearing face 65B.

[0115] The second insulating element 145 has in particular, in the directions L and T, dimensions strictly greater than those of the third plate 140.

[0116] The fixing device 15 comprises as many fixing element(s) 40 as there are fixing openings 75 in the support 30.

[0117] Each fixing element 40 is configured to fix the mounting member 35, in particular each support element 95, 100, to the support 30. More precisely, each fixing element 40 is configured to removably or reversibly fix the mounting member 35 to the support, that is to say that the fixing element comprises at least a first configuration in which the mounting member 35 is mechanically secured to the support 30 and a second configuration in which the fixing element 40 allows at least one degree of freedom between the support 30 and the mounting member 35.

[0118] In particular, each fixing element 40 is received jointly at least in the first support element 95 and in the corresponding fixing opening 75 and is configured to exert on the first support element 95 a force tending to press the first support element 95 against the corresponding first support face 65A.

[0119] According to the example shown in the figures, each fixing element 40 jointly passes through the first support element 95, the corresponding opening 75 and the second support element 100 and exerts on the two support elements 95 a force tending to bring the two support elements 95 closer to each other to grip the support 50 between the two support elements 95, 100.

[0120] Each fixing element 40 has a transverse dimension, measured along the longitudinal direction L. The transverse dimension is strictly less than the length of the fixing opening 75 in which the fixing element 40 is received.

[0121] The transverse dimension is measured on a portion received in the fixing opening 75 of the fixing element 40.

[0122] Each fastening element 40 is, for example, a bolt, that is to say a set of a screw and a nut. Such a fastening element 40 allows in particular the reversible securing of the mounting member 35 to the support 30 by tightening or loosening the bolt. It should be noted that other types of fastening elements 40 are also conceivable.

[0123] Each fixing element 40 passes through, for example, successively, an end portion 135, the second plate 105, the first insulating element 110, the corresponding opening 75, the second insulating element 145 and the third plate 140.

[0124] The adjustment means are configured to move the second assembly 90 in the longitudinal direction L relative to the support 30.

[0125] When the adjustment means comprise an adjustment screw 45, the adjustment screw 45 extends along an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0126] The adjustment screw 45 is received jointly in the support 30 and in the second assembly 90. In particular, the adjustment screw 45 is received in a cavity of the support 30, this cavity being in particular the first cavity formed in the rib 55, and in a second cavity formed in the second assembly 90.

[0127] For example, the second cavity is provided in the contact brush 10, as seen in [Fig. 1]. Alternatively, the second cavity is provided in the mounting member 35, or is formed by joining two cavities, one provided in the mounting member 35 and the other in the contact brush 10.

[0128] It should be noted that, according to possible embodiments, the second cavity is provided in the second support element 100.

[0129] The adjustment screw 45 is configured to exert on the second assembly a force tending to move the second assembly 90 relative to the support 30 in the longitudinal direction L when the adjustment screw 45 is rotated about its axis relative to the support 30.

[0130] In particular, the adjustment screw 45 is configured to exert said force on the contact brush 10 when the second cavity is provided in the contact brush 10, so as to move the contact brush 10, and the mounting member 35 fixed to the contact brush 10 relative to the support 30.

[0131] When the first cavity is formed in the portion 85 of the rib 55, the adjustment screw 45 tends to move the second assembly 90 away from or towards the rib 55 during its rotation.

[0132] As visible in [Fig. 3], the adjustment screw 45 comprises for example a head 150 and carries a locknut 155. The head 150 and the locknut 155, together, enclose the portion of the support 30 in which the first cavity is formed, in particular the portion 85 of the rib 55.

[0133] For example, a metal washer 160 and an electrically insulating washer 165, mounted on the adjustment screw 45, are interposed between the head 150 and the portion of the support 30, a metal washer 160 and an insulating washer 65 also being interposed between the support 30 and the locknut 155.

[0134] Each insulating washer 165 is interposed between the corresponding metal washer 160 and the support 30, in order to electrically insulate the support 30 from the screw 45 and therefore from the contact brush 10.

[0135] According to one embodiment, at least one insulating washer 165 comprises a flat portion interposed between the corresponding metal washer 160 and the support 30, and a projecting portion.

[0136] The projecting portion extends along the axis of the screw 45, in particular by surrounding a portion of the screw 45 in a direction parallel to the axis, so as to be interposed between the screw 45 and the portion 85 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the screw 45.

[0137] Such protruding portions then electrically insulate the screw 45 from the portion 85.

[0138] It should be noted that embodiments in which the fixing element(s) 40 are not present are also conceivable.

[0139] Thanks to the use of the adjustment means, in particular the adjustment screw 45, the position of the second assembly 90 relative to the support 30 is easily adjustable, when the fixing elements 40 are not tightened, by the adjustment means, in particular by a simple rotation of the adjustment screw 45. The distance between the contact brush 10 and the ground, and therefore the friction force between the blades 20 and the ground equipment is therefore modified.

[0140] In addition, this positioning is very precise, which therefore makes it possible to limit the friction between the blades 20 and the equipment while ensuring reliable contact between these elements. In particular, the brush 10 can systematically be positioned as low as possible. The wear of the brush 10 is therefore optimized, since it is distributed over time over the entire length of the brush, and the reliability of the brush 10 is improved.

[0141] Furthermore, it is not necessary to detach the second assembly 90 from the support 30 to adjust its position, since it is sufficient to loosen the fixing elements 40 and play on the adjustment screw 45 to move the brush 10. In particular, the risk that the second assembly 90 falls during adjustment, or that it is difficult to put this assembly back in place, as is the case with notched plates, is eliminated. Thus, the average time taken to adjust the position of the brush 10 is reduced.

[0142] The presence of the fixing element(s) 40 makes it possible to limit the forces exerted on the screw 45, since these elements make it possible to transfer directly to the support 30 the majority of the forces undergone by the brush 10 during the movement of the vehicle.

[0143] Furthermore, when the fixing element(s) 40 are received in an opening 75 whose length is strictly greater than the dimension of the fixing element 40 in the longitudinal direction L, the movement of the second assembly 90 in this direction is made possible without it being necessary to completely detach the fixing element(s) 40. It is sufficient to loosen the fixing element(s) 40 without completely removing it or them, which therefore limits the risk of the mounting member 35 becoming detached from the support 30 and therefore of the contact brush 10 falling.

[0144] When two fixing openings 75 are present, offset in the transverse direction T, the fixing of the mounting member 35 to the support 30 is effective and limits in particular the possibility of rotation of the brush 10 around an axis parallel to the lateral direction X taking place, in particular when the brush 10 is interposed between these two openings 75.

[0145] The use of two support elements 95 and 100 enclosing a portion of the support 30 between them makes it possible to effectively fix the brush 10 on the support 30, without damaging the support 30, in particular because the support elements 95, 100 distribute the forces experienced over their surface.

[0146] When the adjustment screw 45 is received in the first support element 95 or in the brush 10, the adjustment screw 45 is opposite the first support face 65A and therefore does not interfere with the fixing of the support 30 on the vehicle via its second support face 65B.

[0147] One or more bolts 40 make it possible to easily fix the second assembly 90 to the support 30 and in particular to easily move these two elements relative to each other by simply loosening the bolt(s) 40.

[0148] The rib 55 makes it possible to stiffen the plate 50, and therefore to obtain a support 30 that is sufficiently rigid and simple to manufacture, in particular a support 30 requiring a low quantity of material for its manufacture since the plate 50 and the rib 55 represent a small volume of material.

[0149] The rib 55, when it has a cavity for receiving the adjustment screw 45, also makes it possible to simplify the structure of the fixing device 10 since it is not necessary to provide an additional element projecting from the plate 50 to provide said second cavity therein.

[0150] The presence of a locknut 155 gripping a portion of the support 30 with the head 150 of the adjustment screw 45 makes it possible in particular to prevent the adjustment screw 45 from loosening in an uncontrolled manner during operation of the vehicle, in particular under the effect of vibrations caused by the movement of the vehicle.

[0151] It should be noted that means for adjusting the position of the brush 10 other than a screw 45 are also conceivable.

Claims

Claims

1. A fixing device (15) for fixing a contact brush (10) to a vehicle, the brush (10) being intended to electrically connect the vehicle to equipment arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle during movement of the vehicle, the fixing device (15) comprising a support (30) intended to be fixed to the vehicle and a mounting member (35) configured to be fixed to the support (30), the mounting member (35) being provided for fixing the contact brush (10) to the support (30), the fixing device (15) comprising means for adjusting the position of the brush capable of moving in a longitudinal direction (L), relative to the support (30), an assembly (90) formed by the contact brush (10) and the mounting member (35), wherein the adjustment means comprise an adjustment screw (45) extending along an axis, the adjustment screw (45) being configured to move in the longitudinal direction (L) parallel to the axis, relative to the support (30), ... to the support (30),the assembly (90) formed by the contact brush (10) and the mounting member (35) when the adjustment screw (45) is rotated around the axis.,

2. A fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the support (30) comprises at least one bearing face (65A, 65B) extending in a plane, the longitudinal direction being parallel to the plane, the mounting member (35) bearing against the bearing face (65A, 65B) when the mounting member (35) is fixed to the support (30), the support (30) further comprising at least one opening (75) opening onto the bearing face (65A, 65B), the or each opening (75) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and having a first dimension measured in the longitudinal direction (L), the adjustment means comprising, for each opening (75), a fixing element (40) received in the opening (75) and configured to exert on the mounting member (35) a force tending to press the mounting member (35) against the face support (65A, 65B), the fixing element (40) having a second dimension measured in the longitudinal direction (L),the second dimension being strictly less than the first dimension.,

3. A fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the support (30) comprises two openings (75) offset from each other in a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. tudinal, the contact brush (10) being, in particular, interposed in the transverse direction (T) between the two openings (75).

4. A fixing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the support (30) comprises two bearing faces (65A, 65B) parallel to each other and delimiting the support (30) in a direction (X) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the mounting member (35) comprising a first bearing element (95) and a second bearing element (100), each bearing element (95, 100) being configured to bear against a corresponding bearing face (65A, 65B) when the mounting member (35) is fixed to the support (30), each fixing element (40) being configured to exert on the bearing elements (95, 100) a force tending to bring the bearing elements (95, 100) closer to each other.

5. A fastening device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each fastening element (40) is a bolt.

6. A fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the first support element (95) is configured to support the brush (10), the adjustment screw (45) being configured to exert on the contact brush (10) a force tending to move the contact brush (10) relative to the support (30) in the longitudinal direction (L) when the adjustment screw (45) is rotated about the axis.

7. A fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact brush (10) comprises at least one blade (20) intended to bear against the equipment when the contact brush (10) is fixed to the vehicle by the fixing device (15), each blade (20) extending in a direction of elongation, the direction of elongation being parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) when the brush (10) is fixed to the vehicle by the fixing device (15).

8. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support (30) comprises a plate (50) extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), the support (30) further comprising a rib (55) for stiffening the plate (50), the rib (55) being in particular fixed to the same face (65A) of the plate (50) as the contact brush (10).

9. A fastening device according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment screw (45) is configured to be inserted jointly into a first cavity of the rib (55) and into a second cavity of said assembly (90) and is configured to exert a force tending to move said assembly (90) closer to or further away from the rib (55) when the screw (45) pivots about its axis.

10. A fixing device according to claim 1 or claim 9, wherein the adjusting screw (45) has a head (150) bearing against a portion (85) of the support (30), the fixing device (15) comprising a locknut (155) mounted on the screw (45) to clamp said portion (85) between the locknut (155) and the head (150) of the screw (45).

11. An assembly comprising a contact brush (10) and a fixing device (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Vehicle, in particular a public transport vehicle, comprising a fixing device (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or an assembly according to claim 11.

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