Actuation device for a railway braking system and railway vehicle equipped with such an actuation device

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation device (4) comprising a control mechanism (13) having at least one cam cylinder (110) which is rotationally movable and which is provided with at least one contact face (111) having a predetermined profile, said contact face being configured to act directly on at least one predetermined contact module (110a-j) depending on the direction of rotation of said at least one cam cylinder and the position of said actuation device; and a module holder (150) mounted in a determined position at least partially around the cam cylinder, with the contact modules which are mechanically secured to the module holder and opposite at least one contact face of the cam cylinder. (Figure 5)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for actuating a railway braking system and railway vehicle provided with such an actuating device Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of braking of railway vehicles. It relates more particularly to an actuating device, of the manipulator type, provided for controlling a braking system for a railway vehicle. It also relates to railway vehicles comprising such devices. State of the art

[0002] Railway vehicles are generally equipped with service brake cylinders comprising a service brake piston which is movable under the effect of a pressurized fluid, the movement of this piston causing a braking action such as the clamping of a brake disc between two linings, or the direct pressure of a shoe against a wheel of the vehicle. These brake cylinders also generally comprise a parking or emergency brake which is activated for example in the event of loss of pressure of the pressurized fluid and / or in the event of voluntary emptying or leakage of the pneumatic system. These cylinders are often supplied by a pneumatic line which can find its source in a so-called main or general line or in a so-called auxiliary reservoir itself supplied by the main or general line.

[0003] Such railway braking systems of the service brake, parking brake and / or emergency brake type are actuated and controlled by a driver of the railway vehicle, using dedicated actuating devices which are arranged on a dashboard of the vehicle and which may, for example, be mechanical and / or electrical and / or pneumatic.

[0004] There are actuating devices, also called brake manipulators, which are designed to operate the brakes of railway vehicles and to control the pneumatic line in an emergency, for example when the normal actuating device of the service brake fails.

[0005] Such manipulators may have five positions, more generally between three and twelve positions, including a neutral central position, two braking positions upstream of the neutral central position and two debraking positions downstream of the neutral central position, i.e. opposite the two braking positions.

[0006] The manipulator may comprise a first braking position and a first de-braking position which respectively allow the braking and de-braking of the vehicle progressively, as long as the driver maintains the respective first position.

[0007] When the driver actuates the manipulator to one of the first respective braking and debraking positions, a first braking or debraking valve is moved by a mechanism, thus forming a first fluid path for draining or supplying, respectively for progressive braking and progressive debraking, for the circulation of a pneumatic agent.

[0008] The manipulator may further comprise a second braking position and a second debraking position which respectively allow the vehicle to be braked and debraked very quickly.

[0009] When the driver actuates the manipulator to one of the respective second braking and releasing positions, a second braking or releasing valve, which is mounted in series with the respective first valve, is moved by this first valve which is itself moved by the mechanism, thus forming a second fluid path for draining or supplying, respectively for rapid braking and rapid releasing, for the circulation of the pneumatic agent. It should be noted that the second fluid path has a larger section for the passage of the pneumatic agent than that of the first fluid path.

[0010] Patent application EP 3 666 310 describes such an actuating device, comprising a valve mechanism and a control mechanism configured to act on the valve mechanism. The actuating device is configured to admit at least one braking position in which the valve mechanism acts on at least one braking valve of the valve mechanism to actuate the railway braking system to brake the railway vehicle, and / or at least one de-braking position in which the valve mechanism acts on at least one de-braking valve of the valve mechanism to actuate the railway braking system to de-brake the railway vehicle. The control mechanism comprises at least one cam wheel which is rotatable and which is provided with at least one contact face having a predetermined profile.The contact face is configured to act directly on the braking valve or on the releasing valve depending on the direction of rotation of the cam wheel and the position of the actuating device. Statement of the invention

[0011] The invention relates to an actuating device, of the manipulator type, intended to control a braking system for a railway vehicle, having further improved performance compared to the aforementioned manipulator of the prior art, while being simple, convenient and economical.

[0012] The invention thus relates, in a first aspect, to a device for actuating a railway braking system for a railway vehicle with brakes having at least one lining or at least one shoe, comprising a plurality of contact modules and a control mechanism configured to act on the contact modules; which control mechanism comprises at least one cam cylinder which is rotatable and which is provided with at least one contact face having a predetermined profile, said contact face being configured to act directly on at least one said predetermined contact module as a function of the direction of rotational movement of said at least one cam cylinder and the position of said actuating device;and said actuating device comprises a module holder mounted in a determined position at least partially around the cam cylinder, with at least said contact modules which are mechanically secured to the module holder and opposite the at least one contact face of the cam cylinder. ;

[0013] The use of a cam cylinder which is rotatable and which is provided with a predetermined profile on a contact face, in combination with a module holder on which a plurality of contact modules are secured, has the advantage of offering precise angular indexing of the different positions of the actuating device and making the actuating device scalable in that it is possible to add and / or remove functions in a particularly simple manner by modifying the number of contact modules and by adapting the external face of the cam cylinder.

[0014] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical characteristics of the device according to the invention are presented below.

[0015] The actuating device is configured to admit at least one braking position in which the control mechanism acts on a braking contact module which sends a braking instruction to actuate said railway braking system to brake said railway vehicle and / or at least one braking position in which the control mechanism acts on a braking contact module which sends a braking instruction to actuate said railway braking system to brake said railway vehicle.

[0016] The actuating device is configured to admit a plurality of positions and it comprises several predetermined modules arranged juxtaposed on a first side of the module holder and / or several other predetermined modules arranged juxtaposed on a second side of the module holder opposite the first side, and said at least one cam cylinder is configured to act directly on said predetermined modules as a function of the direction and an angle of rotational movement of said cam cylinder and the position of said actuating device among the plurality of positions.

[0017] Said predetermined profile of said contact face of said cam cylinder may have at least one protrusion and at least one hollow which are provided respectively for actuating and de-actuating said predetermined modules.

[0018] The cam cylinder may have a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, with the contact face being formed on an at least partially cylindrical wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.

[0019] The cam cylinder may have windows formed in the at least partially cylindrical wall so as to form two opposite main zones of the contact face.

[0020] The device may comprise a control lever mechanically secured to said control mechanism and capable of being placed in a plurality of selectable positions, which positions may be stable or unstable positions.

[0021] The control mechanism may include a lever support to which the lever is mechanically secured, with the lever support having a projecting mounting rod and a recessed locating notch, and the cam cylinder may have a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, and include a locating finger projecting from the first end wall and configured to be inserted into the locating notch of the lever support, and a mounting hole in the first end wall and configured to receive the mounting rod of the lever support.

[0022] The device may comprise a housing from which the control mechanism projects and the module holder may have a base mechanically secured to the housing and a frame extending longitudinally from the base to a distal wall of the module holder, with the frame generally encircling the contact face of the cam cylinder and having one or more lateral openings for inserting the contact modules through the frame and opposite the contact face of the cam cylinder.

[0023] The cam cylinder may have a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, with the contact face being formed on an at least partially cylindrical wall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the first end wall cooperating with the base of the module holder and the second end wall cooperating with the distal wall of the module holder.

[0024] The device may comprise rotation guide members interposed between the first end wall of the cam cylinder and the base of the module holder and between the second end wall of the cam cylinder and the distal wall of the module holder.

[0025] The cam cylinder may have windows provided in the at least partially cylindrical wall and the frame may have one or more upper and lower openings located opposite the windows of the cam cylinder in a neutral position of the actuating device.

[0026] The contact modules can be mechanically secured to the module holder frame.

[0027] The module holder may be provided with a holding member mechanically secured on the one hand to the base of the module holder and on the other hand to the distal wall of the module holder and extending from the base to the distal wall, encircling the contact modules.

[0028] The actuating device may further comprise a wheel mechanically secured to the cam cylinder and located at a distance from the module holder.

[0029] The wheel may be a cam wheel which, like the cam cylinder, is rotatable and which is provided with at least one contact face having a predetermined profile, said contact face being configured to act directly on a braking valve or on a braking release valve of the actuating device depending on the direction of rotational movement of the cam wheel and the position of the actuating device.

[0030] The cam cylinder and / or the wheel may be provided with angular stops to limit their rotation in both directions of rotational movement.

[0031] The cam cylinder and wheel may be formed as a single piece.

[0032] The device may comprise a feedback mechanism configured to act on the wheel when it is moved in rotation from a neutral position to a braking or unbraking position, either to return it to its neutral position or to maintain it in its braking or unbraking position.

[0033] The feedback mechanism may comprise a return member urging a support member configured to come into contact with a feedback face of the wheel, the feedback face having a predetermined complementary profile allowing the wheel to be returned or maintained respectively in its neutral position or in its braking or unbraking position.

[0034] The feedback mechanism may comprise a cap and a ring between which the return member is interposed.

[0035] The return member may be formed by a spring which bears against the stopper and on a first side of said ring.

[0036] The spring can be adjustable.

[0037] The support member may be formed by a ball, or by an assembly formed of a cage and one or more rollers introduced into the cage, and partially housed on a second side of said ring, opposite its first side.

[0038] The predetermined complementary profile of the feedback face of the wheel may have at least one ramped wall and at least one hollow which are provided respectively to return and to maintain the wheel respectively in the neutral position or in the braking or debraking position.

[0039] The feedback face may be formed on a contour wall of the wheel.

[0040] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to a range of actuating devices as described above, of which at least two actuating devices are provided with a distinct number of contact modules.

[0041] The invention also relates, in a third aspect, to a railway vehicle with brakes having at least one lining or at least one shoe, comprising at least one railway braking system configured to act on said at least one lining or said at least one shoe of said railway vehicle, as well as an actuating device as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0042] The description of the invention will now be continued by describing exemplary embodiments, given below for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0043] [Fig. 1] schematically and partially illustrates a railway vehicle provided with a braking system and an actuating device configured to control the braking system.

[0044] [Fig.2] is an isolated perspective view of the actuating device, according to a first embodiment.

[0045] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], showing the device in side view.

[0046] [Fig. 4] is a view similar to those of Figures 2 and 3, showing the device in top view.

[0047] [Fig.5] is a semi-exploded perspective view of the actuating device.

[0048] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], taken from a viewing angle different.

[0049] [Fig.7] is an isolated perspective view of a cam of the actuating device.

[0050] [Fig.8] is a front view of the actuating device, in a first confi guration.

[0051] [Fig.9] is a front view of the actuating device, in a second configuration.

[0052] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], showing the actuating device with a different number of contact modules.

[0053] [Fig. 11] is a view similar to those of Figures 2 and 10, showing the device actuation with yet another different number of contact modules.

[0054] [Fig. 12] is a view similar to those of Figures 2, 10 and 11, showing the actuating device with a further different number of contact modules.

[0055] [Fig. 13] is a partial view of the actuating device, showing in exploded perspective a pneumatic part of the latter.

[0056] [Fig. 14] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 2], taken from a viewing angle different and conforming to a first variant embodiment of the actuating device.

[0057] [Fig.15] is a view similar to that of [Fig.14], showing a second variant embodiment of the actuating device.

[0058] [Fig. 16] is a semi-exploded perspective view of the actuating device according to a second embodiment, without pneumatic part.

[0059] [Fig. 17] is a semi-exploded perspective view of the actuating device in accordance with a third embodiment. Detailed description

[0060] [Fig.l] very schematically represents a railway vehicle 1 with lining or block brakes, provided with a railway braking system 2 comprising in particular service brake cylinders 3 provided to act on the linings or blocks.

[0061] The railway vehicle 1 further comprises an actuating device, hereinafter called manipulator 4, configured to control via a lever 5 of the manipulator 4 the railway braking system 2 and its service brake cylinders 3 in particular with a view to braking and / or releasing the brakes of the railway vehicle 1.

[0062] The manipulator 4 can also be configured to control the railway braking system 2 via the lever 5 of the manipulator 4 in order to apply functions other than braking or releasing the brakes of the railway vehicle 1.

[0063] For example, it could be a function for indicating a braking and / or debraking action, or a safety function, a position detection function, an electric and / or pneumatic service braking function, an electric and / or pneumatic and / or analog emergency braking function, a so-called direct braking function in electric mode and / or in analog mode, a wheel cleaning control function, or even a wheel sanding function, etc.

[0064] The manipulator 4 and the railway braking system 2 are elements of a railway braking installation of the vehicle 1. The manipulator 4 is here fixed on a support 6 forming a distribution interface between the manipulator 4 and the railway braking system 2.

[0065] In the example illustrated, the installation is pneumatic and comprises a main pipe 7 which is for example connected on the one hand, at the input of the manipulator 4 and configured to supply the latter with a pneumatic agent and on the other hand, to the railway braking system 2; as well as a general pipe 8 which is for example connected at the output of the manipulator 4 and configured to supply the railway braking system 2 with this pneumatic agent.

[0066] Alternatively, the installation may be without a general conduit.

[0067] In addition to being pneumatic, the installation is also electrical, with for example a communication interface having a first transmitter / receiver 9a housed in the manipulator 4 and a second transmitter / receiver 9b housed for example on the support 6 and / or a third transmitter / receiver 9c arranged on the cylinder 3.

[0068] With reference to [Fig.2], the manipulator 4 comprises a housing formed from a body 10 having, for example, a substantially parallelepiped shape.

[0069] The manipulator 4 comprises a control mechanism 13 which partially projects from a front face 11 of the body 10, as well as a control lever 12 mechanically secured to the control mechanism 13.

[0070] The control lever 12 is operable by a user and can be placed in a plurality of selectable positions.

[0071] In the example illustrated, the manipulator 4 comprises a pneumatic part and in particular a valve mechanism 16, described in detail with reference to [Fig. 13], housed inside the body 10 and access to which is possible via a hatch 18 fixed on a rear face 17 of the body 10 which is opposite its front face 11.

[0072] The manipulator 4 further comprises a feedback mechanism 19, described in detail with reference to [Fig. 13], mounted inside the body 10 and access to which is possible via a plug 21 housed in a second lateral face 20 of the body 10 which is opposite a first lateral face 15.

[0073] The manipulator 4 is provided with mounting bores 41, here for example three in number, formed in the body 10 and provided to receive fixing screws for mounting the manipulator 4 on the support 6 forming the distribution interface between the manipulator 4 and the railway braking system 2.

[0074] These mounting bores 41 open at a first end at a top face 42 of the body 10 and, at a second end opposite the first end, at a bottom face 44 of the body 10, opposite its top face 42.

[0075] In the illustrated example, the manipulator 4 is further provided with braking channels 40 in fluid communication with the valve mechanism 16.

[0076] The manipulator 4 is further provided with a plurality of contact modules 100a-j on which the control mechanism 13 is configured to act.

[0077] In the example illustrated, each of the contact modules 100a-j is connected by a wired and / or wireless link with the first transmitter / receiver 9a housed in the manipulator 4, which is configured to communicate with one and / or the other of the second transmitter / receiver 9b and the third transmitter / receiver 9c.

[0078] The contact modules 100a-j can thus send instructions to the first transmitter / receiver 9a, which can then transmit and / or process them.

[0079] In particular, the manipulator 4 is here configured to admit at least one braking position in which the control mechanism 13 acts on a braking contact module, for example 100a, which sends a braking instruction to actuate the railway braking system 2 and in particular to actuate its service brake cylinders 3 to brake the railway vehicle and / or at least one debraking position in which the control mechanism 13 acts on a debraking contact module, for example 100a, which sends a debraking instruction to actuate the railway braking system 2 and in particular to actuate its service brake cylinders 3 to debrake the railway vehicle.

[0080] The control mechanism 13 here comprises a cam cylinder 110 which is movable in rotation under the action of the control lever 12 and provided with at least one contact face 111 having a predetermined profile configured to act directly on the braking contact module 100a or on the de-braking contact module 100f depending on the direction of rotational movement of the lever 12 and therefore of the cam cylinder 110, corresponding to a selected position of the manipulator 4.

[0081] More generally, depending on the selected position of the manipulator 4 from among the plurality of positions, the contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110 comes into contact with one or more respective contact modules from among the contact modules 100a-j in order to apply a predefined function of the manipulator 4.

[0082] The manipulator 4 comprises a module holder 150 mounted in a determined position at least partially around the cam cylinder 110, with the braking contact modules 100a-j which are mechanically secured to the module holder 150 and opposite the contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110.

[0083] The manipulator 4 is here configured to admit a plurality of braking and / or debraking positions, or even other functions.

[0084] Thus, the contact modules 100a-j are arranged juxtaposed on a first side 151 of the module holder 150 and on a second side 152 opposite the first side 151, and the cam cylinder 110 is configured to act directly on them as a function of the direction and an angle of rotational movement of the lever 12.

[0085] The module holder 150 may be provided with a holding member 130, formed here by a wire element of the semi-rigid cable type, for example, which encircles the contact modules 100a-j.

[0086] The control mechanism 13 and the module holder 130, in cooperation with the housing 10 and the contact modules 100a-j, will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0087] The assembly formed by the control mechanism 13, the module holder 130 and the contact modules 100a-j extends generally longitudinally projecting from the front face 11 of the body 10 of the housing.

[0088] The module holder 150 is formed of a base 153 mechanically secured to the front face 11 of the body 10 of the housing.

[0089] The module holder 150 is further formed of a frame 154 extending longitudinally from the base 153 to a distal wall 155 of the module holder 150.

[0090] It will be noted that the frame 154 is here configured to generally encircle the contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110.

[0091] In particular, the frame 154 has an upper wall 156 connected to the base 153 and to the distal wall 155 and a lower wall 157 opposite the upper wall 156 and also connected to the base 153 and to the distal wall 155.

[0092] The frame 154 here has several lateral openings 158 arranged on the first and second sides 151 and 152 of the module holder 150 to allow the insertion of the contact modules 100a-j through the frame 154 and opposite the contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110.

[0093] The frame 154 further has upper and lower openings 159.

[0094] The contact modules 100a-j are in the example illustrated mechanically secured to the frame 154 of the module holder 150.

[0095] For example, the contact modules 100a-j are crossed by fixing screws 103 which are engaged on the upper wall 156 and on the lower wall 157 of the frame 154.

[0096] The contact modules 100a-j are here electrical or electromechanical contactors, provided with an electrical box 101 and a contact member 102 projecting from the electrical box 101.

[0097] The fixing of the contact modules 100a-j can be adjustable so as to be able to move them relative to the frame 154 and thus bring the respective contact members 102 closer to or further away from the contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110.

[0098] The holding member 130 is here mechanically secured on the one hand by its ends to the base 153 and on the other hand to hooks 160 formed projecting from the distal wall 155, in a direction opposite to the base 153.

[0099] In the example illustrated, the control mechanism 13 comprises a lever support 22 projecting from the front face 11 of the body 10 and to which the lever 12 is secured.

[0100] The lever support 22 here has a mounting rod 180 provided as a projection and a positioning notch 181 provided as a recess.

[0101] The cam cylinder 110 is mechanically secured in rotation to the lever support 22.

[0102] The cam cylinder 110 has a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall 112 and a second end wall 113 opposite the first end wall 112.

[0103] The contact face 111 is formed on an at least partially cylindrical wall 114 extending between the first end wall 112 and the second end wall 113.

[0104] The first end wall 112 is here provided to cooperate with the base 153 of the module holder 150 and the second end wall 113 is here provided to cooperate with the distal wall 155 of the module holder 150.

[0105] Rotational guide members 115, for example of the bearing type, are interposed between the first end wall 112 of the cam cylinder 110 and the base 153 of the module holder 150 and between the second end wall 113 of the cam cylinder 110 and the distal wall 155 of the module holder 150.

[0106] The cam cylinder 110 comprises a positioning finger 116 projecting from its first end wall 112 and configured to be inserted into the positioning notch 181 of the lever support 22.

[0107] The cam cylinder 110 further comprises a mounting hole 117 formed in its first end wall 112 and configured to receive the mounting rod 180 of the lever support 22.

[0108] The cam cylinder 110 here has windows 118 formed in the at least partially cylindrical wall 114 so as to form two opposite main zones of the contact face 111.

[0109] In the illustrated example, it will be noted that in a neutral position of the manipulator 4, the upper and lower openings 159 of the frame 154 are located opposite the windows 118 of the cam cylinder 110.

[0110] The contact face 111 of the cam cylinder 110 has, on each of the main zones separated by the windows 118, a predetermined profile.

[0111] The predetermined profile is here formed of protrusions 119 followed by hollows 120.

[0112] The hollows 120 are here in the same plane as the at least partially cylindrical wall 114.

[0113] Alternatively, the hollows may be formed as recesses in this wall.

[0114] The protrusions 119 form indentations which are here provided respectively to de-actuate the contact modules, 100a-j including the braking and brake release modules 100a and 100f, by coming into contact with their respective contact members 102.

[0115] The recesses 120 here make it possible to actuate these same contact modules 100a-j by moving away from their respective contact members 102.

[0116] Alternatively, the protrusions may actuate the contact modules and the recesses may de-actuate the contact modules.

[0117] It will be noted that each of the above-mentioned elements, including in particular the cam cylinder 110 and the module holder 150, can be manufactured from plastic or any other materials, and for example by implementing a molding, machining, or additive manufacturing process.

[0118] The use of a cam cylinder 110 which is rotatable and which is provided with a predetermined profile on its contact face 111, in combination with a module holder 150 on which the plurality of contact modules 100a-j are secured, has the advantage of offering precise indexing of the different positions of the manipulator 4 and making it scalable in that it is possible to add and / or remove functions in a particularly simple manner by modifying the number of contact modules 100a-j and by adapting the external face 111 of the cam cylinder 107.

[0119] Adapting the external face 111 of the cam cylinder 107 means determining a profile in line with the number of desired positions of the lever 12 and therefore the number of contact modules 100a-j. For example, the number and position of the protrusions 119 and hollows 120 on the at least partially cylindrical wall 114 to form the contact face 111 may vary.

[0120] Figures 8 and 9 simply illustrate two positions of the lever 12 offset by an angle a, one called neutral ([Fig.8]) and the other called braking ([Fig.9]).

[0121] Actuation of the lever 12 causes the rotation of the lever support 22 and therefore of the cam cylinder 110 inside the module holder 150.

[0122] In [Fig.8], in the neutral position, protrusions of the contact face 111 come to bear against the contact members 102 of at least certain contact modules 100a-j, which do not send an instruction to apply one or more braking, debraking or other functions.

[0123] In [Fig.8], we see contact members 102 which are stressed and which are located at distances dl and d2 from their respective housing 101.

[0124] In [Fig.9], in the braking position, these same protrusions of the contact face 111 move apart and release the contact members 102 of at least certain contact modules 100a-j, which send at least one instruction for applying braking and possibly instructions relating to other functions.

[0125] In [Fig.9], we see contact members 102 which are no longer stressed and which are located at distances d3 and d4, respectively greater than d1 and d2, from their respective housing 101.

[0126] Figures 10 to 12, in combination with [Fig.2], show a range of manipulators 4 which differ in the number of contact modules available and therefore the number of functions applicable by selecting the positions of the lever 12.

[0127] In [Fig.2], the manipulator 4 is provided with ten contact modules 100a-j.

[0128] In [Fig. 10], the manipulator 4 is provided with eight contact modules 100a-h, including four contact modules on each side of the module holder 150, which has a suitable size, as does the holding member 130 and the cam cylinder 110.

[0129] In [Fig. 11], the manipulator 4 is provided with six contact modules 100a-f, including three contact modules on each side of the module holder 150, which has a suitable size, as does the holding member 130 and the cam cylinder 110.

[0130] In [Fig. 12], the manipulator 4 is provided with four contact modules 100a-d, including two contact modules on each side of the module holder 150, which has a suitable size, as does the holding member 130 and the cam cylinder 110.

[0131] [Fig. 13] illustrates on the one hand a wheel 24, here a cam wheel, which is mechanically secured to the lever support 22 to which the lever 12 is secured, opposite the cam cylinder (not visible in this figure), the valve mechanism 16 and the feedback mechanism 19 with which the wheel 24 cooperates.

[0132] This wheel 24 is here housed in the body 10 of the housing and is generally similar to that described in the prior art with reference to patent application EP 3 666 310, so that only a brief description will be given.

[0133] This wheel 24 may be provided to act on the valve mechanism 16, depending on the position of the lever 12.

[0134] In particular, the wheel 24 is rotatable and is provided with at least one contact face having a predetermined profile. The contact face is configured to act directly on a braking valve 28 or on a de-braking valve 29 depending on the direction of rotational movement of the wheel 24.

[0135] The valves 28 and 29 are structurally identical to those described in the aforementioned patent application and fluid flow channels are provided depending on the position of the valves.

[0136] The wheel 24 has a front face 33 which is provided with a predetermined profile and adapted to act directly on the valves 28, 29 so as to open and close them.

[0137] Of course, the actuation of the valves 28 and 29 must be designed to be in line with the actuation of the contact modules described above, or it is provided in the manipulator to favor one or the other of the electrical part and the pneumatic part.

[0138] The wheel 24 may be provided with angular stops to limit their rotation in both directions of rotational movement.

[0139] The wheel 24 is here distinct from the cam cylinder.

[0140] The feedback mechanism 19 is here configured to act on the wheel 24 when it is moved in rotation from a neutral position to a braking or unbraking position, either to return it to its neutral position, or to maintain it in its braking or debraking position.

[0141] The feedback mechanism 19 may comprise a return member 30 urging a support member 31 configured to come into contact with a feedback face 32 of the wheel 24, the feedback face having a predetermined complementary profile allowing the return or maintenance of the wheel 24 respectively in its neutral position or in its braking or debraking position.

[0142] The support member is here an assembly formed of a cage and one or more rollers introduced into the cage, and partially housed on a second side of said ring, opposite its first side.

[0143] The feedback mechanism 19 may comprise a cap and a ring between which the return member 30 is interposed.

[0144] The return member 30 may be formed by an adjustable spring which bears against the stopper and on a first side of said ring.

[0145] The predetermined complementary profile of the feedback face 32 of the wheel 24 may have at least one ramped wall and at least one hollow which are provided respectively to return and to maintain the wheel 24 respectively in the neutral position or in the braking or debraking position.

[0146] The feedback face 32 may be formed on a contour wall of the wheel 24.

[0147] [Fig. 14] illustrates a first variant embodiment of the manipulator 4, which is is simply distinguished in that the contact modules 100a-j are connected by a wired connection 109, for example, to the first transmitter / receiver housed in the manipulator 4, or directly to one and / or the other of the second transmitter / receiver and the third transmitter / receiver.

[0148] The wire connection 109 here runs along the holding member 130 and joins each of the contact modules 100a-j.

[0149] The contact modules 100a-j can thus send instructions via this wired link 109.

[0150] [Fig. 15] shows a second variant embodiment of the manipulator 4, which is distinguished simply in that the contact modules 100a-j are also connected by a wired connection 109, which is here directly connected to an electrical connection system 14 which is mounted on the first lateral face 15 of the body 10 and which forms, for example, the first transmitter / receiver 9a.

[0151] [Fig. 16] is a semi-exploded perspective view of the manipulator 4 according to a second embodiment, without pneumatic part.

[0152] The housing has a body 200 of a shape and size distinct from that described above.

[0153] The manipulator 4 is provided with a control mechanism 13 similar to that described above with reference in particular to figures 2 to 15 except that the wheel 24 does not have a profile on its front face 33 but rather a positioning and guide 201 intended to be housed in a complementary orifice (not shown) of the body 200.

[0154] Furthermore, the manipulator 4 comprises a feedback mechanism 19 which is here provided with a ball system, like that described in patent application EP 3 666 310.

[0155] [Fig. 17] is a semi-exploded perspective view of the manipulator 4 according to a third embodiment in which the lever 12 is integrated into the body 10 of the housing and projects from its top face 42 rather than from its front face 11. The lever support (not visible) is thus integrated into the body 10 rather than projecting from the front face 11. The base 153 of the module holder 150 and the cam cylinder 110 are directly mounted on the front face 11.

[0156] Variants not illustrated are presented below.

[0157] The cam cylinder and the wheel can be made in one piece.

[0158] The manipulator may comprise more or fewer contact modules.

[0159] The cam cylinder and / or the module holder may be devoid of windows and / or upper and lower openings.

[0160] The module holder may have a frame of different shape, for example circular and / or closed.

[0161] The bearings can be replaced by plastic or metal rings or the cam cylinder can be in direct contact with the module holder.

[0162] The manipulator may be devoid of a holding member.

[0163] The control lever may be entirely or only partially metallic, or made of plastic, or even composite, or even include an electrically insulating portion, in particular made of fiberglass, at a free end of the lever or interposed between two opposite end portions.

[0164] The installation may be all electric rather than electric and pneumatic.

[0165] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for actuating a railway braking system (2) for a railway vehicle (1) with brakes having at least one lining or at least one shoe, comprising a plurality of contact modules (110a-j) and a control mechanism (13) configured to act on the contact modules, which control mechanism comprises at least one cam cylinder (110) which is rotatable and which is provided with at least one contact face (112) having a predetermined profile, said contact face being configured to act directly at least on one said predetermined contact module as a function of the direction of rotational movement of said at least one cam cylinder and the position of said actuating device; and said actuating device comprises a module holder (150) mounted in a determined position at least partially around the cam cylinder,with said contact modules which are mechanically secured to the module holder and facing the at least one contact face of the cam cylinder, characterized in that it comprises a housing from which the control mechanism (13) projects and the module holder (150) has a base (153) mechanically secured to the housing and a frame (154) extending longitudinally from the base to a distal wall (155) of the module holder, with the frame which generally encircles the contact face (111) of the cam cylinder (110) and which has one or more lateral openings (158) for the insertion of the contact modules (110a-j) through the frame and facing the contact face of the cam cylinder, the cam cylinder (110) having a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall (112) and a second end wall (113) opposite the first end wall,with the contact face (111) which is formed on an at least partially cylindrical wall (114) extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, with the first end wall which cooperates with the base (153) of the module holder (150) and the second end wall which cooperates with the distal wall (155) of the module holder.,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to admit at least one braking position in which the control mechanism acts on a braking contact module (100a) which sends a braking instruction to actuate said railway braking system to brake said railway vehicle and / or at least one debraking position in which the control mechanism acts on a debraking contact module (100b) which sends a debraking command to actuate said railway braking system to debrake said railway vehicle

3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is configured to admit a plurality of predetermined positions and it comprises several predetermined modules (HOa-e) arranged juxtaposed on a first side (151) of the module holder (150) and / or several other predetermined modules (1 lOf-j) arranged juxtaposed on a second side (152) of the module holder opposite the first side, and said at least one cam cylinder (110) is configured to act directly on said predetermined modules as a function of the direction and an angle of rotational movement of said cam cylinder and the position of said actuating device (4) among the plurality of positions.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the predetermined profile of said contact face (111) of said cam cylinder (110) has at least one protuberance (119) and at least one hollow (120) which are provided respectively for actuating and de-actuating said contact modules (HOa-j).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cam cylinder (110) has windows (118) formed in the at least partially cylindrical wall (114) so ​​as to form two opposite main zones of the contact face (111).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a control lever (12) mechanically secured to said control mechanism (13) and capable of being placed in a plurality of selectable positions.

7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control mechanism (13) comprises a lever support (22) to which the lever (12) is mechanically secured, with the lever support having a mounting rod (180) provided as a projection and a positioning notch (181) provided as a recess, and the cam cylinder (110) has a generally longitudinal shape extending between a first end wall (112) and a second end wall (113) opposite the first end wall, and comprises a positioning finger (116) projecting from the first end wall and configured to be inserted into the positioning notch of the lever bracket, and a mounting hole (117) provided in the first end wall and configured to receive the mounting rod of the lever bracket.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises rotation guide members (115) interposed between the first end wall (112) of the cam cylinder (110) and the base (153) of the module holder (150) and between the second end wall (113) of the cam cylinder and the distal wall (155) of the module holder.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cam cylinder (110) has windows (118) formed in the at least partially cylindrical wall (114) and the frame (154) of the module holder (150) has one or more upper and lower openings (159) located opposite the windows of the cam cylinder in a neutral position of the actuating device (4).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the contact modules (HOa-j) are mechanically secured to the frame (154) of the module holder (150).

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the module holder (150) is provided with a holding member (130) mechanically secured on the one hand to the base (153) of the module holder and on the other hand to the distal wall (155) of the module holder and extending from the base to the distal wall encircling the contact modules (HOa-j).

12. Range of actuating devices according to any one of claims 1 to 11, at least two actuating devices (4) of which are provided with a distinct number of contact modules (1 lOa-j).

13. Railway vehicle with brakes having at least one lining or at least one shoe, comprising a railway braking system (2) configured to act on said at least one lining or said at least one shoe of said railway vehicle (1), as well as an actuating device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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