Connection point with drainage gutter

Abstract

Connection point with drainage gutter. Connection point (10) comprising at least one pipe connector (18) and a residue collection gutter (30) extending at least partially beyond the connector (18), characterized in that the gutter (30) has a ramp (32) inclined downwards from the connector (18) to a free edge (43) of the ramp (32), which free edge (43) is open. Figure for abbreviation: 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: Connection station with drainage gutter

[0001] — The present invention relates to a connection station, of the type comprising at least a pipe connector and a waste collection gutter extending at least par- directly to the right of the connector.

[0002] — Wastewater storage tanks, particularly for railway vehicles, have need to be drained regularly to be emptied. In addition, these tanks must also be cleaned to prevent clogging. These operations are carried out when the vehicle is stationary.

[0003] …— In railway vehicles for example, emptying and rinsing are then done from an access hatch provided in the side face of the vehicle. Pipes removable are connected to valves leading to the tank to carry out these operations.

[0004] — Once the tank has been drained and rinsed, the pipes are disconnected and at this point drops fall from these pipes into the gap between the valves and the hatch or onto the front of the vehicle. These residues damage the front, stagnate and give off an unpleasant odor. convenient or deteriorate by rotting the interior of the vehicle.

[0005] Solutions are described for example in document US 2019 / 145090 A1.

[0006] A gutter in the form of a receiving basin visible in [Fig.1] is placed under the valve connection to collect drops falling during connection or disconnecting the hose. This receiving basin is removably attached and protects the base of the valve.

[0007] — However, this connection station does not prevent the stagnation of residues odorous in the basin.

[0008] = The invention aims to propose a connection station avoiding the stagnation of odorous residues.

[0009] — To this end, the invention has as its object a connection station of the aforementioned type, ca- characterized in that the gutter has a ramp sloping downwards from the connector to a free edge of the ramp, which free edge is open.

[0010] — According to embodiments, the connection station comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

[0011] — - the gutter is angularly movable relative to the or each connector between a lowered position in which the residue collection gutter is inclined and extends at least partially in line with the connectors and a raised position;

[0012] - at least one connector comprises a valve provided with a control member movable between a closed position and open positions, the organ of control projecting into the path of movement of the gutter to the position raised when the valve is in one of the open positions; - the gutter has a drop reception area arranged in a raised position at the right of the connector(s); - the gutter has, opposite the open free edge, a retention bowl for drops received on the reception area in the raised position of the gutter; - the drop reception area is bordered by retention edges delimiting the bowl; - when the gutter is in the lowered position, the bowl is aligned with the downwardly inclined ramp for emptying of the bowl by gravity along the ramp; - the connection station comprises a hatch which can be moved angularly between a closed position and an open position, the gutter in a position other than raised projecting into the path of movement of the hatch towards its closed position; - the connectors are connected by pipes to a retention tank of a railway vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a connection station as defined above, in which the gutter projects from one face of the vehicle. The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which: - [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a partial perspective view of a connection station according to the invention with the gutter in the lowered position; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along a transverse plane of the connection station with the gutter in the raised position; and - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view identical to that of [Fig.2] with the gutter in the lowered position. [Fig. 1] shows a connection station 10 formed in a side wall 12 of a railway vehicle. This station comprises, arranged in the side wall of the vehicle, a hatch 14 for access to a wastewater storage tank. It comprises connectors 18, for removable pipes not shown for emptying and washing the tank, arranged in a housing 20 formed behind the hatch 14. The connectors 18 are coaxially connected to pipes 22 visible in [Fig. 2]. These pipes are connected to the wastewater storage tank, present behind the connectors 18 inside the railway vehicle. The connectors 18 have a shape suitable for connecting a corresponding pipe. The pipe connector 18 with a smaller diameter is used for rinsing and the pipe connector 18 with a larger diameter for draining. The connectors 18 are each fixed by bolts and a square plate to a rigid plate 24. The plate 24 is a wall substantially parallel to the side wall 12 of the railway vehicle. Plate 24 is part of the vehicle frame. Plate 24 is located inside the railway vehicle. All these elements are present in housing 20 behind hatch 14 inside the vehicle. The pipe connectors 18 each comprise a valve 26. The valves 26 comprise a control member 28 located on the periphery of the corresponding pipe connector 18. The control members 28 have the shape of a rigid rod. Each control member 28 is angularly movable relative to a valve body around an axis transverse to the axis of the connector. Each control member 28 is movable between a closed position where the control member 28 is parallel to the plate 24, and open positions when the control member 28 is directed towards the outside of the railway vehicle. In the open position, the control member 28 projects beyond the free end of the connector 18. The connection station 10 also comprises a gutter 30 which can be moved angularly relative to the connectors 18 around an axis XX extending horizontally. This axis is parallel to the rolling surface of the vehicle, to the plate 24 and to the plane of the hatch 14. The gutter 30 comprises a ramp 32 and two flanks 34 arranged on either side of the ramp 32. The flanks 34 frame the ramp 32 and are orthogonal to the axis XX. Ramp 32 has a smooth, continuous surface. The plate 24 is bordered laterally by two cheeks 35. A rod 36 extending along the axis XX passes right through the two cheeks 35 and the two flanks 34, thus ensuring the articulation of the gutter 30 relative to the connectors 18. Two rails 37 for guiding the flanks 34 are fixed perpendicularly to the plate 24. The edges of the flanks 34 of circular shape centered on the axis XX are held in the rails 37. The gutter 30 is angularly movable around the axis XX between a lowered position visible in Figures 1 and 3 and a raised position as shown in [Fig.2]. In the raised position, as shown in [Fig. 2], the ramp 32 is oriented parallel to the side wall 12 of the vehicle and the gutter 30 is completely retracted into the vehicle behind the hatch 14. The gutter 30 comprises a drop retention bowl 38, the (wave of which is perpendicular to the ramp 32 in the extension of the ramp 32. The bowl 38 is at right angles to the connectors 18, when the gutter is in the raised position. The bottom of the bowl 38 forms a drop reception zone 40. The bowl 38 is formed from the reception zone 40 framed by retention edges 42. The retention edges 42 are integral and substantially perpendicular to the 40 drop reception area. In the raised position, the gutter 30 and in particular the edge of the sides 34 are in abutment against a part of the plate 24 not shown. The gutter 30 is then in balance. In the lowered position, as shown in [Fig. 3], the ramp 32 is inclined downwards from the inside to the outside and projects outside the vehicle. The ramp 32 has a free edge 43 open towards the outside of the vehicle. The ramp 32 then projects outside the vehicle at its open free edge 43. The angle of inclination of the inclined ramp 32 relative to the plate 24 according to the transverse cutting plane is advantageously an obtuse angle. In the lowered position, the drop receiving zone 40 is then in abutment against the plate 24 defining the lowered position. The retention edges 42 are then perpendicular to the plate 24 and run along the connectors 18. The reception zone 40 is then aligned with the downwardly inclined ramp 32. The gutter 30 and in particular the ramp 32 are in abutment against the plate 24, as visible in [Fig. 3]. The gutter 30 is then in balance. The hatch 14 of the connection station comprises a door 44 hinged about a horizontal axis. The door 44 is connected to the wall 12 by a jack 46 fixed between the interior of the vehicle and an internal surface 48 of the door. The door 44 moves angularly relative to the frame of the vehicle between a closed position in the plane of the wall 12 and an open position outside the vehicle. The door 44 in its closed position has an external surface 50 aligned with the side wall 12 of the railway vehicle. The two together have a substantially flat surface from the outside of the vehicle. An internal handle 52 is attached to the inside of the internal surface 48. In particular, an external handle is located on the external surface 50 of the door. The gutter 30 is manipulated between its different positions by an operator. The operator moves the gutter 30 from its raised position to its lowered position by pulling the ramp 32 towards the outside of the vehicle then downwards until the gutter 30 and in particular the drop reception zone 40 comes into abutment against the plate 24. The sides 34 slide in the rail 37 throughout the operation. The operator moves the gutter 30 from its lowered position to its raised position by pressing under the inclined ramp 32 and pushing until the sides 34 stop against the plate 24. The ramp 32 is then parallel to the plate 24. The sides 34 slide throughout this maneuver in the rail 37. The control members 28 project into the path of movement of the gutter 30 to the raised position, when the corresponding valve 26 is open. Door 44 of hatch 14 is also operated by the operator. The gutter 30 in a position other than the raised position projects into the path of movement of the hatch 14 to the closed position. In the lowered position, the gutter 30 extends below the connectors 18 so that it discharges residue falling from the connectors 18 directly out of the vehicle. In its lowered position, the angle of the inclined ramp 32 allows the residue drops to slide off and be discharged out of the exterior vehicle because the gutter 30 then projects out of the vehicle. The inclination of the ramp 32 also allows for simple and rapid cleaning of the gutter 30. The interior of the housing 20 is thus protected against the stagnation of residues inside developing nauseating odors. The gutter 30 can only be raised if the valve 26 is in the closed position, otherwise the control member 28 prevents the gutter 30 from being folded back. The operator is thus assured that the valves 26 are properly closed at the end of his emptying and rinsing operation. In the raised position of the gutter 30, the drop receiving area 40 makes it possible to collect any additional drops in the gutter 30 and / or any leaks and to prevent them from falling into the housing 20. The bowl 38 ensures the storage of the drops and / or leaks until the next operation. The retention edges 42 also prevent any residue from escaping. In the lowered position, the receiving zone 40 being aligned with the inclined ramp 32, the residues stored in the bowl 38 are evacuated by the inclined ramp 32. The ramp 32 and the bowl 38 are thus cleaned simultaneously. The gutter 30 therefore collects residue at all times, protecting the interior of the vehicle. The ramp 32 is easily accessible, offering easy rinsing. The ramp 32 being smooth, has few surface irregularities and offers a continuous seal, which allows all residues to be drained easily without stagnation, including residues of higher viscosity. The rail 37 ensures the continuous sliding of the gutter 30 and limits the snagging between the gutter 30 and other elements present in the connection station 10. In order for the hatch 14 to be closed in its closed position at the end of the emptying and rinsing operation, the gutter 30 must be in the raised position and therefore the valves 26 must be in the closed position. The operator is therefore certain that he has not forgotten to close anything at the end of the operation.

Claims

Claims

1. Connection station (10) comprising at least one pipe connector (18) and a residue collection gutter (30) extending at least par- tially at the right of the connector (18), characterized in that the gutter (30) has a ramp (32) sloping downward from the connector (18) towards a free edge (43) of the ramp (32), which free edge (43) is open.

2. A connection station (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gutter (30) is angularly movable relative to the or each connector (18) between a lowered position in which the gutter (30) for collecting residues is inclined and extends at least partially to the right of the connectors (18) and a raised position.

3. A connection station (10) according to claim 2, wherein at least a connector (18) comprises a valve (26) provided with a member of control (28) movable between a closed position and positions opening, the control member (28) projecting into the path of moving the gutter (30) to the raised position when the valve (26) is in one of the open positions.

4. A connection station (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the gutter (30) comprises a drop receiving area (40), arranged in raised position in line with the or each connector (18).

5. Connection station (10) according to claim 4, in which the gutter (30) comprises opposite the open free edge (43) a bowl (38) for retaining the drops received on the receiving area (40) in raised position of the gutter (30).

6. A connection station (10) according to claim 5, wherein the area of drop reception (40) is bordered by retention edges (42) de- limiting the bowl (38).

7. Connection station (10) according to one of claims 5 or 6, in which when the gutter (30) is in the lowered position, the bowl (38) is in alignment with the ramp (32) inclined downwards for a emptying of the bowl (38) by gravity along the ramp (32).

8. Connection station (10) according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which the connection station comprises a trapdoor (14) which can be moved angularly freely between a closed position and an open position, the gutter (30) in a position other than raised projecting into the path of de- placing the hatch (14) towards its closed position.

9. A connection station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. preceding in which the connectors (18) are linked by pipes (22) to a retention tank of a railway vehicle.

10. Vehicle comprising a connection station (10) according to claim 9, wherein the gutter (30) projects out of one face of the vehicle