Manual drive unit for switch mechanism

Abstract

In a manual drive unit for a switch mechanism, including a drive-side connecting component 19 for connecting a hand crank 14, an output-side connecting component 16 for an input pinion 13 of a gear 4, and a flexible shaft 15 extending between the drive-side connecting component 19 and the output-side connecting component 16, which is rotatably connected to the drive-side connecting component 19 and has an end component 17 on the output side, at least a part of the drive-side connecting component 19, the flexible shaft 15, and the end component 17 are guided together so as to be displaceable longitudinally between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and the end component 17 is disengaged from the output-side connecting component 16 at the disengaged position and engages with the output-side connecting component 16 at the engaged position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manual drive unit for a switch setting device comprising an electromechanical drive unit having an electric motor and a spindle gear driven by the electric motor via an intervening gearbox to provide a linear actuating movement, the gearbox comprising an input sprocket for connecting the manual drive unit.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a switch setting device comprising such a manual drive unit.

Background Art

[0003] Regarding an electric switch setting device for a railway switch, for example, when the actuating force fails or when an operating operation is to be performed, there is a need to be able to manually locally operate the switch temporarily. Manual switching has conventionally been achieved by turning a motor shaft or a gear shaft using a crank handle. For this purpose, a housing opening is usually provided in the gearbox through which the crank handle can be placed on the corresponding shaft.

[0004] However, such a manual drive design is associated with many disadvantages. The crank handle has to be connected at the position of the drive housing, which is defined by the position of the motor shaft or gear shaft driven manually. However, at least this position does not correspond to an optimal position from the perspective of the user or the manufacturer. For example, a manually driven unit mounted on the front is difficult to turn the crank due to its proximity to the ballast. The limited available space only allows for a short lever arm length of the crank, and therefore such a manually driven unit cannot be used for a switch setting drive unit having a high actuating force.

[0005] In addition, the switch setting drive unit, where the position of the crank connection is determined by the arrangement of the motor shaft or gear shaft in the drive housing, cannot be easily changed from the right mounting position to the left mounting position or vice versa from the left mounting position to the right mounting position. Such a change is effected by changing the side of the housing where the actuating slider and any detector slider emerge from the drive housing, depending on whether the switch setting drive unit should be mounted on the right or left side of the switch, especially when viewed in the direction of movement.

[0006] Regarding the insertion of the crank into the drive housing, a protection class IP67 should generally be guaranteed. The sealing options for the previously widely used square-section throw rod, which had to be sealed against the drive housing, limited the protection class of the drive enclosure to IP54. Previously, IP54 was sufficient for the conventional placement of the crank insertion on the side of the drive housing.

[0007] Conventional manual drive units are also inflexible with regard to adapting to different drive types. If the manual drive unit is designed for a specific electric motor drive unit, and thus the position of the crank connection is restricted by the arrangement of the motor shaft or gear shaft, the manual drive unit generally cannot be used for other drive units with different positions of the shaft or the required position of the crank connection. However, it would be desirable to design a modular switch setting drive unit so that various electric motor drive units can be attached to the drive housing as required. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve a manual driving part for a switch setting device of the above-described type so that the above-described problems can be overcome. In particular, a design should be provided that allows for changes between a left mounting position and a right mounting position without the need to rotate the drive part housing by 180° or to adapt the drive part housing to this rotation. Furthermore, a modular structure should be possible with respect to the type of drive part while holding the housing and the manual drive part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To solve this problem, the present invention essentially provides a manual drive part of the type described at the beginning, wherein the manual drive part includes a drive-side connecting component for connecting a crank handle, an output-side connecting component for an input sprocket, and a flexible shaft extending between the drive-side connecting component and the output-side connecting component. The flexible shaft is rotatably connected to the drive-side connecting component and has an end component on the output side. At least a part of the drive-side connecting component, the flexible shaft, and the end component are all guided to be longitudinally displaceable between a separated position and a connected position. The end component disengages from the engagement with the output-side connecting component at the separated position and engages with the output-side connecting component at the connected position.

[0010] The present invention is based on the idea of providing a flexible shaft between the crank handle and the gearbox of the switch setting drive unit. As a result, the position of the crank handle connection is no longer locally restricted to the motor shaft or the gear shaft. In particular, it can be freely selected with respect to the optimal operability of the crank handle and the easy switching between the right mounting position and the left mounting position and / or between various drive unit types. The rotational movement of the crank handle inside the drive unit housing can be flexibly provided by the flexible shaft to the location where the gearbox connecting the motor to the spindle gear is positioned according to each mounting position or other changes. Therefore, the position of the crank handle connection in the housing can remain the same, and thus the housing itself, including the crank handle connection, can remain unchanged. The crank handle connection is preferably arranged on the housing of the drive unit at the mounting position, for example, on a horizontal housing wall. In this case, the drive-side connecting component for connecting the crank handle is mounted so that it can rotate around a vertical axis of rotation. The accessibility of the crank handle that can be connected to the housing is not affected by the mounting position of the drive unit housing, and thus no restrictions are shown for the possible mounting positions of the drive unit housing. The rotation of the crank handle around the vertical axis can be transmitted in a versatile and space-saving manner by the flexible shaft in the drive unit housing to an electromechanical drive unit having a rotation axis that is usually arranged horizontally, in particular, as compared to a rigid bevel gear.

[0011] In order to reduce friction and wear so as to increase the service life, the flexible shaft according to the present invention is not constantly engaged with the gearbox or the input sprocket of the gearbox. Instead, the flexible shaft is guided to be longitudinally displaceable between a separated position and a connected position together with its end parts, and the end parts are defined to be in an engaged state with the output-side connecting component only at the connected position.

[0012] To ensure that the coupling position can only be taken when the crank handle is connected to the manual drive part according to the present invention, a further preferred development of the present invention provides that at least a part of the drive-side coupling part is spring-loaded in the direction of the crank handle. As long as no actuating force acts on the flexible shaft or the drive-side coupling part, the spring force ensures that the flexible shaft remains in the disengaged position. The longitudinally displaceable flexible shaft is preferably moved to the coupling position by the crank handle, i.e., when the crank handle is connected. For example, the crank handle is attached to the drive-side coupling part, and then the end part of the flexible shaft is pushed forward against the spring force until it reaches a rotationally fixed engagement with the drive-side coupling part. When the crank handle is pulled out, the spring force automatically returns the flexible shaft so that the disengaged position is achieved.

[0013] To achieve a reliable engagement between the end part and the output-side coupling part, thereby enabling high-force transmission, it is preferable that the end part has various rotationally symmetric cross-sections that can lead to a positive-locking connection in the rotational direction with the corresponding shaped socket of the output-side coupling part.

[0014] To achieve a protected arrangement of the flexible shaft, enabling a waterproof design and allowing high-torque transmission, the flexible shaft is preferably guided, on the one hand, within a casing where the drive-side coupling part is attached to a support part that is longitudinally displaceably guided and, on the other hand, the end part of the flexible shaft is attached to a guide part that is longitudinally displaceably guided.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is defined that the drive-side coupling part is longitudinally displaceable relative to a stop part that defines the coupling position. Reaching the stop part enables the user to determine that the coupling position has been taken and to assert that the manual operation of the switch setting device can be started.

[0016] To prevent the electric motor of the drive unit from starting to operate unintentionally while the crank handle is connected, the manual drive preferably includes an actuator for the cut-off switch of the operating power supply of the switch setting device.

[0017] The actuator can preferably be moved by the crank handle to operate the cut-off switch when the crank handle is connected to the drive-side connecting part.

[0018] For safety reasons and to minimize the risk of injury to the operator, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is defined to interact with the crank handle such that the connection position of the drive-side connecting part is achieved after the cut-off switch has been actuated. This design is intended to prevent the electric motor from being powered as long as the crank handle is connected to the gearbox.

[0019] In a particularly simple design, the actuator can be designed as a rocker lever, with the first lever of the rocker lever arranged to pivot when the crank handle is connected to the drive-side connecting part, and the second lever of the rocker lever operating the cut-off switch. This provides for forcing the cut-off switch to actuate as soon as the crank handle is inserted.

[0020] Regarding the torque transmission from the crank handle to the flexible shaft, a preferred structural design provides that the drive-side connecting part and the crank handle comprise a positive locking element that interacts with each other and is in a positive locking connection state at the connection position of the drive-side connecting part.

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows an electromechanical drive unit 1 of a switch setting device. The drive unit 1 is a spindle gear having an electric motor 2 and a spindle 9 driven by the electric motor 2 through the intervention of a gearbox 4, and includes a spindle gear that provides a linear actuating movement corresponding to a double arrow 11a through a follower 11, and this linear actuating movement is transmitted to a slow (throw) - slider (not shown) of the switch setting device. The electric motor 2 is attached to a gear plate 3, drives a sprocket 5, and the rotational movement of the sprocket 5 is transmitted to the spindle 9 through a gearbox 4 designed as a reduction gear. The gearbox 4 includes meshing gears 6 and 7, and thus an actuating force clutch 8 is also provided, and the actuating force clutch 8 limits the actuating force that can be transmitted from the electric motor 2 to the spindle 9. The spindle 9 is rotatably attached to the gear plate 3 on one side and a bearing 10 on the other side. A carrying handle 12 is attached to facilitate the attachment and removal of the drive unit 1.

[0024] In the case of a failure of the electric motor 2 or for other reasons to manually drive the spindle 9, and thus to be able to perform manual switching of the switch, the gearbox includes an input sprocket 13 that engages with a gear wheel 7. As can be seen from the following figures, the input sprocket 13 is used to connect the manual drive unit.

[0025] In the cross-sectional view according to FIG. 2, the connection of the input sprocket 13 to the gear plate 3 is schematically shown. The input sprocket 13 is rotatably mounted in the bearing 18, has a connecting part 16 on the output side, and, if necessary, the end part 17 of the flexible shaft 15 can be connected to the connecting part 16. The flexible shaft 15 can also be rotationally driven by the crank handle 14, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the separation position of the manual drive part. The manual drive part includes a drive-side connecting part 19 for connecting the crank handle 14, an output-side connecting part 16, and a flexible shaft 15 extending between the drive-side connecting part 19 and the output-side connecting part 16. One end of the flexible shaft 15 is rotatably fixed and connected to the drive-side connecting part 19, and the other end is rotatably fixed and connected to the end part 17. The flexible shaft 15 is guided within a casing 20 that is attached to the support part 21 on one hand and to the guide part 22 on the other hand. The flexible shaft 15 is guided to be longitudinally displaceable relative to the support part 21 and also within the guide part 22, and thus within the casing 20, such that the end part 17 is displaceable between the separation position and the connection position. In the separation position (FIG. 3), the end part 17 is disengaged from the engagement with the output-side connecting part 16, and in the connection position (FIG. 4), the end part 17 engages with the output-side connecting part 16. In this regard, the end part 17 is designed to securely engage with the socket 23 of the output-side connecting part 16. This can be achieved, for example, by the end part 17 and the socket 23 having corresponding cross-sections, and the end part 17 being designed, for example, with a square or hexagonal cross-section.

[0027] The end part 17 is held in the separation position by the action of a compression spring 24, such as a coil spring, which presses the drive-side connecting part 19 away from the support part 21 against the stop part 25 of the mount 26. The end part 17 is then connected by arranging or pressing the crank handle 14 in the direction of the arrow 27 against the drive-side connecting part 19. When pressed, the end face of the crank handle 14 abuts against a stop part 28 formed on the drive-side connecting part 19, thereby causing a further displacement in the direction of the arrow 27 to cause a longitudinal displacement of the drive-side connecting part 19 against the force of the spring 24. The stop part 37 on the support part 21 defines the end position.

[0028] The drive-side connecting part 19 is provided, at its end facing the crank handle 14, with a positive locking element 29 protruding axially, and the positive locking element 29 interacts positively in the rotational direction with a corresponding counter element 30 when the crank handle 14 is pressed, in order to transmit the rotational movement of the crank handle 14 to the drive-side connecting part 19 and thus to the flexible shaft 15.

[0029] The drive-side connecting component 19 is applied to the rocker lever 31, and the rocker lever 31 is pivotally attached to the mount 26. When the crank handle 14 is pressed and the connecting component 19 is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the lever arm 32 of the rocker lever 31 facing the drive-side connecting component 19 is displaced in the sliding movement direction so as to tilt from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4. The lever arm 32 is dimensioned to contact the crank handle 14 at the connection position (FIG. 4) of the drive-side connecting component 19, and the lever arm pivots beyond its dead point so as to hold the crank handle 14 at the end position against the force of the spring 24 at the end position shown in FIG. 4. When the rocker lever 31 tilts, the lever arm 33 of the rocker lever 31 simultaneously actuates the pressure plate 35 belonging to the cut-off switch 34. The pressure plate 35 then actuates a plurality of electrical switches 36 of the cut-off switch 34 in order to disconnect the operating power supply of the switch setting device, in particular the electric motor 2, from the power source. This prevents the unintentional starting of the electric motor 2, which would cause damage to the operator near the crank handle when the crank handle 14 is connected.

[0030] When the crank handle 14 is pulled out, the drive-side connecting component 19 returns to the position shown in FIG. 3 by the force of the spring 24. At the same time, the rocker lever 31 tilts to the position shown in FIG. 3, whereby the cut-off switch 34 re-establishes the electrical connection that was previously disconnected.

Claims

1. A manual drive unit for a switch setting device, comprising an electric motor (2) and a spindle gear (4) driven by the electric motor (2) with the intervention of a gearbox (4) to provide a linear actuating movement, wherein the gearbox (4) comprises an input sprocket (13) for connecting the manual drive unit, and the manual drive unit comprises a drive-side connecting component (19) for connecting a crank handle (14), an output-side connecting component (16) for the input sprocket (13), and a flexible shaft (15) extending between the drive-side connecting component (19) and the output-side connecting component (16), the flexible shaft being rotatably connected to the drive-side connecting component (19) and having an end component (17) on the output side, at least a part of the drive-side connecting component (19), the flexible shaft (15) and the end component (17) being guided longitudinally displaceable between a separated position and a connected position, the end component (17) disengaging from engagement with the output-side connecting component (16) in the separated position and engaging with the output-side connecting component (16) in the connected position.

2. The manual drive unit according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the drive-side connecting component (19) is spring-loaded in the direction of the crank handle (14).

3. The manual drive unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end component (17) has various rotationally symmetric cross-sections that can lead to a positive locking connection in the rotational direction with a corresponding shaped socket of the output-side connecting component (16).

4. The manual drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flexible shaft (15) is guided within a casing (20), the casing (20) being fixed on the one hand to a support component (21) by which the drive-side connecting component (19) is guided longitudinally displaceable, and on the other hand to a guide component (22) by which the end component (17) of the flexible shaft (15) is guided longitudinally displaceable.

5. The manual drive unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive-side connecting component (19) is longitudinally displaceable relative to a stop (37) defining the connected position.

6. The manual drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the manual drive unit includes an actuator for the cut-off switch (34) of the operating power supply of the switch setting device.

7. The manual drive unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuator can be moved by the crank handle (14) to operate the cut-off switch (34) when the crank handle (14) is connected to the drive-side connecting component (19).

8. The manual drive unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuator interacts with the crank handle (14) such that the connection position of the drive-side connecting component (19) is achieved after the cut-off switch (34) is actuated.

9. The manual drive unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the actuator is designed as a rocker lever (31), and the first lever arm (32) of the rocker lever (31) is arranged to tilt when the crank handle (14) is connected to the drive-side connecting component (19), and the second lever arm (33) of the rocker lever (31) actuates the cut-off switch (34).

10. The manual drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive-side connecting component (19) and the crank handle (14) include positive lock elements (29, 30) that interact with each other and are in a positive lock connection state at the connection position of the drive-side connecting component (19).

11. A switch setting device comprising an electromechanical drive unit (1) having an electric motor (2) and a spindle gear driven by the electric motor (2) through the intervention of a gearbox (4) to provide a linear actuating motion, wherein the switch setting device further includes the manual drive unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the output-side connecting component (16) of the manual drive unit is rotatably connected or rotatably connectable to the input sprocket (13) of the gearbox (4).

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