Brake equipment and railway vehicles

Abstract

The brake device (1) provided for a railway vehicle comprises at least one wheelset (99) having a wheelset axle (98), along which a wheelset axis (y) extends coaxially, and the brake device (1) comprises wheels (9, 9', 9'') directly or indirectly connected to the wheelset axle (98) and rotatable about a wheel axis (x), and comprises eddy current rotors (22A; 22B) connected to the wheels (9, 9', 9''), and the eddy current rotors (22A; 22B) and at least one friction brake (3; 3A, 3B) having a friction rotor (32; 32A, 32B; 92) connected to or integrated in the wheels (9, 9', 9'') and having a friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) displaceable relative to the friction rotor (32; 32A, 32B; 92). - the eddy current brake (2A; 2B) and the friction brake (3; 3A, 3B) can be sequentially actuated by a single actuation device (7) and drive device (8), said drive device (8) being connected to the actuation device (7) and controllable by a control unit (10); the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) is designed as one piece or segmented, has a disk or ring shape, is aligned coaxially with the wheel axis (x) and is connected to one side of the wheel (9, 9', 9'') or is integrated into the wheel (9, 9', 9''); at least one eddy-current stator (21A; 21B) is designed as one piece or segmented and is displaceable in the direction of the wheel axis (x) in front of the eddy-current rotor (22A; 22B) or tiltable segment-by-segment relative to the eddy-current rotor (22A; 22B); - the wheels (9, 9', 9'') have a wheel rim (92) acting as a friction rotor (32) with a front surface (921) directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis (x) acting as a braking surface, and the friction stator (31) is displaceable with respect to the front surface (921).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a braking system for a railway vehicle comprising an eddy current disc brake and a friction disc brake, and to a railway vehicle, in particular a bogie, having at least one such braking system. [Background technology]

[0002] European Patent No. 2598766B1 discloses a braking device for railway vehicles that includes an eddy current disc brake and a friction disc brake. The eddy current disc brake includes a rotating rotor with an eddy current track and a non-rotating stator carrying an electromagnet with magnetic field lines that induce eddy currents that produce eddy current braking torque when the rotor moves within the eddy current track. The friction disc brake includes a rotor that functions as a brake disc and brake friction pads that function as a stator that interacts with the brake disc to produce friction braking torque. The eddy current disc brake and the friction disc brake use the same rotor, which functions as both an eddy current rotor with eddy current tracks and a friction disc brake rotor.

[0003] The braking equipment is controlled by a control unit in response to operating parameters of the rail vehicle, including the corresponding braking requirements of the rail vehicle, which are typically a function of speed.

[0004] Eddy current disc brakes are effective when the rail vehicle is traveling at high speeds, and therefore when the rotor is rotating at high speeds, and do not cause any wear. At low speeds, the braking effect of eddy current disc brakes decreases, which is why friction disc brakes are used to stop rail vehicles. Friction disc brakes are usually only used at low speeds, and therefore the corresponding wear is minimal.

[0005] EP 2598766 B1 shows, in a schematic representation, that an eddy current disc brake with an electromagnet and a friction disc brake are separately connected to a wheel, thereby requiring a considerable amount of space. The eddy current disc brake can be easily activated by applying power to the electromagnet. The eddy current disc brake is free of moving parts and mechanical actuators. If the eddy current disc brake has a permanent magnet instead of an electromagnet, the permanent magnet is guided against the eddy current path by means of an actuator to initiate the braking process. If the braking device is realized with an eddy current disc brake and a friction disc brake, both of which have mechanical actuators, the space and manufacturing effort required to realize the braking device will further increase.

[0006] US Patent Application Publication No. 20170239506A1 discloses a non-moving training device having a rotatably mounted brake disc positioned above the ground, the brake disc having a radially aligned ring at its periphery capable of applying an eddy current brake and a friction brake with a rotatably mounted braking element connected to an adjustment device. This device cannot be used with brake discs designed as wheels that roll on the ground.

[0007] US Patent Application Publication No. 20200300310A1 discloses a braking device having an eddy current brake and an integrated friction brake that can be actuated in an axial or axial / radial direction.

[0008] In axially acting brake systems, the stationary and rotatable discs or rings that carry the interacting elements of the eddy current brake and the friction brake are displaceable relative to one another, which makes the system very complex and hardly feasible in combination with railway vehicle wheels.

[0009] In axially / radially actuated braking systems, the magnets are radially displaceable and each is displaceable radially using a cable. In friction brakes, the brake discs are axially displaceable using a cylinder with spirally extending teeth. The realization of such a complex braking system, with a radially actuated eddy current brake and an axially actuated friction brake, requires a great deal of effort and is hardly feasible in combination with railway vehicle wheels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2598766B1 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20170239506A1 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20200300310A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved braking system for railway vehicles, comprising an eddy current brake with at least one permanent magnet and a friction brake, and further to provide a railway vehicle, in particular a bogie, using such a braking system.

[0012] The braking device may be free of electromagnets or may use at least one electromagnet, but should still be much more compact than the braking devices described above so as to occupy less space and be advantageously integrated into railway vehicles, particularly bogies.

[0013] The invention also allows for an improvement in the braking effect that is to be transmitted to the wheels of the railway vehicle.

[0014] The braking system shall be simple in design and have a minimal number of parts, resulting in low manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0015] The elements of the braking system shall be easily accessible and detachable from one another so that maintenance and repairs require little effort.

[0016] The brake equipment shall provide optimum braking performance at all speeds of the rail vehicle, shall minimize friction brake wear during normal operation of the brake equipment, but shall have no braking effect when the brake equipment is not applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] This object is achieved with a braking device according to claim 1 and with a railway vehicle, in particular a bogie, according to claim 15. The further claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0018] The brake system is provided for a railway vehicle having at least one wheelset having a wheelset axle extending coaxially with a wheelset axis, - a wheel connected directly or indirectly to an axle and rotatable about its wheel axis; at least one eddy current brake comprising an eddy current rotor connected to the wheel and an eddy current stator movable relative to the eddy current rotor; at least one friction brake comprising a friction rotor connected to or integrated in the wheel and comprising a friction stator displaceable relative to the friction rotor;

[0019] According to the present invention, the eddy current brake and the friction brake can be sequentially actuated by a single actuating device and drive, the drive being coupled to the actuating device and controllable by a control unit; the eddy current rotor is designed as one piece or segmented, has a disk or ring shape, is aligned coaxially with the wheel axis and is connected to one side of the wheel or is integrated into the wheel; at least one eddy-current stator is designed as one piece or segmented and can be displaced in the direction of the wheel axis in front of the eddy-current rotor or tilted segment-by-segment relative to the eddy-current rotor; - the wheel has a wheel rim acting as a friction rotor with a front surface directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis acting as a braking surface, the friction stator being displaceable relative to this front surface.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one eddy current stator and the at least one friction stator are displaceable parallel to one another.

[0021] The eddy current brake is preferably designed as an eddy current disc brake.

[0022] The wheels are coaxially aligned with and connected to the wheel set axle. For example, a first wheel of the inventive braking device is held on one side of the wheel set axle and a second wheel of the inventive further braking device is held on the other side of the wheel set axle. Additionally or alternatively, at least one wheel with an associated braking device can be designed as a brake wheel and can be coaxially aligned with the wheel set axle and arranged between the two running wheels of the wheel set axle or arranged with its wheel axis at a distance from the wheel set axis.

[0023] In a first preferred embodiment, the wheel is designed as a running wheel and is provided with a wheel rim acting as a friction rotor and has a front surface directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis, acting as a braking surface and as a running surface, against which a friction stator is displaceable. For example, a railway vehicle has at least one wheelset with two rail wheels or running wheels connected to each other by a wheelset axle, one or both of which are equipped with at least one brake device according to the invention. A bogie usually has a front wheelset and a rear wheelset, each with two running wheels, and both of these wheels are preferably equipped with at least one brake device according to the invention.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the wheel is designed as a brake wheel and has a wheel rim which functions as a friction rotor and has a front surface directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis which functions as a braking surface but not as a running surface, against which the friction stator can be displaced. In this embodiment, it is therefore essential that the wheel rim has a front surface and allows the eddy current stator to be displaced. With regard to the brake device of the present invention, the running wheel and the brake wheel are therefore functionally equivalent.

[0025] One or more brake wheels may be coupled to the wheelset of the railway vehicle, with at least one brake wheel being located on the wheelset axle and rigidly coupled to the wheelset axle, or at least one brake wheel being rotatably mounted with its wheel axis spaced apart from the wheelset axle and coupled to the wheelset axle via gears and, if necessary, a coupling device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the brake wheels are carried by a drive shaft driven by a drive motor, and one or more wheel sets of a railway vehicle, or optionally a bogie, equipped with the brake device of the invention are therefore optionally equipped with such a drive motor.

[0027] If the brake wheel is connected to the wheel set via a gear, it is preferable to realize that the brake wheel rotates at a higher speed than the wheel set. This results in larger eddy currents and a corresponding improvement in the braking performance of the eddy current brake, which is why further braking devices can be completely or partially omitted. This also has the advantage that the unsprung mass on the wheel set can be significantly reduced.

[0028] The diameter of the brake wheels may be different from the diameter of the running wheels, but is preferably the same. If the brake wheels are arranged at a distance from the wheel set, the wheel set is provided with a diameter reduced at least to such an extent that contact with the wheel set axle is avoided.

[0029] If the wheel set is connected to a brake wheel, the brake wheel or the brake wheel and the running wheel can preferably each be equipped with at least one brake device according to the invention.

[0030] The running wheels and braking wheels in this case are functionally equivalent to the braking device of the invention and can be designed and / or equipped in the same way, which is why the comments made regarding the described embodiments of the braking device of the invention apply equally to wheels in the form of running wheels or of coaxially or eccentrically arranged braking wheels.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the wheel is designed as a running wheel and has a wheel hub which forms or is provided with at least one friction rotor, which has a front surface directed radially outward relative to the wheel axis which serves as a braking surface, and the associated friction stator is displaceable relative to this front surface. Furthermore, an eddy current brake is provided on one or both sides of the wheel.

[0032] The combination of eddy current and friction brakes in a single actuation device results in a braking system with a simple and compact design that takes up very little space and can be advantageously mounted on the wheel.

[0033] The radial, at least approximately radial, preferably parallel displacement of at least one eddy current stator and at least one friction stator towards or parallel to the wheel axis of the wheel, optionally via graduations, makes it possible to advantageously combine an eddy current brake and a friction brake in a braking device that can thus be realized and advantageously implemented with minimal dimensions.

[0034] Due to the small space required, several braking devices can also act on a single wheel, running wheel or braking wheel. For example, two braking devices acting on the wheel from different directions can be provided, for example diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the wheel axis of the wheel. Using the invention, the braking effect on the wheel can thus be doubled or even increased.

[0035] Preferably, the braking device is at least partially symmetrical and is capable of providing a first eddy current brake and optionally a first friction brake on one side of the wheel, running wheel or braking wheel, and a second eddy current brake and optionally a second friction brake on the other side of the wheel.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, a single friction brake device is provided in combination with at least one eddy current brake, preferably between two eddy current brakes, which acts on the front face of the wheel, running wheel or braking wheel, or on the wheel rim with the front face of the wheel, respectively. This action extends over the entire or part of the peripheral contour of the wheel, including the front face of the wheel or the track flange. If a force is applied only to the front face, which does not have the wheel rim or track flange, the front face is only partially stressed.

[0037] The eddy current rotor of the eddy current brake is preferably disk- or ring-shaped and is preferably coaxially connected to or integrated into the wheel, running wheel, or brake wheel. The eddy current rotor can be designed as a single component or segmented. For example, it may be comprised of two, preferably plate-shaped, ferromagnetic metal rings stacked one on top of the other, with the outer metal ring preferably being particularly resistant to external influences and corrosion, and the inner metal ring being particularly suitable for conducting eddy currents. The outer metal ring or protective ring is preferably thin enough to ensure its inherent protective effect and mechanical strength. The outer metal ring is preferably made of nickel-silver, aluminum, or stainless steel. The inner metal ring is preferably made of steel. The eddy current rotor or at least a portion of the eddy current rotor, preferably at least its exposed surface, is preferably provided with a protective layer, e.g., made of metal or plastic, preferably less than 1 mm thick.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the eddy current rotor is formed by a ferromagnetic wheel disc of the wheel, running wheel or braking wheel, which connects the wheel hub to the wheel rim and is preferably machined accordingly, hardened and / or coated or provided with a protective layer, if appropriate.

[0039] In a first embodiment, the eddy current stator is displaceable in front of the eddy current rotor, preferably perpendicular to the wheel axis. In this first embodiment, the eddy current stator can be in various forms adapted to the wheel or the railway vehicle. For example, the eddy current stator can be formed as a circular segment or a ring segment, the dimensions of which are preferably adapted to the eddy current rotor, and can completely or partially cover a segment of the eddy current rotor.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the eddy current stator is divided into a plurality of segments, each of which is held by a stator holder so as to be tiltable, and which can be tilted using an actuator between a reset position in which it is decoupled from its associated eddy current rotor and a braking position in which it is coupled to its associated eddy current rotor. The eddy current stator segments are preferably tiltable up to 90°, or in this main embodiment, tiltable so that they are either aligned parallel to and coupled to the eddy current rotor in the braking position, or aligned perpendicular to and decoupled from the eddy current rotor in the reset position. Preferably, the eddy current stator segments are tiltably mounted so that in the braking position they lie in a plane separated from the eddy current rotor by the smallest possible air gap, and in the reset position they are as far away from the eddy current rotor as possible.

[0041] Preferably, the eddy current stator segments are each held by a magnet holder which is arranged on the one hand to hold the eddy current stator segment, for example by means of a holding frame, and on the other hand to hold the associated connecting shaft, for example by means of at least one holding arm, such that by suitable dimensioning of the holding arm the eddy current stator segment can be tilted along a desired path relative to the eddy current stator into a braking position and away from there again into a reset position.

[0042] The eddy current stator or eddy current stator segment is preferably designed as a permanent magnet in one or several parts and / or comprises several permanent magnets, possibly hard magnets including rare earths (Nd-Fe-B, Sm-Co). Preferably, the eddy current stator comprises a holder with recesses, openings or holes into which the magnets, preferably hard magnets, are inserted. The inserted magnets can be cylindrical or rectangular and / or have a polygonal cross section.

[0043] Just like an eddy current rotor, an eddy current stator may consist of one or more parts, at least one of which preferably has at least one exposed surface coated or provided with a protective layer.

[0044] The friction rotor is preferably disk-shaped or ring-shaped and is coaxially connected to or integrated into the wheel, and the friction stator can therefore act with its front face or with its longitudinal face on the friction rotor, optionally on a part of the wheel rim or wheel hub or on a friction rotor connected to the wheel hub.

[0045] The eddy current stator and the friction stator are preferably held in a fixed position during the braking phase, which is why they are called stators. However, the eddy current stator and the friction stator can be moved to the braking position and back again. In a preferred embodiment, the eddy current stator can also be moved during the braking process by the eddy current brake, for example to move the friction stator relative to the friction rotor. Appropriate sizing, taking into account the displacement of the eddy current stator, ensures that the effectiveness of the eddy current brake remains unchanged when the friction brake is applied.

[0046] The at least one eddy current stator and the friction stator can be rigidly connected to each other, or can be held separately by actuation arms and moved together. In either embodiment, a single actuation device is provided that actuates the at least one eddy current brake and the friction brake. The advantage of connecting the friction stator directly to the eddy current stator is that the friction stator is held by the eddy current stator and actuation arms to hold the friction stator are no longer needed.

[0047] In a particularly simple embodiment (see FIG. 2a), the eddy current stator serves to hold and / or mount the friction stator. For example, the friction stator is connected to the eddy current stator by a threaded connection or by a form-fit connection. For example, the eddy current stator and the friction stator are connected to each other by a dovetail connection, which allows for easy mounting and preferably fastening and further removal and replacement of the friction stator, for example by means of a screw set. In this embodiment, the eddy current brake and the friction brake are essentially integrated, which can be particularly advantageous in realization and use.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment, the eddy current stator is held by at least one first actuation arm and the friction stator is held by at least one second actuation arm of a single actuation device, connected as one part or connected to each other by a coupling element.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, a guiding device is provided that can guide the eddy current stator relative to the eddy current rotor and / or the friction stator relative to the friction rotor, and the guiding device is preferably designed so that the braking effects are sequential, so that during braking operations at high speeds the eddy current brake is activated first and only after a reduction in speed the friction brake is optionally activated.

[0050] The braking equipment is preferably controlled by means of a control unit depending on operating parameters of the railway vehicle, preferably including environment-dependent and vehicle-dependent parameters, such as thresholds, set points / curves and braking requirements, taking into account which the control unit sends control signals to the braking equipment for activating the eddy current brakes and the friction brakes sequentially or simultaneously if very heavy braking is required.

[0051] One eddy current stator or several eddy current stators and one friction stator, or one eddy current stator or several eddy current stators and several friction stators can be connected to each other in any manner, either rigidly or elastically, using several connecting parts so that they can be driven together by a drive device.

[0052] The at least one friction stator is preferably resiliently held using an elastic element, for example a spring such as a tension or torsion spring, and is optionally displaceably mounted so that the contact pressure can optionally be increased by compression of the elastic element.

[0053] Preferably, at least one coupling is provided, which connects the at least one eddy current stator and the at least one friction stator to each other, optionally via actuation arms that are preferably aligned parallel to each other.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the eddy current stator and the friction stator are displaceable in unison in front of the eddy current rotor and the friction rotor, both relative to the eddy current rotor and the friction rotor, using guide rails of a guide device with a control curve, so that first an interaction occurs between the eddy current stator and the eddy current rotor, and further displacement causes an interaction between the friction stator and the friction rotor.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, only one eddy current stator is guided along the control curve. The friction stator can be directly connected to the eddy current stator or can be moved separately.

[0056] The actuator for displacing the eddy current stator and the friction stator is actuated by a drive, for example, which drives a spindle or which comprises an extendable piston. The spindle, for example, engages in a drive ring or drive sleeve with an internal thread, which is displaced axially along the spindle when the spindle is rotated. Alternatively, the drive may also comprise an extendable piston acting on the actuator, in particular on the actuation arm. Therefore, there are various options for driving the actuator. The drive is, for example, an electric servo motor. Optionally, a drive is applied in only one direction, for example, to displace the eddy current stator and the friction stator relative to the eddy current rotor and the friction rotor, or to remove them from the eddy current rotor and the friction rotor. In this process, energy can be stored in a reset element that can return the eddy current stator and / or the friction stator in the opposite direction.

[0057] If the brake device is deactivated and does not provide any braking effect, it is preferable to provide a separating disk in which the eddy current stator can be placed, which separating disk is preferably at least partially shielded from the outside with respect to the eddy current rotor and / or with respect to external influences, for example made of a ferromagnetic material, thereby short-circuiting the magnetic field lines and preventing them from penetrating the eddy current rotor.

[0058] As explained, rail vehicles, and possibly bogies, can be advantageously equipped with the braking system of the present invention.

[0059] The wheels of a railway vehicle or bogie may be equipped with one or more braking devices on one or both sides.

[0060] The invention is explained in more detail in the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1a]FIG. 1 shows a bogie 100 having two resiliently mounted wheel sets 99 each with two running wheels 9 connected to each other by a wheel set axle 98, each of the running wheels 9 being preferably assigned at least one braking device 1 according to the invention. [Figure 1b] 1a shows a bogie 100 having axles 99 each with two running wheels 9 interconnected by axle axles 98 and two brake wheels 9' arranged coaxially with the axles 98, each of the running wheels 9 and the brake wheels 9' preferably being assigned at least one brake device 1 according to the invention. [Figure 2a] 2b is a diagram of a braking device 1 according to the invention, which is mounted on a wheel 9 and is not yet activated, and which comprises an actuating device 7 connected to a drive unit 8, by means of which eddy current brakes 2A, 2B and friction brakes 3A, 3B can be activated on both sides of the wheel 9 under the control of a control unit 10 (see also FIG. 2b). [Figure 2b] 2b shows a longitudinal section of the braking device 1 of FIG. 2a and a further optional braking device 1' connected to a wheel 9, preferably equipped with an actuation device 7 according to FIG. 2a. [Figure 3a] 2a is a diagram of a further brake device 1 according to the invention, which differs from the brake device 1 of FIG. 2a in that only one friction brake 3 is provided with a friction stator 31 which acts as a friction rotor 32 and is displaceable relative to the wheel rim 92 of the wheel 9, 9', 9''. [Figure 3b] 6a, during the displacement of the friction stator 31 and at least one eddy current stator 21A; FIG. [Figure 3c] 6a, with an eddy current stator 21A coupled to an eddy current rotor 22A, and with a friction stator 31 frictionally engaged with a friction rotor 32 or front face 921 of a wheel rim 92. FIG. [Figure 4a] 3b is a top view of the braking device 1 of FIG. 3a. [Figure 4b] 3b is a top view of the braking device 1. FIG. [Figure 4c]3c is a top view of the braking device 1. FIG. [Figure 5a] 3b is a view of the braking device 1 of FIG. 3a looking towards the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'' with the actuating arms 74C and 74A, 74B retracted. [Figure 5b] 5a is a view of the braking device 1 looking towards the outside of the wheels 9, 9', 9''. [Figure 5c] 5a, seen towards the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'', with the actuating arms 74C and 74A, 74B partially extended and the eddy current brakes 2a, 2b partially actuated. [Figure 5d] 5c is a view of the braking device 1 looking towards the outside of the wheels 9, 9', 9''. [Figure 5e] 5a, seen towards the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'', with the actuating arms 74C, 74A, 74B fully extended and the eddy current brakes 2a, 2b and the friction brake 3 activated. [Figure 5f] 5e is a view of the braking device 1 looking towards the outside of the wheels 9, 9', 9''. [Figure 6a] 1 is a diagram of a further brake device 1 of the present invention comprising a friction brake 3 having a friction stator 31 slidable against the wheel rim 92 of the wheel 9, 9', 9'', which serves as a friction rotor 32, and an eddy current brake 2, 2B comprising a stator holder 71, on which a plurality of eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are tiltably or pivotably mounted, preferably on each side of the wheel 9, 9', 9'', which can be pivoted between a braking position and a reset position by means of an actuating device 7. [Figure 6b] 6a is a diagram of the brake device 1 with the eddy current brake 2, 2A in a braking position in which the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An are pivoted relative to the associated eddy current rotor 22A and aligned at the shortest possible distance from the eddy current rotor 22A in a plane parallel to the eddy current rotor 22A. [Figure 6c]6b is a diagram of the brake device 1 in which the eddy current brake 2, 2A is in a reset position in which the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An have pivoted away from the associated eddy current rotor 22A and are aligned perpendicular to the eddy current rotor 22A at the largest possible distance. [Figure 6d] 6a, without the stator holder 71, with the eddy current brake 2, 2A in the braking position. [Figure 6e] 6b, without the stator holder 71, with the eddy current brake 2, 2A in the reset position. [Figure 7a] 6a with eddy current brakes 2, 2A with tiltable eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An in a further preferred embodiment. [Figure 7b] 7a is a diagram of the brake device 1 in which the eddy current brake 2, 2B is in a braking position in which the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are pivoted relative to the associated eddy current rotor 22B and are aligned at the shortest possible distance in a plane parallel to the eddy current rotor 22B. [Figure 7c] 7b is a diagram of the brake device 1 with the eddy current brake 2, 2B in a reset position in which the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are tilted away from the associated eddy current rotor 22A and aligned perpendicular to the eddy current rotor 22A as far as possible. [Figure 8a] FIG. 1 shows one of the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An; 21B1, ..., 21Bn, which is tiltable about a connecting shaft 72 held by a magnet holder 753 and which can be driven using a pivoting device 75 configured as a lever joint or gear drive. [Figure 8b] FIG. 1 shows one of the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An; 21B1, ..., 21Bn tiltably held by a connecting shaft 72 which can be driven by means of a pivoting device 75 designed as a lever joint or gear drive. [Figure 9] 1b shows a wheelset 99 of the bogie 100 of FIG. 1b, with four braking devices 1 of the invention associated with two running wheels 9 and two braking wheels 9'. [Figure 10] 1b shows a wheelset 99 of the bogie 100 having two inventive brake devices 1 assigned to two brake wheels 9' and two conventional brake devices 1k assigned to the running wheels 9. [Figure 11a] 1a, for example, is a diagram of a wheelset 99 with a braking device 1 of the present invention having a brake wheel 9'' connected to the wheelset axle 98 of the wheelset 99 by a gear 94 and a coupling device 95, which in this preferred embodiment is held by a drive shaft 961 connected to a drive motor 96. [Figure 11b] FIG. 11b is a view of the device of FIG. 11a from the front side. [Figure 11c] FIG. 11b is a view of the device of FIG. 11a from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIG. 1 a shows a bogie 100 of a railway vehicle having two resiliently mounted wheel sets 99 each with two running wheels 9 mounted on a wheel set axle 98, each of the running wheels 9 being preferably assigned at least one braking device 1 according to the invention.

[0063] Figure 1b shows the bogie 100 of figure 1a with a wheel set 99 each provided with two running wheels 9 and two braking wheels 9', each of which is preferably assigned at least one inventive braking device 1. The running wheels 9 and the two braking wheels 9' are held by a wheel set axle 98.

[0064] 11a shows that the braking device 1 of the invention can be advantageously realized in which the brake wheel 9' is spaced apart from the wheel set axle 98 but is connected thereto by a gear 94, so that rotation of the wheel set 99 causes rotation of the brake wheel 9', which in turn causes rotation of the wheel set 99. In this case, gear 94 can be used to obtain a gear ratio greater than, less than or equal to 1. Preferably, the brake wheel 9'' rotates at a higher speed than the wheel set 99. In a preferred embodiment, either the running wheel 9 or the brake wheel 9'' can be driven directly or indirectly.

[0065] The following embodiments of the braking device 1 can be implemented in the same way in the case of running wheels 9 and in the case of brake wheels 9', 9'', which are fixed to the wheel axle 98 or connected to the wheel axle 98 via gears. Therefore, the explanations relating to a braking device 1 with running wheels 9 also apply to a braking device 1 with brake wheels 9' or 9''.

[0066] Optionally, one or more inventive braking devices 1 can be assigned to one or more running wheels 9 and / or one or more braking wheels 9', 9''. The inventive braking device 1 can also be used in combination with a conventional braking device 1k (see FIG. 10), which can be reserved for emergency braking, for example.

[0067] In this case, on the bogie 100 of Fig. 1b, a conventional braking device can act on the running wheels 9, and the inventive braking device 1 can act on the braking wheels 9. The bogie 100 and wheelset 99 can in this case easily be equipped with the inventive braking device 1 by providing the wheelset 99 with one or more braking wheels 9' associated with the inventive braking device 1, while the inventive braking device continues to act on the running wheels 9. By simply using the inventive braking device 1 and the braking wheels 9', a high braking effect can be achieved with little effort, thereby reducing the burden on the inventive braking device. However, it is preferable to replace all the inventive braking devices with the inventive braking device.

[0068] The running wheels 9 and the brake wheels 9' may be of different or similar dimensions, but in the area of ​​friction brakes the wheel rims are preferably identical. In this case, the running wheels 9 can be converted into brake wheels 9' by removing the wheel flanges. Since the brake wheels 9' are only provided to absorb braking loads and not to absorb both loads and braking loads, the loads on the brake wheels 9' are relatively small and the brake wheels 9' can be realized with reduced dimensions and weight.

[0069] Figure 2a shows a braking device 1 according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment. The braking device 1 is mounted on the wheels 9 of a railway vehicle, for example on the wheels 9 of a bogie. The braking device 1 according to the invention is preferably provided on some or all of the wheels 9 of a railway vehicle, for example a passenger car, a freight car or a locomotive.

[0070] Figure 2b shows the braking device 1 of Figure 2a in a longitudinal section and a further optional braking device 1' connected to a wheel 9, preferably equipped with an actuation device 7 according to Figure 2a. In this embodiment, the two braking devices 1, 1' are diametrically opposed relative to the wheel axis x. It is therefore advantageous to equip the wheel 9 with more than one braking device 1, thereby increasing the braking effect.

[0071] Any railway vehicle wheel 9, made entirely or partly of metal, can be equipped with the brake device 1 of the present invention. The railway vehicle wheel 9 shown in cross section in Figure 2b comprises a wheel hub 91, through which the wheel axis x passes and which is connected to a wheel rim 92 by a wheel disc 93. The wheel rim 92 comprises an outer wheel profile having a front face 921, which preferably includes a track flange 922. The friction brake can act on any area of ​​the front face 921, for example on the front face 921 with or without the track flange 922, or on the track flange 922 only.

[0072] The braking device 1 of the invention comprises, on each side of a wheel 9, an eddy current brake 2A; 2B and a friction brake 3A; 3B, which are actuated by a single mechanical actuator 7. As shown in Figure 2b, at least a second braking device 1' may be provided.

[0073] The actuation device 7 of all described embodiments of the brake device 1 is connected via control electronics 11 to a drive device 8 controlled by a control unit 10. Using the control unit 10, either the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B or the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B and the friction brake 3 according to FIG. 6c or the friction brakes 3A, 3B according to FIG. 2a can be activated depending on specified operating parameters. At high speeds, braking is performed using the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B; normally, only at low speeds are the friction brakes 3 or 3A, 3B activated. The operating parameters are supplied to the control unit 10 via a communication unit 12 and may be partially pre-stored in the control unit 10. The control electronics 11 and the communication unit 12 are preferably integrated in the control unit 10.

[0074] The brake device 1 according to Fig. 2a and the brake device 1 according to Fig. 3a differ in principle by the configuration of the friction brake 3 or 3A, 3B. On the other hand, the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B are interchangeable. The friction brakes 3A and / or 3B according to Fig. 2a are guided on one side of the wheel 9 relative to the associated friction rotor 32A, 32B, respectively. Each friction stator 31A, 31B is also supported by the associated eddy current stator 21A, 21B. The friction brake 3 according to Fig. 6a acts by means of a front friction stator 31 on the wheel rim 92 of the running or braking wheel 9', 9'', which acts as the friction stator 31. The friction stator 31 is not directly connected to the eddy current stator 21A, 21B, but is supported by an actuating arm 74C.

[0075] The eddy current brakes 2A, 2B of the brake device 1 each include an eddy current stator 21A; 21B and an eddy current rotor 22A; 22B, an eddy current path is formed in the eddy current rotor 22A; 22B, and the eddy current rotor 22A; 22B is connected to the wheels 9, 9', 9'' or is incorporated into the wheels 9, 9', 9''.

[0076] The brake device 1 of Fig. 2b comprises eddy current rotors 22A, 22B, which are designed as metal ring plates and are mounted concentrically with the wheel axis x on the wheel disc 93, for example by screws. Since the wheel disc 93 itself is made of metal, it can also serve as the eddy current rotors 22A; 22B and can be shaped as required.

[0077] The different distances between the hatched lines symbolize that the eddy current rotor 22A; 22B may comprise two or more rotor parts 221, 222, which are connected to each other and / or to the wheel disc 93 by connecting means such as connecting or mounting screws 225. The first rotor part 221, which bears directly against the wheel disc 93, is preferably made of high-quality ferromagnetic steel. The second rotor part 222, which is screwed to the first rotor part 221 or preferably to the wheel disc 93, is preferably made of a different metal or alloy, preferably nickel-silver, nickel-silver, aluminum, or stainless steel.

[0078] The eddy current stators 21A, 21B, which are designed as permanent magnets or which include permanent magnets 219, are held by the actuation device 7 and can be moved relative to the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B to activate the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B and moved back to deactivate the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B. The eddy current stators 21A, 21B are designed as annular ring segments and preferably have a diameter that corresponds approximately to the width of the plates of the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B. After activation of the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B, eddy currents are formed over the entire cross section of the eddy current stators 21A, 21B during movement of the railway vehicle, which eddy currents oppose the movement of the wheels 9, 9', 9''.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the eddy current stators 21A, 21B include a plurality of permanent or hard magnets 219 disposed within openings, recesses, or holes 210 in the eddy current stators 21A, 21B. If the recesses 210 are in the form of holes, it is particularly easy to mount cylindrical permanent magnets 219. The permanent magnets 219 can be inserted into the holes 210, where they are held in place by the magnetic force they exert. The permanent magnets 219 may also have other shapes, for example, in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0080] The permanent magnets 219 are preferably used at maximum density and may have the same or different magnetic orientations, which preferably vary by 90° or 180° from permanent magnet 219 to permanent magnet 219.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, a Halbach array is provided in which the permanent magnets 219 are arranged so that the magnetic flux is substantially canceled on one side of the Halbach array but amplified on the other side facing the associated eddy current rotor 22A; 22B. The magnetization directions of adjacent permanent magnets 219 change by 90° in the direction of the longitudinal axis or along the curve or circular ring of the magnet row. Adjacent permanent magnets 219 in the line or circular ring are also preferably offset by 90°. This alternating arrangement of the permanent magnets results in a mutual displacement of the magnetic fields, resulting in magnetic field lines on one side, preferably the side facing the associated eddy current rotor 22A; 22B, generating increased magnetic flux density.

[0082] The eddy current rotors 22A, 22B are preferably made of aluminum, stainless steel, nickel silver, or a similar metal alloy. Nickel silver is a silvery-white, lustrous alloy of 45%-70% copper, 5%-30% nickel, and 8%-45% zinc, sometimes with trace elements such as lead, tin, or iron. Nickel silver is characterized by its particularly high hardness and corrosion resistance due to its nickel content.

[0083] The friction brakes 3A, 3B of Fig. 2b each comprise a friction stator 31A, 31B and a friction rotor 32A, 32B connected to the wheel 9. The friction rotors 32A, 32B are ring-shaped and are mounted on the wheel hub 91 of the wheel 9. The friction stators 31A, 31B are attached in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner to the front surfaces of the associated eddy-current stators 21A, 21B. A portion of the wheel hub 91 may also form the friction rotors 32A, 32B.

[0084] Preferably, the friction stators 31A; 31B are connected to the eddy current stators 21A; 21B in a form-fitting manner, for example by a dovetail connection.

[0085] While the eddy current stators 21A, 21B move towards the wheel hub 91, the friction stators 31A, 31B are carried along with them, so that in a first step the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B are activated, and in a second step, when the friction stators 31A, 31B hit the friction rotors 32A, 32B, the friction brakes 3A, 3B are activated.

[0086] The eddy current brakes 2A, 2B and the friction brakes 3A, 3B are thus actuated by the same actuating device 7, which is why only a small amount of space is required and furthermore why the wheels 9 can advantageously be equipped with two brake devices 1, 1'.

[0087] The actuating devices 7 of all braking devices 1 of the present invention may be of the same or different designs and may optionally include guide devices 6A, 6B that can move the eddy current stators 21A, 21B to a braking position in which they interact with the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B and return them to a reset position in which the eddy current stators 21A, 21B are decoupled from the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B.

[0088] In the embodiment of the brake device 1 according to Fig. 2b, the guide devices 6A, 6B, which are preferably designed as guide rails, each have a control curve 60 onto which a guide element 212 is projected. This guide element 212 is connected to the associated eddy current stator 21A, 21B by a guide flange 211 and is displaced when the eddy current stator 21A, 21B is displaced along the control curve 60. In this embodiment, the control curve 60 is at least approximately Z-shaped and comprises two straight control curve sections S1, S3, which are connected to each other by a tapered control curve section S2. In the first control curve section S1, the eddy current stators 21A, 21B are displaced parallel to the wheel 9 relative to the wheel hub 91. In the second control curve section S2, the eddy current stators 21A, 21B are pressed against the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B until only the narrowest possible air gap separates them from the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B. During the shift in the third control curve section S3, while the interaction between the eddy current stators 21A, 21B and the eddy current rotors 22A, 22B is maintained, the friction stators 31A, 31B are guided relative to the wheel hub 91 and thus relative to the friction rotors 32A, 32B, and the friction brakes 3A, 3B are activated.

[0089] The eddy current stators 21A, 21B of the brake device 1 of Fig. 2a are articulated to actuating arms 74A, 74B by means of drive flanges 213 and connecting bolts 214, which are in turn articulated to connecting arms 73A, 73B carried by a drive ring 84. The drive ring 84 is axially slidable along a guide piston or actuating element 83, optionally a drive spindle, which is connected to the drive device 8. A displacement of the drive ring 84 therefore displaces the eddy current stators 21A, 21B and the friction stators 31A, 31B.

[0090] The drive device 8 is preferably electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically driven and comprises a drive element 81, such as an extendable piston or an extendable and rotatable drive shaft or drive spindle, which is used to actuate the actuator 7 or displace the drive ring 84, which can be done in various ways.

[0091] The drive ring 84 can be moved along the guide piston 83 by means of the extendable piston 81 of the drive device 8. If the guide piston 83 is designed as a drive spindle, the drive ring 84 can be moved by rotating this drive spindle 83. The drive shaft 81 of the drive device 8 is therefore connected to the drive spindle 83, after which the drive ring 84 can be moved back and forth by operating the drive device 8.

[0092] In connection with the drive device 80, the brake device 1 of the invention, in all its various embodiments, can also comprise a return element 77, which can return the friction stator and the eddy current stator, for example, from a braking position to a return position.

[0093] Figure 2b shows two return springs 77 which are compressed and loaded when the drive ring 84 is pressed against stop A, allowing the drive ring 84 to return as soon as the drive device 8 stops operating.

[0094] Figure 2b further shows, schematically, a separation element 20 for shielding and / or protecting the eddy current stators 21A, 21B in the reset position. The separation element 20 may be made of plastic, metal, or a combination thereof.

[0095] 3a to 3c, 4a to 4c and 5a to 5f show an embodiment of a braking device 1 with a friction brake 3, the friction stator 31 of which can be displaced relative to the wheel rim 92 or front face 921 of a wheel 9, 9', 9'', for example of a running wheel 9 according to FIG. 2a, for example of a brake wheel 9' according to FIG. 9 or for example of a brake wheel 9'' according to FIG. 11a. The actuating device 7 and the drive device 8 are shown by way of example and serve to displace at least one eddy-current stator 21A, 21B and the friction stator 31 radially with respect to the wheel axis x or tilted relative to the wheel axis x so as to ensure a proper engagement of the friction stator 31 with the friction rotors 92, 32, preferably uniformly over the entire surface. On the other hand, as with the brake device 1 of FIG. 2a, an optional drive device 8 and an optional actuating device 7 can be provided. In the case of the brake device 1 of FIG. 6 a, since at least one eddy current stator 21 A, 21 B and the friction stator 31 are linearly displaceable, it is advantageous to provide a drive device 8 with a displaceable piston 81 .

[0096] In FIG. 3a, the eddy current stators 21A, 21B are still held in their resting spaces protected by the preferably provided separating elements 20A, 20B.

[0097] The separating elements 20A, 20B magnetically shield the eddy current stator 21A of the eddy current brake 2A in the reset position, protecting it from harmful effects. The eddy current brake 2A and the friction brake 3 are inactive. The eddy current stator 21A is in the reset position and preferably adheres to a plate-shaped separator 20A that covers the face of the eddy current stator 21A facing the eddy current rotor 22A, and is preferably magnetically insulated and protected from the effects of solid particles and liquids. The separating elements 20A, 20B are preferably made of a diamagnetic material such as copper.

[0098] Figure 3b shows the braking device 1 of figure 3a during the displacement of the friction stator 31 and at least one eddy current stator 21A. It can be seen that the eddy current stator 21A is first coupled to the associated eddy current rotor 22A in order to obtain a braking effect without mechanical friction losses.

[0099] FIG. 3c shows the brake device 1 of FIG. 3a having an eddy current stator 21A coupled to an eddy current rotor 22A and having a friction stator 31 in frictional engagement with the friction rotor 32 or front surface 921 of the wheel rim 92.

[0100] Also shown is a bearing element 90 of the rail vehicle, by means of which the drive 80, which may be an electric motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, and the transmission lever 88 are held.

[0101] Further shown are two spaced apart parallel drive shafts a1, a2. The force exerted along the first drive shaft a1 by the drive sleeve 84 is transmitted to the second drive shaft a2 by the transmission lever 88.

[0102] In the brake device 1 described, a force-transmitting elastic element, for example a spring, is preferably provided in the transmission path when force is transmitted from the drive device 8 to the friction stator 31. In this way, it is possible to achieve a desired increase in the pressing force of the friction stators 31; 31A, 31B against the friction rotors 32; 32A, 32B. By compressing the elastic element, the pressing force can be controlled and increased in a simple manner to obtain the desired braking effect.

[0103] FIG. 4a shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 3a from above. Figure 4b shows the braking device 1 of figure 3b from above. FIG. 4c shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 3c from above.

[0104] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a linear shift of the eddy current stators 21A, 21B and the friction stator 31. Control curves can be advantageously omitted.

[0105] 5a to 5f show a drive unit 80 having a drive shaft 81 which drives a drive spindle 83 via a gear 82. An internally threaded drive sleeve 84 is carried by the drive spindle 83 and is guided axially forward or backward as the drive spindle 83 rotates. The drive sleeve 84 engages with a connecting bolt 85 in a longitudinal slot in a first lever end piece 881 of a transmission lever 88. The transmission lever 88 is rotatably supported by a bearing shaft 86 and has a second lever end piece 882 with a longitudinal slot in which the coupling 73 is received. This second lever end piece 882 connects the actuating arms 74A, 74B of the eddy current stators 21A, 21B with the actuating arm 74C of the friction stator 31, so that when the transmission lever 88 is rotated, the actuating arms 74C and 74A, 74B can be displaced together radially towards the wheels 9, 9', 9''. The actuating arms 74C, 74A, and 74B are preferably constrained to be guided by guide devices.

[0106] FIG. 5a shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 3a with the actuating arms 74C and 74A, 74B retracted, and the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'' is visible.

[0107] FIG. 5b shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 5a with the outside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'' visible.

[0108] FIG. 5c shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 5a with the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'' visible and with the actuating arms 74C and 74A, 74B partially extended and the eddy current brakes 2a, 2b partially activated.

[0109] FIG. 5d shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 5c as seen from outside the wheels 9, 9', 9''.

[0110] FIG. 5e shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 5a with the actuating arms 74C, 74A, 74B fully extended and the eddy current brakes 2a, 2b and friction brake 3 activated, with the inside of the wheels 9, 9', 9'' visible.

[0111] FIG. 5f shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 5e as seen from outside the wheels 9, 9', 9''.

[0112] 6a and 7a show further brake devices 1 of the invention, respectively comprising a friction brake 3 with a friction stator 31 and an eddy current brake 2, 2B. The friction stator 31 is displaceable relative to the wheel rim 92 of the wheel 9, 9', 9'', which serves as the friction rotor 32. The eddy current brake 2, 2B comprises a stator holder 71 with stator holder parts 71A, 71B, of which a plurality of eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn of the eddy current brake 2, 2B are preferably rotatably or pivotably held on each side of the wheel 9, 9', 9''. The eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn can be tilted between a braking position and a reset position by means of an actuation device 7.

[0113] The actuator 7 is driven by a drive 8, which comprises a drive unit 80 with an extendable piston or spindle 81. This type of drive is known as a threaded satellite drive, roller screw mechanism, planetary roller screw mechanism or linear actuator. A transmission lever 88 is displaced by means of the drive unit 80 or the extendable spindle 81.

[0114] The brake device 1 of the present invention can use electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drives 80, which preferably have a linearly extendable spindle or a linearly extendable piston. The type of drive 80 is preferably selected taking into account the drive system or drive medium already installed in the railway vehicle.

[0115] The transmission lever 88 is used to operate the actuator 7 with the actuating levers 74C, 74A and 74B. The actuating lever 74C is used to operate the friction stator 31 of the friction brake 3, optionally via a lever mechanism. The actuating levers 74A and 74B are used to operate the eddy current brake 2 or the eddy current brakes 2A, 2B on both sides of the wheels 9, 9', 9'', optionally via a lever mechanism and a pivoting device 75.

[0116] This drive device 8 and actuation device 7 can be used for all the described brake devices 1. Via a lever mechanism, linear and / or rotary movements can be initiated using the transmission lever 88 and actuation levers 74C, 74A and 74B and a suitable lever mechanism or lever gearbox.

[0117] The rotational movement can be provided by a lever gear or mechanism, or a gear train. In the eddy current brakes 2, 2B of Figure 6a, the rotation device 75 comprises a gear mechanism. In the eddy current brakes 2, 2B of Figure 7a, the rotation device 75 comprises a lever mechanism. Gear mechanisms and lever mechanisms are described below by way of example with reference to Figures 8a and 8b.

[0118] Using the actuation device 7 and the pivoting device 75, the eddy current stator segments 21B1, . . . , 21Bn can be pivoted between a braking position and a reset position.

[0119] 6a and 7a, the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are shown in a reset position in which they are pivoted away from the associated eddy current rotor 22B and decoupled perpendicularly to the eddy current rotor 22B, such that no eddy currents are generated in the elements of the eddy current brake 2, 2B in the braking position.

[0120] To optimize the separation between the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn and the eddy current rotor 22B in the braking position, a diamagnetic separating layer is swung between the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn and the eddy current rotor 22B. Preferably, the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An; 21B1, ..., 21Bn have a plate of diamagnetic material, such as copper, on the face facing the associated eddy current rotor 22A, 22B in the reset position, which repels the magnetic field lines and decouples the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An; 21B1, ..., 21Bn from the eddy current rotor 22A, 22B.

[0121] Figure 6a shows that the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are tiltably held within stator holder portions 71A, 71B of a stator holder 71 using a connecting shaft 72. Stator holder portion 71B is held stationary over a portion of the eddy current rotor 22B and extends over an angular range of approximately 120°, which can be extended up to 360° to obtain maximum braking effect.

[0122] By means of the actuating device 7 and the actuating element 74B, the drive member 751 of the rotating device 75 is guided in a circular path about the wheel axis x in order to actuate the rotating member 752 connected to the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn. For example, the drive member 751 is a toothed rack or a toothed ring, the teeth of which face the rotating member 752, which in the illustrative example is designed as a toothed wheel. The drive member 751 is preferably guided in the guiding device 6.

[0123] Thus, in all embodiments of the brake device 1, guide devices 6, 6A, 6B are preferably provided, by means of which one or more parts of the actuation device 7 are displaceably mounted along a desired guide path for moving the eddy current stators 21A, 21B or the drive member 751 and / or the friction stator 31. On the other hand, it is also possible that the parts of the actuation device 7 are inherently sufficiently stable or can be stably mounted, so that in some cases the guide device 6 can be omitted.

[0124] In all embodiments of the brake device 1, the elements of the actuator 7 or the rotatably mounted eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An, 21B1, ..., 21Bn may optionally be provided with reset elements 77 for automatically returning them to their initial position.

[0125] The lever drive of FIG. 7a comprises an operating lever 74B, by means of which a pivoting device 75 is actuated, which comprises a common drive member 751, i.e. an operating rod, and a pivoting member 752 in the form of a lever, by means of which the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn can be tilted by means of the connecting shaft 72.

[0126] 6b shows the brake device 1 of FIG. 6a from the other side, in which the eddy current brake 2, 2A is in a braking position in which the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An are inclined relative to the associated eddy current rotor 22A and are aligned at the shortest possible distance in a plane parallel to the eddy current rotor 22A. The drive spindle 81 extends from the drive unit 80, and the transmission lever 88 is rotated counterclockwise, raising the actuating lever 74C of the friction brake 3 and lowering the actuating levers 74A and 74B. During this process, the friction stator 31 is guided relative to the friction rotor 32, and the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An are rotated so that their front faces facing the eddy current rotor 22A are in a plane separated from the eddy current rotor 22A by the smallest possible air gap.

[0127] 6c shows the brake device 1 of FIG. 6b in a reset position in which the eddy current brakes 2, 2A have been pivoted such that the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An are aligned perpendicularly to the eddy current rotor 22A at the greatest possible distance. To achieve this, the drive spindle 81 was retracted into the drive unit 80, the transmission lever 88 was rotated clockwise, the operating lever 74C of the friction brake 3 was lowered, and the operating levers 74A and 74B were raised. In this process, the friction stator 31 was moved away from the friction rotor 32, and the eddy current stator segments 21A1, ..., 21An were rotated away from the eddy current rotor 22A.

[0128] FIG. 6 d shows the braking device 1 of FIG. 6 a without the stator holder 71 , with the eddy current brake 2 , 2 A in the braking position and the friction stator 31 of the friction brake 3 resting against the friction rotor 32 .

[0129] FIG. 6 e shows the brake device 1 of FIG. 6 b without the stator holder 71 , with the eddy current brake 2 , 2 A in the reset position and the friction stator 31 of the friction brake 3 lifted off the friction rotor 32 .

[0130] Figure 7b shows the brake device 1 of Figure 7a in a braking position in which the eddy current brakes 2, 2B are pivoted relative to the associated eddy current rotor 22B and aligned in a plane parallel to the eddy current rotor 22B at the shortest possible distance.

[0131] Figure 7c shows the brake device 1 of Figure 7b in a reset position in which the eddy current brakes 2, 2B have pivoted so that the eddy current stator segments 21B1, ..., 21Bn are away from the associated eddy current rotor 22A and are aligned perpendicular to the eddy current rotor 22A at the largest possible distance.

[0132] FIG. 8a shows one of the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2, which is held by a magnet holder 753 and can be rotated about a connecting shaft 72, which can be driven using a pivoting device 75 designed as a lever joint or gear drive.

[0133] The pivoting device 75 comprises a drive member 751 in the form of a lever, a toothed rack, or a worm-threaded rod. The drive member 751 acts on a corresponding pivoting member 752, which is embodied as a lever rod, a toothed wheel, or a worm wheel. If the drive member 751 is a lever or a rack, the drive member 751 can be moved axially to rotate the pivoting member 752, which in turn rotates the associated eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2. The drive member 751 and pivoting member 752 form a worm gear as shown, so that rotating the drive member 751 rotates the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2.

[0134] 8b shows one of the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2 rotatably held by a connecting shaft 72 that can be driven by a pivoting device 75 designed as a lever joint or gear drive. The connecting shaft 72 is guided through the eddy current stator segment 21A2, 21B2 coaxially or axially parallel to its body axis k and rigidly connected thereto. In this embodiment, the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2 can be aligned adjacent to one another in one plane.

[0135] Furthermore, it is shown that several rotating devices 75 , preferably designed as worm gears, can be driven by a common drive member 751 .

[0136] 8a and 8b also show a reset element 77, which can automatically return the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2 to their end or central positions. This significantly simplifies the actuation device, which therefore only needs to exert a force in one direction. For example, only a tensile force needs to be transmitted, and therefore a drive element 751 in the form of a rope, in particular a wire rope, which can be deflected via a deflection roller can also be used. As soon as the tensile force is removed, the eddy current stator segments 21A2, 21B2 are automatically reset. The reset element 77 is, for example, a spring element, such as a tension spring or a torsion spring.

[0137] Figure 9 shows a wheelset 99 of the bogie 100 of Figure 1b with four braking devices 1 according to the invention assigned to two running wheels 9 and two braking wheels 9'. Instead of the braking device 1 shown, all other braking devices 1 described can be used.

[0138] The brake wheel 9' differs from the running wheel 9 only in that, in this preferred embodiment, the flange 922 is cut away and therefore not present. Otherwise, the brake wheel 9' comprises the eddy current rotors 22A and / or 22B, as described with reference to the previously considered embodiments of the invention. The diameters of the running wheel 9 and the brake wheel 9' are therefore identical, which allows the brake device 1 to be mounted at the same height. This allows for easier assembly of the actuating device 7 and the drive device 8, which can be operated or controlled individually or synchronously. It is possible to operate all the actuating devices 7 with fewer drive devices 8, for example with only one drive unit 80.

[0139] Figure 10 shows a wheelset 99 of the bogie 100 of Figure lb with two inventive braking devices 1 assigned to two brake wheels 9'. Conventional braking devices 1k, each with, for example, only one friction brake 3, acting on the running wheels 9 are symbolically shown. Furthermore, a control unit 10 is shown which can activate the inventive braking devices 1, for example for emergency or sudden braking, in addition to the conventional braking devices 1k during normal operation. It is also symbolically shown that the inventive braking device 1 operates with only one drive device 8.

[0140] FIG. 11 a shows a wheelset 99 with a braking device 1 of the present invention, for example a wheelset 99 designed for the bogie 100 of FIG. 1 a, having a brake wheel 9 ″ that is separated from the wheelset axle 98 and connected to the wheelset axle 98 of the wheelset 99 by a gear 94.

[0141] Figure 11b shows the device of Figure 11a from the front side. FIG. 11c shows the device of FIG. 11a from the rear.

[0142] The brake wheel 9' is not fixed to the wheel set axle 98 but is spaced therefrom. The distance between the wheel set axis y and the wheel axis x is greater than the radius of the brake wheel 9', so that the brake wheel 9' does not contact the wheel set axle 98.

[0143] The braking device 1 is preferably designed in the same way as the braking device 1 already described. The dimensions of the device parts of the braking device 1 are usually adapted to the dimensions of the brake wheel 9''.

[0144] The gear 94 is mounted on a wheel axle 98 and comprises gear elements 942, preferably a gear mounted on the wheel axle 98 and a gear mounted on a gear shaft or drive shaft 961, which gear elements are connected to each other by at least one further gear and / or by a strand, e.g. a chain or belt.

[0145] The gear shafts and the drive shaft 961, which are connected or connectable to one another, are preferably held by means of a holding or bearing device 101, for example the bearing device 101 of the bogie 100. Similarly, the brake device 1 is preferably held by means of a holding or bearing device 101.

[0146] The brake wheels 9' are carried by a drive shaft 961 aligned coaxially with the wheel axis x, which drive shaft is preferably connected to a drive motor 96 as shown in this preferred embodiment, the connection or power supply line 965 of which is connected to a controllable power supply 13. The power supply 13 can be controlled, for example, using the control unit 10 of Figure 2a or the vehicle computer.

[0147] Preferably, at least one coupling device 95 is provided, by means of which the brake wheel 9'' can be coupled to the gear 94 and / or the motor shaft of the drive motor 96 can be coupled to the gear shaft or to the drive shaft 961. Alternatively, the motor shaft can also form the drive shaft 961.

[0148] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 961 may be coupled to a gear shaft 941 of the gear arrangement 94 by a coupling device 95. The gear shaft 941 is mechanically coupled to the wheel set axle 98 by gears, a chain, or a belt. Any of the other brake arrangements 1 described may be used instead of the illustrated brake arrangement 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1. Brake device of the present invention 1k Conventional brake device 10. Control Unit 100 carts 101 Holding device 11 Drive module 12 Communication Unit 13 Controllable power supply devices 19 Housing 2, 2A, 2B Eddy Current Brake 20A, 20B Separation disc 21A, 21B Eddy current stator 21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An Eddy current stator segments at the outside of the wheel 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn Eddy current stator segments on the inside of the wheel 210 holes 211 Guide flange 212 Guidance Elements 213 Drive flange 214 Connecting Bolt 219 Magnet 22A, 22B Eddy Current Rotor 221 first rotor part, e.g. steel ring 222 Second rotor part, e.g., a nickel-silver ring 225 Connection screws, mounting screws 3;3A;3B Friction Brake 31A;31B Friction Stator 32A;32B Friction Rotor 6 Guidance device 6A;6B guide rail 6C Guide Plate 60, 60A;60B control curve 7 Actuator 70A;70B connecting shaft 71 Stator holder 71A; 71B Stator holding member 72 connecting shaft 73, 73A; 73B Single link, multiple link, link arm 74, 74A; 74B, 74C actuation arms 75 Rotating device 751 Driving member 752 Rotating member 753 Magnetic retainer 7531 Holding Arm 7532 Retaining Frame 77 Reset element, reset spring 79 Connecting bolt 8 Drive unit 80 Electric, hydraulic or pneumatic drive units 81 Drive elements, pistons, drive shafts 82 Optional Gear 83 Actuating elements, guide pistons, drive spindles 84 Drive ring, drive sleeve 85 Connecting bolt 86 Bearing shaft 88 Transmission lever 881 First lever end piece 882 Second lever end piece 9, 9', 9'' wheels, running wheels, or brake wheels 90 Bearing element 91 Wheel hub 92 Wheel Rim 921 Front of wheel profile 922 Wheel Outer Track Flange 93 Wheel disc 94 Gearing 941 Gear Shaft 942 Gear elements, transmission elements 95 Coupling device 96 Drive motor 961 Motor Shaft 965 Power Supply Cable 98 wheelset axle 99 wheel set

Claims

1. A braking device (1) for a railway vehicle, comprising at least one wheelset (99) having a wheelset axle (98) along which a wheelset axis (y) extends coaxially, Wheels (9, 9', 9'') directly or indirectly connected to the wheel axle (98) and rotatable about wheel axes (x), at least one eddy current brake (2A; 2B) comprising an eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) connected to said wheels (9, 9', 9'') and an eddy current stator (21A; 21B) movable relative to said eddy current rotor (22A; 22B), A braking device (1) for a railway vehicle, comprising at least one friction brake (3, 3A, 3B) with a friction rotor (32; 32A, 32B; 92) connected to or integrated into a wheel (9, 9', 9'') and with a friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) displaceable relative to the friction rotor (32; 32A, 32B; 92), the eddy current brake (2A; 2B) and the friction brake (3; 3A, 3B) can be sequentially actuated by a single actuating device (7) and drive device (8), the drive device (8) being connected to the actuating device (7) and controllable by a control unit (10); the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) is designed as one piece or segmented, has a disk or ring shape, is aligned coaxially with the wheel axis (x) and is connected to one side of the wheel (9, 9', 9'') or is integrated into the wheel (9, 9', 9''); the at least one eddy current stator (21A; 21B) is designed as one piece or segmented and is displaceable in front of the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) in the direction of the wheel axis (x) or tiltable segment by segment relative to the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B); the wheel (9, 9', 9'') comprises a wheel rim (92) acting as a friction rotor (32) with a front surface (921) directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis (x) acting as a braking surface, the friction stator (31) being displaceable relative to said front surface (921); A braking device (1) for a railway vehicle, characterized by:

2. a) the wheels (9) are designed as running wheels for rolling on rails and the front surface (921) is designed as a braking surface and as a running surface, or b) the wheels (9', 9'') are designed as brake wheels and the front surface (921) is designed as a braking surface but not as a running surface, or c) the wheel (9) is designed as a running wheel and comprises a wheel hub (91), the wheel hub (91) forming the at least one friction rotor (32A, 32B) or the wheel hub (91) comprising the at least one friction rotor (32A, 32B), the friction rotor (32A, 32B) having a front surface (921) directed radially outward with respect to the wheel axis (x) acting as a braking surface, the associated friction stator (31A, 31B) being displaceable with respect to the front surface (921); 2. Brake device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that:

3. a) said wheel (9') is designed as a brake wheel and is directly connected to said wheel axle (98) in such a way that said wheel axis (x) is coaxial with said wheel axle axis (y) of said wheel axle axle (98), or b) the wheel (9') is designed as a brake wheel and is connected to the wheel axle (98) via a gear (94) or via a coupling (95) and a gear (94), and the wheel axis (x) is parallel to the wheel axle axis (y) of the wheel axle (98), the distance between the wheel axis (x) and the wheel axle axis (y) being greater than the radius of the wheel (9''); or c) the wheel (9') is designed as a brake wheel and is connected to the wheel axle (98) via a gear (94) or via a coupling (95) and a gear (94) and is connected to a drive motor (96) by a drive shaft, and the wheel axis (x) is parallel to the wheel axle axis (y) of the wheel axle axle (98), the distance between the wheel axis (x) and the wheel axle axis (y) being greater than the radius of the wheel (9'').

3. Braking device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. the at least one eddy current stator (21A; 21B) and the at least one friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) are connected on the one hand by actuating arms (73, 74A, 74B, 74C) of the actuating device (7) which are connected to each other directly or indirectly to the drive device (8); the at least one eddy current stator (21A; 21B) is, on the other hand, held directly or indirectly by the associated actuating arm (74A; 74B) and / or guided by a guiding device (6, 6A; 6B) and can be guided linearly or along a curve relative to the wheel axis (x) in front of the associated eddy current rotor (22A; 22B); the friction stator (31), on the other hand, is held directly or indirectly by the associated actuating arm (74C) and / or is guided by the guiding device (6, 6A; 6B) and can be guided linearly or along a curve relative to the wheel axis (x) and the friction rotor (32); Braking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

5. 4. The braking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the eddy current stator (21A; 21B) comprises several eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn), each of which is tiltably held by a stator holder (71, 71A; 71B) and which can be tilted by means of the actuation device (7) between a reset position in which they are decoupled from the associated eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) and a braking position in which they are coupled to the associated eddy current rotor (22A; 22B).

6. 6. The brake device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) are each held by the stator holder (71, 71A; 71B) by means of a connecting shaft (72), and each can be tilted about the associated connecting shaft (72) by means of a pivoting device (75), and the pivoting device (75) can be actuated by the actuating device (7), preferably synchronously.

7. The rotating device (75) comprises, individually or jointly, a driving member (751), such as a driving rod or a toothed rack, and a rotating member (752), such as a rotating lever or a toothed wheel, which is connected to the associated eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) and is pivotable about the associated connecting shaft (72); 7. Braking device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it is drivable by an associated drive member (751) connected to one or more of said pivot members (752).

8. a) the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) have a body axis (k), and the connecting shaft (72) is guided through the associated eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) concentrically or eccentrically with respect to the body axis (k), or b) the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) are each held by a magnet holder (753) connected to a connecting shaft (72); the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) are tiltable by the action of the drive (751) on the connecting shaft (72), on the magnet holder (753) or directly on the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn); Braking device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that

9. the drive part (751) or the drive parts (751) of the rotation device (75) of the at least one eddy current stator (21A; 21B) and the at least one friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) are connected on the one hand by actuating arms (73, 74A, 74B, 74C) of the actuating device (7) which are connected to the drive device (8) directly or indirectly with each other, the drive member (751) or drive members (751) of the pivoting device (75) of the at least one eddy current stator (21A; 21B) are, on the other hand, directly or indirectly held by the associated actuating arm (74A; 74B) and / or guided by a guiding device (6, 6A; 6B) and are displaceable in a straight line or along a curve, the friction stator (31), on the other hand, is held directly or indirectly by the associated actuating arm (74C) and / or is guided by the guiding device (6, 6A; 6B) and can be guided linearly or along a curve relative to the wheel axis (x) and the friction rotor (32); Braking device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that

10. a) the eddy current stator (21A; 21B) or eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) consist of permanent magnets or preferably cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped permanent magnets (219) arranged in recesses, openings or holes (210) in a support; and / or b) the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) or the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) are made of aluminum, stainless steel, nickel silver, or an alloy containing copper, nickel, and / or zinc, preferably provided with a protective coating; and / or c) the segmented eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) comprises a first rotor part (221) facing the associated wheel (9', 9'') and made of a ferromagnetic metal, preferably steel, and an outer second rotor part (222) made of aluminum, stainless steel, nickel silver, or an alloy containing copper, nickel, and / or zinc; Braking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that

11. 11. The braking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive device (8) comprises an electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated drive unit (80) with a drive element (81) in the form of a motor shaft, an extendable piston or an extendable spindle (81), by means of which the actuation device (7) or an actuation element (83) connected to the actuation device (7) can be driven.

12. a) the eddy current stator (21A; 21B) or the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) and / or the friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) are designed as circular or ring segments, or b) the eddy current stator (21A; 21B) or the eddy current stator segments (21A1, 21A2, ..., 21An; 21B1, 21B2, ..., 21Bn) and / or the friction stator (31; 31A, 31B) are designed as circular or ring segments, and the segments are connected to one another laterally adjacent to one another or laterally spaced apart from one another. Braking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that

13. 13. The brake device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B) is formed by a wheel disc (93) located between the wheel hub (91) and the wheel rim (92) of the wheel (9', 9'') or is an annular disc abutting the wheel disc (93), and the friction stator (31A, 31B) surrounds the wheel hub (91) in the form of a ring.

14. 14. The brake device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a separating disk (20A; 20B) which at least partially shields the eddy current stator (21A; 21B) in its rest position from the eddy current rotor (22A; 22B), and preferably also from external influences.

15. 15. A railway vehicle, in particular a bogie (100), having running wheels (9) or running wheels (9) and at least one brake wheel (9', 9''), the wheel axes (x) of which extend coaxially or at a distance from a wheelset axis (y), and at least one of the running wheels (9) or the running wheels (9) and the at least one brake wheel (9', 9'') being equipped with a brake device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. a) at least one wheel set (99) with two wheels (9) to which at least one conventional braking device (1k) or at least one braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is assigned, and at least one brake wheel (9') to which a braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is assigned, or b) at least one wheel set (99) with two wheels (9) to which at least one conventional braking device (1k) or at least one braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is assigned, and at least one brake wheel (9') to which a braking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is assigned.

15. The railway vehicle according to claim 14,

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