Connector

Abstract

To provide a coupler for railway vehicles that can detect abnormalities in the lock. [Solution] The coupler (10) for railway vehicles comprises a coupler body (11), a knuckle (12), a lock (14), and a lower lock lift (15). The coupler body (11) has a lock chamber (111). The knuckle (12) is provided at the front end (11a) of the coupler body (11) in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported relative to the coupler body (11). The lock (14) is housed in the lock chamber (111) and is movable in the vertical direction. The lower lock lift (15) is connected to the lock (14) and at least a portion of it is exposed downward from the lock chamber (111) of the coupler body (11). When the lower lock lift (15) is in the reference position, a polygonal identification mark (151) is provided on the portion of the lower lock lift (15) that is exposed from the coupler body (11). One vertex (A) of the discrimination mark (151) is located above the other vertices (B,C) of the discrimination mark (151).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a coupler for railway vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a coupler has been used for connecting railway vehicles. As one type of coupler, an automatic coupler is known. The basic configuration of an automatic coupler is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] Generally, an automatic coupler includes a coupler body, a knuckle, a lock, and a lock lifter. The coupler body has a lock chamber. The knuckle is provided at the tip of the coupler body and is supported rotatably with respect to the coupler body. The lock is housed in the lock chamber of the coupler body. The lock lifter is connected to the lock and is movable vertically together with the lock. When the lock and the lower lock lifter are in a reference position, which is the lowest position with respect to the coupler body, the knuckle is restrained by the lock.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an automatic coupler, foreign matter such as dust, snow, or ice may enter the lock chamber of the coupler body. When foreign matter accumulates in the lock chamber, the lock cannot descend to the reference position, so the lock remains in a state of floating from the reference position. If the lock floats too much from the reference position, the automatic coupler becomes open, and there is a risk that the connection between railway vehicles will be disengaged. In order to prevent the connection from being unexpectedly disengaged, it is required to detect an abnormality of the lock, that is, the lock floating from the reference position.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a coupler for railway vehicles that can detect abnormalities in the lock. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coupler for a railway vehicle according to this disclosure comprises a coupler body, a knuckle, a lock, and a lower lock pull. The coupler body has a lock chamber. The knuckle is provided at the front end of the coupler body in the longitudinal direction of the railway vehicle and is rotatably supported relative to the coupler body. The lock is housed in the lock chamber and is movable in the vertical direction of the railway vehicle. The lower lock pull is connected to the lock and at least a portion of it is exposed downward from the lock chamber of the coupler body. When the lock and lower lock pull are in the reference position, which is the lowest position relative to the coupler body, the knuckle is restrained by the lock. When the lower lock pull is in the reference position, the portion of the lower lock pull exposed from the coupler body is provided with a polygonal identification mark. One vertex of the identification mark is located above the other vertices of the identification mark. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The coupler for railway vehicles described herein can detect abnormalities in the lock. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the coupler according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the coupler. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the coupler. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view of a modified coupler. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side view of a modified coupler. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of a modified coupler. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a side view of a modified coupler. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The coupler for a railway vehicle according to this embodiment comprises a coupler body, a knuckle, a lock, and a lower lock pull. The coupler body has a lock chamber. The knuckle is provided at the front end of the coupler body in the longitudinal direction of the railway vehicle and is rotatably supported relative to the coupler body. The lock is housed in the lock chamber and is movable in the vertical direction of the railway vehicle. The lower lock pull is connected to the lock and at least a portion of it is exposed downward from the lock chamber of the coupler body. When the lock and the lower lock pull are in the reference position, which is the lowest position relative to the coupler body, the knuckle is restrained by the lock. When the lower lock pull is in the reference position, a polygonal identification mark is provided on the portion of the lower lock pull exposed from the coupler body. One vertex of the identification mark is located above the other vertices of the identification mark (first configuration).

[0011] In the first configuration of the coupler, a polygonal identification mark is provided on the lower lock lift. The identification mark is provided on the portion of the lower lock lift that is exposed from the coupler body when the lower lock lift is in the reference position. If a foreign object enters the lock chamber and the lock remains suspended above the reference position, the lower lock lift connected to the lock will also remain suspended above the reference position. In this case, part of the identification mark on the lower lock lift will overlap with the coupler body and will not be visible from the outside of the railway vehicle. When part of the identification mark overlaps with the coupler body, the uppermost vertex of the identification mark and its vicinity will overlap with the coupler body, and only the portion of the identification mark that is exposed from the coupler body will be visible from the outside of the railway vehicle. Therefore, by inspecting the identification mark on the lower lock lift from the outside of the railway vehicle, if the shape of the visible mark differs from the overall shape of the identification mark, it can be determined that a lock malfunction has occurred. In this way, the first configuration of the coupler makes it possible to detect lock malfunctions.

[0012] In the connector of the first configuration, in a state where the unlocking lift is at the reference position, the distance in the vertical direction from the connector body to the discrimination mark is 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less (second configuration).

[0013] In a state where the unlocking lift is at the reference position, if the distance in the vertical direction from the connector body to the discrimination mark is too small, even when the unlocking lift slightly floats from the reference position, a part of the discrimination mark overlaps with the connector body. Therefore, the risk of false detection increases. Conversely, if the distance in the vertical direction from the connector body to the discrimination mark is too large, the discrimination mark may not overlap with the connector body even when the unlocking lift greatly floats from the reference position. In this case, there is a risk that the detection of the abnormality of the lock may be delayed. Therefore, in the second configuration, the discrimination mark is provided at a position where the distance in the vertical direction from the connector body to the discrimination mark is 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. In this case, it is possible to detect the abnormality of the lock early while reducing the risk of false detection.

[0014] In the connector of the first or second configuration, the discrimination mark may be provided by applying paint to the surface of the unlocking lift (third configuration).

[0015] In the connector of the first or second configuration, the discrimination mark may be provided by attaching an adhesive label to the surface of the unlocking lift (fourth configuration).

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding components in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same description will not be repeated.

[0017] [Configuration of Connector] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a coupler 10 according to an embodiment. The coupler 10 is used for railway vehicles. The coupler 10 is fixed to the front end and the rear end of railway vehicles respectively to connect railway vehicles to each other. In this specification, when the coupler 10 is connected to a railway vehicle, the height direction of the railway vehicle may be referred to as the vertical direction. Similarly, when the coupler 10 is connected to a railway vehicle, the width direction of the railway vehicle may be referred to as the left-right direction, and the traveling direction of the railway vehicle may be referred to as the front-back direction.

[0018] The coupler 10 is, for example, an automatic coupler. Referring to FIG. 1, the coupler 10 includes a coupler body 11 and a knuckle 12.

[0019] The coupler body 11 extends in the front-back direction. A knuckle 12 is provided at the front end portion 11a of the coupler body 11 in the front-back direction. The front end portion 11a of the coupler body 11 is the end portion on the opposite side of the end portion 11b fixed to the railway vehicle among both end portions of the coupler 10 in the front-back direction. The knuckle 12 is rotatably supported with respect to the coupler body 11 by a rod-shaped knuckle pin 13. The central axis of the knuckle pin 13 extends in the vertical direction. The knuckle 12 can take an open state and a closed state by rotating around the knuckle pin 13.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the coupler 10 further includes a lock 14, a lower lock lifter 15, and a knuckle opener 16.

[0021] The coupler body 11 has a lock chamber 111. The lock chamber 111 is provided on the front end portion 11a (FIG. 1) side of the coupler body 11. The lock 14 and the knuckle opener 16 are housed in the lock chamber 111. The upper end portion of the lower lock lifter 15 is connected to the lock 14. Specifically, the upper end portion of the lower lock lifter 15 has a protrusion (not shown) protruding in the left-right direction. The lock 14 has a groove (not shown) corresponding to the protrusion. The protrusion of the lower lock lifter 15 engages with the groove of the lock 14, whereby the lower lock lifter 15 is connected to the lock 14. The lock 14 is movable in the vertical direction together with the lower lock lifter 15.

[0022] At least a portion of the lower lock pull 15 is exposed downward from the lock chamber 111 of the coupling body 11. Specifically, the lower part of the lower lock pull 15 is exposed from the lock chamber 111. In the example in Figure 2, the lower part of the lock 14 is also exposed downward from the lock chamber 111. An opening 112 is provided at the bottom of the lock chamber 111. The opening 112 penetrates the bottom of the lock chamber 111 in the vertical direction. The lock 14 and the lower lock pull 15 are inserted through the opening 112.

[0023] When the lock 14 and the lower lock lever 15 are in the reference position, the lock 14 is positioned to fill the gap between the knuckle 12 and the inner wall of the lock chamber 111. At this time, the knuckle 12 is restrained by the lock 14 so that it cannot rotate. The state in which the knuckle 12 is restrained by the lock 14 is called the locked state. In the locked state, the knuckle 12 is maintained in a closed state. Here, the reference position is the lowest position relative to the coupler body 11. Figure 2 shows the state when the lock 14 and the lower lock lever 15 are in the reference position. When railway vehicles are coupled together, each coupler 10 is in the locked state, and the knuckles 12 of each are engaged. When railway vehicles are not coupled together, the knuckles 12 are in the closed locked state or in the open state.

[0024] When the coupling is engaged, the lower lock lift 15 is operated, causing the lock 14 and the lower lock lift 15 to move upward. This releases the restraint of the knuckle 12 by the lock 14, allowing the knuckle 12 to rotate. This state in which the knuckle 12 can rotate is called the lock-retained state. When the railway vehicles separate from each other while the couplers 10 fixed to each railway vehicle are in the lock-retained state, the knuckle 12 rotates automatically. This causes the knuckle 12 to open. This state in which the knuckle 12 is open is called the knuckle-opened state. In this knuckle-opened state, the coupling between the railway vehicles is released.

[0025] On the other hand, when the knuckle 12 is closed in the uncoupled state, the lower lock lift 15 is operated in the same manner as above, and when the lock 14 and lower lock lift 15 move upward, the lock is in the retained position. In this case, if the lock 14 and lower lock lift 15 are moved further upward from the retained position, the lock 14 pushes up the knuckle opener 16, causing the knuckle opener 16 to rotate. This movement of the knuckle opener 16 causes the knuckle 12 to rotate, and the knuckle 12 opens. When the railway vehicles approach each other from this open knuckle position, the knuckles 12 interlock, the knuckles 12 close automatically, and the railway vehicles are coupled. Along with this operation, the lock 14 falls and moves to the reference position, and the coupler 10 enters the locked state.

[0026] Figure 3 is a side view of the coupler 10. That is, Figure 3 is a view of the coupler 10 along the left-right direction. Referring to Figure 3, a polygonal identification mark 151 is provided on the lower locking tab 15. In this embodiment, the shape of the identification mark 151 is triangular. The identification mark 151 is provided on the portion of the lower locking tab 15 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 when the lower locking tab 15 is in the reference position. The portion of the lower locking tab 15 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 is the portion of the lower locking tab 15 that is below the lower end surface 11c of the coupler body 11 in a side view of the coupler 10. The lower end surface 11c of the coupler body 11 may be parallel to the front-rear direction or it may be inclined. The method of providing the identification mark 151 on the lower locking tab 15 is not particularly limited. The identification mark 151 may be provided by applying paint to the surface of the lower locking tab 15. In this case, the paint applied to the surface of the lower locking tab 15 may be fluorescent paint. Furthermore, the identification mark 151 may be provided by attaching an adhesive sticker to the surface of the lower lock pull 15. In this case, the adhesive sticker attached to the surface of the lower lock pull 15 may be a fluorescent sticker.

[0027] The identification mark 151 is preferably provided on the lower lock pull 15 in a position where it can be seen from a side view of the coupler 10. The identification mark 151 is provided, for example, on one side of the lower lock pull 15 in the left-right direction. Preferably, the identification mark 151 is provided on both sides of the lower lock pull 15 in the left-right direction.

[0028] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 3. Referring to Figure 4, when the vertices of the discrimination mark 151 are A, B, and C, vertex A of the discrimination mark 151 is located above the other vertices B and C of the discrimination mark 151. Vertex A may be located at the center of the lower lock pull 15 in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the vertical position of vertex B substantially coincides with the vertical position of vertex C. Hereinafter, the uppermost vertex A may be referred to as upper vertex A.

[0029] In the example in Figure 4, the shape of the identification mark 151 is an isosceles triangle. However, the shape of the identification mark 151 is not limited to this; it may also be an equilateral triangle or any other type of triangle.

[0030] The position of the identification mark 151 is not particularly limited. With the lower lock lift 15 in the reference position, the vertical distance L from the coupling body 11 to the identification mark 151 may be 0 mm or more and 30 mm or less. Specifically, with the lower lock lift 15 in the reference position, the distance L is the vertical distance from the lower end surface 11c of the coupling body 11 to the upper vertex A of the identification mark 151. The distance L is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0031] [Method for detecting abnormalities in tablets] Next, a method for detecting an abnormality in the lock 14 in the coupler 10 according to this embodiment will be described using Figures 2, 4, and 5. Figure 5 is a side view of the coupler 10. Figure 4 shows the state when the lock 14 is functioning normally, and Figure 5 shows the state when an abnormality occurs in the lock 14.

[0032] An abnormality in the lock 14 occurs when foreign matter such as dust, snow, or ice enters the lock chamber 111 of the coupling body 11 and accumulates inside the lock chamber 111, causing the locked lock 14 to remain floating above its reference position. In this case, the lower lock lifter 15 connected to the lock 14 also remains floating above its reference position.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, when a malfunction occurs in the lock 14, a portion of the identification mark 151 of the lower lock lift 15 overlaps with the coupler body 11, making it impossible to see from the outside of the railway vehicle. Specifically, the upper vertex A and its vicinity of the identification mark 151 are located above the lower end surface 11c of the coupler body 11. In other words, the upper part of the identification mark 151 is hidden inside the coupler body 11. In this case, only the rectangular area of ​​the identification mark 151 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 can be seen from the outside of the railway vehicle.

[0034] In the detection of an anomaly in the lock 14, the identification mark 151 of the lower lock lever 15 is inspected from the outside of the railway vehicle while the railway vehicle is stopped. The inspection of the identification mark 151 is performed, for example, by visual inspection. However, the inspection of the identification mark 151 may also be performed by image inspection based on an image of the lower lock lever 15 taken by a camera or the like.

[0035] If the entire identification mark 151 can be confirmed during inspection, that is, if the shape of the mark confirmed during inspection is triangular, then the lock 14 can be determined to be normal. Conversely, if the entire identification mark 151 cannot be confirmed, that is, if the shape of the mark confirmed during inspection is square, then it can be determined that there is a problem with the lock 14.

[0036] [effect] In the coupler 10 according to this embodiment, a polygonal identification mark 151 is provided on the lower lock lift 15. The identification mark 151 is provided on the portion of the lower lock lift 15 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 when the lower lock lift 15 is in the reference position. If a foreign object enters the lock chamber 111 and the lock 14 remains floating above the reference position, the lower lock lift 15 connected to the lock 14 will also remain floating above the reference position. In this case, a portion of the identification mark 151 on the lower lock lift 15 will overlap with the coupler body 11 and will not be visible from the outside of the railway vehicle. When a portion of the identification mark 151 overlaps with the coupler body 11, only the portion of the identification mark 151 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 can be seen from the outside of the railway vehicle. Therefore, by inspecting the identification mark 151 on the lower lock lift 15 from the outside of the railway vehicle, if the shape of the visible mark differs from the overall shape of the identification mark 151, it can be determined that there is a problem with the lock 14. Thus, according to the connector 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to detect abnormalities in the lock 14.

[0037] For example, if a horizontally extending linear mark is provided on the lower lock lift 15 instead of the identification mark 151, then when a malfunction occurs in the lock 14, the entire mark will overlap with the coupler body 11 and be hidden inside the coupler body 11. In this case, if the mark cannot be confirmed during inspection, it will be determined that a malfunction has occurred in the lock 14. However, in environments with poor visibility due to dust, rain, or snow, there is a risk that the mark may be overlooked during visual inspection, even if there is actually no malfunction in the lock 14 and the mark is visible from the coupler body 11. If the mark is overlooked during visual inspection, it will be determined that a malfunction has occurred in the lock 14 even though it is functioning normally. In contrast, when using the coupler 10 according to this embodiment, a malfunction has occurred in the lock 14 when a mark with a shape different from the overall shape of the identification mark 151 is confirmed. Therefore, the risk of false detection can be reduced compared to when a malfunction has occurred in the lock 14 when no mark can be confirmed.

[0038] In the coupler 10 according to this embodiment, the shape of the identification mark 151 provided on the lower lock lift 15 is triangular. When an abnormality occurs in the lock 14 and a part of the identification mark 151 overlaps with the coupler body 11, the shape of the part of the identification mark 151 that is exposed from the coupler body 11 becomes square. In this way, the shape of the mark that can be confirmed differs depending on whether the lock 14 is functioning normally or whether an abnormality has occurred in the lock 14, making it easier to detect an abnormality in the lock 14.

[0039] When the lower lock lift 15 is in the reference position, if the vertical distance L from the coupling body 11 to the identification mark 151 is too small, part of the identification mark 151 will overlap with the coupling body 11 even if the lower lock lift 15 is slightly elevated from the reference position. This increases the risk of false detection. Conversely, if the distance L is too large, the identification mark 151 may not overlap with the coupling body 11 even if the lower lock lift 15 is significantly elevated from the reference position. In this case, there is a risk of delayed detection of abnormalities in the lock 14. Therefore, the identification mark 151 may be placed at a position where the distance L is between 5 mm and 15 mm. In this case, the risk of false detection can be reduced while enabling early detection of abnormalities in the lock 14.

[0040] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. However, the embodiments described above are merely examples for implementing this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the embodiments described above can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the vertical position of vertex B of the discrimination mark 151 substantially coincides with the vertical position of vertex C. However, as shown in Figure 6, vertex B may be located above vertex C. Also, although not shown in the figure, vertex B may be located below vertex C.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the shape of the identification mark 151 is triangular. However, the shape of the identification mark 151 may be a rectangle or other polygon, as shown in Figures 7 to 9. In addition, a mark different from the identification mark 151 may be provided below the identification mark 151 on the lower lock pull 15.

[0043] In the examples shown in Figures 7 to 9, when the vertices of the identification mark 151 are A, B, C, and D, the upper vertex A of the identification mark 151 is located above the other vertices B, C, and D. In the example shown in Figure 7, the shape of the identification mark 151 is roughly rhombic. The vertical position of vertex B substantially coincides with the vertical position of vertex C. Vertex D is located below vertices B and C. In the example shown in Figure 8, the vertical position of vertex B substantially coincides with the vertical position of vertex C. Vertex D is located below vertices B and C. In a side view of the coupler 10, vertices A, B, and C are located on the side of the lower lock pull 15. Specifically, vertices A and C are located on one side of the lower lock pull 15, and vertex B is located on the other side of the lower lock pull 15. In the example shown in Figure 9, the shape of the identification mark 151 is roughly trapezoidal. Vertices C and D are located below vertex B. The vertical position of vertex C substantially coincides with the vertical position of vertex D. In a side view of the coupler 10, vertices A, B, C, and D are located on the side of the lower lock 15. Specifically, vertices A and C are located on one side of the lower lock 15, and vertices B and D are located on the other side of the lower lock 15. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10:Coupler 11: Connector body 11a:Tip 111: Lock Room 12: Knuckle 14: Tablets 15: Lower tablet 151: Identification Mark A, B, C, D: Vertices L: distance

Claims

1. A coupler for railway vehicles, A coupling body having a lock chamber, A knuckle is provided at the tip of the coupling body in the longitudinal direction of the railway vehicle and is rotatably supported relative to the coupling body, A lock housed in the aforementioned lock chamber and movable in the vertical direction of the railway vehicle, It comprises a lower lock lift connected to the lock, at least a portion of which is exposed downward from the lock chamber of the coupling body, When the lock and the lower lock lift are in the reference position which is the lowest position relative to the coupling body, the knuckle is restrained by the lock. When the lower lock lift is in the reference position, a polygonal identification mark is provided on the portion of the lower lock lift that is exposed from the coupling body. A coupler in which one vertex of the discrimination mark is located above the other vertices of the discrimination mark.

2. A coupler according to claim 1, A coupler in which, with the lower lock lifting mechanism in the reference position, the vertical distance from the coupler body to the identification mark is 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

3. A coupler according to claim 1, The identification mark is provided on the surface of the lower locking mechanism of the coupler.

4. A coupler according to claim 1, The identification mark is provided on the coupler by attaching an adhesive sticker to the surface of the lower lock lifter.

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