Pantograph for railway vehicles

Abstract

To provide a pantograph for railway vehicle which can adjust a breakage load, and can detect pantograph breakage as soon as possible.SOLUTION: A pantograph for railway vehicle comprises breakage detection means Ps which detects breakage of a pantograph PG by air leakage from an air reservoir part As when a load is applied to a framework 2 or a current collector head 4. A first block body 81 fixed to a head support 41 or an underframe 1, and a second block body 82, which is installed in the state of being joined to the first block body by energization power of energization means 9, are provided, a balanced link 24 or a balance link 25 is connected to the second block body, a sphere Sh fitted to sphere reception parts 83a, 83b which are respectively formed on each block body, and an annular seal member 85 are interposed between joint areas 8a, 8b of both block bodies, and gas supply means 86, 87, Cm which supply a gas into an air reservoir part comprising a space surrounded by the seal member, and adjustment means 91, 92, 94 which adjust the energization power of the energization means are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pantograph for a railway vehicle, which comprises a current collecting shoe, a framework for supporting the current collecting shoe, and a main spring for urging the framework in an upward extending direction, the framework having a lower frame which is swingably connected to a main shaft provided on an underframe mounted on the roof of the railway vehicle, an upper frame which is swingably connected to the lower frame and supports the current collecting shoe, a balancing link which is swingably connected between the lower frame and the underframe support of the current collecting shoe to keep the posture of the current collecting shoe constant, and a balancing link which is connected between the underframe and the upper frame to swing the upper frame in conjunction with the swinging of the lower frame. [Background technology]

[0002] As this type of pantograph, there is known a pantograph equipped with a damage detection means that forms an air reservoir at a predetermined position of the frame and detects damage to the pantograph due to an abnormality in the overhead line or a collision with a flying object while the railroad vehicle is running, and detects damage to the pantograph by air leakage from the air reservoir when a load is applied to the frame or the current collector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type, a mounting pin that swingably connects the balancing rod is provided with a hole as an air reservoir that does not penetrate in the axial direction, and the hole is normally filled with compressed air at a constant pressure. When the mounting pin breaks due to a load being applied to the frame or the current collector due to a collision with a flying object, etc., air leaks from the hole, and the damage detection means detects the associated pressure change and detects damage to the pantograph.

[0003] However, in the above conventional example, once the breaking load at which the mounting pin breaks (i.e., the load for detecting breakage) is set, it cannot be readjusted. Here, since the breaking load changes depending on, for example, the weight of the current collector, whenever there is a change in the specifications of the pantograph that results in a change in weight, such as a change in the material of the slider of the current collector, it is necessary to prepare a mounting pin that corresponds to the change. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-189754 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a pantograph for a railway vehicle which has an adjustable breaking load and which enables breakage of the pantograph to be detected as quickly as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the pantograph for a railway vehicle of the present invention comprises a current collector, a framework for supporting the current collector, and a main spring for biasing the framework in an upward extending direction, the framework having a lower frame swingably connected to a main shaft provided on an underframe mounted on the roof of the railway vehicle, an upper frame swingably connected to the lower frame for supporting the current collector, a balancing link swingably connected between the lower frame and the underframe support of the current collector to keep the attitude of the current collector constant, and a balancing link connected between the underframe and the upper frame to swing the upper frame in conjunction with the swinging of the lower frame, an air reservoir is formed at a predetermined position of the framework, and air from the air reservoir is prevented from escaping when a load is applied to the framework or the current collector. The present invention further comprises a damage detection means for detecting damage to the pantograph due to air leakage, and is characterized in that a first block body fixed to a fulcrum or frame and a second block body installed in a state joined to the first block body by the biasing force of a biasing means are provided, a balancing link or a counterbalancing link is connected to the second block body, a sphere fitted in a sphere receiving portion formed on each of the first and second block bodies and an annular seal member are interposed between the joint surfaces of both block bodies, a space surrounded by the seal member is used as an air reservoir, and gas supply means is provided for supplying gas to this air reservoir, and adjustment means is provided for adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means.

[0007] According to the above, when a load in the shear direction acts on the joint surface of a pair of block bodies due to an abnormality in the overhead line or a collision with a flying object while a railway vehicle is running, if this load exceeds the resultant force of the biasing force of the biasing means and the frictional force between the sphere and the sphere receiving part, the sphere will slip out of the sphere receiving part and a gap corresponding to the diameter of the sphere will be formed on the joint surface of both block bodies. As a result, air leaks from the air reservoir, and the damage detection means detects the associated pressure change and detects damage to the pantograph as quickly as possible. At this time, the load for detecting damage can be appropriately changed by simply changing the biasing force of the biasing means with the adjustment means, even after the pantograph has been assembled. Moreover, since the components constituting the frame are not damaged (broken) as in the above-mentioned conventional example, the pantograph can be easily restored to its original state, which is advantageous. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pantograph for a railway vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the pantograph. [Diagram 3] 13A and 13B are enlarged partial cross-sectional views illustrating air leakage from an air reservoir. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a single-arm pantograph for railway vehicles of the present invention that is mounted on the roof of a railway vehicle to collect power from an overhead line will be described. In the following, terms indicating directions such as up, down, clockwise, and counterclockwise are based on Fig. 1, which shows the mounting position of the pantograph on the roof of a railway vehicle.

[0010] Referring to Fig. 1, PG is a pantograph of this embodiment. The pantograph PG includes an underframe 1 long in the track direction and disposed on the roof of a railway vehicle (not shown) via an insulator. The underframe 1 includes a framework 2 and a main spring 3 for biasing the framework 2 in an upward extension direction. The framework 2 includes a lower frame 21 swingably connected to a main shaft 12 journaled in a pair of brackets 11 erected on the underframe 1 so as to extend in the direction of the sleepers (car width), and an upper frame 23 swingably connected to the lower frame 21 via a hinge 22. The upper frame 23 supports a current collector 4 via a frame support 41. The framework 2 also includes a balancing link 24 swingably connected between the lower frame 21 and the frame support 41 to keep the attitude of the current collector 4 constant, and a balancing link 25 connected between the underframe 1 and the upper frame 23 to swing the upper frame 23 in conjunction with the swing of the lower frame 21.

[0011] A cam member 12a is attached to the main shaft 12, and one end of the main spring 3 is connected to the cam member 12a, and the biasing force (compression force) of the main spring 3 applies a clockwise rotational moment to the main shaft 12 via the cam member 12a, biasing the framework 2 in the upward extension direction. In addition, an air cylinder 5 that rotates the main shaft 12 counterclockwise against the compression force of the main spring 3, and a locking mechanism 6 that holds the framework 2 in a folded position are provided on the frame 1. Note that since known components are used for the framework 2, current collector 4, air cylinder 5, and locking mechanism 6, further detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0012] Incidentally, while a railway vehicle is traveling, an excessive load may be applied to the framework 2 or the current collecting shoe 4 due to an abnormality in the overhead line or a collision with a flying object, which may damage the pantograph PG. For this reason, it is necessary to be able to detect damage to the pantograph PG as quickly as possible. In this embodiment, an air reservoir As is formed at the connection point between the upper frame 23 and the boat support 41 of the current collecting shoe 4, and a damage detection means Ps is provided that detects damage to the pantograph PG by air leakage from the air reservoir As when a load is applied to the framework 2 or the current collecting shoe 4.

[0013] 2 and 3, a connecting block 42 having a first through hole 42a penetrating in the sleeper direction is provided on the underside of the boat support 41. An upper frame joint 23a is provided on the upper end of the upper frame 23, and second through holes 231a and 232a are respectively opened at the tip portions 231 and 232 of the bifurcated upper frame joint 23a. The connecting block 42 is sandwiched from both sides, and the upper frame joint 23a is set so that the first through hole 42a and the second through holes 231a and 232a are positioned on the same hole axis Ah. Then, the shaft 7 is inserted so as to pass through both the through holes 42a, 231a and 232a, thereby connecting the upper frame 23 and the boat support 41. In this case, although not specifically shown or described, a fixing means is provided on the portion of the shaft 7 protruding from the second insertion hole 232a at one end portion 232 (right side in Figure 3) to prevent the shaft 7 from coming loose.

[0014] A first block body 81 is integrally provided by welding or the like to a portion of the shaft body 7 protruding from the second insertion hole 231a of the other end portion 231 (left side in FIG. 3). A second block body 82 is provided on one side surface (left side surface in FIG. 3, hereinafter referred to as the "first joint surface 8a") of the first block body 81 located in the sleeper direction and is installed in a state of being joined to the first block body 81 by the biasing force of a coil spring 9 as a biasing means, and a balancing link 24 is connected to the lower end of the second block body 82. A guide hole 81 is opened in the second block body 82 penetrating in the sleeper direction, and a guide pin 91 is inserted into the guide hole 81, and the tip of the guide pin 91 in the insertion direction is fitted into a recess 82 formed in the first joint surface 8a. A pressing plate 92 is provided at the rear end of the guide pin 91. In this case, a screw hole 91a is provided in the rear end surface of the guide pin 91 so as to be positioned on the hole axis Ah, and a bolt 94 is fastened to the screw hole 91a via a washer 93 to fix the presser plate 92. The coil spring 9 is compressed between one side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 3) of the second block body 82 and the presser plate 92. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned components including the bolt 94 constitute an adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of the coil spring 9, and the biasing force of the coil spring 9 can be adjusted by changing the fastening stroke of the bolt 94.

[0015] The other side surface (the right side surface in FIG. 3) of the second block body 82 is the second joint surface 8b, and the first joint surface 8a and the second joint surface 8b are formed with sphere receiving portions 83a, 83b, which are located above and below the hole axis Ah and receive half of a sphere Sh having a predetermined diameter, respectively. The first block body 81 and the second block body 82 are joined together with the sphere Sh fitted into the sphere receiving portions 83a, 83b. The first joint surface 8a is provided with a receiving portion 84, which is recessed toward the sleeper, located further below the sphere receiving portion 83b located below, and an O-ring 85 is installed in the receiving portion 84 as a seal member. The space within the receiving portion 84, which is surrounded by the O-ring 85 when the first joint surface 8a and the second joint surface 8b are joined together, is used as an air pocket As. Further, an air supply passage 86 is formed in the second block body 82 in correspondence with the air reservoir As. A flexible air supply tube 87 is connected to the air supply passage 86 via a joint 87a, so that compressed air can be supplied to the air reservoir As at a constant pressure by a compressor Cm provided on the underframe 1. In this embodiment, these parts 86, 87, and Cm constitute a gas supply means. Further, a pressure sensor Ps constituting a damage detection means is interposed in the air supply tube 87, and for example, a throttle portion (not shown) is provided in the air supply tube 87 so that if air leaks from the air reservoir As, a sudden pressure drop occurs in the air supply tube 87, which can be detected by the pressure sensor Ps.

[0016] According to the above, when a load in the shear direction acts on the joint surfaces 8a, 8b of the pair of block bodies 81, 82 from the state shown in Fig. 3(a) due to an abnormality in the overhead line or a collision with a flying object while the railway vehicle is running, if this load exceeds the resultant force of the biasing force of the coil spring 9 and the frictional force between the sphere Sh and the sphere receiving parts 83a, 83b, the sphere Sh will slip out of the sphere receiving parts 83a, 83b as shown in Fig. 3(b), and a gap according to the diameter of the sphere Sh will be formed between the two joint surfaces 8a, 8b. This causes air leakage from the air reservoir part As, and the sudden pressure drop in the air supply tube 87 is detected by the pressure sensor Ps as described above. In this case, when the detection value of the pressure sensor Ps becomes equal to or lower than the set value, a signal is transmitted, and in response to this, the air cylinder 5 operates to lower the frame 2. In this case, the load for detecting damage can be appropriately changed even after the pantograph PG has been assembled, simply by changing the amount of screwing in the bolt 94 to change the biasing force of the coil spring 9. Moreover, since the components constituting the frame 2 are not damaged (broken) as in the above-described conventional example, the pantograph PG can be advantageously easily restored to its original state.

[0017] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be modified appropriately within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In the above embodiment, a single-arm pantograph PG is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to so-called diamond-shaped or cross-shaped pantographs. In the above embodiment, an air reservoir As is formed at the connection between the balancing link 24 and the boat support 41, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the air reservoir As can be formed by providing a pair of block bodies 81, 82 as described above at the connection between the balancing link 25 and the frame 1. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the coil spring 9 is described as an example of the biasing means, but the form is not important as long as the biasing force is variable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0018] As...air reservoir, Cm...compressor (constituent element of gas supply means), PG...single-arm pantograph (pantograph), Ps...pressure sensor (damage detection means), Sh...sphere, 1...frame, 12...main shaft, 2...framework, 21...lower frame, 23...upper frame, 24...balance link, 25...balance link, 3...main spring, 4...current collector, 81...first block body, 82...second block body, 8a, 8b...joint surfaces, 83a, 83b...sphere receiving portion, 85...O-ring (sealing member), 86...air supply passage (constituent element of gas supply means), 87...air supply tube (constituent element of gas supply means), 9...coil spring (biasing means), 91...guide pin (constituent element of adjustment means), 92...pressure plate (constituent element of adjustment means), 94...bolt (constituent element of adjustment means).

Claims

[Claim 1] A pantograph for a railway vehicle comprising: a current collecting shoe; a framework for supporting the current collecting shoe; and a main spring for biasing the framework in an upward extending direction, the framework having a lower frame swingably connected to a main shaft provided on an underframe mounted on the roof of the railway vehicle; an upper frame swingably connected to the lower frame for supporting the current collecting shoe; a balancing link swingably connected between the lower frame and the underframe support of the current collecting shoe to keep the attitude of the current collecting shoe constant; and a balancing link connected between the underframe and the upper frame to swing the upper frame in conjunction with the swinging of the lower frame, The pantograph further comprises a damage detection means for detecting damage to the pantograph by detecting air leakage from the air reservoir when a load is applied to the frame or the current collector, the damage detection means being provided at a predetermined position of the frame and the air reservoir being formed in the frame, A first block body is fixed to the support or the frame, and a second block body is installed in a state where it is joined to the first block body by the biasing force of a biasing means, and a balancing link or a counterbalancing link is connected to the second block body. A sphere that fits into a sphere receiving portion formed in each of the first and second block bodies and an annular seal member are interposed between the joint surfaces of the two block bodies, A pantograph for a railway vehicle, comprising: a gas supply means for supplying gas to an air reservoir defined by a space surrounded by a sealing member; and an adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means.

Images