Articulated connection and associated railway vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an articulated connection (20) between two railway carbodies, comprising: - an interior shell (30) intended to be fixed to the end wall of the first carbody (22), - at least one exterior shell (32) intended to be fixed to the end wall of the second carbody (24), and - a connection unit (34) connecting the at least one exterior shell (32) to the interior shell (30) so that one of the shell is able to rotationally move relative to the other shell and allows forces to be transmitted between the exterior shell (32) and the interior shell (30), the connection unit (34) being incorporated in an intermediate space (40) between the at least one exterior shell (32) and the interior shell (30).

Description

[0001] Articulated connection and associated railway vehicle

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns an articulated connection between two railway carbodies. The present invention concerns also an associated railway vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the field of railway, a gangway is a passage between two railway carbodies enabling passengers to move from one railway carbody to another.

[0006] To connect two carbodies, it is known to arrange the articulation and various dampers (yaw, pitch and roll) in an area around the gangway. The main functions of these components are force transmission, mobility and motion damping.

[0007] However, each of these components has interfaces such as consoles or connecting elements that have to be defined, specified, purchased, managed and require installation space. It is therefore difficult to accommodate other assemblies such as electrical and pneumatic connections in the gangway.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] There exists a need for a connection between two carbodies which is easier to implement.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an articulated connection between two railway carbodies, comprising:

[0011] - an interior shell intended to be fixed to the end wall of the first carbody, wherein the fixing is able to transmit forces between the interior shell and the end wall of the first carbody, and wherein the diameter of the interior shell allows people to move from a first carbody to a second carbody,

[0012] - at least one exterior shell intended to be fixed to the end wall of the second carbody, wherein the fixing is able to transmit forces between the exterior shell and the end wall of the second carbody, the at least one exterior shell covering at least a part of the interior shell, and

[0013] - a connection unit connecting the at least one exterior shell to the interior shell so that one of the shell is able to rotationally move relative to the other shell and allows forces to be transmitted between the exterior shell and the interior shell, the connection unit being incorporated in an intermediate space between the at least one exterior shell and the interior shell. The articulated connection according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features considered alone or in any combination that is technically possible:

[0014] - the articulated connection comprises at least one damping element;

[0015] - both the interior shell and the exterior shell are calottes, preferably spherical or oval calottes;

[0016] - the connection unit comprises at least one force transmission element able to transmit forces between the interior shell and the at least one exterior shell;

[0017] - the distribution of the or each force transmission element in the intermediate space is such that the center of rotation of the articulated connection corresponds to the center of the articulated connection;

[0018] - the connection unit comprises several force transmission elements distributed in the intermediate space so as to cover:

[0019] - the entire circumference of the interior shell, or

[0020] - at least four areas on the circumference of the interior shell among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell, an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell, an area on the right of the circumference of the interior shell, and an area on the left of the circumference of the interior shell , or

[0021] - two areas on the circumference of the interior shell among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell;

[0022] - the distribution of the or each force transmission element in the intermediate space is such that the center of rotation of the articulated connection corresponds to the bottom of the articulated connection;

[0023] - the connection unit comprises:

[0024] - either several force transmission elements distributed in the intermediate space so as to cover two areas on the circumference of the interior shell among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell,

[0025] - or one force transmission element distributed in the intermediate space so as to cover an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell; and

[0026] - the articulated connection comprises a step plate for the passage of passengers.

[0027] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle comprising:

[0028] - a first carbody,

[0029] - a second carbody, and - an articulated connection between the first carbody and the second carbody, the articulated connection being as previously described.

[0030] The railway vehicle may comprise an articulated bogie which supports both the first carbody and the second carbody.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as an example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is an example of an articulated connection between two carbodies according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0034] Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the articulated connection of figure 1 ,

[0035] Figure 3 is an example of a connection unit comprising a force transmission element and damping elements,

[0036] Figure 4 is an example of a spring damping element,

[0037] Figure 5 is another example of a spring damping element,

[0038] Figure 6 is an example of an articulated connection between two carbodies according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0039] Figure 7 is a cross-section view of the articulated connection of figure 6,

[0040] Figure 8 is an example of a connection unit comprising a force transmission element,

[0041] Figure 9 is another example of a connection unit comprising a force transmission element, and

[0042] Figure 10 an example of a way to implement a movability / flexibility function for the connection unit between the interior shell and the exterior shell.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0044] In the description, the term "longitudinal" is defined in relation to the direction in which the vehicle travels, i.e. the direction in which the rails on which the vehicle travels extend. The longitudinal direction is represented on the figures by an X axis. The term "transverse" is defined in relation to a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in a horizontal plane, i.e. the direction in which the rails are spaced apart from each other. The transverse direction is represented on the figures by an Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction is called the "vertical direction" and is represented in the figures by a Z axis. The terms "front" and "rear" are defined in relation to the direction of travel of the rail vehicle (the longitudinal direction). The terms “top” and “bottom” are defined in relation to the elevation direction Z. The terms “right” and “left” are defined in relation to the transverse direction Y.

[0045] An articulated connection 20 between a first railway carbody 22 and a second railway carbody 24 of a railway vehicle 26 is illustrated on figures 1 and 2. This articulated connection 20 corresponds to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The articulated connection could also be called articulated transition.

[0047] The railway vehicle 26 is for example a train or a tramway.

[0048] Preferably, an articulated bogie supports both the first carbody 22 and the second carbody 24.

[0049] The articulated connection 20 comprises an interior shell 30, an exterior shell 32 and a connection unit 34. Preferably, the articulated connection 20 also comprises a step plate 36 affixed to the interior shell 30 for the passage of passengers in the articulated connection 20.

[0050] The interior shell 30 is intended to be fixed to the end wall of the first carbody 22. The interior shell 30 is for example a calotte such as a spherical calotte or an oval calotte. The interior shell 30 is, for example, made of steel. The interior shell 30 is, for example, fixed to the end wall of the first carbody 22 by fixation means, such as screws or rivets, either detachably or non-detachably.

[0051] The exterior shell 32 is intended to be fixed to the end wall of the second carbody 24 in a way such that the exterior shell 32 covers at least a part of the interior shell 30. It is understood by the term “covering” that the exterior shell 32 is above the interior shell 30 in at least a region of the interior shell 30. The exterior shell 32 is, for example, fixed to the end wall of the second carbody 24 by fixation means, such as screws or rivets, either detachably or non-detachably.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the exterior shell 32 is made up of one single element having a form which is complementary to the form of the interior shell 30. For example, the exterior shell 32 is a calotte, such as a spherical calotte or an oval calotte. The exterior shell 32 is, for example, made of steel.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the exterior shell 32 covers the interior shell 30 on all the circumference of the interior shell 30.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the interior shell 30 is, on one hand, connected to the first carbody 22 and, on the other hand, connected to the exterior shell 32 by the connection unit 34. The exterior shell 32 is, on one hand, connected to the second carbody 24 and, on the other hand, connected to the interior shell 30 by the connection unit 34. In the first embodiment, an intermediate space 40 is defined between the exterior shell 32 and the interior shell 30 in a region where the exterior shell 32 covers the interior shell 30. In the first embodiment, the intermediate space 40 is a continuous space.

[0055] The connection unit 34 is incorporated in the intermediate space 40 between the exterior shell 32 and the interior shell 30 so as to connect the exterior shell 32 to the interior shell 30. The connection unit 34 is configured so that one of the shells is able to move relative to the other shell.

[0056] The connection unit 34 is configured to ensure the force transmission between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shell 32, as well as the mobility and the motion damping.

[0057] Preferably, the connection unit 34 is configured so that the movement of one of the shells relative to the other shell is a rotational movement, and notably a movement enabling the shells to move relative to one another in all the directions (yaw, pitch, roll).

[0058] The connection unit 34 comprises at least one force transmission element 43 and preferably at least one damping element 42.

[0059] The damping element(s) 42 ensures the function of yaw, pitch and roll dampers.

[0060] Each damping element 42 enables to absorb the shocks during force transmission between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shell 32.

[0061] The damping element 42 (and if applicable the suspensions) is for example a mechanical element, a hydraulic / pneumatic element or a layer of material (elastic material for example).

[0062] In the example of figure 3, each damping element 42 is a layer of material, such as a layer of elastomer material.

[0063] In the example of figure 4, each damping element 42 is a spring damping system. The spring damping system comprises several dampers 44 able to absorb the shocks in the directions X and Y. Springs 46 are used for the positioning of the interior shell 30 and are also able to absorb the shocks in the elevation direction Z.

[0064] In the example of figure 5, each damping element 42 is a rotational damping system. The rotational damping system comprises at least one transverse pin 50 in a pin of the interior shell 30 which is surrounded by springs 52 and damper chambers 54. In case of rotation (yawing), the transverse pin 50 rotates as well, and the springs 52 and damper elements in the damper chambers 54 will work, which enables absorbing the shocks in the transverse direction Y. Additionally the rotational damping system might contain damping elements 48 in the X and Y direction and at least one positioning element 49 in the elevation direction Z.

[0065] Each force transmission element 43 is configured to transmit transmission forces between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shell 32. In the example of figure 3, each force transmission element 43 comprises at least a ball 60 whose movement is restrained by the layers of the damping element 42. The ball 60 is preferably made of steel. For example, a housing 62 is defined in the damping layer so as to lead and restrained the movement of the ball 60. In this example, each force transmission element 43 comprises several balls 60 (two) which enables a reduction of the movement distances. In this example, the interior shell 30 and the exterior shell 32 comprises stops 65 to retain the force transmission element 43.

[0066] In an example, the distribution of the or each force transmission element 43 in the intermediate space 40 is such that the center of rotation R of the articulated connection 20 corresponds to the center of the articulated connection 20.

[0067] In such an example, the connection unit 34 comprises preferably several force transmission elements 43 distributed in the intermediate space 40 so as to cover:

[0068] - the entire circumference of the interior shell 30, or

[0069] - at least four areas on the circumference of the interior shell 30 among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell 30, an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell 30, an area on the right of the circumference of the interior shell 30, and an area on the left of the circumference of the interior shell 30 (such a configuration corresponds to the example of figure 2), or

[0070] - two areas on the circumference of the interior shell 30 among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell 30 and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell 30.

[0071] In another example, the distribution of the or each force transmission element 43 in the intermediate space 40 is such that the center of rotation R of the articulated connection 20 is at the bottom of the articulated connection 20.

[0072] In such an example, the connection unit 34 comprises preferably:

[0073] - either several force transmission elements 43 distributed in the intermediate space 40 so as to cover two areas on the circumference of the interior shell 30 among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell 30 and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell 30,

[0074] - or one force transmission element 43 distributed in the intermediate space 40 so as to cover an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell 30.

[0075] During the operation of the railway vehicle 26, one of the first carbody 22 and the second carbody 24 leads the other carbody. The connection unit 34 linking the interior shell 30 connected to the first carbody 22 and the exterior shell 32 connected to the second carbody 24, ensures force transmission, mobility and motion damping. Hence, the articulated connection 20 of the first embodiment enables to implement in an easy way a connection between two carbodies of a railway vehicle 26.

[0076] In particular, the articulated connection 20 enables a more compact construction, with a reduction of components and interfaces. The assembly steps are also reduced. In addition, if applicable, it is possible to obtain a more even force distribution on the end walls of the carbodies.

[0077] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated on figures 6 to 9. Only the differences with respect to the first embodiment described with respects to figures 1 to 5, will be described here.

[0078] In the second embodiment, the interior shell 30 is also intended to be fixed to the end wall of the second carbody 24. Hence, the interior shell 30 links the first carbody 22 and the second carbody 24. The interior shell 30 is for example fixed to the second carbody 24 with the same fixation means than the first carbody 22. Hence, in the second embodiment, the force transmission function is ensured by the interior shell 30.

[0079] In the second embodiment, the articulated connection 20 comprises at least four exterior shells 32 covering different areas on the circumference of the interior shell 30, two of the exterior shells 32 being intended to be fixed on the second carbody 24 and the two others on the first carbody 22. Each exterior shell 32 is for example a curved plate whose form is complementary to the form of a region of the interior shell 30 covered by said exterior shell 32. The covered region is a region on the circumference of the interior shell 30. Advantageously, the exterior shells 32 are evenly distributed on the circumference of the interior shell 30.

[0080] In the second embodiment, the intermediate space 40 between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shells 32 is a non-continuous space.

[0081] The connection unit 34 is incorporated in the intermediate space 40 between each exterior shell 32 and the interior shell 30. The connection unit 34 is configured so that one of the shells is able to move relative to the other shell. The connection unit 34 is configured to ensure the force transmission between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shells 32, as well as the mobility and the motion damping. Preferably, the connection unit 34 is configured so that the movement of one of the shells relative to the other shell is a rotational movement, and notably a movement enabling the shells to move relative to one another in all the directions (yaw, pitch, roll).

[0082] In the second embodiment, the connection unit 34 comprises several parts called connectors 70. Each connector 70 is connected between the interior shell 30 and a different exterior shell 32. Each connector 70 enables force transmission between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shells 32 while ensuring suspension and damping function. In the example of figure 8, each connector 70 comprises a pin 75 for the force transmission and damping elements 76.

[0083] In the example of figure 9, each connector 70 comprises a wheel 80 in a gear 82.

[0084] During the operation of the railway vehicle 26, one of the first carbody 22 and the second carbody 24 leads the other carbody. The connection unit 34 linking the interior shell 30 connected to the first carbody 22 and the exterior shells 32 connected to the second carbody 24, ensures force transmission, mobility and motion damping.

[0085] Hence, the articulated connection 20 of the second embodiment enables to implement in an easy way a connection between two carbodies of a railway vehicle 26.

[0086] It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the above-described embodiments and variants may be combined to form new embodiments provided that they are technically compatible.

[0087] For example, in an embodiment, the connection unit 34 described on figure 3 of the first embodiment is usable in the second embodiment. Similarly, the connection units 34 described on figures 8 and 9 of the second embodiment are usable in the first embodiment.

[0088] In addition, an embodiment similar to the second embodiment but comprising less than four and more than one exterior shell 32, or more than four exterior shells 32, is also part of the invention.

[0089] In addition, the person skilled in the art will understand that the movability / flexibility function between the interior shell 30 and the exterior shell(s) 32 is obtainable with various means. For example, as illustrated on figure 10, this function is ensured by a pocket concept in the connection unit 34. In this concept, a curved surface ensures that the movement of the interior shell 30 relative to the exterior shell 32 results in a rotation (and no translation). An intermediate block 90 (with hole for a pin of the interior shell 30) is able to move in a pocket 92 of an intermediate shell 93. The intermediate shell 93 is also able to move in a pocket 94 of the exterior shell 32. In an example, damping elements are placed in the pockets 92, 94.

Claims

CLAIMS1 Articulated connection (20) between two railway carbodies, comprising:- an interior shell (30) intended to be fixed to the end wall of the first carbody (22), wherein the fixing is able to transmit forces between the interior shell (30) and the end wall of the first carbody (22), and wherein the diameter of the interior shell (30) allows people to move from a first carbody to a second carbody,- at least one exterior shell (32) intended to be fixed to the end wall of the second carbody (24), wherein the fixing is able to transmit forces between the exterior shell (32) and the end wall of the second carbody (24), the at least one exterior shell (32) covering at least a part of the interior shell (30), and- a connection unit (34) connecting the at least one exterior shell (32) to the interior shell (30) so that one of the shell is able to rotationally move relative to the other shell and allows forces to be transmitted between the exterior shell (32) and the interior shell (30), the connection unit (34) being incorporated in an intermediate space (40) between the at least one exterior shell (32) and the interior shell (30).2.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 1 , wherein the articulated connection (20) comprises at least one damping element (42).3.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein both the interior shell (30) and the exterior shell (32) are calottes, preferably spherical or oval calottes.4.- Articulated connection (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection unit (34) comprises at least one force transmission element (43) able to transmit forces between the interior shell (30) and the at least one exterior shell (32).5.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 4, wherein the distribution of the or each force transmission element (43) in the intermediate space (40) is such that the center of rotation (R) of the articulated connection (20) corresponds to the center of the articulated connection (20).6.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 5, wherein the connection unit (34) comprises several force transmission elements (43) distributed in the intermediate space (40) so as to cover:- the entire circumference of the interior shell (30), or- at least four areas on the circumference of the interior shell (30) among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell (30), an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell (30), an area on the right of the circumference of the interior shell (30), and an area on the left of the circumference of the interior shell (30), or- two areas on the circumference of the interior shell (30) among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell (30) and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell (30).7.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 4, wherein the distribution of the or each force transmission element (43) in the intermediate space (40) is such that the center of rotation (R) of the articulated connection (20) corresponds to the bottom of the articulated connection (20).8.- Articulated connection (20) according to claim 7, wherein the connection unit (34) comprises:- either several force transmission elements (43) distributed in the intermediate space (40) so as to cover two areas on the circumference of the interior shell (30) among an area on the top of the circumference of the interior shell (30) and an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell (30),- or one force transmission element (43) distributed in the intermediate space (40) so as to cover an area on the bottom of the circumference of the interior shell (30).9.- Articulated connection (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the articulated connection (20) comprises a step plate (36) for the passage of passengers.10.- Railway vehicle (26) comprising:- a first carbody (22),- a second carbody (24), and- an articulated connection (20) between the first carbody (22) and the second carbody (24), the articulated connection (20) being according to any one of claims 1 to 9.1 1 .- Railway vehicle (26) according to claim 10 comprising an articulated bogie which supports both the first carbody (22) and the second carbody (24).

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