Rail vehicle bogie element and associated rail vehicle bogie

Abstract

The invention relates to a rail vehicle bogie element (12; 14), the bogie element comprising two facing metal sheets (16, 18; 30, 32) and spacers (20; 34) extending between the two metal sheets (16, 18; 30, 32) and connected to each metal sheet (16, 18; 30, 32) at their ends (40, 42). The spacers (20; 34) are separate pillars, and the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers (20; 34) positioned along one and the same width of the sheets is less than the width of the corresponding sheets (16, 18; 30, 32).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Railway vehicle bogie element and associated railway vehicle bogie

[0003] The present invention relates to a railway vehicle bogie element comprising two facing sheets and spacers extending between the two sheets and connected to each sheet from their ends.

[0004] Typically, a railway vehicle bogie frame consists of two side members connected by at least one cross member. The side members and the cross member(s) are manufactured using a welded box-type structure. Each box consists of a bottom sheet, a top sheet, and two side sheets. The four sheets are welded together. The boxes are then welded together to form the frame.

[0005] However, such a design of a closed welded mechanical structure chassis does not offer complete satisfaction, particularly in terms of ease of production.

[0006] Indeed, the manufacture of such boxes is difficult to automate and requires numerous manual operations that are not very ergonomic and not very economical.

[0007] Moreover, in case of production defects, such a structure is difficult to repair, because it is not possible to open a box without damaging the entire structure.

[0008] Additionally, such closed box structures have a significant mass and limit the passage of equipment, such as piping or wiring.

[0009] Furthermore, such manufacturing remains limited in terms of automation, particularly for example in the case of mechanically welded manufacturing, numerous adjustment operations are necessary.

[0010] In order to overcome these drawbacks, it is known to design an open-structure chassis made up of side members with an “I” section manufactured either by mechanical welding operations or by one-piece molding.

[0011] However, such production remains expensive. Indeed, for example, in the case of manufacturing such a side member by one-piece molding, a different mold must be provided for each type and size of side member. In addition, an additional mold must be provided for the sleeper(s). Alternatively, a mold must be provided for the complete chassis. One aim of the invention is to provide a railway vehicle bogie element with an open structure that can be manufactured economically and automatably.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a railway vehicle bogie element of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the spacers are separate pillars, the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers positioned on the same width of the sheets being less than the width of the corresponding sheets.

[0013] According to particular embodiments, the railway vehicle bogie element according to the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken independently or in any technically possible combination:

[0014] - each end of each spacer comprises an end tenon extending the middle part of the spacer and separated from the middle part by a shoulder, each sheet comprising through holes in each of which an end tenon is received, the shoulder bearing against the corresponding sheet;

[0015] - each spacer is thinned in its middle part;

[0016] - the middle part of each spacer includes a central hole;

[0017] - the ends of the spacers are fixed to the sheets by welding;

[0018] - at least one end of the spacer is welded by a full penetration weld joint; and

[0019] - the spacers are arranged in a staggered pattern between the two sheets.

[0020] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle bogie comprising a bogie chassis comprising:

[0021] - two side members each extending in a longitudinal direction opposite each other, and

[0022] - at least one cross member extending in a transverse direction and connecting the two side members together, at least one of the two side members and / or the cross member being a bogie element as described above.

[0023] According to particular embodiments, the railway vehicle bogie according to the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken independently or in any technically possible combination:

[0024] - each of the two side members and the cross member is a bogie element as described above;

[0025] - the bogie comprises two single sheets, each defining one of the sheets of each side member and one of the sheets of the cross member;

[0026] - the two side member sheets are spaced apart from each other in an elevation direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the side members; the bogie comprises a load crossmember, the load crossmember being a bogie element as described previously.

[0027] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a railway vehicle bogie according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a sectional view along a plane P of a side member of the railway vehicle bogie frame of Figure 1; and

[0030] [Fig 3] [Fig 4] Figures 3 and 4 are views identical to that of Figure 2 of a second and a third embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates a bogie 8 intended to equip a railway vehicle and comprising at least one bogie element.

[0032] The bogie 8 of figure 1 comprises a bogie frame 10.

[0033] The bogie frame 10 comprises two side members 12 and at least one cross member 14 connecting the two side members 12 together, the side members 12 and the cross member 14 being bogie elements.

[0034] The side members 12 each extend in a longitudinal direction opposite one another. They are spaced from one another in a transverse direction along which the cross member(s) 14 extend.

[0035] Each spar 12 comprises a first sheet 16 and a second sheet 18 opposite each other as well as spacers 20 extending between the two sheets 16, 18, these spacers 20 being connected to each sheet 16, 18 from their ends.

[0036] Each sheet 16, 18 defines an internal face 22 and an external face 24. The internal faces 22 of the two sheets 16, 18 are opposite each other.

[0037] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the two sheets 16, 18 of the side members 12 are spaced from each other in an elevation direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the side members 12. The first sheet 16 is an upper sheet and the second sheet 18 is a lower sheet.

[0038] The side members 12 do not include side plates. Each side member 12 thus has an open structure.

[0039] In a variant not shown, the two sheets 16, 18 are spaced from each other in the transverse direction. The two sheets 16, 18 are then side sheets.

[0040] In this embodiment, each spar 12 does not include a lower sheet or an upper sheet. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the spars 12 forms two swan necks 26. Each swan neck 26 is defined by a double reverse-bent profile of each of the sheets 16, 18.

[0041] Apart from the swan necks 26, the side members 12 define rectilinear sections 28 and each sheet 16, 18 then extends substantially flat, and more particularly along a horizontal plane.

[0042] Alternatively, the side members 12 do not include a swan neck and each sheet 16, 18 then extends substantially flat over its entire length.

[0043] Each sheet 16, 18 is for example manufactured by cutting and folding a metal sheet.

[0044] The spacers 20 are arranged in the rectilinear sections 28 of the side members 12, outside the swan necks 26.

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 1, reinforcements 29 are advantageously installed between the two sheets 16, 18 at the level of the swan necks 26, so as to reinforce the bending resistance of the swan necks 26.

[0046] As illustrated in Figure 1, the crosspiece 14 is fixed by welding to each of the side members 12, and more particularly to the rectilinear sections 28 of the side members 12 located between the two swan necks 26.

[0047] Preferably, the cross member 14 has a structure similar to the side members 12.

[0048] In other words, the crosspiece 14 comprises two facing sheets 30, 32 and spacers 34 extending between the two sheets 30, 32 connected to each sheet from their ends.

[0049] In another embodiment of the invention, the bogie frame 10 comprises two single sheets each defining one of the sheets 16, 18 of each side member 12 and one of the sheets 30, 32 of the cross member 14.

[0050] In other words, a first single sheet defines the first sheet 30 of the cross member 14 and the first sheet 16 of each side member 12 and a second single sheet defines the second sheet 32 ​​of the cross member 14 and the second sheet 18 of each side member 12.

[0051] Such an embodiment with two sheets simplifies the manufacture of the chassis 10 by avoiding the additional welds connecting the cross member 14 to the side members 12.

[0052] The spacers 20, 34 are separate pillars extending between the first sheet 16, 30 and the second sheet 18, 32, and more particularly between the internal faces 22 of the sheets.

[0053] In other words, the spacers 20, 34 are independent of each other and spaced apart from each other.

[0054] In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, the spacers 20,

[0055] 34 extend in the direction of elevation. Each spacer 20 is a pillar of circular section with a maximum diameter of less than 40 mm.

[0056] As illustrated in Figure 2, the spacers 20, 34 are arranged in rows between the two corresponding sheets 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0057] Several spacers 20, 34 are positioned over a width of the sheet 16, 18, 30, 32 while remaining spaced from each other, and preferably while remaining at a distance from the edges of the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0058] The sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers 20, 34 positioned on the same width of the sheet 16, 18, 30, 32 is less than the width of the corresponding sheet 16, 18, 30, 32, and preferably less than half the width of the corresponding sheet 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0059] Advantageously, the spacers 20, 34 are arranged in a staggered pattern between the two corresponding sheets 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0060] An open passage space 36 is defined between the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32 corresponding to the area left free between the spacers 20, 34.

[0061] According to particular embodiments, equipment, such as a pipe, a cable, a tank or a sensor for example, is housed in this passage space 36 while remaining accessible from the outside.

[0062] As illustrated in Figure 2, each spacer 20, 34 includes a middle portion 38 extending between a first end 40 attached to the first sheet 16, 30 and a second end 42 attached to the second sheet 18, 32.

[0063] Each end 40, 42 of each spacer 20, 34 comprises an end tenon 44 extending the middle part 38 and separated from the middle part 38 by a collar 46.

[0064] The middle part 38 of each spacer 20, 34 is thus defined between the collars 46 of the two ends 40, 42.

[0065] Each spacer 20, 34 is advantageously thinned in its middle part 38.

[0066] In other words, the diameter of the spacer 20, 34 in its middle part 38 is less than the diameter of the spacer 20, 34 in its ends 40, 42.

[0067] The optimized shape of the middle part 38 aims to modify the distributions of the stresses, and reduce the level of these stresses in the welded joints.

[0068] The middle portion 38 may comprise a central orifice 48.

[0069] The central hole 48 is a through hole and is used for fixing pipes or cables passing through the passage space 36. Each collar 46 may have a diameter greater than the diameter of the middle part 38 and the tenon 44. The maximum diameter of each spacer 20, 34 is thus defined by the diameter of the collars 46.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 2, each sheet 16, 18, 30, 32 comprises through holes 50 in each of which a tenon 44 is received.

[0071] Each tenon 44 may have a height slightly greater than the thickness of the sheet 16, 18, 30, 32

[0072] Each collar 46 defines, between the tenon 44 and the collar 46, a shoulder 52 bearing against the internal face 22 of the corresponding sheet metal 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0073] The spacers 20, 34 are for example made of weldable metal, such as steel or aluminum.

[0074] Each spacer 20, 34 is manufactured by small or large series metal manufacturing processes.

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 2, the ends 40, 42 of the spacers 20, 34 are fixed to the corresponding sheet 16, 18, 30, 32 by welding.

[0076] For this purpose, each end 40, 42 is fixed to the associated sheet metal 16, 18, 30, 32 by at least one weld joint.

[0077] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the second end 42 is fixed to the second sheet 18, 32 by two fillet weld joints 54, 56.

[0078] The first fillet weld joint 54 connects the tenon 44 of the second end 42 to the outer face 24 of the second sheet 18, 32.

[0079] The second fillet weld joint 56 connects the periphery of the collar 46 of the second end 42 to the internal face 22 of the second sheet 18, 32.

[0080] In this embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the first end 40 is fixed to the first sheet 16, 30 by a full penetration weld joint on natural lath 58.

[0081] The full penetration weld joint on natural lath 58 is a weld bead with full penetration into the through hole 50.

[0082] For this purpose, the through-hole 50 has a peripheral chamfer over the entire thickness of the first sheet 16, 30.

[0083] During the welding operation the welding material penetrates into the through hole 50 and thus forms the full penetration weld joint on natural lath 58 along the entire thickness of the first sheet 16, 30.

[0084] Such a full penetration weld joint on natural slat 58 offers the advantage of being able to be produced from the external face 24 of the first sheet 16, 30, and more particularly after the positioning of all the spacers 20, 34 between the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32. During the manufacture of a spar 12 or a crossmember 14, each spacer 20, 34 is first positioned on the second sheet 18, 32, and more particularly the tenon 44 of the second end 42 is inserted into the orifice 50 defined in the second sheet 18, 32.

[0085] The second end 42 of the spacer 20, 34 is fixed to the second sheet 18, 32 by the second fillet weld joint 56 between the collar 46 of the second end 42 and the internal face 22 of the second sheet 18, 32.

[0086] The first sheet 16 is then positioned so that the tenon 44 of each first end 40 of each spacer 20, 34 is in one of the holes 50 of the first sheet 16, 30.

[0087] The first end 40 of each spacer 20, 34 is then fixed to the first sheet 16, 30 by the full penetration weld joint on natural lath 58 made from the outside.

[0088] The first fillet weld joint 54 fixing the tenon 44 of the second end 42 of each spacer 20, 34 to the external face 24 of the second sheet 18, 32 is finally produced.

[0089] In a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the first end 40 is fixed to the first sheet 16 by a full penetration weld joint on an attached strip 60.

[0090] The through hole 50 of the first end 40 is machined with a diameter greater than the diameter of the chamfer of the first embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0091] In particular, the diameter of the narrowest end of the orifice 50 is greater than the diameter of the collar 46.

[0092] Like the first embodiment, the full penetration weld joint on the attached batten 60 extends partly against the shoulder 52.

[0093] Advantageously, a support 62, and more particularly a ceramic support, is fixed beforehand on the internal face 22 of the first sheet 16, 30, so as to receive the collar 46 of the first end 40, and surrounds the narrowest end of the chamfer forming the orifice 50.

[0094] The ceramic support 62 allows the weld pool to be held in position during the welding operation, thus allowing full penetration of the weld joint on the attached strip 60 into the through-hole 50 and better fixing. Such a support 62 is removed after the welding operation.

[0095] In a third embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, each of the two ends 40, 42 of the spacer 20, 34 is welded to one of the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32 by a full penetration weld joint on an attached slat 60. Advantageously, as illustrated in Figure 4, a ceramic support 62 is also fixed to the internal face 22 of the second sheet 18, 32 in order to receive the collar 46 of the second end 42.

[0096] In this embodiment, each spacer 20, 34 is first positioned between the two sheets 16, 18, 30, 32. Advantageously, the collars 46 of the ends 40, 42 are received in the ceramic supports 62, which had previously been fixed on the internal faces 22 of the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32. The full penetration weld joints on the added strip 60 are then made from the outside so as to fix each end 40, 42 of each spacer 20, 34.

[0097] In a fourth embodiment not illustrated, each of the two ends 40, 42 of the spacer 20, 34 is welded to one of the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32 by a full penetration weld joint on natural lath 58.

[0098] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the manufacturing process, all the spacers 20 of the side members 12 and all the spacers 34 of the cross member 14 of the same chassis 10 are welded by the same types of weld joint or combination of weld joint.

[0099] According to another embodiment not illustrated, the ends 40, 42 of the spacers 20, 34 are welded to the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32 by passing current, after positioning the spacers 20, 34 between the two sheets 16, 18, 30, 32.

[0100] Such a bogie 8 according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be manufactured economically and automatably.

[0101] Indeed, during the manufacture of the side members 12 or the cross member 14, the spacers 20, 34 can be positioned between the sheets 16, 18, 30, 32 by a robotic arm and due to the uniformity and ease of access of the weld joints, the welding operations can also be automated.

[0102] Furthermore, thanks to the standardization of 20, 34 spacers and weld joints, many quality control operations can be automated or even eliminated.

[0103] In addition, the open structure of the chassis 10 allows equipment such as pipes, cables, sensors, boxes to be fixed, for example in the passage space 36 and these to be fixed in the central orifices 48 provided in the middle part 38 of the spacers 20, 34, which allows space to be saved.

[0104] In a non-illustrated variant of the invention, the bogie 8 comprises a load crossmember extending in the transverse direction, preferably as a reinforcement of the chassis 10 as described above.

[0105] The load cross member is attached to the cross member 14 and rests on the two side members 12 from its ends or in the central part of the cross member 14. Preferably, the load cross member has a structure similar to the side members 12 and the cross member 14.

[0106] In other words, the load beam comprises two facing sheets and cross-braces extending between the two sheets connected to each sheet from their ends, the cross-braces being disjointed pillars.

[0107] The sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers positioned on the same width of the load crossmember sheets is less than the width of the corresponding sheets.

[0108] The load crossmember spacers are substantially similar to the spacers 20, 34 of the side members 12 and the crossmember 14 as described previously.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A railway vehicle bogie element (12; 14), the bogie element comprising two facing sheets (16, 18; 30, 32) and spacers (20; 34) extending between the two sheets (16, 18; 30, 32) and connected to each sheet (16, 18; 30, 32) from their ends (40, 42), characterized in that the spacers (20; 34) are separate pillars, the sum of the maximum diameters of the spacers (20; 34) positioned over the same width of the sheets being less than the width of the corresponding sheets (16, 18; 30, 32).

2. Bogie element (12; 14) according to claim 1, in which each end (40, 42) of each spacer (20, 34) comprises an end tenon (44) extending the middle part (38) of the spacer (20, 34) and separated from the middle part (38) by a shoulder (52), each sheet (16, 18, 30, 32) comprising through-orifices (50) in each of which an end tenon (44) is received, the shoulder (52) bearing against the corresponding sheet (16, 18, 30, 32).

3. Bogie element (12; 14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each spacer (20, 34) is thinned in its middle part (38).

4. Bogie element (12; 14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the middle part (38) of each spacer (20, 34) comprises a central orifice (48).

5. Bogie element (12; 14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ends (40, 42) of the spacers (20, 34) are fixed to the sheets (16, 18, 30, 32) by welding.

6. Bogie element (12; 14) according to claim 5, in which at least one of the ends (40, 42) of the spacer (20, 34) is welded by a full penetration weld joint (58, 60).

7. Bogie element (12; 14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spacers (20, 34) are arranged in a staggered pattern between the two sheets (16, 18, 30, 32).

8. Vehicle bogie comprising a bogie frame (10) comprising: - two side members (12) each extending in a longitudinal direction opposite each other, and - at least one cross member (14) extending in a transverse direction and connecting the two side members (12) together, at least one of the two side members and / or the cross member being a bogie element according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Railway vehicle bogie according to claim 8, in which each of the two side members (12) and the cross member (14) is a bogie element according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Railway vehicle bogie according to claim 9, comprising two single sheets each defining one of the sheets (16, 18) of each side member (12) and one of the sheets (30, 32) of the sleeper (14).

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