Freight coupler and rail vehicle

The freight coupler addresses the challenge of absorbing buff forces and simplifying repairs by using shear members and a mechanical interface to manage forces, ensuring safety and ease of maintenance.

WO2025180668A1 Publication Date: 2025-09-04DELLNER COUPLERS AB
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2024/078532
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-02-26
Filing Date
2024-10-10
Publication Date
2025-09-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing freight couplers lack effective mechanisms to absorb buff forces without breaking and often require complex repairs after triggering the release function, posing safety risks and maintenance challenges.

Method used

A freight coupler design with integrated shear members that absorb buff forces above a threshold level without breaking, allowing for easy repair and independent setting of draft force break levels, featuring a mechanical interface that includes bridging members and contact surfaces to manage forces effectively.

Benefits of technology

The design enables safe absorption of buff forces up to 25% above the draft force threshold, reduces the risk of derailment, and facilitates straightforward maintenance by ensuring only shear members break under excessive draft forces, maintaining coupler integrity and safety.

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Abstract

A freight coupler (100) is arranged on a first rail vehicle to interconnect the first rail vehicle with a second rail vehicle. The freight coupler (100) has outer and inner portions (110; 120). The outer portion (110) includes a first locking mechanism (115) of a coupler 5 head, which first locking mechanism (115) is configured to be connected to a second locking mechanism (1115) of a counter-coupler head of the second rail vehicle. The inner portion (120) includes a mounting structure for mounting on the first rail vehicle. At least one shear member (131) interconnects the outer and inner portions (110; 120) mechanically. The at least one shear member (131) is configured to break in response to a draft force (FD) exceeding a first threshold level, which draft force (FD) pulls the outer and inner portions (110; 120) away from one another so as to disconnect the outer and inner portions (110; 120) mechanically from one another and allow the outer portion (110) to be physically separated from the inner portion (120). The at least one shear member (131) is integrated in a mechanical interface (200) that is configured to absorb buff forces (FB) between the inner and outer portions (110; 120), which buff forces (FB) are absorbed without the at least one shear member (131) being broken, and which buff forces (FB) exceed the first threshold level.
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