Front plate for a coupler head of a rail-vehicle coupling, and coupler head of a rail-vehicle coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to a front plate for a rail-vehicle coupler head, the front plate comprising: a front face and a rear face, characterized by an extent in the width- and height direction and mutually spaced in the axial direction; coupling elements which have a coupling projection that projects in a front direction from the front face of the front plate, a coupling opening for receiving a coupling projection of a compatible front plate of a mating rail-vehicle front, and a gripper which is detachably connected to the front plate and projects in the front direction for aligning a mating coupling. The connection between the front plate and the gripper is in the form of a conical press-fit assembly and comprises a securing device for fixing the gripper in the axial direction.

Description

[0001] End plate for a coupling head of a railway vehicle coupling and coupling head of a railway vehicle coupling

[0002] The invention relates to an end plate for a coupling head of a railway vehicle coupling, specifically with the features from the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a coupling head with an end plate.

[0003] In rail vehicle couplings for the mechanical connection of two rail vehicles, a coupling head of one rail vehicle coupling engages with the coupling head of a mating rail vehicle coupling. Such coupling heads comprise a longitudinally extending coupling head housing and an end plate closing the coupling head housing at its front. This end plate is either detachably attached to the housing or can be integrally formed with the coupling head. The end plate is characterized by a front face, i.e., facing away from the coupling head housing, and a rear face. Furthermore, coupling elements are provided, comprising a coupling projection that extends forward from the end plate at its front face, and a coupling opening for receiving a coupling projection of a mating coupling element from a compatible end plate of a mating rail vehicle head.Since, under operating conditions, the two rail vehicle couplings to be coupled are rarely axially aligned correctly before the actual coupling process, a guide horn, referred to as a gripper, is provided on the end face to compensate for vertical, lateral, and angular misalignments. This gripper projects forward from the end face and forms guide and contact surfaces for the mating rail vehicle coupling. According to DE 202015005 670 U1, such grippers can be detachable and thus designed as separate components. Due to the design flexibility, the detachable gripper allows for a large gripping range. A gripping range is understood to be, in particular, the area that lies in the plane of the coupling end face and within which the center of the mating coupling can still make contact for automatic coupling. The detachable gripper can be detachably connected to the end plate.

[0004] To ensure the gripper functions reliably, the position of the gripper surfaces and thus the precise alignment of the gripper are of considerable importance. Previous manufacturing and assembly methods involve a thermal press fit between the gripper, specifically an engagement area that can be inserted into an opening in the end plate, and the end plate itself. However, the gripper had to be correctly aligned beforehand. Other designs involve joining the end plate and gripper, followed by wedging or pinning. Both solutions require precise preparation of the opening, the gripper, and the connecting elements. Such manufacturing processes are therefore very complex and time-consuming, requiring additional fixtures and tools for the correct alignment of the components before the actual joining process, or correspondingly elaborate preparation of the connecting elements.These processes are therefore difficult to automate and, especially for large production runs, lack the required process reliability. Disassembly involving the disconnection is also a complex and time-consuming process.

[0005] The invention was therefore based on the objective of further developing an end plate for a coupling head of a rail vehicle coupling with a detachable gripper in such a way that simple and cost-effective manufacturing and assembly with high process reliability is ensured, and the assembly process can be automated for high production volumes while simultaneously guaranteeing simple and cost-effective positional alignment. Furthermore, the gripper should also be easy and quick to disassemble.

[0006] The solution is characterized by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims. An end plate for a rail vehicle coupling head, comprising an end face characterized by an extension in the width and height directions and axially opposed to each other, and a rear face; comprising coupling elements which include a coupling projection extending forward from the end plate on the end face, and a coupling opening for receiving a coupling projection of coupling elements of a compatible end plate of a mating rail vehicle head, and a gripper detachably connected to the end plate and projecting forward for aligning a mating coupling, is characterized in that the connection between the end plate and the gripper is designed as a tapered press fit and includes a locking device for fixing the gripper in the axial direction.

[0007] The connection is in particular free of a force-transmitting positive locking between gripper and end plate in the circumferential direction in the plane of the end plate.

[0008] An end plate is understood to be a three-dimensional body which, when viewed in a plane, is characterized by dimensions in the width and height directions that are significantly larger than the maximum extent in the longitudinal direction and thus perpendicular to the plane that can be described by the width and height directions.

[0009] This solution allows for quick and easy release of the gripper by lifting the axial locking mechanism and sliding it within the opening of the end plate, for example, during maintenance. Simultaneously, the frictional connection ensures a secure fit, keeping the gripper firmly in position within the plane of the end plate. When interacting with a mating gripper, the resulting forces are transferred to the end plate. The tapered press fit also offers the advantage of being designed with or without self-locking, depending on the selected taper angle. Furthermore, this solution provides the benefit of simple axial locking of the gripper relative to the end plate by simply clamping the conical surfaces of the gripper and the inner circumference of the opening against each other. This compensates for manufacturing tolerances, and after the rear locking mechanism is attached, the two components have a backlash-free connection.In the simplest case, the rear locking mechanism can be implemented using a sleeve and a screw connection.

[0010] The tapered press fit can be implemented directly or indirectly. In a first, direct embodiment, the end plate has an opening, specifically a through-hole for receiving the gripper, and the tapered press fit is formed directly between the gripper and the opening. The cross-section of the gripper in the engagement area and the cross-section of the opening in the end plate, viewed axially between the front and back faces, are complementary conical or tapered to each other, at least over a portion of their axial extent. The direct embodiment is characterized by a small number of components and requires only the machining or preparation of the surfaces necessary for the tapered press fit.

[0011] According to a second, particularly advantageous indirect embodiment, the end plate has an opening, in particular a through-opening, for receiving the gripper, and the conical press fit between the gripper and the opening is formed via a sleeve. In a first variant, the cross-section of the gripper in the engagement area and the cross-section of the inner circumference of the sleeve, or in a second variant, the cross-section of the inner circumference of the opening and the outer circumference of the sleeve, viewed axially between the end face and the back face, are conically or tapered to each other, at least over a portion of their axial extent. Both variants offer the advantage of easier disassembly. In the first variant, it is advantageous to forgo complex tapered machining of the end plate and to create the corresponding conical contour via the sleeve.In both solutions, the connection between the non-conical surfaces – either the outer circumference of the sleeve and the inner circumference of the opening, or the outer circumference of the gripper and the inner circumference of the sleeve – is made with an excess of material.

[0012] In an advantageous further development, the sleeve can be slotted.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the solutions described above, the securing device for axially fixing the gripper comprises at least one axially pointing stop surface on the end plate or an axial stop surface within the axial extent of the opening, which is suitable to cooperate with a stop surface on the gripper and means for axial securing extending at least partially through the opening from the rear of the end plate, in particular fastening means for tightening the gripper.

[0014] If the opening in the end plate is designed as a through-opening, the locking device, in one variant, comprises axially oriented stop surfaces on the end face of the end plate and on the gripper, which can be brought into operative contact with one another, and furthermore, means on the rear side of the end plate for axially securing the gripper, in particular for clamping the gripper against the rear side of the end plate. The components of these means can be integral or formed as separate components. In a particularly advantageous embodiment with an intermediate sleeve, components of the means can also be integrally formed with this sleeve.

[0015] The means comprise components that have stop surfaces oriented opposite to the end-face contact surfaces of the gripper and end plate and that interact with the end plate and / or gripper. In the simplest case, this is achieved with a disc-like element on the back of the end plate, which can contact the back or an axial stop surface in the opening, or with a sleeve-shaped element that partially engages the opening and may have axial stop surfaces for contact with the back of the end plate. Furthermore, axial locking means are provided in the form of a screw connection extending axially into the opening from the back, which is supported by the additional components on the end plate and thus clamps the gripper against the end plate.

[0016] The opening in the front plate can also be designed as a blind opening extending from the front towards the back.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the means for axially securing the gripper are designed as screw locks. This allows for simple and quick assembly and disassembly.

[0018] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the second design with an intermediate sleeve, this sleeve comprises components of the locking device, in particular means for axial locking. For this purpose, it is, for example, integrally formed with a disc-like element having a stop surface for bearing against the rear of the end plate, through which the screw connection extends into the opening and the gripper and pulls the gripper axially into the opening towards the rear, thus clamping it against the end plate.

[0019] To ensure the precise positioning of the gripper and end plate within the plane of the end plate, marking devices are provided on both. In the simplest case, these can be marking elements attached to or integrally formed with the gripper and end plate. Other possibilities include colored coatings, marking elements bonded to the gripper, or marking elements formed integrally with it, the relative position of which determines the correct positioning within the plane of the end plate. In the simplest case, the marking devices can be designed for contactless alignment. In this case, the positioning of the gripper and end plate is ensured by the predefined orientation of the marking devices attached to or arranged on them.Particularly preferred, however, are the marking devices on the gripper formed by at least one projection integrally formed on it and on the end plate by a recess, in particular a complementary recess for cooperation during assembly to align the gripper and end plate with each other.

[0020] Preferably, a rail vehicle coupling comprises a coupling head having a coupling head housing and a previously described end plate, which is either detachably connectable to the coupling head housing or is integrally formed with it.

[0021] The solution is described in the figures below. Specifically, the following is shown:

[0022] Figure 1a shows one embodiment of an end plate;

[0023] Figures 1b to 1d illustrate a section of a view of the back of the front plate;

[0024] Figures 2a to 2d show exemplary sections and views for a first embodiment of the conical press connection of gripper and end plate;

[0025] Figure 3a shows, by way of an axial section, an advantageous embodiment of a second design of the conical press connection of gripper and end plate with intermediate element in the form of a sleeve;

[0026] Figure 3b shows an advantageous design of the sleeve in a one-sided closed version.

[0027] Figure 1a shows an exemplary embodiment of an end plate 1 as a separate component for a coupling head of a rail vehicle coupling (not shown in the figure) with a guide horn (also called gripper 2) that can be connected to it according to the invention, in a perspective view.

[0028] The end plate 1 has a front face 3 and a back face 4, each characterized by its width and height. To clarify these directions, a coordinate system is superimposed on the end plate 1 in the figures. The X-direction corresponds to the length in the longitudinal direction, which describes the axial extent or thickness of the end plate 1 and, in the installed position of a rail vehicle coupling, coincides with the longitudinal direction of the coupling. The Y-direction describes the width in the longitudinal direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the Z-direction describes the height in the longitudinal direction. These directional designations are maintained for the following figures as well.

[0029] Figures 1b to 1d illustrate a section of a view of the back 4 of the front plate 1 .

[0030] The end plate 1 comprises a coupling projection 5 on its end face, which projects forward from the end plate 1 on the end face 3 and is also referred to as a cone, and a coupling opening 6 for receiving a coupling projection of coupling elements of a compatible end plate of a mating rail vehicle coupling. The end plate 1 has at least one continuous contact surface 7 or one formed by several segments on its end face 3 for receiving compressive forces when coupling the compatible mating end plate.

[0031] The profile thus formed on the front face 3 determines the gripping area in the width and height directions. The gripping area when coupling with a mating rail vehicle coupler is increased by the gripper 2, which is arranged on the front plate 1 in the lower area. The gripper 2 projects from the front plate 1 and forms guide and centering surfaces when interacting with the coupler head of a mating rail vehicle coupler.

[0032] The gripping range is further improved by additional lateral grippers, also referred to as side grippers 8, which are formed here in the vertical direction in the lower area of ​​the end plate 1 as an integral projection extending laterally in the width direction. Thanks to grippers 2 and / or 8, the rail vehicle couplings can also be coupled on curves and at height differences. Gripper 2 and the side gripper and / or 8 guide a rail vehicle coupling roughly towards the coupling head of a mating rail vehicle coupling, with each of these grippers being effective for a portion of the path traveled from the coupling head until engagement. Gripper 2 slides along a functional surface beneath the coupling head of the mating rail vehicle coupling.

[0033] The gripper 2 is designed as a separate component and is detachably connected to the end plate 1. The gripper 2 can be designed as an arc-shaped or angled rod component. The connection of the gripper 2 to the end plate is designated by 9 and, according to the invention, comprises a conical press fit 10 for at least clamping the gripper 2 against the end plate 1, particularly in the plane of the end plate, and a locking device 11 for axially fixing the gripper 2 against the end plate 1 and maintaining the clamping force. The connection is made solely via the conical press fit and the locking device 11. The connection is therefore preferably free of other connection types in the plane of the end plate. For this purpose, the gripper 2 has a first section 12, which can also be referred to as the mounting area and which is formed by an end section of the component.This end section is designed as a pin and, in the installed position, extends at least partially in the axial direction through the end plate 1, and in Figure 1a completely through it. The fastening area 12 is designed to extend along a longitudinal axis L.

[0034] The gripper 2 is fixed in the axial direction by the locking device 11. In the simplest case, this device is designed to clamp the gripper 2 axially against the rear face 4 of the end plate. Preferably, it secures the gripper 2 between two axial stop surfaces 19 and 20. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1a to 1d and in detail in Figure 2d, a first stop surface 19 is formed by the end face 3 of the end plate 1 itself, against which the gripper 2 comes into contact with a stop area provided in the first section 12, in particular a stop surface 18 axially adjoining the actual engagement area 12 of the gripper 2 in the end plate 3. The second stop surface 20 is formed by a disc element 23 clamped to the end plate 1 by means of fastening elements, in particular a screw connection 22, and thus indirectly against the rear face 4 of the end plate 1.

[0035] Figure 1c shows a view of the rear side 4 of a disc element 23, which is connected to the gripper 2 via a screw connection 22 and clamps the gripper 2 against the rear side 4 of the end plate 1 via this connection.

[0036] Figures 2a to 2d show, based on sections from different views, a first variant of a direct wedge press connection between gripper 2 and end plate with a change in the cross-sectional profile of gripper 2 and the opening, in particular the through-opening 16, in the axial direction. Both the through-opening 16 and the engagement area 12 are conical in the axial direction, tapering towards the rear side 4 of the end plate 1. This means that the conical press connection 10 is formed directly between at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the through-opening 16 and the outer circumference of the gripper 2. Figure 2a shows the view from the front, i.e., onto the end face 3 of the end plate 1 without the gripper, while Figure 2b shows the view of the through-opening 16 from the rear side 4. The decreasing cross-section of the opening 16 is visible in Figure 2a.Figure 2d shows the first part 12 of the gripper 2 forming the fastening area 16 and the transition to this part forming an axial stop surface 21 for contact with the end face 3 of the end plate 1 .

[0037] Figure 2c shows an axial section view of the wedge press fit 10 and the design of the locking device 11 for rear clamping of the gripper 2, i.e., clamping between the front face 3 and the rear face 4 by means of two stop surfaces formed on or connected to the gripper 2 for bearing against the end plate 1. The axial bearing surface 21 is integrally formed on the gripper 2 and bears against the front face 3, while the second axial bearing surface 20 is formed on the disc element 23, which is connected to the end of the gripper via fastening elements 22. The conical design ensures that the connection remains free of play when secured by the axial locking device 11.

[0038] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the opening 15 in the end plate is designed as a through-opening 16. However, it is also conceivable that the opening 15 could be configured as a blind or concealed opening, though this configuration is not shown in detail here. In this case, the rear stop surface 20 is formed directly by the base of the concealed opening 25 in the end plate 1, and the securing at the rear 4 is achieved solely by means of the fastening elements 22. The front stop can be omitted in this case.

[0039] Figure 3a illustrates, in a view analogous to Figure 2c, a particularly advantageous second embodiment of the connection 9 with a wedge press fit 10 according to an advantageous variant. This is achieved by means of a sleeve 13 arranged in the fastening area 16 between the gripper 2 and the opening 16. The through-opening 16 advantageously has a circular cross-section and, viewed axially, a constant cross-section over its axial extent. Analogous to the embodiment in Figures 2c and 2d, the gripper 2 has a conical or conical section, preferably over the entire extent of the engagement area 12. The sleeve 13 is arranged between the outer circumference of the gripper 2 in the engagement area 12 and the through-opening 16.This sleeve has a conical inner cross-section that tapers towards the rear of the end plate 1 when installed. This cross-section is formed complementarily to the outer circumference of the gripper 2 in the engagement area 12 and is designed to be clamped to the outer surface of the gripper when the gripper moves axially. The outer circumference of the sleeve 13 is selected to be clamped to the inner circumference of the through-hole. When installed, the sleeve 13 projects axially beyond the end plate and, in conjunction with a plate or disc element 23, allows the gripper 2 to be pulled against the end plate 1, particularly the end face 3.

[0040] According to an alternative embodiment, the disc element 23 can also be designed as an integral part of the sleeve 13, as exemplified in Figure 3b. The sleeve 13 is then inserted into the opening of the end plate 1 from the rear, and the gripper 2 from the front. Tightening the screw connection, which extends through the disc-like part of the sleeve 13 and is connected to the gripper 2 by means of its interaction with the gripper 2, clamps the gripper 2 and the end plate, simultaneously securing it axially.

[0041] According to a further development not shown here, fastening elements 22 and disc element 23 can also be integrally designed.

[0042] Marking devices 14 are provided for aligning the gripper 2 relative to the end plate plane. These comprise marking devices arranged on the gripper 2 and the end plate 1, or integrally formed with it, the relative positions of which determine the position of the gripper 2 in the end plate plane. Alternatively, and additionally shown in Figure 3a, marking devices 14' are provided on the gripper and the end plate. These are elements that can be brought into operative contact with one another, in particular by creating a positive fit. This positive fit serves solely for alignment and not for force transmission.

[0043] In all versions with sleeve 13, this can also be slotted.

[0044] 1 Front plate

[0045] 2 grippers

[0046] 3 Front side or end face

[0047] 4 Back

[0048] 5 Clutch advantage

[0049] 6 Coupling opening

[0050] 7 Contact area

[0051] 8 side grippers

[0052] 9 connection

[0053] 10 Wedge press connection

[0054] 11. Safety device for axial securing

[0055] 12 first sub-area; fastening area

[0056] 13 Sleeve

[0057] 14

[0058] 15 Opening

[0059] 16 Passage opening

[0060] 17 contour complementary to the opening / passage opening in

[0061] Engagement area of ​​the gripper's mounting area

[0062] 18 Complementary area

[0063] 19 contact surface

[0064] 20 Stop surface

[0065] 21 Stop surface on the gripper

[0066] 22 Screw connection

[0067] 23 disc element

[0068] L Longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims 1. End plate for a railway vehicle coupling head, comprising an end face characterized by an extension in the width and height directions and axially opposed to each other, and a rear face, comprising coupling elements which include a coupling projection extending forward from the end plate on the end face, and a coupling opening for receiving a coupling projection of a compatible end plate of a counter-rail vehicle head, and a gripper detachably connected to the end plate and projecting forward for aligning a counter-coupling; characterized in that the connection between the end plate and the gripper is designed as a conical press fit and includes a locking device for fixing the gripper in the axial direction.

2. End plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the end plate has an opening, in particular a through-opening for receiving the gripper and the conical press connection is formed directly between the gripper and the opening, wherein the cross-section of the gripper in the engagement area and the cross-section of the opening in the end plate, viewed in the axial direction between the front and back sides, are at least over a partial area of ​​their extension in the axial direction complementary to each other in a conical or tapered manner.

3. End plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the end plate has an opening, in particular a through-opening for receiving the The gripper has a conical press connection between the gripper and the opening, and the conical press connection between the gripper and the opening is formed via a sleeve, wherein the cross-section of the gripper in the engagement area and the cross-section of the inner circumference of the sleeve or the cross-section of the inner circumference of the opening and the outer circumference of the sleeve, viewed in the axial direction between the front and back sides, are at least over a partial area of ​​their extension in the axial direction complementary to each other in a conical or tapered manner.

4. End plate according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening in the end plate is designed as a through-opening and the securing device comprises means for axially securing the gripper at least on the rear side of the end plate or that the opening is designed as a blind opening extending from the front side towards the rear side.

5. End plate according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking device for axially fixing the gripper has at least one stop surface on the end face or an axial stop surface pointing towards the end face within the axial extent of the opening and / or on the rear side, which is suitable to cooperate with a stop surface on the gripper and comprises at least partially fastening and / or clamping means extending from the rear side and at least indirectly supported on the end plate for pulling the gripper against the individual axial stop surface.

6. End plate according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the locking device comprises a disc- or sleeve-like element for interacting with the end plate, in particular the rear side of the end plate, and a fastening and / or supporting element thereon. It has clamping devices for tightening and axially fixing the gripper.

7. End plate according to claim 6 in combination with one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the disc- or sleeve-like element is integrally formed with the sleeve.

8. End plate according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the means for axially securing the gripper are designed as a screw locking device.

9. End plate according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that marking devices are provided on the gripper and the end plate for correct alignment of the gripper and end plate during assembly.

10. Railway vehicle coupling comprising a coupling head having a coupling head housing and an end plate according to one of claims 1 to 9, which is detachably connectable to the coupling head housing or is integrally formed with it.

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