Valve actuating device for a compressed air connection on an automatic center buffer coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve actuating device for a shut-off valve (10) of a compressed air connection (13) on an automatic center buffer coupling, wherein a longitudinally adjustable valve tappet (14) is adjustable between an extended open position and a retracted closed position by means of a valve actuating cam (11) of a valve actuating shaft (15), wherein the distal end of the valve tappet (14) cooperates with the valve actuating cam (11) via coupling means for applying a tensile force to the valve tappet (14) in order to provide forced actuation for reaching the extended open position.

Description

[0001] 2025ID00024 December 8, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Valve actuation device for a compressed air connection on an automatic center buffer coupling

[0005] The present invention relates to a valve actuating device for a shut-off valve of a compressed air connection in an automatic central buffer coupling, wherein a longitudinally adjustable valve plunger with a valve actuating cam of a valve actuating shaft is adjustable between an extended open position and a retracted closed position.

[0006] The application area of ​​the invention extends primarily to automatic center buffer couplers for trains, which are based on the known Scharfenberg design, allowing for the mechanically automatic coupling of two complementary center buffer couplers of adjacent cars in a train. For mechanical uncoupling, a preferably electromechanical actuator is used, which moves the core of the coupling mechanism into the ready-to-couple position in order to automatically open the coupler.

[0007] In addition to the mechanical coupling elements of the coupling mechanism, corresponding sealed compressed air connections for at least one brake line—in particular, one main air line—are provided in the contact surfaces of mutually corresponding center buffer couplings to route the brake compressed air along the entire train. The shut-off valve at the compressed air connection, which is also integrated into the center buffer coupling and is of interest here, prevents the brake compressed air from unintentionally escaping to the atmosphere after mechanical uncoupling. When the mutually corresponding center buffer couplings are coupled, the shut-off valve is open. 2024PF00329

[0008] 2

[0009] State of the art

[0010] German patent DE 102016 104 188 A1 discloses a corresponding mechanical valve actuation for a shut-off valve of an automatic central buffer coupling of Scharfenberg design.

[0011] The valve is actuated via the main bolt of the coupling mechanism, to which a valve actuating cam is attached at its end. The valve actuating cam has various radially projecting sections which mechanically control a spring-returned shut-off valve by axially actuating a corresponding valve tappet in the manner described above; this is essentially a backlash-free cam control system.

[0012] A problem with this type of cam control system is the technically complex nature of guaranteeing that the shut-off valve remains fully open under all circumstances throughout its lifespan. While the valve stem is actuated in the opening direction by a return spring to ensure constant contact against the valve actuation cam, this can only be guaranteed with increased technical effort due to extreme wear and tear and other factors.

[0013] It is therefore the object of the present invention to further improve a generic valve actuation device for a shut-off valve of a compressed air connection in an automatic central buffer coupling in such a way that the open position of the shut-off valve can be reliably ensured over its lifetime using simple technical means.

[0014] Brief description of the invention

[0015] The problem is solved starting from a valve actuation device according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its characterizing features. With regard to a central buffer coupling comprising the valve actuation device according to the invention, reference is made to claim 13. 2024PF00329

[0016] 3

[0017] The invention includes the technical teaching that the distal end of the valve tappet interacts with the valve actuating cam via coupling means to apply tensile force to the valve tappet in order to achieve a forced actuation to reach the extended open position.

[0018] The advantage of the solution according to the invention lies particularly in the fact that, due to the direct mechanical coupling between the valve tappet and the valve actuating cam, it is no longer necessary for the return spring to provide the required restoring force to reach the fully extended open position. Thus, the coupling means according to the invention practically pulls the valve tappet into the open position with a corresponding rotation of the valve actuating shaft, so that foreign objects in the area between the valve tappet and the valve housing, progressive wear in this area, or a spring breakage can no longer prevent the shut-off valve from reaching the fully open position. This avoids flow-restricting throttling points in the course of the train's brake line. Furthermore, the positive actuation according to the invention ensures that mechanical coupling can only occur when the shut-off valve is fully open.

[0019] The coupling means according to the invention for applying tensile force to the valve tappet can be implemented according to the following preferred embodiments:

[0020] According to a first preferred embodiment, the coupling means comprise a pivot lever articulated to the valve actuating cam, which has a distal recess for engaging a coupling pin on the valve tappet side. Preferably, the distal recess is designed as an elongated hole so as not to impede the valve actuation in the closing direction, which is effected by the pressing action of the valve actuating cam.

[0021] According to a second preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the coupling means comprise a cam-shaped recess formed on the valve actuating cam, in which a valve tappet-side coupling pin engages. The advantage of this embodiment over the one described above is

[0022] 4

[0023] This embodiment consists in the fact that no additional components are required to implement the positive actuation according to the invention. This is because the cam-shaped recess can be incorporated in the area of ​​the valve actuation cam molded into the actuating shaft.

[0024] Such a curved recess can largely fill the cam area while maintaining the edge contour, thus creating a material-saving solution. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to design the curved recess as a curved elongated hole.

[0025] The valve actuating sleeve, which includes the valve actuating cam, is preferably cup-shaped and pivotably mounted in the valve housing of the shut-off valve on its outer surface, similar to a sliding bearing. The valve actuating shaft is preferably driven by means of the main pin, the distal end of which coaxially surrounds the valve actuating shaft, forming a generous clearance fit. This isolates the pivot bearing of the valve actuating shaft from its drive, contributing to reliable operation.

[0026] The cup-shaped valve actuation shaft can also be designed in such a way that its pivoting movement is blocked until the valve actuation tappet is fully extended. Once this has occurred, the valve actuation shaft can rotate, thus enabling the mechanical clutch operation.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the valve actuating cam is designed such that its center of gravity coincides with an axis of rotation of the main bolt. This design balances the torques about the axis of rotation. Therefore, in the event of a pull failure, where accelerations act on the valve actuating cam orthogonally to the axis of rotation, the valve actuating cam is not rotated due to the torque equilibrium. The valve actuating cam remains in its set position even during a pull failure, so that the valve remains open after the pull failure and the 2024PF00329

[0028] 5

[0029] The train is braked by the escaping compressed air. A valve actuation cam designed in this way thus increases the train's safety.

[0030] Preferably, the valve actuating cam incorporates a balancing mass. This balancing mass is a component of the valve actuating cam, dimensioned and positioned such that its center of gravity coincides with the axis of rotation of the main bolt. Preferably, the balancing mass is integrally formed with the valve actuating cam. This allows for simple torque compensation.

[0031] According to an alternative design, the counterweight can be retrofitted to the valve actuation cam. The counterweight can be designed in such a way that existing valve actuation cams can be retrofitted with it. This could be done during maintenance of the center buffer coupling. Such a counterweight can easily improve the safety of existing center buffer couplings.

[0032] By adding a counterweight, the torque can be precisely determined based on manufacturing tolerances, thus achieving true torque equilibrium around the axis of rotation. This counterweight can also be recalibrated to compensate for wear occurring during operation. Furthermore, the counterweight can be made of a different, denser material than the valve actuation cam, allowing for a smaller volume.

[0033] Detailed description based on drawing

[0034] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures. Figure 2024PF00329 shows:

[0035] 6

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of an automatic center buffer coupler of Scharfenberg design,

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a broken perspective view of the coupling-internal components of the center buffer coupling according to Fig. 1.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a shut-off valve with valve actuating means according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a shut-off valve with valve actuating means according to the invention in a second embodiment, and

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a shut-off valve with valve actuating means according to the invention in a third embodiment.

[0041] According to Fig. 1, a Scharfenberg coupling (known per se as an automatic center buffer coupling) comprises a main bolt 2 arranged in a coupling housing 1 of a coupling head, on which a so-called frog 3 in the form of a hook disc is pivotably mounted. The frog 3 carries a coupling eye bolt 4, to which a so-called coupling eye 5 is articulated for locking with a mating coupling (not shown). A so-called hook jaw 6 is formed in the frog 3, the central axis of a rounded section of the hook jaw being offset by 180 degrees on the same radius as the coupling eye bolt 4 to ensure the coupling function. At least one tension spring 7 pulls the frog 3 against a stop surface formed in the coupling housing 1 into a coupling-ready position.

[0042] For coupling, the coupling eyes 5 of complementary opposing couplings meet the respective frogs 3, which rotate into the coupled position against the force of the tension spring 7, causing the coupling eyes 5 to slide into the corresponding hook jaw 6 of the frog 3. This coupling process occurs with a rapid snapping motion. 2024PF00329

[0043] 7

[0044] In this embodiment, an electromechanical actuator 8 is used for uncoupling. The actuator 8 provides a linear positioning movement to actuate the core 3.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 2, the central buffer coupling also includes a front-mounted compressed air connection 9 for connecting a brake air line extending to the train's length. This connection can be switched between an open and a closed position by means of a shut-off valve 10, which is also integrated into the coupling housing 1. For this purpose, the shut-off valve 10 is actuated via a valve actuating cam 11, which is rotatably mounted coaxially with the main bolt 2. The adjustment of the valve actuating cam 11 is effected by a drive pin 12 arranged on the main bolt 2, which interacts with a free-running rotational angle recess of the valve actuating cam 11.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the valve actuating cam 11 additionally comprises a counterweight 21, which can, for example, be formed integrally with the valve actuating cam 11 or be subsequently attached. The counterweight 21 is dimensioned such that the center of gravity of the valve actuating cam 11 coincides with an axis of rotation 22 of the main bolt 2. As a result, no torques occur on the valve actuating cam 11 during acceleration perpendicular to the axis of rotation 22 of the main bolt 2, so that it remains in the set position.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the shut-off valve 10, which controls the compressed air connection 9 and has a line connection 13 of a main air line opposite it, comprises a valve tappet 14 that is longitudinally adjustable via the valve actuating cam 11 by pivoting the valve actuating shaft 15. The valve tappet 14 is biased towards the open position of the shut-off valve 10 by a return spring 16. To fully extend the valve to the open position, a positive actuation is additionally provided via coupling means to apply tensile force to the valve tappet 14. 2024PF00329

[0048] 8

[0049] In this embodiment, the coupling means according to the invention comprise a pivot lever 17 articulated to the valve actuating cam 11, which has a distal recess 18 designed in the form of an elongated hole for engaging a coupling pin 19 on the valve tappet side. The distal recess 18 of the pivot lever 17 is therefore designed as an elongated hole to allow the valve actuating cam 11 the necessary freedom of movement when the shut-off valve 10 is actuated in the closed position.

[0050] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the coupling means here comprise a cam-shaped recess 20 formed on the valve actuating cam 11', in which the coupling pin 19 on the valve tappet side engages. As can be seen in this sectional view, the shut-off valve 10 is designed as a spring-returned poppet valve that acts on the compressed air connection 13.

[0051] According to the modified embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the cam-shaped recess 20' of the valve actuating cam 11" is designed in the form of a curved elongated hole in which the coupling pin 19 of the valve tappet 14 is guided.

[0052] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, variations thereof are also conceivable, which are also covered by the scope of protection of the following claims. For example, it is also possible to design the actuating sleeve such that its rotational movement is blocked until the valve actuating plunger is fully extended. Once this has occurred, the valve actuating sleeve can rotate and thus release the mechanical coupling process. 2024PF00329

[0053] 9

[0054] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0055] 1 clutch housing

[0056] 2 main bolts

[0057] 3 Centerpiece

[0058] 4 coupling eye bolts

[0059] 5 dome eyelet

[0060] 6 Hook mouth

[0061] 7 Tension spring

[0062] 8 Actuator

[0063] 9 Compressed air connection

[0064] 10 Shut-off valve

[0065] 11 Valve actuation cam 12 Drive pin

[0066] 13 Line connection

[0067] 14 valve tappets

[0068] 15 Valve actuation shaft 16 Return spring

[0069] 17 swivel levers

[0070] 18 Exclusion

[0071] 19 Coupling pin

[0072] 20 Exclusion

[0073] 21 leveling compound

[0074] 22 axis of rotation

Claims

2024PF00329 10 PATENT CLAIM 1. Valve actuating device for a shut-off valve (10) of a compressed air connection (13) in an automatic central buffer coupling, wherein a longitudinally adjustable valve plunger (14) with a valve actuating cam (11) of a valve actuating shaft (15) is adjustable between an extended open position and a retracted closed position, characterized in that the distal end of the valve plunger (14) interacts with the valve actuating cam (11) via coupling means to apply tensile force to the valve plunger (14) in order to achieve forced actuation to reach the extended open position.

2. Valve actuation device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coupling means comprise a pivot lever (17) articulated to the valve actuating cam (11) which has a distal recess (18) for engagement of a valve tappet-side coupling pin (19).

3. Valve actuation device according to claim 2, characterized in that the distal recess (18) is designed as an elongated hole.

4. Valve actuation device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coupling means comprise a cam-shaped recess (20) formed on the valve actuating cam (11 11 “) in which a valve tappet-side coupling pin (19) engages.

5. Valve actuation device according to claim 4, characterized in that the curved recess (20') is designed as a curved elongated hole. 2024PF00329 11 6. Valve actuation device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the valve actuation shaft (15) is cup-shaped and coaxially surrounds the distal end of a skin bolt (2) of the coupling mechanism, forming a clearance fit.

7. Valve actuation device according to claim 6, characterized in that the valve actuation shaft (15) is driven via a driving means of the skin bolt (2).

8. Valve actuation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup-shaped valve actuation sleeve (15) is pivotably mounted in the valve housing of the shut-off valve (10).

9. Valve actuation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off valve (1) is designed in the manner of a spring-returned seat valve.

10. Valve actuation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve actuation cam (11) is designed such that a center of gravity of the valve actuation cam (11) coincides with an axis of rotation (22) of the main bolt (2).

11. Valve actuation device according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve actuating cam (11) has a balancing mass (21).

12. Valve actuation device according to claim 11, characterized in that the compensating mass (21) can be subsequently arranged on the valve actuating cam (11).

13. Central buffer coupling of Scharfenberg design, the main bolt (2) of which of the coupling mechanism drives a valve actuating device according to one of the preceding claims.

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