DEVICE FOR DEFLECTION OF A COUPLER OF A TRAIN VEHICLE, COUPLER OF A TRAIN, CAR OF A MULTI-CAR VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR COUPLING A FIRST CAR OF A MULTI-CAR VEHICLE TO A SECOND CAR OF A MULTI-CAR VEHICLE

Abstract

A device for deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle, comprising a deflection arm adapted to be connected to a coupler pivot anchor and a drive connected to the deflection arm, whereby the drive is configured to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A device for deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle, comprising: a deflection arm adapted to be connected to a coupler pivot anchor; and a drive connected to the deflection arm, wherein the drive is operative to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the drive is a pneumatic and/or hydraulic drive.

16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the drive comprises a deflection arm end connected to the deflection arm, and a train vehicle side end adapted to be connected to a part of the train vehicle.

17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the deflection arm comprises: a drive end connected to the drive; and a pivot anchor end adapted for connection to a coupler pivot anchor.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the pivot anchor end attaches to a pivot pin of the coupler pivot anchor.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the drive comprises: a mechanical interface adapted for engagement with a tool, wherein the mechanical interface is rotatable by the tool; a steering arm connected to the mechanical interface at a connection point, the steering arm at least partially extending from the connection point; wherein the steering arm is rotatable around an axis (A) defined by the mechanical interface, the mechanical interface operatively connected to a shaft from which the steering arm extends at an angle different than zero degrees; and wherein the deflection arm is directly or indirectly connected to the steering arm.

20. The device according to claim 19, further comprising a connection arm that connects the steering arm and the deflection arm.

21. The device according to claim 19, further comprising an attachment plate for attaching the device to a surface of the train vehicle.

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein the mechanical interface is operatively connected to the shaft from which the steering arm extends at an angle of ninety degrees.

23. A coupler for a train vehicle comprising: a coupler pivot anchor; and a device comprising: a deflection arm connected to the coupler pivot anchor; and a drive connected to the deflection arm; wherein the drive is operative to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor.

24. The coupler according to claim 23, wherein said coupler further comprises: a coupler rod; wherein the coupler pivot anchor includes a pivot pin that extends along a pivot axis, the coupler rod being connected to the pivot pin such that a rotation of the pivot pin around the pivot axis leads to the coupler rod swiveling about the pivot axis.

25. The coupler according to claim 24, wherein the coupler pivot anchor further comprises a cage having an opening; wherein the pivot pin is fixedly attached to the cage; wherein the coupler rod extends through the opening of the cage, and wherein elastic elements are arranged inside the cage, the elastic elements resting against an inside wall of the cage and resting against an outer circumferential surface of the coupler rod.

26. A car of a multi-car vehicle, the car comprising: a coupler comprising: a coupler pivot anchor; a coupler rod; and a device comprising: a deflection arm connected to the coupler pivot anchor; and a drive connected to the deflection arm, wherein the drive is operative to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor; and wherein the coupler pivot anchor includes a pivot pin that extends along a pivot axis, the coupler rod being connected to the pivot pin such that a rotation of the pivot pin around the pivot axis leads to the coupler rod swiveling about the pivot axis.

27. The car of claim 27, wherein the coupler further comprises a coupler head, said coupler head attached to the coupler rod, wherein said coupler head is deflectable by said device for aligning with a coupler head of another car.

28. A method for coupling a first car of a multi-car vehicle with a second car of a multi-car vehicle, wherein: the first car includes a first car coupler having a first car coupler head; and the second car includes a second car coupler having a second car coupler head; and wherein in a first position the coupler head of the first car is misaligned with the coupler head of the second car, the method comprising: connecting a deflection arm of a device to a coupler pivot anchor of the first car coupler; connecting a drive to the deflection arm; driving the drive to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor to bring the first car coupler head into alignment with the coupler head of the second car.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: providing the coupler pivot anchor with a pivot pin that extends along a pivot axis; attaching a pivot anchor end of the deflection arm to the pivot pin of the coupler pivot anchor; fixedly attaching the pivot pin to a cage of the coupler pivot anchor; disposing a coupler rod within the cage; wherein driving the drive to rotate the deflection arm about the coupler pivot anchor turns the pivot pin and the cage about the pivot axis, thereby causing the coupler rod to swivel about the pivot axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Below, the invention will be described with reference to figures that only show examples of the invention. The invention is described by the following figures:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a device for manual deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle together with an automatic coupler and a manual deflection tool in a perspective view;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the device together with a floor of the train vehicle seen from the end of the coupler and the manual deflection tool;

[0041] FIG. 3 is an additional view of the device and the floor of the train vehicle seen from above;

[0042] FIG. 4 is an additional view according to FIG. 3 without the floor of the train vehicle;

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the device together with a device for centering the coupler, preferably in a manual manner, having an overload protection in a perspective view;

[0044] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a sequence for accessing the device for manual deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle;

[0045] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view onto a second embodiment according to the invention;

[0046] FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 as attached to a train vehicle;

[0047] FIG. 11 shows a top view onto the embodiment of FIG. 9;

[0048] FIG. 12 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a first operational condition;

[0049] FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a second operational condition;

[0050] FIG. 14 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a third operational condition;

[0051] FIGS. 15 to 18 show perspective, partially sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the coupler pivot anchor and the parts of the coupler rod being dissected with the elastic elements that form part of the coupler pivot anchor not being shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 for better clarity;

[0052] FIGS. 19 to 20 show partially sectional views of the deflection arm, the coupler pivot anchor and parts of the coupler rod of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the elastic elements that form part of the coupler pivot anchor not being shown for better clarity.

[0053] In the drawings, the device for manual deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle is shown together with a device for manual centering of a coupler of a train vehicle, however, the device for manual deflection of a coupler of a train vehicle can also be realized without the features of the device for manual centering of a coupler of a train vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIGS. 1 to 14 show a coupler 1 of a train vehicle. FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 also show parts 2 of the train vehicle. The coupler 1 has an automatic coupler head 3 and a coupler rod 4. The coupler 1 also has a coupler pivot anchor 5. The coupler 1 also has a device 6 for deflection.

[0055] The device 6 comprises a deflection arm 20 and a drive 21.

[0056] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the drive 21 comprises a mechanical interface 22 adapted for engagement with a tool 23, wherein the mechanical interface 22 can be rotated by the tool 23.

[0057] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the drive 21 further comprises a steering arm 24 connected to the mechanical interface 23, the steering arm 24 at least partially extending from the connection point 25 between the mechanical interface 22 and the steering arm 24, wherein the steering arm 24 can be rotated around an axis A defined by the mechanical interface 22. The mechanical interface 22 is in operative connection with a shaft 26 from which the steering arm 24 extends at angle different than 0°, namely at an angle of 90°. The deflection arm 20 is indirectly connected to the steering arm 24. A connection arm 27 is connected to the steering arm 24 and the deflection arm 20.

[0058] The mechanical interface 22 has a manual centering tool 28 that has an overload protection.

[0059] FIG. 5 in the inset Fig. at the left shows a cross section through an attachment housing 29. The attachment housing has an attachment plate 30 for attachment of the attachment housing 29 and the mechanical interface 22 to a piece of the train vehicle. The mechanical interface 22 is formed at the end of the shaft 26. The mechanical interface 22 can be provided as a positive and/or non-positive (form fit or force fit) connection. The shaft 26 runs through the attachment housing 29. Inside the attachment housing 29 two axial bearing 31 for the shaft 26 are provided. Additionally, a pretension nut 32 is arranged inside the attachment housing 29.

[0060] The exploded view arranged as part of FIG. 5 shows a manual centering tool 33.

[0061] On the attachment plate 30 one or multiple shear out teeth 34 for overload protection are provided.

[0062] The shaft 26 has preloaded axial bearings 31 to prevent noise creation during operation and to allow easy coupler deflection when needed.

[0063] In order to deflect the coupler head 3 an access hatch (not shown) in the floor of a train vehicle is opened to access the manual deflection device 6, especially the mechanical interface 22. The manual centering tool 28 is removed from the manual deflection device 6. The manual deflection tool 23 is then connected to the manual deflection device 6, especially the manual deflection interface 22. The tool 23 is rotated clockwise in the view of FIG. 7 to move the coupler head 3 to the right. The tool 23 is rotated counter-clockwise in the view of FIG. 7 to move the coupler head 3 to the left. After the operation has been finished, the coupler head 3 is brought back into the centered position and the centering tool is aligned with the mechanical interface 22.

[0064] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 shows the coupler 1 to have a drive 21 that is a hydraulic drive. The drive 21 has two hydraulic cylinders 50, 51. Each hydraulic cylinder 50, 51 has a rod 52, 53. Rod 52 is connected to the deflection arm 20 by way of joint 54 at the deflection arm end of the drive 21. Rod 53 is connected to the train vehicle side end of the drive 21 by way of a joint 55. The train vehicle side end of the drive 21 is provided by a plate 26 that is suitable to be attached to a part of the train vehicle by way of bolts.

[0065] As can be seen in FIG. 13, the deflection condition to the right hand side in the frontal perspective view of FIG. 13 is obtained by extracting the hydraulic cylinder 50 compared to the position shown in FIG. 12. To deflect the coupler to the left hand side in the frontal perspective view of FIG. 14, the upper hydraulic cylinder 50 is retracted compared to the position in FIG. 13, which starting from FIG. 12 means: remains unchanged, while the lower cylinder 51 is retracted compared to the position shown in FIG. 12.

[0066] FIGS. 15 to 20 show the coupler of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. FIGS. 15 to 20 show that the coupler pivot anchor 5 has a pivot pin 100 that extends along a pivot axis 101, whereby the coupler rod 4 is connected to the pivot pin 100 in such a way that a rotation of the pivot pin 100 around the pivot axis 101 leads to the coupler rod 4 swiveling about the pivot axis 101. For this connection, the coupler pivot anchor 5 has a cage 102, whereby the pin 100 is fixedly attached to the cage 102, the cage 102 having an opening 103, whereby the coupler rod 4 extends through the opening 103 of the cage 102, whereby elastic elements 104 (only shown in FIG. 15) are arranged inside the cage 102, the elastic elements resting against an inside wall 105 of the cage 102 and resting against an outer circumferential surface of the coupler rod 4. The elastic elements 104 are rubber donuts that sit on the coupler rod 4 in between protruding walls 107 that are arranged on the coupler rod 4 and in between protruding walls 108 that are arranged on the inside wall 105 of the cage 102.

[0067] As can be seen from FIGS. 15 to 20, the deflection arm 20 has a pivot anchor end, whereby the pivot anchor end is adapted to be attached to a pivot pin 100 of the coupler pivot anchor 5, namely by way of being screwed to the top of the pivot pin 100. Turning the deflection arm 200 about the pivot axis 101 leads to the pivot pin 100 and the cage 102 being turned about the pivot axis 101. Turning the cage 102 about the pivot axis 101 leads to the elastic elements 104 being compressed and exerting a force onto the coupler rod 4 that leads to the coupler rod 4 to swivel about the pivot axis 101.