COVERING SYSTEM FOR WHEELSET SHAFTS OF RAIL VEHICLES

Abstract

A covering system for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles includes a cover, a wheelset bearing unit, and a centering device. The wheelset bearing unit has an axis of rotation, a bearing housing with an end face facing towards the cover, and a wheelset bearing for the mounting of a wheelset shaft. The wheelset bearing has an end cap surrounded by the cover. The centering device is for aligning the cover in relation to the bearing housing. The centering device includes a groove on the end face.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A covering system for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles comprising: a cover; a wheelset bearing unit comprising: an axis of rotation; a bearing housing comprising an end face facing towards the cover; and a wheelset bearing for the mounting of a wheelset shaft, the wheelset bearing comprising an end cap surrounded by the cover; and a centering device for aligning the cover in relation to the bearing housing, the centering device comprising a groove on the end face.

11. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the groove is shaped as a circular arc.

12. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises an elevation aligned with the bearing housing and engaged with the groove.

13. The covering system of claim 12, wherein a depth (TN) of the groove, measured in an axial direction starting from the end face, is greater than a depth (TE) of the elevation.

14. The covering system of claim 12, wherein: the cover comprises a flange segment that lies against the end face; and the elevation is arranged on the flange segment.

15. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises a flange segment that lies against the end face.

16. The covering system of claim 10, further comprising a gasket arranged between the cover and the bearing housing.

17. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover covers a generator unit.

Description

[0015] Further details, features, combinations of features and effects based on the disclosure will emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. In the drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a covering system according to the disclosure in perspective view,

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bearing housing in perspective view,

[0018] FIG. 3 shows the cover of FIG. 1 in perspective front view,

[0019] FIG. 4 shows the cover of FIG. 1 in perspective rear view,

[0020] FIG. 5 shows the covering system of FIG. 1 in side view,

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a cutout feature of the connection between the cover and the bearing housing of the covering system of FIG. 1 in cross sectional view,

[0022] FIG. 7 shows the cross sectional view A-A of FIG. 5, and

[0023] FIG. 8 shows the cross sectional view B-B of FIG. 5.

[0024] In all of the figures, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference symbols.

[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 represent an exemplary embodiment of a covering system 1 according to the disclosure for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles in various views. The covering system 1 includes a cover 2 and a wheelset bearing unit 3, the cover 2 being rotationally fixed to the wheelset bearing unit 3.

[0026] The wheelset bearing unit 3 includes a bearing housing 4, often also called an adapter, as well as a wheelset bearing 5. The wheelset bearing 5 includes a bearing inner race 6, a bearing outer race 7, a plurality of roller elements 8 arranged between the two bearing races 6, 7 and an end cap 9 rotationally fixed to the wheelset shaft, which axially closes off the wheelset bearing 5 starting from the axis of rotation of the wheelset bearing 5.

[0027] The end cap 9 of the wheelset bearing 5 is completely enclosed by the cover 2. That is, the cover 2 extends beyond the end cap 9 and partly surrounds the bearing outer race 7 of the wheelset bearing 5.

[0028] The bearing housing 4 is firmly connected to a bogie of a rail vehicle, not shown here, and represented in FIG. 2. At the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4 facing toward the cover 2 there is formed a circular arc shaped groove 11, which extends across the entire width B of the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4. The circular arc shape of the groove 11 in the bearing housing 4 is fashioned coaxially to the wheelset bearing 5.

[0029] Furthermore, four boreholes 12 are arranged on the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4, starting from the axis of rotation of the wheelset bearing 5, radially above the groove 11 in circular arc shape. The boreholes 12 are fashioned identically and arranged symmetrically to the radial midplane of the bearing housing 4.

[0030] The cover 2 is represented in various views in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0031] The cover 2 is pot shaped and has a closed end face 13 and an open end face 14, the closed end face 13 facing away from the wheelset bearing unit 3. A recess 15 is present, extending from the open end face 14 in the axial direction, which extends in the circumferential direction across the width B of the bearing housing 4. Two flange segments 16 are formed flush at the recess 15. That is, the flange segments 16 are set off in the axial direction as compared to the open end face 14 of the cover 2. Hence, the flange segments 16 are formed between the two end faces 13, 14 of the cover 2, and the flange segments 16 lie directly against the recess 15. Each flange segment 16 has two boreholes 12, corresponding to the boreholes 12 at the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4.

[0032] On the flange segments 16 there is formed a circular arc shaped axial elevation 17, which extends along the entire circumference of the recess 15. That is, the elevation 17 protrudes into the recess 15 toward the wheelset bearing unit 3.

[0033] In the assembled state, as can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the flange segments 16 lie against the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4. The elevation 17 of the cover 2 protrudes into the groove 11 of the bearing housing 4. The depth T.sub.N of the groove 11 of the bearing housing 4, measured in the axial direction starting from the axis of rotation of the wheelset bearing 5, is larger than the depth T.sub.E of the elevation 17, so that the flange segments 16 lie directly against the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4.

[0034] Through the boreholes 12 of the flange segments 16, connection means 18, e.g. screws, protrude into the bearing housing 4, firmly connecting the cover 2 to the wheelset bearing unit 3, especially to the bearing housing 4.

[0035] The groove 11 in the bearing housing 4 and the elevation 17 on the cover 2 form a centering device 19 which serves for more easily orienting the cover 2 of the covering system 1 relative to the bearing housing 4 of the covering system 1 during the mounting process of the covering system 1, which simplifies the mounting of the cover 2.

[0036] In the cover 2 there is arranged a device, not depicted here, such as a generator unit. The cover 2 thus provides a covering of the device arranged therein and prevents the penetration of unwanted particles.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0037] 1 Covering system

[0038] 2 Cover

[0039] 3 Wheelset bearing unit

[0040] 4 Bearing housing

[0041] 5 Wheelset bearing

[0042] 6 Bearing inner race

[0043] 7 Bearing outer race

[0044] 8 Roller element

[0045] 9 End cap

[0046] 10 End face of bearing housing facing toward the cover

[0047] 11 Groove

[0048] 12 Borehole

[0049] 13 Closed end face of the cover

[0050] 14 Open end face of the cover

[0051] 15 Recess

[0052] 16 Flange segment

[0053] 17 Elevation

[0054] 18 Connection element

[0055] 19 Centering device

[0056] B Width of the end face of the bearing housing

[0057] T.sub.N Depth of the groove

[0058] T.sub.E Depth of the elevation