Abstract
An electrical coupler comprising a housing with an end opening, an insulation block arranged in the end opening, a lid having an open position and a closed position, an arm attached to the lid and to the housing, whereby attachment of the arm to the housing allows a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis, and optionally a series of arms connected to each other to allow one arm to rotate relative to a neighbouring arm. The lid further comprises a housing contact surface that contacts or is in close proximity to a lid contact surface of the housing, a reference line through the point of the lid contact surface furthest away from the base plane, and wherein a part of the housing contact surface crosses a reference plane closer to the base plane than the reference line is, as the lid is moved from the closed to the open position.
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. An electrical coupler for a first car of a multi-car vehicle for connecting to an electrical coupler of a second car of the multi-car vehicle in order to couple ends of cables of the first car to ends of cables of the second car, the electrical coupler comprising: a housing comprising: an end opening, and a rim surrounding the end opening, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis (A); an insulation block arranged in the end opening, the insulation block comprising: a flat endface facing towards an outside of the housing and arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing, the flat endface situated in an endface plane (B); wherein the endface has defined therein holes that lead through the insulation block, or recesses that lead into the insulation block; wherein at least one hole or recess is configured to receive an end of at least one of said cables and such that the at least one cable end protrudes from the hole or the recess over the endface towards the outside of the housing; a lid having a closed position and an open position; wherein: in said closed position, the lid is arranged in front of the endface of the insulation block; and in said open position, the lid is arranged along a side of the housing; the lid further comprising: a housing contact surface that, in the closed position of the lid, contacts or is in close proximity to a lid contact surface of the housing arranged on the rim, and wherein the lid contact surface at least partially lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B); wherein (a) an arm is attached to the lid and to the housing so as to enable a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis such that the rotational axis about which the arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane, or (b) a series of arms are connected to each other so as to enable one arm to rotate relative to a neighboring arm about a rotational axis (C), wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the housing, and wherein attachment of the arm to the housing enables a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis (D), whereby the rotational axis (D) about which this arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane (B), and wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the lid; wherein a base plane (E) is defined as being oriented perpendicular to the endface plane (B) and contains the rotational axis (D), about which the arm that is attached to the housing rotates relative to the housing; wherein a reference line that lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B) and runs parallel to the base plane (E), runs through the point of the lid contact surface that is furthest away from the base plane (E) in one direction; and wherein a part of the housing contact surface crosses a reference plane (F) that contains the reference line and which reference plane (F) runs perpendicular to the base plane (E) at a point closer to the base plane (E) than the references line is, as the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position.
16. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein the lid contact surface surrounds the end opening.
17. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein the housing contact surface forms a ring.
18. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein the lid contact surface lies in one plane.
19. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein the housing contact surface lies in one plane.
20. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein: the series of arms are connected to each other so as to enable one arm to rotate relative to a neighboring arm about a rotational axis (C); an arm of the series of arms is attached to the housing, and wherein attachment of said arm to the housing enables a rotation of the said arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis (D), whereby the rotational axis (D) about which said arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane (B); and wherein an arm of the series of arms is attached to the lid.
21. The electrical coupler of claim 20, wherein said series of arms comprises: a first arm; and a second arm, wherein the first arm is attached to the housing to enable a rotation of the first arm relative to the housing around a main axis (D), the first arm and the second arm connected to each other so as to enable the first arm to rotate relative to the second arm about a second axis (C); and wherein the second arm is attached to the lid.
22. The electrical coupler according to claim 21, wherein the first arm includes: a first end attached to a roller; and a second end that is opposite the first end, the second end being attached to the second arm; wherein attachment of the first arm to the housing is between the first end and the second end.
23. The electrical coupler according to claim 22, further comprising a support frame configured to support the housing, wherein the housing is slidable relative to the support frame.
24. The electrical coupler according to claim 23, wherein the support frame further comprises a stationary guide rail, and wherein the roller is arranged in the stationary guide rail and moves along the guide rail as the housing slides relative to the support frame.
25. The electrical coupler according to claim 24, further comprising a spring having a first end attached to the housing, and a second end attached to one of the arms of said series of arms.
26. The electrical coupler according to claim 24, wherein the housing further comprises an entry opening arranged opposite the end opening, and wherein the insulation block is insertable into the housing through the entry opening.
27. The electrical coupler according to claim 26, further comprising a back piece that closes the entry opening.
28. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, further comprising a sealing arranged between an outer circumferential surface of the insulation block and an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
29. The electrical coupler according to claim 27, further comprising a sealing arranged between an outer circumferential surface of the back piece and an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
30. The electrical coupler according to claim 15, wherein the insulation block comprises at least two sub-blocks that are attached to one another.
31. A coupler system comprising: a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling a first car of a multi-car vehicle to a second car of the multi-car vehicle; and an electrical coupler attached to a portion of the mechanical coupler, the electrical coupler adapted to couple ends of cables of the first car to ends of cables of the second car, the electrical coupler comprising: a housing comprising: an end opening, and a rim surrounding the end opening, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis (A); an insulation block arranged in the end opening, the insulation block comprising: a flat endface facing towards an outside of the housing and arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing, the flat endface situated in an endface plane (B); wherein the endface has defined therein holes that lead through the insulation block, or recesses that lead into the insulation block; wherein at least one hole or recess is configured to receive an end of at least one of said cables and such that the at least one cable end protrudes from the hole or the recess over the endface towards the outside of the housing; a lid having a closed position and an open position; wherein: in said closed position, the lid is arranged in front of the endface of the insulation block; and in said open position, the lid is arranged along a side of the housing; the lid further comprising: a housing contact surface that, in the closed position of the lid, contacts or is in close proximity to a lid contact surface of the housing arranged on the rim, and wherein the lid contact surface at least partially lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B); wherein (a) an arm is attached to the lid and to the housing so as to enable a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis such that the rotational axis about which the arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane, or (b) a series of arms are connected to each other so as to enable one arm to rotate relative to a neighboring arm about a rotational axis (C), wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the housing, and wherein attachment of the arm to the housing enables a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis (D), whereby the rotational axis (D) about which this arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane (B), and wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the lid; wherein a base plane (E) is defined as being oriented perpendicular to the endface plane (B) and contains the rotational axis (D), about which the arm that is attached to the housing rotates relative to the housing; wherein a reference line that lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B) and runs parallel to the base plane (E), runs through the point of the lid contact surface that is furthest away from the base plane (E) in one direction; and wherein a part of the housing contact surface crosses a reference plane (F) that contains the reference line and which reference plane (F) runs perpendicular to the base plane (E) at a point closer to the base plane (E) than the references line is, as the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position.
32. A method for assembly of an electrical coupler, the electrical coupler having: a housing having an end opening, an entry opening arranged opposite the end opening, and a rim surrounding the end opening, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis (A); and an insulation block comprising: a flat endface having defined therein holes that lead through the insulation block, or recesses that lead into the insulation block; wherein the method comprises: arranging the endface of the insulation block perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing, the flat endface situated in an endface plane (B); inserting an end of a cable within a corresponding one of said hole or recess of the insulation block, the end of the cable protruding from the hole or the recess over the endface; inserting the insulation block through the entry opening into the housing; attaching the insulation block to the housing such that the insulation block is arranged in the end opening of the housing; providing a lid having a closed position in which the lid is arranged in front of the endface of the insulation block, and an open position in which the lid is arranged along a side of the housing; wherein the lid further comprises a housing contact surface that in the closed position of the lid contacts or is in close proximity to a lid contact surface of the housing arranged on the rim, wherein the lid contact surface at least partially lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B); attaching one of: (a) an arm to the lid and to the housing to enable a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis such that the rotational axis about which the arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane; and (b) a series of arms to each other to enable one arm to rotate relative to a neighboring arm about a rotational axis (C), wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the housing, and wherein attachment of the arm to the housing enables a rotation of the arm relative to the housing around a rotational axis (D), whereby the rotational axis (D) about which this arm rotates relative to the housing is oriented parallel to the endface plane (B), and wherein one arm of the series of arms is attached to the lid; wherein a base plane (E) is defined as being oriented perpendicular to the endface plane (B) and contains the rotational axis (D), about which the arm that is attached to the housing rotates relative to the housing; wherein a reference line that lies in or runs parallel to the endface plane (B) and runs parallel to the base plane (E), runs through the point of the lid contact surface that is furthest away from the base plane (E) in one direction; and wherein a part of the housing contact surface crosses a reference plane (F) that contains the reference line and which reference plane (F) runs perpendicular to the base plane (E) at a point closer to the base plane (E) than the references line is, as the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: closing the entry opening by means of a back piece after insertion of the insulation block through the entry opening; and sealing an outer circumferential surface of the insulation block and an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
34. The method of claim 32, further comprising: clsing the entry opening by means of a back piece after insertion of the insulation block through the entry opening; and sealing an outer circumferential surface of the back piece and an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0070] The invention will be described below with reference to figures that only show exemplary embodiments. In these drawings the following is shown:
[0071] FIG. 1a, 1b are schematic perspective views of a coupler for mechanically coupling a first car of multi-car vehicle to a second car the multi-car vehicle according to the invention that has an electrical coupler according to the invention;
[0072] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical coupler according to the invention with the lid in the closed position;
[0073] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical coupler of FIG. 2 in a close-up with the lid in the open position;
[0074] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the closed position;
[0075] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid a little opened;
[0076] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid opened half way;
[0077] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the opened position;
[0078] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the closed position;
[0079] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid a little opened;
[0080] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid opened half way;
[0081] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the opened position;
[0082] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective close-up onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid opened half way;
[0083] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view onto the housing of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0084] FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional, perspective view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the closed position;
[0085] FIG. 15 is a close-up of a detail of FIG. 14;
[0086] FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional, perspective view of a sealing that can be used with the electrical coupler of FIG. 2;
[0087] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the sealing according to FIG. 15;
[0088] FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective, exploded view of a further embodiment of the electrical coupler according to the invention;
[0089] FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 18;
[0090] FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective, exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 with a cable strand attached to it;
[0091] FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 20;
[0092] FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of an insulation block and a back piece and a cable for an electrical coupler according to FIG. 2
[0093] FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of an insulation block for an electrical coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0094] FIGS. 24 to 27 are schematic perspective views of sub-blocks that can be put together to make up the insulation block of FIG. 23;
[0095] FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective close-up onto a detail of the electric coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0096] FIG. 29 is a schematic sectional side view onto a detail of the electric coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid half open;
[0097] FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of the ends of two electrical couplers according to FIG. 2 arranged facing each other with the respective lids in the closed position;
[0098] FIG. 31 is a schematic perspective view of the ends of two electrical couplers according to FIG. 2 arranged facing each other with the respective lids slightly opened;
[0099] FIG. 32 is a schematic side view onto a first electrical coupler according to the invention being joined with a second electrical coupler according to the invention;
[0100] FIG. 33 is a schematic side view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid in the closed position;
[0101] FIG. 34 is a schematic perspective view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0102] FIG. 35 is a schematic side view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid slightly opened;
[0103] FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0104] FIG. 37 is a schematic side view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid further opened in comparison to the position of the lid in FIG. 35;
[0105] FIG. 38 is a schematic perspective view onto a detail of the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2;
[0106] FIG. 39 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical coupler of FIG. 2 in a close-up with the lid in the open position;
[0107] FIG. 40 is a schematic perspective close-up onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the lid opened half way;
[0108] FIG. 41 is a schematic front view onto a further embodiment of the electrical coupler with the lid in the open position;
[0109] FIG. 42 is a schematic perspective close up onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the male type and female type connections of the end of the cable protruding from the endface of the insulation block and
[0110] FIG. 43 is a schematic perspective cut-view onto the electrical coupler according to FIG. 2 with the male type and female type connections of the end of the cable protruding from the endface of the insulation block.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0111] FIG. 1a, b shows two possible designs of a coupler 1 for mechanically coupling a first car of a train to a second car of the train. In FIG. 1a, an electric coupler according to the invention for such a first car of such a train is attached to the coupler 1 and arranged above the coupler 1. In the FIG. 1b, two electrical couplers according to the invention are provided. One electrical coupler is arranged at each side of the coupler 1.
[0112] FIG. 2 shows the electrical coupler 2. The electrical coupler 2 comprises a housing 3. The housing 3 has an end opening 4. A rim 5 of the housing 3 surrounds the end opening 4. The housing 3 extends along a longitudinal axis A.
[0113] An insulation block 6 is arranged in the end opening 4. The insulation block 6 has a flat endface 7 that faces towards the outside of the housing 3. The flat endface 7 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the housing 3. The endface 7 has holes 8 that lead through the insulation block 6.
[0114] The flat endface 7 is situated in an endface plane B.
[0115] A lid 9 is provided that has a closed position, which is shown in FIG. 2, in which the lid 9 is arranged in front of the endface 7 of the insulation block 6. In an open position of the lid 9, which is shown in FIG. 3, the lid 9 is arranged along the top side of the housing 3.
[0116] A first arm 10 and a second arm 11 from a series of arms are shown that are connected to each other in a manner to allow the first arm 10 to rotate relative to the neighbouring arm, namely the second arm 11 about a rotational axis C. The first arm 10 of the series of arms is attached to the housing 3. The attachment of the first arm 10 to the housing 3 allows a rotation of the first arm 10 relative to the housing 3 around a rotational axis D. One arm of the series of arms, namely the second arm 11 is attached to the lid 9. The rotational axis D, about which the first arm 10 rotates relative to the housing 3 is orientated parallel to the endface plane B.
[0117] The lid 9 has a housing contact surface 12. In the closed position of the lid 9 the housing contact surface 12 contacts a lid contact surface 13 of the housing 3. The lid contact surface 13 is arranged on the rim 5. The lid contact surface 13 at least in part runs parallel to the endface plane B.
[0118] A base plane E is defined as being orientated perpendicular to the endface plane B and containing the rotational axis D.
[0119] A reference line 14 runs parallel to the endface plane B and runs parallel to the base plane E. The reference line 14 runs through the point of the lid contact surface 30 that is furthest away from the base plane in one direction E.
[0120] A part of the housing contact surface 12 crosses a reference plane F that contains the reference line 14 and runs perpendicular to the base plane E at a point closer to the base plane E than the reference line 14 is as the lid 9 is moved from the closed position to the open position.
[0121] FIG. 3 shows the electrical coupler 2 with the lid 9 in the open position, in which the lid 9 is arranged along the top side of the housing 3.
[0122] FIG. 3 shows that the rim 5 contains a sealing 15. FIG. 3 also shows that the rim 5 and the sealing 15, that forms part of the rim 5, surround the end opening 4 like a ring. FIG. 3 also shows that a series of arms that is made up of a first arm 10 and a second arm 11.
[0123] FIG. 2 shows that the electrical coupler 2 has a support frame 16. The housing 3 is supported by the support frame 16, but can slide relative to the support frame 16. The support frame 16 contains two bars 7 that function as rails, on which the housing 3 slides relative to the support frame 16. The support frame 16 further contains a hydraulic cylinder 18 that is attached to a base frame 19 of the support frame 16. The bars 17 are also attached to the base frame 19. The piston of the hydraulic cylinder 18 is in contact with the housing 3. Driving the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 18 outwards leads to a sliding movement of the housing 3 along the bars 17 towards the left in FIG. 2. Pulling in the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 18 leads to the housing 3 to be slid along the bars 17 towards the right in FIG. 2.
[0124] The support frame 16 has two plates 20. Each plate 20 has a stationary guide rail 21. A roller 22, which is attached to the first end of the first arm 10, is arranged in the stationary guide rail 21 and moves along the guide rail 21 as the housing 3 slides relative to the support frame 16.
[0125] As can be seen from FIG. 6 a spring 23 is provided that is attached at one end to one of the arms of the series of arms, namely to the second arm 11 and at the other end is attached to the housing 3.
[0126] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show an opening sequence of the lid 9 of the electrical coupler 2. FIG. 4 shows the electrical coupler in the closed position of the lid 9 (the position shown in FIG. 2). FIG. 7 shows the open position of the lid 9. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show intermediate steps as the lid is being moved from the closed position (FIG. 4, FIG. 2) to the open position (FIG. 3, FIG. 7). As indicated by its relation to the bars 17, which in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 continue towards the left (ends of the bars 17 not shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5), and in FIG. 6 are shown having ends and in FIG. 7 are shown arranged within a supporting structure of the rim 5 in FIG. 7, the housing 3 has slid from a position as shown in FIG. 4, where the housing 3 would be arranged towards one end of the bars 17 (a position towards the right in FIG. 12) to a position, where the housing is closer to the opposite end of the bars 17 (the position shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7). The sequence of the FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 hence shows that pushing of the housing 3 along the bars 17 leads to a movement of the lid 9 from the closed position (FIG. 4) to the open position (FIG. 7).
[0127] FIGS. 4 to 7 have been drawn without the plates 20 and the stationary guide rail 21 arranged in this plate and also with the second arm 11 being see through, which has been done to simplify for the explanation of the movements.
[0128] As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lid contact surface 13 is the foremost surface of the sealing 15. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 also show that the lid contact surface 13 lies in one plane: In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the lid contact surface 13 lies in the reference plane F.
[0129] As can be seen from FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the embodiment shown here as a series of two arms, namely a first arm 10 and a second arm 11, whereby the first arm 11 is attached to the housing 3, whereby the attachment of the first arm 10 to the housing 3 allows a rotation of the first arm 10 relative to the housing 3 around a main axis, namely the rotational axis D, and whereby the first arm 10 and the second arm 11 are connected to each other in a manner that allows the first arm 10 to rotate relative to the second arm 11 about a second axis, namely the rotational axis C, whereby the second arm 11 is attached to the lid 9. FIGS. 3 to 7 also show that the first arm 10 has a first end, whereby the roller 22 is attached to the first end and whereby the first arm 10 has a second end that is opposite the first end, whereby the second end is attached to the second arm 11, whereby the attachment of the first arm 10 to the housing 3 is arranged between the first end and the second end.
[0130] While FIG. 4 shows a close up side view, FIG. 8 shows the electric coupler in the same operating position, but in a perspective view. While FIG. 5 shows a close up side view, FIG. 9 shows the electric coupler in the same operating position, but in a perspective view. While FIG. 6 shows a close up side view, FIG. 10 shows the electric coupler in the same operating position, but in a perspective view. While FIG. 7 shows a close up side view, FIG. 11 shows the electric coupler in the same operating position, but in a perspective view.
[0131] FIGS. 2, 4, 8 show the lid 9 in the closed position, in which the lid 9 is arranged in front of the endface 7 of the insulation block 6. To initiate the opening of the lid the housing 3 is pushed forward by the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 18. As can be seen when comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the roller 22 is on the left side of a vertical line through the rotational axis D, when the lid 9 is in the closed position. As the housing 3 is moved forward (towards the left in the FIGS. 3 to 11) the roller 22 crosses to the right side of a vertical line through the rotational axis D (see FIG. 5, FIG. 9). This first part of the opening movement of the lid 9 in an advantageous manner leads to the lid 9 being lift off the lid contact surface 13 that is arranged on the sealing 15 almost in a linear manner, namely horizontally towards the left in the FIGS. 3 to 11. This almost linear movement of the lid 9 away from the sealing 50 prevents the sealing 15 from being squeezed unevenly and hence reduces possible damages to the sealing 15.
[0132] The movement of the roller 22 from the position in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 5 is controlled by the stationary guide rail 21 of the plates 20. Pushing the housing 3 forward (towards the left in the FIGS. 3 to 11) leads for the rotational axis D also to be moved towards the left. Given that the plates 20 and the stationary guide rail 21 arranged in these plates 20 form part of the support frame 16 and remain stationary as the housing 3 is moved relative to the support frame, the movement of the housing 3 leads for the roller 22 to abut against a rightward facing surface of the stationary guide rail 21. Further movement of the housing 3 forward (towards the left) leads to the roller 22 moving from the position shown in FIG. 4 (left side of a vertical line through the rotational axis D) to the position shown in FIG. 5 (right side of a perpendicular line through the rotational axis D. As the housing 3 is moved further forward (towards the left in the FIGS. 3 to 11) the rotational axis D) is also moved forward (towards the left in FIGS. 3 to 11). The design of the guide rail 21 and the forward movement of the rotational axis D makes the roller 22 take up the positions shown in the FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0133] FIG. 12 shows a view of the lid 9 in a similar position as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 6. The perspective view shown in FIG. 12 allows to identify the housing contact surface 12 that is arranged on the inside of the lid 9 and is intended to contact the lid contact surface 13, which is the forward side of the sealing 15.
[0134] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the housing 3. The view of FIG. 13 does not show the sealing 15, which forms part of the rim 5, when built in, and that forms the lid contact surface 13. FIG. 13 also shows that the housing 3 has an entry opening 25 that is arranged opposite the end opening 4. The insulation block 6 can be inserted into the housing 3 through the entry opening 25. The back piece 26 is provided that closes the entry opening 25.
[0135] FIGS. 14 and 15 show sectional views of the electrical coupler 2. The view chosen for FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show the seal 15 within the lid 9. This view is chosen to indicate, that the sealing 15 is compressed.
[0136] FIGS. 16 and 17 show the sealing 15. The sealing 15 is a double sealing. The sealing 15 has a first bulge 27 and a second bulge 28. The bulge 27 and the bulge 28 are interconnected by a wall 29. The bulge 27 forms part of the rim 5. Due to its ring shape the bulge 27 in cooperation with the lid 9 is intended to stop liquids from reaching the endface 7 of the insulation block 6 when the lid is in the closed position. When the lid is in the open position, the bulge 27 is to operate as sealing that interacts with a similar sealing on the electrical coupler of the second car to which the electrical coupler is to coupled. The forward facing surface of the bulge 27 in the embodiment shown here makes up the lid contact surface 13. As can be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the forward facing surface of the bulge 27 interacts with the housing contact surface 12 of the lid 9. Also, the reference line 14 is arranged on the forward facing surface of the bulge 27.
[0137] The bulge 28 serves as seal that seals the insulation block 6 against the inner circumferential surface of the housing 3.
[0138] The particular design of the sealing 15 has advantages in the assembly of the electrical coupler 2. The sealing 15 can be placed on the insulation block 6 as the insulation block is still outside the housing 3. The insulation block 6 is then introduced through the entry opening 25 into the housing 3. Bulge 27 will be pushed slightly inwards in order to allow the insulation block with the sealing 15 sitting on it to be introduced through the entry opening 25. As the insulation block reaches its position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bulge 27 will expand back into its normal position as shown in the FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17.
[0139] Insulation block 6 has an additional, rearward sealing 13 as can be seen in FIG. 14.
[0140] As can be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, a ring shaped frame 31 is provided in a recess of the insulation block 6. Screws 32 that reach through the wall of the housing and with their heads rest against the outside of the housing and which can be sealed against the outside of the housing can be used to engage with appropriate threaded holes in the frame 31 to fix the insulation blocks 6 in the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Likewise the back piece 26 has a similar frame 33 that is set into an appropriate recess in the back piece 26. Screws 34 are used to fix the frame 33 and with the frame 33 the back piece 26 in the position shown in FIG. 14. The back piece 26 is also provided with a sealing 35.
[0141] The FIGS. 18 and 19 show a different possible geometric design of the housing 3. While in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 the housing 3 has a box-shaped design, the housing 3 of the FIGS. 18 and 19 is of cylindrical design. In this design instead of the dual sealing 15 with its bulge 28 for the insulation block 6 an individual ceiling 36 is provided that seals the outer circumferential surface of the insulation block 6 against the inner circumferential surface of the housing 3. The back piece 26 is provided with the sealing 35.
[0142] FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 using the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 show an advantageous method for assembling the electrical coupler.
[0143] According to a preferred method for assembling the electrical coupler 2 cables 37 that reach the electrical coupler by way of a cable strand 38 are fed through an appropriate opening in the back piece 26. The appropriate opening in the back piece 26 is sealed against the cable strand 38. In between the insulation block 6 and the back piece 26 the cables 37 are individualised from the cable strand 38. The ends of the cables 37 are fed through holes 8 in the insulation block 6. The respective part of a male/female connection type is attached to the end of the cable 37 on the outward facing side of the insulation block 6.
[0144] FIG. 20, 21 show a ring of male connectors 39 protruding from the insulation block 6. Once the ends of the cables have been fed through the holes 8 of the insulation block 6 and attached to the male connectors 39, the position of the ends of the cables 37 within the insulation block 6 is fixed. Given that this work has been performed while the insulation block 6 and the end piece 26 are outside the housing, the worker can check, whether the connections are all properly made. After this work has been performed, the worker inserts the insulation block 6 through the entry opening 25 and pushes the insulation block 6 to be situated in the end opening 4 and closes the entry opening 25 with the back piece 26. Fixing the insulation block 6 and the back piece 26 to the housing 3 can be done by way of the frames 31, 33 and the screws 32, 34 described above.
[0145] FIG. 22 shows that the same method can be performed with the differently shaped embodiment of the housing 3 as is shown for example in FIG. 13.
[0146] FIGS. 23 to 27 show that the insulation block 6 can be made up of several sub-blocks 40. The use of sub blocks 40 allows the insulation block 6 to be individually designed for the types of cables 37 that are to be connected with the respective electrical coupler 2. The individual sub-block 40 can have protrusions 31 and recesses 42. The respective protrusion 41 protrudes into a respective recess 42 in a neighbouring sub-block 40. This stabilises the arrangement of the sub blocks 40 next to each other. As can be seen from FIG. 23, the insulation block has a ring shaped recess 43 that is intended to take up the bulge 28 of the sealing 15. The insulation block 6 also has a ring shaped recess 44 that is intended to take up the additional sealing 30. An additional recess 45 can be used to into engage with the screws 32 and thereby obviate the necessity of a frame 31.
[0147] While FIGS. 4 to 7 show a view, in which the second arm 11 has been drawn as see through, FIG. 28 shows a similar view onto the first arm 10 and the second arm 11 with the second arm 11 being fully drawn. FIG. 28 shows that the second arm 11 has a lever 44.
[0148] FIG. 29 shows that a part of the housing contact surface 12 crosses the reference plane F that contains the reference line 14 and runs perpendicular to the base plane E at a point closer to the base plane E (not shown in FIG. 29) then the reference line 14 is as the lid 9 is moved from the closed position to the open position.
[0149] FIG. 30 in FIG. 31 show two electrical couplers 2 according to the invention set next to each other. The situation shown in FIGS. 30, 31 can be reached, when two cars of a train have been brought into proximity to each other. The situation shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 is the situation prior to the two cars of the train being finally pushed together such that the couplers for mechanically coupling the two cars to each other engage with each other. The situation shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 is the situation that prepares the final coupling of the couplers.
[0150] FIG. 30 shows the position, wherein the lids 9 of the respective electrical couplers 2 are in the closed position. FIG. 31 shows the situation, where the respective housing 3 of the respective electrical coupler 2 has been pushed closer towards the end of the bars 17 by use of the respective hydraulic cylinder 18 of the respective electrical coupler 2. The situation shown in FIG. 31 is similar to the situation shown in FIG. 5. The respective lids 9 have lift off from the sealing 15. The respective housing contact surfaces 12 of the respective lids 9 have left the contact with the respective lid contact surface 13 of the respective housing 3.
[0151] FIGS. 33 to 38 show the initial movement of the lid 9 from the closed position towards the open position. FIGS. 33 and 34 show the positioning of the lid 9 similar to the position shown in FIG. 4, 8 and hence the closed position of the lid 9. FIG. 34 highlights that the lever 44 of the second arm 11 is distanced from an outer circumferential surface 45 that belongs to the main axis that defines the rotational axis D. To reach the position shown in FIGS. 35, 36 the housing has been moved forward (towards the left in the FIG. 33, 35, 37). As described in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, this initial forward movement of the housing 3 makes the roller 22 cross a vertical line that crosses the rotational axis D from a position towards the left of this vertical line to a position towards the right of this vertical line. This movement makes the rotational axis C move towards the left and makes the second arm 11 move towards the left. This movement towards the left makes the lever 44 of the second arm 11 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface 45. The contact of the lever 44 with the outer circumferential surface 45 limits the amount that the second arm 11 can move forward. The contact between the lever 44 and the outer circumferential surface 45 ends the phase of predominantly horizontal movement of the lid 9 and starts a phase of predominantly vertical movement of the lid (vertical and backward movement of the lead 9).
[0152] As highlighted in FIGS. 33, 35 and 37, the housing 3 has a horizontal guiding surface 46. In the closed position of the lid 9, the second arm 11 rests on the horizontal guiding surface 46. Also, the movement of the leaver 11 from the position shown in FIG. 33 to the position shown in FIG. 35 keeps the lever 11 in contact with the horizontal guiding surface 46. The limitation of the horizontal movement of the second arm 11, which is achieved by the contact of the lever 44 with the outer circumferential surface 45, leads to the second arm 11 leaving the horizontal guiding surface 46 as the forward (leftward) movement of the housing continues. FIG. 37 shows the horizontal guiding surface 46 free and without contact to the second lever 11.
[0153] The spring 23 pretensions the second arm 11 for counter clockwise movement around the rotational axis C and for counter clockwise movement around the rotational axis D. In the placements of the second arm 11 as shown in FIGS. 33 and 35, the horizontal guiding surface 46 prevents the second arm 11 from rotating in a counter clockwise direction around the rotational axis C or around the rotational axis D.
[0154] FIG. 39 is used to show that depending on the individual design, an electrical coupler 2 according to the invention can have several reference lines. FIG. 39 shows the reference lines 14, 47 and 48. The design shown in FIG. 39 with three reference lines 14, 47, 48 hence also has three parallel reference planes F (not shown in FIG. 39). The first reference plane would contain the reference line 14 and run perpendicular to the base plane. The second reference plane would contain the second reference line 47 and run perpendicular to the base plane E. The third reference plane F would contain the reference line 48 and run perpendicular to the base plane E. FIG. 40 shows that the lid 9 has a housing contact surface 12 that is intended to engage with the lid contact surface 13 is provided by the outward facing surface of the bulge 27 of the sealing 15. The lid 9 does contain a further housing contact surface 49, however. This housing contact surface 49 is intended to come into contact with the further lid contact surface 50 provided on the housing 3.
[0155] FIG. 41 show a further possible design of the housing 3 and the insulation block 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the lid rotates around the rotational axis D. FIG. 41 symbolises that
[0156] the ring shaped lid contact surface 13 as provided by the foremost surface of the sealing 15 has two longitudinal surface sections that are arranged in parallel to each other, namely a top longitudinal surface section and a bottom longitudinal surface section
[0157] whereby a first end of one of the two longitudinal surface sections is connected to a first end of the other of the two longitudinal surface sections by a first side surface section and a second end of the one of the two longitudinal surface sections is connected to a second end of the other of the two longitudinal surface sections by a second side surface section to form the ring shaped lid contact surface
[0158] and the first side surface section has a section that is a longitudinal surface section
[0159] and the second side surface section has a section that is a longitudinal surface section
the longitudinal surface section of the first side surface and the longitudinal surface section of the second side surface are arranged below the maximum-width plane (which at the same time is the base plane E). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 41 the point of the lid contact surface 13 that is furthest away from the base plane E in one direction is part of a longitudinal section of the lid contact surface 13, namely part of the top longitudinal surface section that runs parallel do the base plane E. The sections of the lid contact surface that are arranged between the maximum-width plane and the reference line converge towards the ends of the longitudinal section of the lid contact surface 13.
[0160] FIG. 42 in FIG. 43 show that the end of the cables (not shown in FIGS. 42, 43 can contain a male connector 39 or a female connector 51. The male connector 39 can be designed to pass through the hole provided in the insulator 6. The male connector 39 and the female connector 51 protrude from the respective hole 8 over the endface 7 of the insulation block 6. At the inward facing side of the insulation block 6 the male connector 39 and the female connector 51 have connection ends 52 that are connected to the remainder of the cable (not shown in FIG. 43. The male connector 39 and the female connector 51 that pass through the holes 8 of the insulation block 6 have sealings 53 that prevent fluid from entering into the inner side of the housing 3.
