Wiring system, in particular for the connection between carriages of a railway vehicle

Abstract

A wiring system is described in particular for the electrical connection between a first and a second carriage of a railway vehicle; the wiring system has at least one mobile wiring having a first and a second end connected to a respective connector designed for coupling to fixed panel elements carried by facing outside walls of the first and respectively, second carriages. The mobile wiring has a single sheath enclosing a number of cables separate and distinct, each designed for a different application, jointly designed to provide complete connectivity in terms of data and control signals between the carriages. The wiring system also provides for a first and a second fixed wiring, each arranged at a respective carriage, and designed to interface electrically with a respective end of the mobile wiring for the corresponding electrical connection to on-board equipment.

Claims

1. A wiring system for the electrical connection between a first and a second carriage of a railway vehicle, said wiring system including at least one mobile wiring having a first and a second end connected to a respective connector designed for coupling to fixed panel elements carried by facing outside walls of the first and respectively second carriages, wherein said mobile wiring has a single sheath enclosing a number of separate and distinct cables, each designed for a respective application, jointly designed to provide complete connectivity in terms of data and control signals between said first and second carriages, wherein the cables comprise a first cable with two conductors, wired in a respective dedicated shielded module; a second cable with four conductors, with controlled impedance, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module; a third cable with twelve conductors, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module; and a fourth cable, with four pairs of conductors of an AWG-23 cat-7a Ethernet data communication type, wherein said connector is designed for coupling to a panel connector fitted in the respective fixed panel element with a safety release mechanism for quick disconnection in case of separation between said first and second carriages, wherein said connector is modular and contains within it a number of separate connector modules, each connector module being dedicated to a respective one of the cables, being independently shielded and individually sealed, and wherein the connector modules comprise a first connector module, with two contacts, to receive the first cable; a second connector module, with four contacts, to receive the second cable; a third connector module, with twelve contacts, to receive the third cable; and a fourth connector module, for Ethernet cable, to accommodate the fourth cable.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said release mechanism is of the bayonet or tear type, provided with a pull rope connected to a ring-nut of the connector.

3. The system according to claim 1 in which the complete coupling of said connector and said panel connector provides a tactile and/or auditory signal to a user.

4. The wiring system according to claim 1, further comprising a first and a second fixed wiring, each arranged at a respective carriage of said first and second carriages and designed to interface electrically with a respective first or second end of the mobile wiring for the corresponding electrical connection to an on-board equipment inside said first and second carriages.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein each of said first and second fixed wirings has a respective sheath enclosing a corresponding number of cables separate and distinct, and also carries, at a first end, a panel connector designed to be assembled integrally with the respective fixed panel element and to couple in a releasable manner to the connector of the mobile wiring.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said panel connector is modular and contains within it a number of separate connector modules, wherein each connector module is dedicated to a respective cable, independently shielded and individually sealed.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein each of said first and second fixed wirings has a second free end, designed for electrical connection with the respective on-board equipment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a better understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a wiring system between carriages of a railway vehicle, according to one aspect of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of a mobile wiring in the wiring system of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2b shows a front view of a coupling connector of the mobile wiring in FIG. 2a;

(5) FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of a fixed wiring in the wiring system of FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 3b shows a front view of a coupling connector of the fixed wiring of FIG. 3a.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(7) In general, the present solution refers, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, to a wiring system, denoted as a whole by reference numeral 1, for connecting two carriages 2a, 2b, of a railway vehicle 3, which undergo, during operation, reciprocal movements according to various degrees of freedom.

(8) The wiring system 1 comprises:

(9) a mobile wiring 4, arranged between the carriages 2a, 2b and designed therefore to endure the relative reciprocal movements (such mobile wiring 4 is defined in the jargon as hanging or jumper cable); and

(10) a first and a second fixed wiring 5a, 5b, each placed at a respective carriage 2a, 2b, and designed to interface electrically to a respective terminal end of the mobile wiring 4 for the corresponding electrical connection to an on-board equipment 6a, 6b, called cabinet.

(11) In particular, the aforesaid terminal ends of the mobile wiring 4 couple, with panel connectors, to a fixed panel element 8a, 8b, carried by the facing outside wall of the respective carriage 2a, 2b, usually referred to as junction box; a respective end of the first or second fixed wiring 5a, 5b reaches the same fixed panel element 8a, 8b, coupling via a respective panel connector.

(12) In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the mobile wiring 4 encloses, according to one aspect of the present solution, within a single sheath 10, of the corrugated type with IP67 protection, four separate and distinct cables, each designed for a different application, designed to provide jointly complete connectivity in terms of data and control signals between adjacent carriages 2a, 2b, and in particular:

(13) a first cable 11a, with two conductors, wired in a respective dedicated shielded module;

(14) a second cable 11b, with four-core and 120 Ohm controlled impedance, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module;

(15) a third cable 11c, with twelve conductors, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module; and in addition

(16) a fourth cable 11d, AWG23 four pair CAT.7A Ethernet specifically for the railway jumper application.

(17) In this regard, it should be noted that the division of the wiring into different cables has some important advantages: firstly, the manual wiring operation is significantly easier; in addition, considering that the cables are individually shielded, a higher division thereof offers higher quality wiring; also in terms of electromagnetic compatibility, groups of similar conductors, individually shielded, produce better shielding effects than a single shielded total group, other conditions being equal.

(18) The individual cables 11a-11d, in a possible embodiment of length L.sub.1 approximately equal to 2 metres, have a marking on the outer surface that identifies the type in order to facilitate their identification, and thus the wiring. The internal locking of the cables is via grommets and clamps.

(19) The single sheath 10 is appropriately fitted at its ends for fastening to a respective connector 12.

(20) The sheath 10 also has a shorter length (for example approximately 10 cm) to the distance between the two connectors 12, so as to facilitate the wiring and its maintenance. The coating of the portion left bare by the sheath 10 is obtained by means of a casing (not shown) sliding on the sheath 10 which, when the wiring has been completed, is blocked on one side to the connector 12, while on the opposite side it overlaps the sheath 10.

(21) As shown in detail in FIG. 2b, each connector 12, according to one aspect of the present solution is modular and contains within it four separate connector modules, each connector module being dedicated to one of the four cables 11a-11d, being independently shielded and individually sealed; each connector module can also be individually assembled and tested before being inserted in the connector 12.

(22) In essence, each single connector module can be thought of as an independent connector which can be inserted in the same connector 12, already complete with relative shielding and retention of the respective cable. The various connector modules also have a guide system which ensures accurate and reliable positioning.

(23) The connector 12 comprises therefore:

(24) a first connector module 12a, with two contacts, to receive the first cable 11a;

(25) a second connector module 12b, with four contacts, to receive the second cable 11b;

(26) a third connector module 12c, with twelve contacts, to receive the third cable 11c; and

(27) a fourth connector module 12d, for Ethernet cable, to accommodate the fourth cable 11d.

(28) The connector 12 is provided with a coupling ring-nut and fitting for the sheath 10, of the corrugated type.

(29) In particular, the coupling of the connector 12 to a corresponding panel connector (see discussion below) on the fixed panel element 8a, 8b of the respective carriage 2a, 2b is of the interlocking, or bayonet, type with rotation manoeuvre of the corresponding ring-nut; advantageously, the complete closure of the connection can be perceived with a tactile and auditory click to ensure correct insertion.

(30) The snap-disengagement of the connector 12 is by rotation manoeuvre in the opposite direction on the ring-nut.

(31) Advantageously, there is also a quick-release mechanism, of the bayonet type or tear type, acting on a pull rope 13 (shown schematically in FIG. 2a), for example of a metallic material, connected to the connector ring-nut 12.

(32) Each fixed wiring 5a, 5b is configured to couple to the mobile wiring 4.

(33) Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, substantially in the same manner as shown above, each fixed wiring 5a, 5b encloses within a respective sheath 15, four separate and distinct cables, designed to provide the connection between the respective fixed panel element 8a, 8b and the respective on-board equipment 6a, 6b, and in particular:

(34) a respective first cable 16a with two conductors, wired in a respective dedicated shielded module;

(35) a respective second cable 16b, with four-core and 120 Ohm controlled impedance, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module;

(36) a respective third cable 16c, with twelve conductors, shielded and wired in its own dedicated module; and in addition

(37) a respective fourth cable 16d, AWG23 four pair CAT.7 Ethernet, specifically for the railway jumper application.

(38) The cables 16a-16d, in a possible embodiment, have a length L.sub.2 varying depending on the position of the relative on-board equipment 6a, 6b, and having a different outer appearance so as to facilitate the identification thereof and thus the wiring operation.

(39) Each fixed wiring 5a, 5b has, at a first end, a respective panel connector 18, configured to be assembled integrally with the respective fixed panel element 8a, 8b and to couple in a releasable manner to the connector 12 of the mobile wiring 4 (in an evident manner, the panel connector 18 is a male or socket connector, in the case in which the connector 12 is a female or plug connector).

(40) In the embodiment shown, the second end of each fixed wiring 5a, 5b, in the case of cables 16a-16, is left free (without a connector), while the fourth cable 16d ends with a TERA cat.7 AWG 23 1 GHz connector, so as to allow the appropriate electrical connection with the respective on-board equipment 6a, 6b, as required each time.

(41) In the same manner as discussed above, the panel connector 18 also has a modular configuration and encloses within it four separate connector modules, wherein each connector module is dedicated to one of the respective four cables 16a-16d, is independently shielded and is individually sealed; each connector module can also be individually assembled and tested before being inserted in the panel connector 18.

(42) The panel connector 18 comprises therefore:

(43) a respective first connector module 18a, with two contacts, to receive the first cable 16a;

(44) a respective second connector module 18b, with four contacts, to receive the second cable 16b;

(45) a respective third connector module 18c, with twelve contacts, to receive the third cable 16c; and

(46) a respective fourth connector module 18d, to receive the fourth cable 16d.

(47) The panel connector 18 has a snap-coupling system, in the example with a three-ramp bayonet; and a snap (with bayonet) or tear disengagement, as discussed above with respect to the connector 12, complementary to it.

(48) The advantages of the present solution emerge clearly from the above description.

(49) In any case, it should again be noted that it allows full connectivity between adjacent carriages 2a, 2b of the railway vehicle 3 and also inside the carriages themselves towards the on-board equipment 6a, 6b.

(50) The wiring system 1 offers high safety performance, thanks to the configuration of the cables and connectors, and also to the presence of the quick-release tear mechanism, which allows in an emergency, smooth separation of the carriages 2a, 2b without the wiring being ripped and damaged, as is the case in the known systems.

(51) In addition, the wiring system 1 proves simple to construct and facilitates servicing and maintenance by wiring operators.

(52) In particular, thanks to the simple coupling and decoupling of the connectors 12, 18, the assembly and dismantling times are reduced significantly, a feature which is very useful during servicing and maintenance. Also, thanks to the fact that the complete closure of the connection can be perceived with a tactile and auditory (click), operators are able to operate even in hard-to-reach installations where space is limited. The solution described offers in fact the certainty of having performed correct coupling even when this cannot be visually checked.

(53) Conveniently, the wiring system 1 makes it possible to obtain certified quality and guarantees durability. In particular, the wiring system 1 is tested in its entirety, in all its parts, using the cable analyzer FLUKE DSX 5000 and each single wiring is accompanied by a test report.

(54) Lastly, it is evident that modifications and variations may be made to what has been described and illustrated herein while remaining within the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

(55) In particular, it is evident that the internal structure and composition of the wiring system 1 can differ, for example as regarding the number and arrangement of the cables 11a-11d, 16a-16d and/or connector modules 12a-12d, 18a-18d.

(56) It will also be evident, to a person skilled in the art that the solution described also lends itself to different types of use, even outside the railway field, although, for the reasons previously outlined, it is especially beneficial in this area and sphere of use.