AUTOMATIC COUPLING

Abstract

A system for coupling a first train coach to a second coach includes a first automatic coupler mountable at an end of the first coach, providing for a mechanical coupling to a second automatic coupler mountable at the second coach. The first coupler has a first coupling actuator that drives a first locking mechanism between locked and unlocked states. A first bellows has a first mounting frame, first coupling frame, and first latching mechanism at the first coupling frame. The first coupling frame is coupled by the first latching mechanism to a second coupling frame of the second bellows. A controller receives an uncoupling instruction, generates an uncoupling signal and sends it to the first coupling actuator, receives a coupling instruction, and generates a coupling signal and sends it to the first coupling actuator.

Claims

1. A system for coupling a first coach of a train to a second coach of the train, the system comprising: a first automatic coupler, wherein; the first automatic coupler is mountable at an end of the first coach, the first automatic coupler provides for a mechanical coupling to a second automatic coupler mountable at the second coach, the first automatic coupler comprises a first coupling actuator and a first locking mechanism, and the first coupling actuator during operation of the system drives the first locking mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state; a first bellows, wherein; the first bellows provides protection of a passenger or an object moving from the first coach to the second coach, the first bellows comprises a first mounting frame, a first coupling frame, and a first latching mechanism at the first coupling frame, wherein; the first mounting frame is fixable to a wall of the first coach, the first coupling frame is releasably couplable by the first latching mechanism to a second coupling frame of the second bellows at the second coach; and a controller, wherein; the controller is operatively coupled to the first coupling actuator, the controller is arranged to; receive an uncoupling instruction, generate an uncoupling signal upon receipt of the uncoupling instruction, send the uncoupling signal to the first coupling actuator, receive a coupling instruction, generate a coupling signal upon receipt of the coupling instruction, and send the coupling signal to the first coupling actuator; wherein the first coupling actuator upon receipt of the uncoupling signal drives the first locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, and the first coupling actuator upon receipt of the coupling signal drives the first locking mechanism from the unlocked state to the locked state; wherein; the first bellows comprises a first latching actuator, wherein the first latching actuator during operation of the system drives the first latching mechanism between a latched state and an unlatched state; the controller is operatively coupled to the first latching actuator, the controller is arranged to; generate an unlatch signal upon receipt of the uncoupling instruction, send the unlatch signal to the first latching actuator prior to sending the uncoupling signal to the first coupling actuator, generate a latching signal upon receipt of the coupling instruction, and send the latching signal to the first latching actuator after sending the coupling signal to the first coupling actuator; and the first latching actuator upon receipt of the unlatch signal drives the first latching mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state, and wherein the first latching actuator upon receipt of the latching signal drives the first latching mechanism from the unlatched state to the latched state.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein; the first bellows comprises a first motion actuator, the first motion actuator being arranged to move the first coupling frame of the first bellows relatively to the first mounting frame between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein in the extended position a distance between the first coupling frame (16) and the first mounting frame is larger than in the retracted position; the controller is operatively coupled to the first motion actuator, the controller being arranged to; generate a retract signal upon receipt of the uncoupling instruction, send the retract signal to the first motion actuator after sending the unlatch signal to the first latching actuator and prior to sending the uncoupling signal to the first coupling actuator, generate an extend signal upon receipt of the coupling instruction, and send the extend signal to the first motion actuator after sending the coupling signal to the first coupling actuator and prior to sending the latching signal to the first latching actuator; and the first motion actuator upon receipt of the retract signal drives the coupling frame from the extended position to the retracted position, and the first motion actuator upon receipt of the extend signal drives the first coupling frame from the retracted position to the extended position.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least the first coupling actuator, the first latching actuator or the first motion actuator is selected from a group consisting of an electrical actuator, a pneumatic actuator and a hydraulic actuator.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: the first automatic coupler comprises a first coupling sensor, the first coupling sensor being operatively coupled to the controller, the first coupling sensor is arranged to sense whether the first locking mechanism is in the locked state and to generate a first coupled signal once the first locking mechanism is in the locked state, and the controller is arranged to send the latching signal after receipt of the first coupled signal.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: the first bellows comprises a first latching sensor, the first latching sensor being operatively coupled to the controller, the first latching sensor is arranged to sense whether the first latching mechanism is in the unlatched state and to generate a first unlatched signal once the first latching mechanism is in the unlatched state, and the controller is arranged to send the uncoupling signal after receipt of the first unlatched signal.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: the first bellows comprises a first position sensor, which first position sensor is operatively coupled to the controller, the first position sensor is arranged to sense whether the first bellows is in the extended position and to generate a first extended position signal once the first bellows is in the extended position, the first position sensor is arranged to sense whether the first bellows is in the retracted position and to generate a first retracted position signal once the first bellows is in the retracted position, the controller is arranged to send the latching signal after receipt of the first extended position signal, and the controller is arranged to send the uncoupling signal after receipt of the first retracted position signal.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is arranged to: upon receipt of the uncoupling instruction; generate and send the unlatch signal, wait for the first unlatched signal from the first latching sensor, generate and send the retract signal upon receipt of the first unlatched signal, wait for the first retracted position signal from the first position sensor, and generate and send the uncoupling signal upon receipt of the first retracted position signal; and upon receipt of the coupling instruction; generate and send the coupling signal, wait for the first coupled signal from the first coupling sensor, generate and send the extend signal upon receipt of the first coupled signal, wait for the first extended position signal, and generate and send the latching signal upon receipt of the first extended position signal.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second automatic coupler, wherein; the second automatic coupler is mountable at an end of the second coach, the second automatic coupler provides for a mechanical coupling to the first automatic coupler mountable at the first coach, wherein; the second automatic coupler comprises a second coupling actuator and a second locking mechanism, and the second coupling actuator during operation of the system drives the second locking mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state; and a second bellows, wherein; the second bellows provides protection of a passenger or an object moving via a bridge from the first coach to the second coach, the second bellows comprises a second mounting frame, a second coupling frame, and a second latching mechanism at the second coupling frame, wherein; the second mounting frame is fixable to a wall of the second coach, and the second bellows is movable from an extended position to a retracted position, the second coupling frame is releasably couplable by the second latching mechanism to a first coupling frame of the first bellows at the first coach, the second bellows comprises a second latching actuator, wherein the second latching actuator during operation of the system drives the second latching mechanism between a latched state and an unlatched state; wherein; the controller is operatively coupled to the second coupling actuator; the controller is operatively coupled to the second latching actuator; the controller is arranged to; send the uncoupling signal to the second coupling actuator, send the coupling signal to the second coupling actuator, send the unlatch signal to the second latching actuator prior to sending the uncoupling signal to the second coupling actuator, and send the latching signal to the second latching actuator after sending the coupling signal to the second coupling actuator; wherein the second coupling actuator upon receipt of the uncoupling signal drives the second locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state, and wherein the second coupling actuator upon receipt of the coupling signal drives the second locking mechanism from the unlocked state to the locked state; and wherein the second latching actuator upon receipt of the unlatch signal drives the second latching mechanism from the latched state to the unlatched state, and wherein the second latching actuator upon receipt of the latching signal drives the second locking mechanism from the unlatched state to the latched state.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the second bellows further comprises a second motion actuator, wherein: the second motion actuator is arranged to move the second coupling frame of the second bellows relatively to the second mounting frame between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein in the extended position a distance between the second coupling frame and the second mounting frame is larger than in the retracted position; the controller is operatively coupled to the second motion actuator, the controller being arranged to; send the retract signal to the second motion actuator after sending the unlatch signal to the second latching actuator and prior to sending the uncoupling signal to the second coupling actuator, and send the extend signal to the second motion actuator after sending the coupling signal to the second coupling actuator and prior to sending the latching signal to the second latching actuator; and the second motion actuator upon receipt of the retract signal drives the second coupling frame from the extended position to the retracted position, and wherein the second motion actuator upon receipt of the extend signal drives the second coupling frame from the retracted position to the extended position.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein: the second automatic coupler has a second coupling sensor, the second coupling sensor being operatively coupled to the controller; the second coupling sensor is arranged to sense whether the second locking mechanism is in the locked state and to generate a second coupled signal once the second locking mechanism is in the locked state; and the controller is arranged to send the latching signal after receipt of the first coupled signal and the second coupled signal.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: the second bellows has a second latching sensor, the second latching sensor being operatively coupled to the controller; the second latching sensor is arranged to sense whether the second latching mechanism is in the unlatched state and to generate a second unlatched signal once the second latching mechanism is in the unlatched state; and the controller is arranged to send the uncoupling signal after receipt of the first unlatched signal and the second unlatched signal.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein: the second bellows has a second position sensor, the second position sensor being operatively coupled to the controller; the second position sensor is arranged to sense whether the second bellows is in the extended position and to generate a second extended position signal once the second bellows is in the extended position; the second position sensor is arranged to sense whether the second bellows is in the retracted position and to generate a second retracted position signal once the second bellows is in the retracted position; the controller is arranged to send the latching signal after receipt of the first extended position signal and the second extended position signal; and the controller is arranged to send the uncoupling signal after receipt of the first retracted position signal and the second retracted position signal.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the controller is arranged to upon receipt of the uncoupling instruction generate and send the unlatch signal, wait for the first unlatched signal from the first latching sensor and for the second unlatched signal from the second latching sensor, generate and send the retract signal upon receipt of the first unlatched signal and of the second unlatched signal, wait for the first retracted position signal from the first position sensor and for the second retracted position signal from the second position sensor, and generate and send the uncoupling signal upon receipt of the first retracted position signal and of the second retracted position signal; and upon receipt of the coupling instruction generate and send the coupling signal, wait for the first coupled signal from the first coupling sensor and for the second coupled signal from the second coupling sensor, generate and send the extend signal upon receipt of the first coupled signal and of the second coupled signal, wait for the first extended position signal and for the second extended position signal, and generate and send the latching signal upon receipt of the first extended position signal and of the second extended position signal.

14. A train comprising at least the first coach and the second coach and the system according to claim 8, wherein the first mounting frame is mounted to the first coach and wherein the second mounting frame is mounted to the second coach.

15. The train according to claim 14, wherein at least a part of the controller is an element of a train control management system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become more understandable from the following description of embodiments and the accompanying figures. In the figures, equivalent elements are designated by identical reference numbers.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a train comprising a system for automatic coupling and uncoupling of two coaches according to the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 2 is schematic isometric view of a first bellows of the system for automatic coupling and uncoupling of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a coupling process;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic pneumatic diagram for the coupling process of FIG. 3;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of an uncoupling process; and

[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic pneumatic diagram for the uncoupling process of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a train 1 implementing a system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The train 1 in the example shown comprises four coaches 3, 4, 5, 6. The coaches denoted by reference numbers 3 and 6 are driving coaches with a pantograph and an operator's cabin 7, each. The two coaches 4 and 5 comprise an electrical motor each. The two coaches 4 and 5 in the language of the present application are denoted the first coach 4 and the second coach 5. For the discussion of this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that first the coaches 4 and 5 shall be coupled to each other after removal of another coach from the train 1. Subsequent to the coupling process, an uncoupling process will be described assuming that another coach shall be inserted between the first coach 4 and the second coach 5.

[0054] The driving coaches 3, 6 at their respective fronts provide a front-end automatic coupler 8. The front-end automatic coupler 8 allows to couple the train 1 to another complete train (not shown in FIG. 1). The driving coach 3 is coupled to the first coach 4 by a semi-permanent drawbar 9 as is the driving coach 6 to the second coach 5.

[0055] Between the first and second coaches 4 and 5, a system 2 for automatic coupling of the first coach 4 of the train 1 to the second coach 5 of the train 1 is provided. The system 2 consists of two halves, wherein a first half 10 is mounted to the first coach 4 and a second half 11 is mounted to the second coach 5. The two halves 10, 11 are identical to each other and mirror symmetrical to each other to enable a mechanical coupling of the first coach 4 to the second coach 5. The first half 10 of the system 1 comprises a first bellows 12 and a first automatic coupler 13. The first automatic coupler 13 is mounted at an end of the first coach 4 and provides for a mechanical coupling to the second automatic coupler 15 mounted at the second coach 5. The second half 11 of the system 1 comprises a second bellows 14 and a second automatic coupler 15. The second automatic coupler 15 is mounted at an end of the second coach 5.

[0056] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first and second automatic couplers 13, 15 are wedgelock couplers providing not only a mechanical coupling, but also a coupling of electrical and pneumatic supplies.

[0057] In order to better understand the functionalities and operations of the system 1 according to the present invention, the first bellows 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The first bellows 12 is mounted to a wall 20 of the first coach 4. The first bellows 12 comprises a coupling frame 16 for coupling the first bellows 12 to the second bellows 14. Furthermore, the first bellows 12 comprises a first mounting frame 17, wherein the first bellows 12 is mounted to the end wall 20 of the first coach 4 by the mounting frame 17.

[0058] To enable a fully automatic operation, the first coupling frame 16 is equipped with a latching mechanism 19. The first latching actuator 21 is mechanically coupled to the first latching mechanism 19 allowing to latch and unlatch a mechanical connection of the first coupling frame 16 to the second coupling frame.

[0059] In addition, the first bellows 12 comprises a first latching sensor. The first latching sensor is implemented as a first latch switch 22. This latch switch provides a signal when the latching mechanism 19 is moved by the latch cylinder 21 into the latched position and another signal once the latching mechanism reaches the unlatched position.

[0060] Furthermore, the first bellows 12 comprises a first motion actuator in the form of a first motion cylinder 23. The first motion cylinder 23 is mounted between the first mounting frame 17 and the first coupling frame 16 and is arranged to move the first coupling frame 16 relatively to the first mounting frame 17 between a retracted position shown in FIG. 2 and an extended position. In the extended position the first coupling frame 16 of the first bellows 12 meets the second coupling frame of the second bellows 14. Thus, in the extended position, a distance between the first coupling frame 16 and the first mounting frame 17 is larger than in the retracted position.

[0061] The first bellows 12 also comprises a first position sensor implemented as a first front face switch 24. The first front face switch 24 indicates whether the first bellows is in the retracted position or whether the first bellows is in the extended position. In the extended position during a coupling or uncoupling process contact between the first coupling frame 16 and the second coupling frame is established. When the first and second coupling frames 16 are in contact the first and second front face switches generate first and second extended position signals, respectively. When the first and second coupling frames 16 are in their retracted positions the first and second front face switches generate first and second retracted position signals, respectively.

[0062] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the first latch cylinder, the first motion cylinder as well as the first coupling actuator are pneumatically operated actuators. Pneumatically operated actuators can use the trains pneumatic system for any controlled motion. Still, in an alternative embodiment, these actuators could be electrically operated actuators. However, their functionality and the required control is similar.

[0063] The controller operating the coupling and uncoupling processes is divided into a first component integrated into the train control management system 25 and two solenoid valves 26.

[0064] The coupling process is now described with reference to the schematic flowchart of FIG. 3 as well as the schematic pneumatic diagram of FIG. 4. Initially, before coupling, the first coach 4 and the second coach 5 are in their normal, uncoupled condition 100. When the first and second automatic couplers 13, 15 are in mechanical contact with each other a coupling instruction 110 is generated. In the present embodiment, the coupling instruction 110 is generated by a switch detecting that the first and the second automatic couplers 13, 15 are in contact with each other.

[0065] This coupling instruction 110 is received by the train control management system 25. The train control management system 25 upon receipt of the coupling instruction 110 generates a supply line coupling signal and sends the supply line coupling signal to the first automated coupler. Upon receipt of the supply line coupling signal, the first automated coupler provides a coupling of electrical and pneumatical supply lines between the first coach 4 and the second coach 5. Successful coupling of the electrical and pneumatical supply lines is confirmed by a supply line confirmation signal 120

[0066] Upon receipt of the supply line confirmation signal 120 the train control management system 25 generates a coupling signal 130 and sends the coupling signal to the first coupling actuator. Upon receipt of the coupling signal, the first coupling actuator drives the first locking mechanism from an unlocked state to a locked state. In the unlocked state of the first locking mechanism the first automatic coupler 13 is free to come into engagement with the second automatic coupler 15 or to disengage from the second automatic coupler 15. In the locked state the first automatic coupler 13 is mechanically coupled to the second automatic coupler 15 by a positive fit. The second coupling actuator is activated in the same way.

[0067] The first and the second automatic couplers 13, 15 have a first and a second coupling sensor, respectively. The two coupling sensors are operatively coupled to the train control management system 25. The first and second coupling sensors generate first and second coupled signals 140 once the first and second locking mechanisms are in the locked state. The first and second coupled signals 140 are electrical signals received by the train control management system 25.

[0068] After the two automatic couplers are fully coupled providing mechanical, electrical and pneumatical coupling, the train control management system 25 sends an electrical first extend signal 150 to a first solenoid valve 26. Simultaneously, the train control management system 25 sends an electrical second extent signal to a second solenoid valve (not shown in the figures).

[0069] Each of the first and second solenoid valves forms part of the controller. Control of the first and second bellows 12, 14 provided by the train control management system 25 in cooperation with the first solenoid valve 26 and the second solenoid valve. In the following operation of the first solenoid valve 26 to control automatic operation of the first bellows is described. Identical functionality is provided by the second solenoid valve for the second bellows 14.

[0070] The set of first actuators 21, 23 of the first bellows is pneumatically operated using an outlet 27 of the train's pneumatic system (MRP). In the embodiment of the figures the pressure of the pneumatic system is reduced by a pressure reducer 28. The pneumatic line branched from the train's pneumatic system with reduced pressure forms the input of the first solenoid valve 26. The first solenoid valve 26 forms an actively controlled manifold to activate the first motion cylinder 23 and the first latch cylinder 2.

[0071] Upon receipt of the first extend signal 150 the first solenoid valve 26 activates a pneumatic output of the first solenoid valve 26 powering the first motion cylinder 23. The first motion cylinder 23 in turn drives the first coupling frame 16 from its retracted position into an extended position. The first and second coupling frames are distanced from their respective mounting frames until they meet in the middle between the first coach 4 and the second coach 5. In this position of the first and second coupling frames 16, the coupling frames can be latched to each other. In order to detect whether the first and second coupling frames 16 are in their correct extended positions for latching each of the first and second coupling frames 16 comprises a front face switch 24. The first front face switch 24 generates an electrical signal denoted as the first extended position signal 160.

[0072] When the first solenoid valve 26 as part of the controller receives the first extended position signal 160 the first solenoid valve 26 closes the pneumatic output towards the first motion cylinder 23 and opens the valve's output towards the first latch cylinder 21. Pressure on the valve's output connected to the first latch cylinder 21 is denoted the first latching signal 170.

[0073] Once pressure is applied to the first latching cylinder 21 the first latching cylinder 21 drives the first latching mechanism 19 from an unlatched state into a latched state. In the latched state the first coupling frame 16 is positively fitted to the second coupling frame. Once the latching is completed, the first latch switch 22 sends an electrical first latched signal 180 to the train control management system 25. The first latched signal 180 confirms that in addition the coupling of the automatic couplers 13, 15 the mechanical coupling of the first and second bellows 12, 14 is completed.

[0074] FIGS. 5 and 6 describe the process of automatic uncoupling of the first and second coaches 4, 5. Again control of the process relies on the controller formed by the train control management system a first solenoid valve 26 and the second solenoid valve, respectively. The steps of the coupling process are activated in reverse order. In a first step the unlatching of the first and second bellows 12, 14 is carried out. In a second step the two bellows are retracted from their extended positions into their retracted positions. Finally, in a third step the automatic couplers 13, 15 are released.

[0075] For the purposes of the original disclosure, it is pointed out that all features as they become apparent to a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the claims, even if they have been specifically described only in connection with certain further features, may be combined both individually and in any combination with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, unless this has been expressly excluded or technical circumstances render such combinations impossible or pointless. A comprehensive, explicit description of all conceivable combinations of features is omitted here only for the sake of brevity and readability of the description.

[0076] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this illustration and description are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection as defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0077] Variations of the disclosed embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the drawings, description and appended claims. In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are claimed in different claims does not exclude their combination. Reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of protection.