Solid Wheel for a Rail Vehicle and Method for Producing the Wheel

Abstract

A solid wheel for a rail vehicle includes a wheel rim arranged on the circumference of the solid wheel, a tread and a hub for a wheelset shaft, wherein the wheel rim is connected to the hub via an end wall and a rear wall, where the hub is arranged at the center of the solid wheel and includes a longitudinal axis such that a high radial and axial strength of the wheel flange as the basis for a low sound emission is provided by virtue of the solid wheel forming a cavity that is delimited by the end wall and the rear wall, where the end wall and the rear wall transition into each other below the wheel flange in an arched manner, and the end wall has first openings and the rear wall has second openings in order to open the cavity outwards in a spoked manner.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A solid wheel for a rail vehicle, comprising: a wheel rim arranged on a circumference of the solid wheel; a tread; and a hub for a wheel set shaft, the wheel rim being connected to the hub via an end wall and a rear wall, said hub being arranged at a center of the solid wheel and having a longitudinal axis; wherein the solid wheel forms a cavity which is delimited by the end and rear walls; wherein the end and rear walls transition into each other below the wheel rim in an arched manner; and wherein the end wall has first openings and the rear wall has second openings in order to open the cavity outward in a spoked manner.

29. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein in each case a first spoke is formed between two first openings on the end wall and in each case a second spoke is formed between two second openings on the rear wall; and wherein the first and second spokes each have their smallest width in a central third of a respective spoke.

30. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and second spokes widen both inwardly and outwardly from their smallest width in a radial direction.

31. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein the first openings have a first axis of symmetry and are configured substantially elliptical; and wherein the first axis of symmetry intersects the longitudinal axis.

32. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 31, wherein a circumference of the first openings is formed from a series of circle radii tangentially connected together.

33. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 31, wherein a ratio of a greatest width of the first openings to a greatest length of the first openings ranges between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5.

34. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 32, wherein a ratio of a greatest width of the first openings to a greatest length of the first openings ranges between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5.

35. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 33, wherein the ratio ranges between 1:1.8 and 1:2.2.

36. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 34, wherein the ratio ranges between 1:1.8 and 1:2.2.

37. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein the second openings have a second axis of symmetry and are configured to be substantially cheek-shaped; and wherein the second axis of symmetry intersects the longitudinal axis.

38. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 37, wherein the second openings perpendicular to the second axis of symmetry have a greatest width in a region which is offset radially in a direction of the tread relative to a central point of the second opening.

39. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 37, wherein a circumference of the second openings is formed from a series of circle radii connected together tangentially.

40. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 38, wherein a circumference of the second openings is formed from a series of circle radii connected together tangentially.

41. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 39, wherein a ratio between an innermost radius of the second openings relative to the longitudinal axis and an outermost radius of the second openings relative to the longitudinal axis ranges between 1:1.4 and 1:1.8.

42. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 41, wherein the ratio ranges between 1:1.5 and 1:1.7.

43. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 37, wherein the ratio of the greatest width of the second openings to the greatest length of the second openings ranges between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5.

44. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 43, wherein the ratio ranges between 1:1.8 and 1:2.2.

45. The solid wheel as claimed in one claim 28, wherein the first and second openings are arranged in the circumferential direction so as to be distributed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis and a pitch angle is present between two first openings.

46. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 45, wherein a number of the first and second openings is the same.

47. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 45, wherein a number of first and second openings each corresponds to a prime number.

48. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 46, wherein the number of first and second openings each corresponds to a prime number, preferably 11, 13 or 17.

49. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 47, wherein the prime number is 11, 13 or 17.

50. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 48, wherein the prime number is 11, 13 or 17.

51. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 46, wherein the first openings are offset relative to the second openings in the circumferential direction.

52. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 51, wherein the first openings are offset relative to the second openings by half of a pitch angle.

53. The solid wheel as claimed in of claim 28, wherein the cavity is a rotationally symmetrical volume which is formed by rotation of a rotated cross section about the longitudinal axis.

54. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 53, wherein the rotated cross section tapers from the hub toward the tread.

55. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 53, wherein an end of the rotated cross section facing the tread is configured as a series of circle radii connected together tangentially.

56. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 53, wherein a difference between a wheel radius and a greatest radius of the rotated cross section is between 60 mm and 70 mm.

57. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 54, wherein a difference between a wheel radius and a greatest radius of the rotated cross section is between 60 mm and 70 mm.

58. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 56, wherein the difference is between 65 mm and 68 mm.

59. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 57, wherein the difference is between 65 mm and 68 mm.

60. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 53, wherein a maximum extent of the rotated cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ranges from 50% to 60% of a radius of the wheel.

61. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 53, wherein the maximum extent ranges from 51% to 58% of the radius of the wheel.

62. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein an outer surface of that circular region of the end wall having the first openings has a planar configuration and encloses a first angle of inclination with a normal of the longitudinal axis.

63. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein an outer surface of that circular region of the rear wall having the second openings has a planar configuration and encloses a second angle of inclination with a normal of the longitudinal axis.

64. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 62, wherein the angle of inclination ranges between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 6.

65. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 63, wherein the angle of inclination ranges between 0 and 10, preferably between 1 and 6.

66. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 64, wherein the angle of inclination ranges between 1 and 6.

67. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 65, wherein the angle of inclination ranges between 1 and 6.

68. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 28, wherein the solid wheel is formed in one piece as a cast part.

69. The solid wheel as claimed in claim 68, wherein the solid wheel is produced from ausferritic cast iron with spheroidal graphite.

70. A method for producing a solid wheel, comprising: arranging a wheel rim on a circumference of the solid wheel; providing a tread on the rim; and connecting a hub for a wheel set shaft to the wheel rim via an end wall and a rear wall, said hub being arranged at a center of the solid wheel and having a longitudinal axis; wherein the solid wheel forms a cavity which is delimited by the end and rear walls; wherein the end and rear walls transition into each other below the wheel rim in an arched manner; and wherein the end wall has first openings and the rear wall has second openings in order to open the cavity outward in a spoked manner; and wherein the solid wheel is produced in one piece as a cast part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] For the further description of the invention, reference is made in the following part of the description to the figures, further advantageous embodiments, details and developments of the invention being able to be derived therefrom. The figures are to be understood by way of example and while they are intended to represent the character of the invention they in no way limit or reproduce the invention conclusively, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the end face (end wall) of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the rear face (rear wall) of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention along the line AA of FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention along the line BB of FIG. 1

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of second openings on the rear wall;

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of first openings on the end wall; and

[0049] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an end wall 2 of an embodiment of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention for a rail vehicle. The solid wheel comprises a wheel rim 1 arranged on the circumference of the solid wheel and a hub 4 arranged in the center of the solid wheel for attaching a wheel set shaft. In this case, the hub 4 has a longitudinal axis 5 that corresponds to the rotational axis of the solid wheel. The wheel rim 1 and the hub 4 are connected on one side by the end wall 2 and on the other side by a rear wall 3, not visible in this view. In the installed state, the rear wall 3 corresponds to the side of the solid wheel facing the rail vehicle and the end wall 2 corresponds to the side of the solid wheel remote from the rail vehicle. In the radial direction, the wheel rim 1 is defined by the tread 6 which in the operating state, rolls on a rail.

[0051] Between the wheel rim 1 and the hub 4 a cavity 7 is formed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, where the cavity is defined on the one side by the end wall 2, in particular by the first spokes 10 thereof, and on the other side by the rear wall 3, in particular by the second spokes 11 thereof, as may be seen in FIG. 2. Here, the first spokes 10 are produced by two first openings 8 that are arranged adjacent to one another in the end wall 2 and that penetrate the end wall 2 and thus open the cavity 7 outwardly.

[0052] The first openings 8 are configured to be substantially elliptical, where the main axis of each of the openings 8 is arranged radially. First spokes 10 are formed between the first openings 8, where the spokes have their smallest width (viewed in the radial direction) slightly inside the central point of the openings 8.

[0053] Thirteen first openings 8 are equally distributed around the circumference of the solid wheel. The second openings 9 that are located in the rear wall 3 are seen through the cavity 7, where in each case a second spoke 11 is located between two second openings 9. Here, the first openings 8 are offset in the circumferential direction relative to the second openings 9, such that the second spoke 11 (when viewed parallel to the longitudinal axis 5) in each case is arranged centrally in the first opening 8. Accordingly, for the arrangement of the first spokes 10 this has the result that each of the spokes are arranged centrally in the second opening 9(see also FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0054] In FIG. 2, a side view of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention is illustrated with a view of the rear wall 3, where the second openings 9 may be seen in detail. Similarly to the first openings 8 and the first spokes 10, thirteen second openings 9 and an equal number of second spokes 11, which in turn are formed by in each case two second openings 9 in the rear wall 3, are arranged on the rear wall 3. In turn, these second openings 9 open the cavity 7 outwardly, toward the other side. Here, the second openings 9 are configured to be cheek-shaped, where the term egg-shaped might also be relevant. Cheek-shaped means that these second openings 9 are elongated, where the circumference has a longitudinal end with a smaller curvature and a longitudinal end with a larger curvature, and the curvatures of the two longitudinal ends are connected together lines that are curved to a lesser extent (at least less than the larger curvature of the one longitudinal end). Additionally, it may also be seen clearly that the tread 6 on the transition to the rear wall 3 comprises a wheel flange 20 as a safety means, which ensures the track guidance and therefore in this view conceals the tread 6.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a solid wheel in accordance with the invention. This view clearly shows the construction of the solid wheel described in the introduction. Starting from the hub 4 arranged in the center, the wheel rim 1 arranged on the circumference is connected on the one side by the end wall 2 and on the other side by the rear wall 3. The cavity 7 is configured between the end wall 2, the rear wall 3, the hub 4 and the wheel rim 1, where the cavity is similar to the construction of an arch. On the end face 2, the cavity 7 is open outwardly in a spoked manner via the first openings 8, one thereof being able to be seen, where the first spokes 10 formed by the first openings 8, one thereof also being able to be seen in section, produce the connection between the hub 4 and the wheel rim 1. On the rear wall 3, the second openings 9 and the second spokes 11 are arranged in the same manner, where once again it is possible to clearly identify that first 10 and second spokes 11 are offset such that an opening 8, 9 on the one wall 2, 3 is centrally aligned with a spoke 11, 10 on the other wall 3, 2. The cavity 7 is a volume that is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 5, and that is formed by the rotation of a rotated cross section 17 about the longitudinal axis 5. The cavity 7 has a larger dimension in the radial direction than in the axial direction. The end of the rotated cross section 17 facing the tread 6 is configured as a series of circle radii connected together tangentially. Here, the rotated cross section 17 tapers from the hub 4 in the direction of the tread 6. The tread 6 has a tread inclination.

[0056] The angle of inclination of the end wall 2 and the rear wall 3 are illustrated in FIG. 4. The outer surface of the end wall 2 (and/or the outer surface of the first spokes 10) has, in the region of the first openings 8, a first angle of inclination 18 of approximately 1-2 and is inclined inwardly toward the tread 6. The outer surface of the end wall 3 (and/or the outer surface of the second spokes 11) has, in the region of the second openings 9, a second angle of inclination 19 of approximately 5-7 and is also inclined inwardly toward the tread 6. Here, the second angle of inclination 19 is greater than the first angle of inclination 18. However, other embodiments are also conceivable in which the angles of inclination 18, 19 are of the same size or the first angle of inclination 18 is greater than the second angle of inclination 19.

[0057] The end of the rotated cross section 17 facing the tread 6, which is configured in an arched manner and thus has a curvature, has a greater curvature in the end wall 2 than in the rear wall 3, where it extends as a whole in a flatter/flattened manner.

[0058] The position of the rotated cross section 17 in the radial direction is substantially determined by the difference between a wheel radius 28, which is easy to determine by the person skilled in the art, and a greatest radius 27 of the rotated cross section. In this case, the greatest radius 27 refers to the spacing between the longitudinal axis 5 and the point of the rotated cross section 17 furthest away from the longitudinal axis 5 in the radial direction, i.e., in other words, the highest point of the end of the rotated cross section 17 configured in an arched manner and facing the tread 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, this difference is 65 mm.

[0059] The end of the rotated cross section 17 facing the wheel hub 4 is also rounded and, in the end wall 2, has as a whole a smaller curvature than in the rear wall 3. A linear portion that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 5 is present between the end wall 2 and the rear wall 3.

[0060] Depressions for relieving stress are provided in the region outside the wheel hub 4, both on the outer face of the end wall 2 and on the outer face of the rear wall 3. The end wall 2 and the rear wall 3 are offset inwardly thereby outside the wheel hub 4. Here, the depressions and/or the offsets start at the same radius as the cavity 7.

[0061] The maximum extent of the rotated cross section 17 in the radial direction, i.e., the spacing between the point of the rotated cross section 17 located furthest radially inwardly, in the present case this point is located on the portion of the rotated cross section 17 parallel to the longitudinal axis 5, and the greatest radius 27 of the rotated cross section 17, is dependent on the wheel radius 28. In the present exemplary embodiment, the maximum extent is approximately 57% of the wheel radius 28.

[0062] The cheek-shaped second openings 9 may be seen in detail in FIG. 5, where the second openings are each symmetrical with an axis of symmetry 15. Here, the axes of symmetry 15 intersect the longitudinal axis 5 at a point and are offset relative to one another by a pitch angle 16. Thus the pitch angle 16 of 360/13, thus approximately 27.7, is produced between the second openings 9, a total of thirteen thereof being present.

[0063] The second openings 9 are arranged radially with their longitudinal direction, where the longitudinal end with the smaller curvature that forms an innermost radius 25 is located on the inside. On the opposing side, i.e., the longitudinal end located radially outwardly, the second openings 9 have a larger curvature which forms an outermost radius 26. Here, the ratio between the innermost radius 25 and the outermost radius 26 in the present exemplary embodiment is approximately 1:1.6.

[0064] The design of the second openings 9 is substantially determined by the greatest length 22 thereof and the greatest width 24 thereof and/or the ratio thereof to one another, where the circumference of the second openings 9 consists of a series of circle radii connected together tangentially. Here, the greatest length 22 is measured in the radial direction and/or in the direction of the axis of symmetry 15, while the greatest width 24 is measured in the circumferential direction and/or perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 15. The ratio of the greatest width 24 to the greatest length 22 in this case in the present exemplary embodiment is approximately 1:1.92. The portion with the greatest width 24 in this case is offset radially outwardly relative to the central point of the second openings 9 and located in the outer third.

[0065] The second spokes 11 formed between the openings 9 have their smallest width 13, viewed radially, approximately inside the central point of the openings 9.

[0066] The first openings 8 are shown again in detail in FIG. 6. Each first opening 8 has a first axis of symmetry 14 that extends radially. Between the thirteen first openings 8 a pitch angle 16 of 360/13, thus approximately 27.7, is produced. Between the first axes of symmetry 14 and the second axes of symmetry 15 an angle which corresponds to half of the pitch angle 16, i.e., approximately 13.85, is produced by the offset of the openings 8, 9 relative to one another.

[0067] Moreover, the shape of the first openings 8 is determined by the greatest length 21 and greatest width 23 thereof and/or the ratio thereof to one another. Similarly, the circumference of the first openings 8 is formed from a series of circle radii connected together tangentially. Similarly to the second openings 9, the dimensions of the first openings 8 are also measured in the radial direction and/or in the circumferential direction. Here, the ratio between the greatest width 23 and the greatest length 21 in the present exemplary embodiment is approximately 1:2.1. In this case, the portion with the greatest width 23 is arranged approximately in the center of the first openings 8.

[0068] The first spokes 10 formed between the first openings 8 have their smallest width 12, viewed radially, within the central point of the openings 8, approximately on the boundary between the internal and central third.

[0069] The solid wheel shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is shown to scale and in this case has a wheel diameter of 850 mm.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for producing a solid wheel. The method comprises arranging a wheel rim 1 on a circumference of the solid wheel, as indicated in step 710. Next, a tread 6 is provided on the rim, as indicated in step 720. Next, a hub for a wheel set shaft is now connected to the wheel rim 1 via an end wall 2 and a rear wall 3, as indicated in step 730. Here, the hub 4 is arranged at a center of the solid wheel and has a longitudinal axis 5.

[0071] In accordance with the invention, the solid wheel forms a cavity 7 that is delimited by the end and rear walls 2, 3. In addition, the end and rear walls 2, 3 transition into each other below the wheel rim 1 in an arched manner. Moreover, the end wall 2 has first openings 8 and the rear wall 3 has second openings 9 in order to open the cavity 7 outward in a spoked manner. In the preferred embodiment, the solid wheel is produced in one piece as a cast part.

[0072] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.