Elastic coupling between rail vehicle wagons

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons, comprising: an end support (2) or curved head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being curved, an end support (3) or straight head (8) in turn comprising a screwed straight area (5), an intermediate deformation area (6) and an end coupling area (7), the end (8) of the coupling area (7) being straight, and an enclosing case (4) covering the end coupling area (7) of the support (2) and the end coupling area (7) of the support (3),
such that the supports (2) and (3) are attached to one another by draw connection means and by elastic elements. The walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 2 are curved inwards, and the walls of the intermediate area 6 of the support 3 are curved outwards.

Claims

1. An elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons, comprising: A) a first end support (2) as a first coupler assembly comprising a first straight wall (5), extending from said first straight wall (5) is a first intermediate deformation (6) having first lateral walls that are inwardly curved, said first intermediate deformation (6) extends to a first end coupling (7) comprising a curved head (8); B) a second end support (3) as a second coupler assembly comprising a second straight wall (5), extending from said second straight wall (5) is a second intermediate deformation (6) having second lateral walls that are outwardly curved, said second intermediate deformation (6) extends to a second end coupling (7) comprising a straight head (9); C) a bolt (10) that connects said first end support (2) to said second end support (3), said second coupler assembly is on a separate and adjacent rail vehicle wagon from said first coupler assembly; D) an elastic element (11) positioned between said curved head (8) and said straight head (9), said elastic element (11) is mounted onto said bolt (10); and E) an enclosing case (4) that covers said curved head (8) and said straight head (9).

2. The elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said first intermediate deformation (6) and said second intermediate deformation (6) are internally hollow.

3. The elastic coupling (1) between rail vehicle wagons set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said first end support (2) and said second end support (3) are in series.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a complete elastic coupling of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the supports of the elastic coupling of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the elastic coupling 1, with its three main portions: an end support 2 with curved head 8, an end support 3 with straight head 9 and an enclosing case 4 of the coupling area. FIG. 2 shows the end support 2 having a curved head 8 and the end support 3 having a straight head 9 aligned with one another and without the enclosing case 4.

(4) Each of the end supports 2, 3 is screwed to the end of the structure of the corresponding adjacent wagon. The heads 8, 9 of the end supports 2, 3 are attached to one another by means of a draw bolt 10 or pin as a draw connection element and by elastic element 11.

(5) The end support 2 having a curved head 8 has three distinct areas: a straight area 5 (which enters the wagon structure), an intermediate deformation area 6 and an end coupling area 7 (covered by the enclosing case 4 in FIG. 1).

(6) The end support 3 having a straight head 9 likewise has three distinct areas: a straight area 5 (which enters the wagon structure), an intermediate deformation area 6 and an end coupling area 7 (covered by the enclosing case 4 in FIG. 1).

(7) The end supports 2, 3 of the elastic coupling 1 deform in their respective intermediate deformation areas 6, 6, absorbing energy.

(8) These intermediate deformation areas 6, 6 are designed with an optimized geometry that assures the formation of stress cracks in the designed areas in order to know about and control their limit of growth, thereby preventing unwanted cracks.

(9) Specifically, the walls of the intermediate deformation areas 6, 6 take a rounded, not straight, shape as is common in the prior art. The walls corresponding to the intermediate deformation area 6 of the end support 2 having a curved head 8 are curved inwards, and the walls corresponding to the intermediate deformation area 6 of the end support 3 having a straight head 9 are curved outwards, as can be seen in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

(10) These are the free areas for deformation of the end supports 2, 3, which are precisely those areas located between the walls of the wagons (outside their structure) and the enclosing case 4 covering the draw connection element draw bolt 10 or pin and the elastic element 11 of the attachment.

(11) The intermediate deformation areas 6, 6 are hollow because the draw bolt 10 or pin connecting both wagons has to be introduced into the inner space.

(12) Furthermore, the end supports 2 and 3 can be made of cast steel with a special treatment to assure maximum ductility.

(13) The end support 2 having a curved head 8 deforms under a force at least 20% greater than the end support 3 having a straight head 9 to assure operation in the event of impact since both end supports 2 and 3 are located in series.

(14) Although embodiments of the invention have been described and depicted, modifications comprised within the scope of the invention can obviously be introduced in said embodiments, and said scope should not be considered as being limited by said embodiments, rather it is limited only by the content of the following claims.