EP4144611A1 - System with a joint for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts and with a protection device for the joint - Google Patents

Abstract

System comprising a joint (2) for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts (3, 4), in particular a rail vehicle, and a protective device (1) for the joint (2), the protective device (1) comprising:- two essentially rigid fastening sections ( 5, 6) which can be attached directly or indirectly to the vehicle parts (3, 4) in order to produce an operating state of the system, and a movable cover section (7) which connects the two attachment sections (5, 6) to one another, the The cover section (7) has a substantially U-shaped and/or substantially O-shaped cross section and is arranged at least partially surrounding the joint (2) in the operating state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system comprising a joint for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts, in particular a rail vehicle, and a protective device for the joint.

STATE OF THE ART

A wide variety of joints are known for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts, in particular a rail vehicle, which typically have two articulated parts for connection to the vehicle parts, the articulated parts being articulated to one another via a joint bearing. The two joint parts can be, for example, a joint fork and a joint tongue. For example, the spherical bearing may comprise a spherical bearing ball and a spherical bearing outer race.

In order to protect the joint, in particular the joint bearing, from external influences such as liquid, it is known from the prior art to implement a protective device in the form of sealing the joint directly on its joint bearing itself. This often creates bellows-like seals, for example between the joint bearing ball and Joint bearing outer ring and consequently also indirectly between the fork arms of the joint yoke and the joint tongue, which in turn can limit the possible freedom of movement or strength of the joint and seal or protection device system. Another disadvantage of this system is that the seal or protective device between the joint bearing ball and joint bearing outer ring has to withstand movement cycles with relatively large swivel angles over the service life and is consequently exposed to high sliding wear due to the constant relative movement, which in turn can lead to damage. Replacing such a damaged seal is very expensive, since the entire joint has to be dismantled, which is also considered to be disadvantageous.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a possibility for a protective device for protecting a joint for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, a simple replacement of the protective device should be possible.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

• zwei im Wesentlichen starre Befestigungsabschnitte, die direkt oder indirekt an den Fahrzeugteilen befestigbar sind, um einen Betriebszustand des Systems herzustellen, sowie
• einen beweglicher Abdeckabschnitt, der die beiden Befestigungsabschnitte miteinander verbindet, wobei der Abdeckabschnitt einen im Wesentlichen U-förmigen und/oder im Wesentlichen O-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist und im Betriebszustand das Gelenk zumindest abschnittsweise umgebend angeordnet ist.

In order to achieve the stated object, a system is provided according to the invention, the system comprising a joint for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts, in particular a rail vehicle, and a protective device for the joint, the protective device comprising:

• two substantially rigid attachment portions that are directly or indirectly attachable to the vehicle parts to establish an operational state of the system, and
• a movable cover section which connects the two fastening sections to one another, the cover section having a substantially U-shaped and/or substantially O-shaped cross section and being arranged at least partially surrounding the joint in the operating state.

The vehicle parts can include, for example, car bodies as are customary in rail vehicles. In this case, the fastening sections can be fastened both directly to the car bodies, for example by screwing to the car bodies, and indirectly with the interposition of at least one further element between the respective fastening section and the respective car body.

The operating state of the system is established by the - direct or indirect - attachment.

In the operating state, the movable cover section surrounds the joint at least in sections, preferably completely, in that the joint is arranged at least in sections, preferably completely, within the cross section of the cover section.

In the case of a U-shaped cross-section, the covering section typically acts like a hood - or possibly like an umbrella - and typically covers the joint completely when viewed in a first direction and not or not completely when viewed in the opposite direction, the first direction can point in particular from top to bottom. Viewed in a second direction, the covering section covers the joint at least in sections, with complete covering being obtained when the covering section extends sufficiently in the first direction, viewed in the second direction. The second direction is normal to the first direction, with the two directions being the Span the area in which the cross-section lies. A third direction is normal to this surface.

In other words, the cover section, with its essentially U-shaped cross section, surrounds the joint in an angular range of less than 360°, the angular range being measured around the third direction. In the case of a substantially O-shaped cross-section, the covering section surrounds the joint in an angular range of substantially 360°, the angular range being measured around the third direction. "Essentially 360°" is to be understood in such a way that, for example, a cut made for production reasons does not mean that the shape of the cross section cannot be regarded as a closed O-shape. For example, the cover section could be designed at least in sections as a hose which is cut open on one side along its extension in order to enable it to be slipped over the joint without any problems.

It is conceivable for the cover section to have a cross section along its course between the two fastening sections, the shape of which varies between a U shape and an O shape, or from a U shape to an O shape and vice versa.

The mobility of the cover section allows unrestricted functionality of the joint when it connects the vehicle parts to one another in an articulated manner, and consequently does not impede a relative movement of the vehicle parts to one another by allowing a corresponding relative movement of the fastening sections to one another. It should be noted here that the relative movement of the vehicle parts to one another is limited to certain areas with regard to the pivoting angle and a possible offset. Accordingly, the area is limited in which a first joint part and a second joint part are pivoted to each other in practice or while driving, the joint with its first joint part is connected to one vehicle part and its second joint part is connected to the other vehicle part, and a joint bearing connects the two joint parts in an articulated manner.

The first, second and third directions are to be understood in such a way that they are assigned to the cover section and are moved, in particular pivoted, when the cover section is moved. If the third direction is essentially the same for all points of the covering section, this corresponds to a configuration for a straight, non-staggered arrangement of the two vehicle parts relative to one another in the operating state of the system, as occurs when driving straight ahead. In this case, the fastening sections are not pivoted relative to one another, but are typically arranged parallel to one another and one behind the other as viewed in the third direction.

The system or the protective device ensures reliable protection of the joint from external influences, in particular from liquids such as rainwater or cleaning liquids, from more than one side.

The fastening sections can, for example, be made of a metal, in particular steel, a steel alloy or an aluminum alloy. However, the fastening sections can also be made of plastic.

A fastening section can be designed in one piece, but it can also be assembled from several rigid elements, which result in an overall rigid fastening element. It is also conceivable that the individual rigid elements are not rigidly connected to one another, for example instead of a one-piece U-shaped fastening element, as in 1 shown, three straight rigid elements are provided which are not connected to each other at the corners.

The connection of the fastening sections by the cover section is to be understood at least in the sense of an arrangement. This means that it can theoretically also be a loose connection, especially if the system is not in the operating state. However, it is of course also possible to provide a permanently fixed connection between the cover section and the fastening sections, for example by gluing, welding or the like.

The described arrangement of the protective device allows a certain distance from the joint, so that in particular sliding wear of the cover section can be avoided.

The dismantling of the protective device is extremely easy, since essentially only the fastening of the fastening sections has to be loosened in order to be able to remove the protective device, in particular the covering section. For example, a replacement of the protective device or maintenance of the joint are possible easily and inexpensively.

• zwei im Wesentlichen starre Befestigungsabschnitte zur direkten oder indirekten Befestigung an den Fahrzeugteilen zur Herstellung eines Betriebszustands der Schutzvorrichtung sowie
• einen beweglicher Abdeckabschnitt, der die beiden Befestigungsabschnitte miteinander verbindet, wobei der Abdeckabschnitt einen im Wesentlichen U-förmigen und/oder im Wesentlichen O-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist und dazu eingerichtet ist, im Betriebszustand das Gelenk zumindest abschnittsweise umgebend angeordnet zu sein.

Analogously to what has been said above, a protective device for a joint for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts is provided according to the invention, comprising the protective device

• two substantially rigid attachment sections for direct or indirect attachment to the vehicle parts to produce an operating state of the protection device and
• a movable cover section that connects the two fastening sections to one another, the cover section having a substantially U-shaped and/or substantially O-shaped cross section and being set up to be arranged at least partially surrounding the joint in the operating state.

If the operating state or the operating state of the system is discussed below, the same applies to the Operating status of the protective device, unless otherwise specified.

As already mentioned, the fastening sections can be connected directly to the vehicle parts. In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, it is provided that the joint has a first joint part for connection to a first vehicle part of the two vehicle parts and a second joint part for connection to a second vehicle part of the two vehicle parts, that in the operating state a first fastening section of the two fastening sections for indirect attachment to the first vehicle part is attached to the first joint part and that in the operating state a second attachment section of the two attachment sections is attached to the second joint part for indirect attachment to the second vehicle part. A particularly compact and space-saving arrangement of the system is the advantageous result.

In principle, a wide variety of joint variants or structures, in particular those known per se, can be provided in the system according to the invention, with the two joint parts typically being connected to one another in an articulated manner via a joint bearing, whereby the joint forms an articulated connection for the two vehicle parts overall. For example, the first joint part can be formed by a joint yoke and the second joint part by a joint tongue. The articulated tongue can have the joint bearing, with which the articulated tongue is arranged between the fork arms of the articulated fork, with a bolt being provided for connecting the fork arms to the joint bearing, for example.

The mobility of the cover section can be implemented in a wide variety of ways. In order to achieve a structurally particularly simple and cost-effective solution, a preferred one is Embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention provided that the covering section is essentially made of a flexible, in particular stretchable, material. Of course, this does not rule out the possibility of providing, for example, rigid stiffening or reinforcing elements in places.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention, it is provided that the material of the covering section comprises a fabric coated with chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), the fabric preferably comprising polyester and/or cotton. This ensures a particularly high load capacity and durability.

The cover section can essentially be manufactured in one piece. In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention, it is provided that the covering section comprises a plurality of elements which are connected to one another, in particular rigid elements and which can be moved in relation to one another. The elements can, of course, also be movable themselves—in particular bendable, flexible or stretchable—which means that a certain degree of mobility with respect to one another is automatically provided.

Alternatively, the elements can also be rigid and—in particular by means of movable connections known per se—can only be moved in relation to one another, similar to covers for machine guides. Accordingly, a large number of materials can be used for the production of the (rigid) elements, in particular metals such as steel or steel alloys or aluminum alloys or plastics. The mobility, in particular a certain pivotability, of the elements to one another is sufficient to provide a sufficient overall Ensure mobility of the covering section. At the same time, a very good protective effect against external influences, in particular against the effects of force or impacts, for example, can be ensured.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention, it is provided that the cover section is designed like a bellows, at least in sections. This ensures high mobility of the cover section. At the same time, an approximately O-shaped cross section can be achieved, so that the cover section covers a very large angular range, in particular an angular range of essentially 360°, around the third direction.

The covering section is preferably designed essentially completely in the manner of a bellows.

The bellows-like construction can be implemented in the manner of a miniature bellows, a bellows or a corrugated bellows—similar to the transitions between two vehicle parts.

The fastening sections can be designed in a wide variety of ways, for example as clamping parts, which is advantageous not least because of the simple construction. In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention, provision is accordingly made for the covering section to be clamped at least in sections by the fastening sections in the operating state.

Correspondingly, in the operating state, a fixed connection between the fastening sections and the cover section can essentially be realized by said clamping or at least be reinforced by this.

The respective vehicle part, in particular the car body, can act as a connection point for the fastening sections, for example, if a direct fastening of the fastening sections to the vehicle parts is intended. In the case of an indirect attachment of the attachment sections to the vehicle parts, the respective joint part can, for example, function as a connection point.

As already mentioned, the mobility requirements of the covering section are limited due to the movements of the vehicle parts relative to one another that actually occur during driving operation, which in turn has a favorable effect on the possibilities for producing said mobility. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention or the protective device according to the invention, it is provided that the fastening sections can be pivoted relative to one another by the movable cover section by a pivot angle, the maximum of which is in the range from -60° to 60°, preferably from -45° to 45 °, lies. The swivel angle is not necessarily to be understood as being about a single fixed swivel axis, which runs parallel to the first direction, for example, but ultimately, depending on the movement of the vehicle parts, different swivel axes can result with respect to which the respective swivel angle can be determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. The drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the idea of the invention, but in no way restrict or even conclusively reproduce it.

Fig. 1

eine axonometrische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems mit einem Gelenk und einer erfindungsgemäßen Schutzvorrichtung für das Gelenk von schräg oben, wobei die Schutzvorrichtung in einem unbefestigten Zustand über dem Gelenk dargestellt ist

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf das System aus Fig. 1 in einem Betriebszustand von oben

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie A-A aus Fig. 2, wobei die Pfeile die Blickrichtung andeuten und wobei Fahrzeugteile angedeutet sind

Fig. 4

eine axonometrische Ansicht eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Systems, analog zu Fig. 1, jedoch mit einem anderen Gelenk

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht des Systems aus Fig. 4, analog zu Fig. 3

It shows:

1

an axonometric view of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention with a joint and a protective device for the joint according to the invention from an oblique angle, the protective device being shown in an unfastened state over the joint

2

oversee the system 1 in an operational state from above

3

a sectional view according to section line AA 2 , wherein the arrows indicate the viewing direction and vehicle parts are indicated

4

an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, analogous to 1 , but with a different joint

figure 5

a sectional view of the system 4 , analogous to 3

WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

In 1 a first embodiment or a first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention with a joint 2 and with a protective device 1 according to the invention for the joint 2 is shown. The joint 2 is used for the articulated connection of a first vehicle part 3 to a second vehicle part 4, cf. 3 , The two vehicle parts 3, 4 being in particular vehicle parts of a rail vehicle and can include car bodies.

The protective device 1 comprises a first fastening section 5 and a second fastening section 6, which are essentially rigid and, in the exemplary embodiments shown, consist of a are made of stainless steel alloy. The first attachment section 5 is basically intended for indirect or direct attachment to the first vehicle part 3 and the second attachment section 6 for indirect or direct attachment to the second vehicle part 4 in order to establish an operating state of the system or the protective device 1 . In the exemplary embodiments shown, the attachment sections 5, 6 are attached to the vehicle parts 3, 4 indirectly.

Furthermore, the protective device 1 comprises a movable cover section 7, which connects the two fastening sections 5, 6 to one another. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the cover section 7 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and comprises a top section 18 and two adjoining, opposite side wall sections 19, which form the legs of the U-shape of the cross section, with the top section 18 covering the middle part of the U -Form forms. In the operating state, the cover section 7 surrounds the joint 2 from three sides or covers the joint 2 from three sides, with the cover section 18 in particular completely covering the joint 2 against external influences, such as liquids, from above, cf. 2 .

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the cover section 7 is essentially made of a fabric that comprises polyester and/or cotton and is coated with chlorosulfonated polyethylene, in particular in one piece. The cover section 7 is correspondingly flexible and also stretchable to a certain degree and allows relative movement, in particular relative pivoting, of the two delimiting sections 5, 6 to one another, in particular when the vehicle parts 3, 4 move relative to one another in the operating state.

The joint 2 has a first joint part 8 for connection to the first vehicle part 3 and a second joint part 9 for connection to the second vehicle part 4. The two joint parts 8, 9 are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of a joint bearing 13, whereby the joint 2 is the articulated Connection of the two vehicle parts 3, 4 allows.

As already mentioned, in the exemplary embodiments shown, the attachment sections 5, 6 are connected to the vehicle parts 3, 4 indirectly. Specifically, in the operating state, the first fastening section 5 is indirectly fastened to the first vehicle part 3 via the first joint part 8 and the second fastening section 6 is indirectly fastened to the second vehicle part 4 via the second joint part 9. Screws 10 are provided for this fastening, which pass through recesses or holes 12 are guided in the fastening sections 5, 6 and in the cover section 7 and screwed into threads 11 in the joint parts 8, 9. The assembly and disassembly of the fastening sections 5, 6 and the protective device 1 is correspondingly quick and easy, which means that the joint 2 can be easily maintained, for example.

The fastening sections 5, 6 are screwed to the joint parts 8, 9 with the cover section 7 interposed, so that in the operating state the cover section 7 is clamped by the fastening sections 5, 6, which at least represents an additional safeguard for the cover section 7. The cover section 7 is of course also held by the resulting form fit with the screws 10 arranged in the holes 12 .

In addition, in the illustrated embodiments, the fastening sections 5, 6 are sewn into the cover section 7, which takes place in a first step, and additionally screwed, which takes place in a second step takes place so that a clamp connection is created. It would also be conceivable for the covering section 7 to be glued to the fastening sections 5, 6 in a first working step and only then to produce the clamping connection.

The two exemplary embodiments shown differ only in the type of joint 2. In particular, the second exemplary embodiment, which is shown in 4 and 5 is shown, the fastening of the fastening sections 5, 6 together with the clamping of the cover section 7 by screwing to the joint parts 8, 9, the screws 10, holes 12 and threads 11 being shown in FIG 4 and 5 are not shown.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the first joint part 8 forms a joint fork with two fork arms and the second joint part 9 forms a joint tongue which has the joint bearing 13 . The joint bearing 13 in turn comprises a joint bearing ball 14 which is arranged to be rotatable in a joint bearing outer ring 15, cf. 3 . The joint tongue is arranged with the joint bearing 13 between the fork arms of the joint fork, with a bolt 16 for connecting the fork arms or the first joint part 8 to the joint bearing 13 or the second joint part 9 being provided. In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment, said bolt 16 is secured against falling out by means of a locking screw 17, cf. 3 .

In the joint 2 of the second exemplary embodiment, both the first joint part 8 and the second joint part 9 are constructed in an L-shape or with one arm, with the arms being arranged in an overlapping manner. The first joint part 8 holds a joint bearing socket 20 of the joint bearing 13, in which the joint bearing ball 14 is rotatably mounted. The joint bearing ball 14 is in turn held by the second joint part 9 . Otherwise, the above applies to the first EMBODIMENT What has been said also applies analogously to the second embodiment and reference is therefore made to the above explanations.

REFERENCE LIST

1

protective device

2

joint

3

First vehicle part

4

Second vehicle part

5

First attachment section

6

Second attachment section

7

cover section

8th

First joint part

9

Second joint part

10

screw

11

thread

12

Hole

13

pivot bearing

14

joint bearing ball

15

Pivoting bearing outer ring

16

bolt

17

locking screw

18

ceiling section

19

sidewall section

20

joint bearing pan

Claims (8)

System comprising a joint (2) for the articulated connection of two vehicle parts (3, 4), in particular a rail vehicle, and a protective device (1) for the joint (2), the protective device (1) comprising: - Two essentially rigid attachment sections (5, 6) which can be attached directly or indirectly to the vehicle parts (3, 4) in order to establish an operating state of the system, and - a movable cover section (7) which connects the two fastening sections (5, 6) to one another, the cover section (7) having a substantially U-shaped and/or substantially O-shaped cross section and the joint (2) being in the operating state is arranged at least partially surrounding. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint (1) has a first joint part (8) for connection to a first vehicle part (3) of the two vehicle parts (3, 4) and a second joint part (9) for connection to a second vehicle part (4) which has two vehicle parts (3, 4), that in the operating state a first fastening section (5) of the two fastening sections (5, 6) is fastened to the first joint part (8) for indirect fastening to the first vehicle part (3) and that in In the operating state, a second fastening section (6) of the two fastening sections (5, 6) is fastened to the second joint part (9) for indirect fastening to the second vehicle part (4). System according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the covering section (7) is essentially made from a flexible, in particular stretchable, material. System according to Claim 3, characterized in that the material of the cover section (7) comprises a fabric coated with chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), the fabric preferably comprising polyester and/or cotton. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover section (7) comprises a plurality of interconnected, in particular rigid, elements which are movable in relation to one another. System according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the covering section (7) is designed like a bellows, at least in sections. System according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the operating state the cover section (7) is clamped at least in sections by the fastening sections (5, 6). System according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fastening sections (5, 6) can be pivoted relative to one another by the movable cover section (7) through a pivoting angle, the maximum of which is in the range from -60° to 60°, preferably from -45 ° to 45°.

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