Patent Application
20240101163
This application claims priority to European application 22196184.0, filed Sep. 16, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a rail vehicle front end, wherein the rail vehicle front end has a center buffer coupling having a free coupling end section such that the free coupling end section is connectable to a further center buffer coupling of a further rail vehicle front end, wherein the center buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position, wherein the center buffer coupling is designed and mounted in such a way that the free coupling end section can be pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the rail vehicle front end has a front panel, wherein the front panel radially surrounds the center buffer coupling at least in sections such that a front opening pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front panel and the center buffer coupling. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cover device for covering the front opening extending between a front panel and a center buffer coupling of a rail vehicle.
Rail vehicles, in particular regional trains and commuter trains, usually have an open center buffer coupling at both ends of a continuous train section. This center buffer coupling is used to couple a plurality of train sections together in order to create an overall longer train. It is not possible for a passenger to switch between the different train sections while a train is in motion.
The center buffer coupling is a component of the rail vehicle front end and is surrounded by the front panel of said rail vehicle front end.
As a rule, a train section comprises a rail vehicle front end having a center buffer coupling at each of its two ends such that the train section can also be coupled to other train sections via both ends.
Therefore, the rail vehicle front end located in front as viewed in the direction of travel during travel of such a train has a center buffer coupling, which is not coupled to a further center buffer coupling.
Since the center buffer coupling has limited mobility at least in the horizontal direction such that the coupling swivels during cornering, a front opening extends between the center buffer coupling and the front panel of the rail vehicle front end of the train or train section surrounding it, which can also be referred to as the free space between the center buffer coupling and the front panel.
When traveling at speeds above 50 km/h, turbulence occurs in the region of the front opening, which increases the flow resistance of the train. It has thus been found that the front opening is detrimental to the aerodynamics of a train. Particularly when entering a tunnel, the front opening results in increased flow resistance, since the air located in the tunnel cannot be displaced effectively due to the front opening.
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve the aerodynamic properties of a rail vehicle front end mentioned at the beginning.
This object is achieved by the rail vehicle front end described herein and by the cover device described herein.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the rail vehicle front end has a center buffer coupling having a free coupling end section such that the free coupling end section is connectable to a further center buffer coupling of a further rail vehicle front end, wherein the center buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position, wherein the center buffer coupling is designed and mounted in such a way that the free coupling end section can be pivoted with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the rail vehicle front end has a front panel, wherein the front panel radially surrounds the center buffer coupling at least in sections such that a front opening pointing substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front panel and the center buffer coupling, wherein the rail vehicle front end comprises a cover device, wherein the cover device is designed and arranged in such a way that the front opening is at least partially covered by the cover device, wherein the cover device comprises a through opening aligned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the free coupling end section projects from the inside to the outside through the through opening or is substantially flush with the through opening, wherein the cover device has at least a first rigid support element, wherein the cover device has at least a first fabric-like material section and a second fabric-like material section, wherein the cover device is designed and arranged on the rail vehicle in such a way that the first fabric-like material section extends radially between the front panel and the first rigid support element at least in sections, wherein the cover device is designed in such a way that the second fabric-like material section extends radially between the center buffer coupling and the first rigid support element at least in sections.
Such combination of a rigid support element having two fabric-like material sections stiffens the cover device, but at the same time allows mobility of the passage opening defined by the cover device. Thus, a cover device for the front opening can be provided that, due to the fabric-like material sections used, can be carried along during movements of the center buffer coupling such that the mobility of the center buffer coupling is not restricted by the cover device. At the same time, however, the stiffening—due to the rigid support element—prevents strong axial compression or deformation of the cover device at higher driving speeds such that the cover device can reduce the air resistance value of the rail vehicle. The latter in turn leads to a better energy balance of the train and consequently to resource-saving consumption and improved cost efficiency.
In particular, the first fabric-like material section and the second fabric-like material section can be two separate fabric-like material webs.
The fabric-like material sections may particularly comprise or consist of a polyester, a polyamide, an aramid, polypropylene, cotton and/or viscose. However, other materials may also be used. The fabric-like material section may be a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a crocheted fabric, a nonwoven fabric (non-woven), or a scrim (e.g., a thread scrim).
The fabric-like material section may comprise a coating. The coating may comprise a plastic. In particular, the coating comprises an elastomer, a silicone, a chlorosulfonated polyethylene, a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) and/or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
The front panel can also be referred to as the bow ring. The front opening can also be referred to as the bow opening.
For the purposes of the present invention, the terms “radial” and “axial” refer to the longitudinal axis described.
For the purposes of the present invention, the rest position of the center buffer coupling is to be understood as that position of the center buffer coupling that is assumed by the center buffer coupling if no external forces act or have acted upon it. In particular, the rest position can be the position in which the center buffer coupling extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the cover device is designed in such a way that it is connected to the front panel via a radial outer edge of the cover device or abuts the front panel, wherein the cover device is designed in such a way that it is connected to the center buffer coupling via a radial inner edge of the cover device or abuts the center buffer coupling.
This ensures that the front opening is sufficiently covered. In particular, the cover device can also abut the front panel in an airtight manner or be connected to it in an airtight manner. In particular, the cover device can be connected to the front panel and at the same time abut exclusively the center buffer coupling. This facilitates the installation of the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the cover device is designed and arranged within the rail vehicle front end in such a way that the first rigid support element is arranged in a manner axially spaced from a region of the first fabric-like material section and axially spaced from a region of the second fabric-like material section. Accordingly, the first fabric-like material section can extend from the first rigid support element in a first axial direction and the second fabric-like material section can extend from the first rigid support element in the axial direction opposite thereto. This axially spaced arrangement of rigid support element and fabric-like material sections allows the rigid support element to be highly mobile, which means that movements of the center buffer couplings may also be tracked by the rigid support element.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in a first pivoting direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 40 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the pivoting direction, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 35 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the pivoting direction, preferably the horizontal direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 30 degrees. In traffic operation on regional lines, this ensures sufficiently good cornering behavior of the rail vehicle and enables the simple and cost-effective implementation of the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in a second pivoting direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 25 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the second pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 20 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling can be pivoted in the second pivoting direction, preferably the vertical direction, by a total angle of rotation of a maximum of 15 degrees. In traffic operation on regional lines, this ensures sufficiently good behavior of the rail vehicle on inclines and enables the simple and cost-effective implementation of the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the first rigid support element is arranged at least in sections within the front opening such that the first rigid support element is radially surrounded by the front panel at least in sections. Such arrangement of the rigid support element has proven to be advantageous. This is because, in most existing rail vehicle front ends, if the first rigid support element is arranged in the free space surrounded by the front panel, it does not pose an obstacle to any cabling and/or compressed air-carrying ducts that extend along the center buffer coupling to the free end section of the center buffer coupling in such rail vehicle front ends.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the first rigid support element is arranged outside the front opening such that the first rigid support element is arranged in a manner axially spaced from the front panel. Such arrangement enables an aerodynamically advantageous design of the cover device. For example, a plurality of rigid support elements and fabric-like material sections in each case arranged between two adjacent support elements may be arranged to taper toward the free end section of the center buffer coupling. This has the effect of further reducing the air resistance value of the rail vehicle.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the cover device has at least a second rigid support element, wherein the second rigid support element defines the smallest cross-sectional area of the through opening, wherein the second rigid support element is designed and arranged in such a way the center buffer coupling projects through the through opening, wherein the center buffer coupling and the cover device are designed and arranged in such a way that pivoting the center buffer coupling with respect to the longitudinal axis causes a change in position and/or orientation of the second rigid support element. In particular, the second rigid support element can be the rigid support element of the cover device that is arranged closest to the center buffer coupling. This provides a simple means of coupling a movement of the center buffer coupling to a movement of the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the cover device comprises a first module, wherein the first module covers a first region of the front opening in the rest position of the center buffer coupling, wherein the cover device comprises a second module, wherein the second module covers a second region of the front opening in the rest position of the center buffer coupling, wherein the first region and the second region of the front opening are not congruent, wherein the first module of the cover device and the second module of the cover device, via a closure device, are connectable to one another and are detachable from one another in a non-destructive manner. In particular, the closure device can comprise a screw connection and/or a click connection. The modular design of the cover device makes it particularly easy to attach the cover device to existing rail vehicle systems. The modules may be designed in such a way that, initially, the outer module is connected to the front panel and then the inner module is connected to the outside module. Since the individual modules are lighter in weight compared to the entire cover device, it is easier for the installing person to align the modules correctly.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the cover device is designed in such a way that it closes the front opening substantially completely. This ensures that there is less turbulence in the region of the rail vehicle front end if the rail vehicle is traveling at higher speeds above 50 km/h.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the center buffer coupling extends both inside and outside the front opening in the rest position. In particular, the cover device described in the course of this disclosure is advantageously applicable to rail vehicles having a center buffer coupling designed in this way.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the front panel is substantially rigid, wherein the front panel is preferably made of metal and/or an inelastic plastic.
According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the rail vehicle front end is designed in such a way that the front opening cannot be closed or partially closed by a movable front flap.
The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a cover device for covering a front opening extending between a front panel and a center buffer coupling of a rail vehicle, wherein the cover device is designed in such a way that the front opening can be covered at least in sections by the cover device, wherein the cover device has at least a first rigid support element, wherein the cover device has at least a first fabric-like material section and a second fabric-like material section, wherein the cover device is designed and can be arranged on the rail vehicle in such a way that the first fabric-like material section can be arranged at least in sections radially between the front panel and the first rigid support element, wherein the cover device is designed in such a way that the second fabric-like material section can be arranged at least in sections radially between the center buffer coupling and the first rigid support element.
Such a cover device makes it possible to advantageously improve the flow characteristics of a rail vehicle having a front opening by using the cover device to cover the front opening.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first fabric-like material section, the second fabric-like material section and the first rigid support element are components of a bellows. Such a bellows can comprise a plurality of rigid support elements, each designed as a frame profile, with a fabric-like material section designed as a material web extending between each two adjacent frame profiles. The material web can be curved in both vertical and horizontal directions in the form of corrugations or folds. Thereby, two adjacent material webs abut one another via respective end sections and are accommodated in a recess of the frame profile. By clamping the frame profile, the two end sections may be connected in a force-fitting manner to one another and to the frame profile. It has been shown that such covering devices designed as bellows may be moved particularly smoothly when the center buffer coupling is moved, while at the same time ensuring that the front opening remains covered.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first fabric-like material section and the second fabric-like material section are designed and arranged in each case to have a fold or a corrugation. Folds and corrugations are particularly suitable for enabling a smooth displaceability of the first rigid support element with respect to further rigid support elements and/or with respect to the front panel, while at the same time ensuring a high degree of axial rigidity, consequently low insurability in the axial direction.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the folds or corrugations of the first and second material sections are designed in such a way that the respective center of curvature of a fold or corrugation is arranged between the longitudinal axis and the apex of the fold or the apex of the corrugation. In other words, the folds or corrugations are directed outward.
Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the folds or corrugations of the first and second material sections may be designed in such a way that the respective apex of the fold or corrugation is arranged between the longitudinal axis and the center of curvature of the fold or corrugation. In other words, the folds or corrugations are directed inward.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device is designed in such a way that it is connectable to the front panel on the outside or can be placed against the front panel, wherein the cover device is preferably designed in such a way that it is connectable to the center buffer coupling on the inside or can be placed against the center buffer coupling. This enables a good connection with the front panel in order to achieve an aerodynamically beneficial effect.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first fabric-like material section is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner, wherein the second fabric-like material section is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner.
In particular, the rigid support elements may each case have one or more recesses into which the fabric-like material sections are inserted and subsequently clamped by deforming the recesses. Deforming the recesses can take place by hammering or pressing, for example.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first rigid support element is designed to be self-supporting. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device is self-supporting. Accordingly, the cover device, on its own, has a shape and structure that remains in place without additional support from the outside. This is advantageous for the rigidity of the cover device with respect to a force effect due to air flows running in the axial direction.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the first or the second fabric-like material section extends between two rigid support elements of an adjacent pair of rigid support elements. The plurality of rigid support elements can increase the movability of the through opening—and consequently of a center buffer coupling projecting through the through opening—and the associated displaceability of the support elements relative to one another.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the first rigid support element is a closed ring, wherein the ring surrounds a circular, elliptical or polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-section. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are closed rings. It has been found that closed rings, in particular those with a rectangular cross-section, which may also be called frames, have a rigidity that is advantageous for the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to one another exclusively via an intermediate fabric-like material section. As a result, no additional connecting elements are required, enabling cost-effective manufacturing.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are arranged concentrically relative to one another. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are arranged substantially concentrically relative to one another. Hereby, a good displaceability of two adjacent rigid support elements against each other is enabled in an advantageous manner.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the plurality of rigid support elements collectively forms a pyramid shape or a cone. This also enables a high displaceability of the through opening in the vertical and the horizontal direction at low material costs.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has between 4 and 18 rigid support elements. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device has between 8 and 14 rigid support elements. It has been found that such number of rigid support elements is ideally suited to providing the necessary displaceability of the through opening for a center buffer coupling of a regional train and, at the same time, also enables simple and cost-effective manufacture and installation.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each respective pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial spacing of at least 0.5 cm. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each respective pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial spacing of at least 1 cm. These minimum parameter values guarantee good displaceability of the rigid support elements relative to one another.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each respective pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial spacing of a maximum of 10 cm. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each respective pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial spacing of a maximum of 5 cm. According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two support elements of each respective pair of axially adjacent rigid support elements have an axial spacing of a maximum of 3 cm. These maximum parameter values guarantee good rigidity of the cover device.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device extends over a total area of a maximum of 6 m 2.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the cover device extends over a total area of a maximum of 4 m 2.
According to one embodiment of the cover device according to the invention, the two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to one another exclusively via an intermediate fabric-like material section.
It is understood that features described in the foregoing description exclusively in connection with and in a stand-alone position with a cover device according to the invention may also constitute features of a cover device that is a component of a rail vehicle front end according to the invention. At the same time, features of a cover device that are described exclusively in connection with the higher-level unit of the rail vehicle front end also form optional features of an embodiment of a cover device according to the invention that is designed in a stand-alone position.
Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof and the accompanying figures. In the figures, the same elements are designated with the same reference signs.
The cover device is designed in such a way that the center buffer coupling 2 projects through the through openings of the rigid support elements 5 and the coupling end section 3 remains visible and accessible from the outside. The outer surface of the first rigid support element 5 is connected to the front panel 4 of the rail vehicle front end 1 via the outer edge of the cover device 8. From this starting point, the cover device 7 extends inward in a funnel shape to the center buffer coupling 2.
Provided that another rail vehicle is connected to the illustrated vehicle via the coupling end section 3 and subsequently set in motion, the center buffer coupling 2 will likewise move both horizontally—due to cornering—and vertically—due to uphill travel. Due to the fabric-like material sections 6 lying in corrugations between the individual rigid support elements 5, the cover device 7 can also follow the movement, for example in a right-hand curve. In this scenario, the inside curve side of the cover device 7 will increasingly compress such that the inside curve corrugations of the fabric-like material section 6 will cover a smaller region of the front opening in this manner. At the same time, stretching of the outside curve side of the cover device 7 is effected. Thus, due to the range of movement provided by a corrugated arrangement of the fabric-like material section 6, a cover device is provided, which moves along with a horizontal movement of the center buffer coupling.
In particular, the closure device 12 can comprise a form-fit-forming connecting element.
In the embodiment shown here, the first module 10 is the inner module. Said first module 10 forms with the inner edge 9 of the cover device 7, which at the same time is the inner edge of the module 10, a through opening 14 through which the center buffer coupling 2 projects if the cover device is implemented as a component of a rail vehicle front end as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22196184.0 | Sep 2022 | EP | regional |
