The present invention relates to a system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
In particular, the present invention relates to a system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network, of the type of wagons and rail cars, and traction means circulating on tracks, either of the traditional type or of the type defined intelligent in the sense of the term introduced with reference to the wagons of a rail transport system with automatic train composition described in the Italian patent No. 0001416154 in the name of the same Applicant.
As is known, currently the operation of coupling and uncoupling between railway wagons is performed by using systems that require the presence of operators to connect the wagons between them, both in the traction components and in the brake components, and also possibly for connections of the electric type. Such systems are not automatic, but they are subject to the presence of operators.
To try to overcome this problem, automatic coupling systems have similar to those originally designed by Scharfenberg been developed, but their operation always assumes that one of the two vehicles is stationary and the other one approaches with extremely low berthing speed. Therefore they are not suitable to particular applications, such as the coupling between the moving carriages, since they have no system to check beforehand in an automatic way the existence of the coupling conditions.
Also the way in which some automatic couplers have been developed makes them unsuitable for goods transport where extremely high tensile forces are required, generally not enduring stresses of a certain relevance.
Finally, current systems are not designed to make frequent coupling and uncoupling operations, and do not provide that, in addition to the traction connections, to the pneumatic components for the braking system and electricity for the services, also electronic type connections are also present between the systems to be connected in the coupling phase, to allow the exchange of information between computer systems located on two vehicles to attach/detach.
It isn't also provided a verification remote system to check the connections, whose certification procedure is always entrusted to an operator.
Moreover, the coupling maneuver is not assisted by any sensor component that guides the phases and the correctness of the operation. Therefore, these systems do not allow an exchange of information to occur if computer systems are present in the two vehicles to engage or disengage, such as those present in the “intelligent” wagons of the mentioned patent of the same Applicant.
Furthermore, with the known systems, the existing circulating wagons should be standardized with the changing of the elastic connection system to the other wagons in a convoy.
A solution to these problems can be found in the patent DE1131720 which describes the coupling between two hooking groups of two different vehicles having a vertical alignment apparatus.
Anyway, the problem of this solution is that the coupling can't be performed in an automatic mode.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
The object of the present invention is to provide a system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network that allows to automatically perform the necessary maneuvers with speed, safety and high reliability also as a result of the coupling operations and very frequent release, allows the elasticity between the two vehicles also during acceleration of the train to which the system is applied and which is easily adapted also to existing circulating wagons, thus having characteristics such as to overcome the limits which still affect the previously described solutions with reference to the known technique.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
For a better understanding of the present invention it is now described a preferred embodiment, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The
The
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
With reference to these figures and, in particular, to
Advantageously according to the invention, as best shown in
According to an aspect of the invention, the sliding support elements 12 and 52 are sliding plates having a surface 12a, 52a facing towards the railway wagon crossbar on which the hooking group 10 or 50 is mounted, although it is not in contact with this, and a surface 12b, 52b internal to the hooking group 10 or 50, the plates being provided with a central through-hole 12c and 52c for the passage of pneumatic connections, couplings, electrical and electronic between the first carriage and the second carriage, as will be more evident later.
According to an aspect of the invention, the system 100 comprises at least one rack and pinion motor, not shown in the figure, configured to drive the up and down sliding of the hooking group 10 or 50, by means of the sliding support elements 12 and 52.
Advantageously, according to the invention, the action of the rack and pinion motor is controlled by the coordination between computer systems on board of the wagons including the engagement or release occurs.
According to an aspect of the invention, the first hooking group 10 and the second hooking group 50 comprise, on the inner surface 12b and 52b of the sliding support elements 12 and 52 a pair of parallel horizontal wings 13 and 53 linked together by a pin, respectively, 14, 54.
Advantageously according to the invention, the parallel horizontal wings 13, 53 and the pin 14, 54 can therefore move with respect to the connection point between the hooking groups 10, 50 and the respective wagons. All the other elements constituting the hooking groups 10, 50 are bound to the sliding support elements 12 and 52, to the wings 13, 53 and to the pin 14, 54. The pins 14, 54 also give the rigidity to the whole hooking groups 10, 50 to ensure to withstand tensile stresses of hooking groups 10, 50.
Advantageously according to the invention, the solid body 15, 55 has the function to dampen and absorb the mutual displacements between the hooking unit 10, 50 and the corresponding wagon on which it is installed, during the gear coupling with the hooking group 50, 10 installed on the wagon.
Advantageously according to the invention, the first terminal element 18 and the second terminal element 58 are configured to be coupled together in a complementary way.
A first embodiment of the two elements terminals 18 and 58 is shown in a coupled configuration shown in
In particular, according to an aspect of the invention, the first terminal element 18 is substantially constituted by a rigid body provided with a first protrusion 18a, projecting horizontally outwards the first hooking group 10, and a second protrusion 18b protruding horizontally toward the inside of the first hooking group 10. In a similar manner, the second terminal element 58 of the second hooking group 50 is substantially constituted by a rigid body provided with a first protrusion 58a, protruding horizontally toward the inside of the second hooking group 50, and a second protrusion 58b projecting horizontally towards the outside of the second hooking group 50.
Advantageously according to the invention, the protrusions 18a and 18b, 58a and 58b have sections such that the protrusion 18a is complementary to the protrusion 58a and the protrusion 18b is complementary to the protrusion 58b. In fact, the protrusion 18a is configured to be wedged inside the protrusion 58a and the protrusion 58b is configured to be wedged inside the protrusion 18b. In this way, advantageously according to the invention, the engagement of the two hooking assemblies 10, 50 can be achieved.
According to an aspect of the invention, the first and the second element terminal 18 and 58 are metallic and have an outer surface 18c, 58c, more or less thick, made of an elastomeric material adapted to absorb the shocks during the coupling maneuvers between wagons.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first and the second element terminal 18 and 58 have realized with any other material having characteristics of high resistance and low friction, such the penetration of the wedge-shaped protrusions is facilitated during the fastening operation between the wagons which must be hooked.
According to another aspect of the invention, by way of example, the first and the second protrusion 18a and 18b, 58a and 58b have the shape of a truncated cone.
According to other aspects of the invention, the first and the second protrusion 18a and 18b, 58a and 58b have shape alternative to that of a truncated cone.
According to another aspect of the invention, each hooking group 10 and 50 includes, in the vicinity of the four corners of the rigid bodies 18 and 58, sensors 19 and 20, 59 and 60, logically coupled two by two redundantly along one of the diagonals of the rigid body 18, 58 and configured to crossing detect during coupling operations between wagons, the relative positioning of the bodies 18 and 58, instant by instant, with determination of the horizontal and vertical distances and the range of variation of these distances. More in detail, it is necessary that the hooking group 10 includes at least two efficiently functioning sensors 19 or 20 and that the hooking group 50 includes the corresponding two sensors 59 or 60 functioning in an efficient manner.
Advantageously according to the invention, the sensors 19 or 20 present on the rigid body 18 of the first hooking group 10 mounted on the first carriage can query or be interrogated by the sensors 59 or 60 present on the rigid body 58 of the second hooking group 50 mounted on the second carriage, through a dialogue between the computer systems on board of the wagons including to be coupled and decoupled. The two cross sensors 19 or 20, as well as the two cross sensors 59 or 60, are configured to detect both the distance of the hooking groups 10, 50 between them and the alignment of the hooking groups 10, 50 between them both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.
Advantageously according to the invention, each hooking group 10, 50 requires at least one sensor for detecting the distance and the relative speed between the two wagons to be hooked, at least two diagonally sensors for detecting the horizontal oscillation and the vertical position of the same hooking groups. In this way, the computer systems on the two wagons can handle, on the basis of the information received from the sensors, the speed, the height and the verification of the oscillations of the hooking groups in such a way that the coupling is possible in the correct manner.
Moreover, advantageously according to the invention, the first hooking group 10 comprises a first mechanical lock/unlock device having jaws 21 and the second hooking group 50 comprises a second mechanical lock/unlock device having jaws 61, both configured to ensure fastening and prevent the detachment of the first and second hooking groups 10 and 50 when positioned in alignment with each other and with the protrusions 18a and 58b respectively in the wedged protrusions 58a and 18b. The coupling configuration of the system 100 shown in
Advantageously according to the invention, the jaws of the locking/unlocking mechanical devices with jaws 21 and 61 are configured to automatically close following the completion of the approach maneuver between wagons to hook and after that the complementary protrusions, 18a, 18b and 58a, 58b are coupled together, as already described above.
Advantageously according to the invention, the groups 10 and 50 each comprises an actuator device, not shown in the figure, configured to open and close the jaws of the mechanical devices with jaws 21 and 61. By way of example, the actuator device can be, in the coupling phase, a spring mechanism that, snapping on the sensor signal, closes the jaws and, in the release phase, an electric motor or any other suitable actuation device that recharges the spring device to prepare the groups 10 and 50 for a new engagement.
Advantageously according to the invention, as shown in
Advantageously according to the invention, the terminals 24a and 64a similarly can slide forward, thanks to the movement of the actuator 22a and 62a, after the occurred alignment of the hooking groups 10 and 50, on signal of the sensors 19, 20 and 59, 60, after the interlocking protrusions of rigid bodies 18 and 58 as described above and after the shooting lock of the jaws. In this way, once the mechanical coupling occurred between the hooking groups 10 and 50 has occured, the electric, electronic and pneumatic coupling is provided. More particularly, according to an aspect of the invention, the terminal 24a (similar configuration is that of the terminal 64a) has a first socket 24aa through which the cables of the electrical energy pass, a second and third socket 24ab and 24ac through which the compressed air pipes for the pneumatic connection of the first carriage with the second carriage pass, for actuating the brake system, and a fourth socket 24ad, for example a socket of increased data type, for the passage of data connection cables. Similarly, by way of example, the terminal 24b (analogous configuration is that one of the terminal 64b) includes plugs suitable to be housed in the corresponding sockets of the terminal 24a (or 64a if we speak of the terminal 64). As shown in
Moreover, advantageously according to the invention, as shown in
Advantageously according to the invention, at least a pair of cameras 25a or 65a, and 25b or 65b comprised in the hooking group 10, 50 is necessary to allow the assigned operator, as specified below, to certify that they are locked on the basis of the images detected by these cameras, which can also be stored on the computer system where the operator works.
In use, during coupling operations, the carriage which carries the fastening operation is to approach the wagon to be hooked, whether it has stopped in a fixed position or is in movement, for example in the queue to a moving convoy. Then the terms of engagement can be checked through sensors and information from this platform in the station or on the locomotive. In the moment in which the signals relating to the distance between the wagons, the speed, the horizontal and vertical alignment of the hooking groups, and other useful parameters, from sensors are such that the computer platform of the wagon can order this engagement, the terminals of the coupling groups are prepared in order to install the additional protrusions. If, as shown in
In the release operations, after verification that the wagon has a self-control, the pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems are disconnected, and, subsequently, the mechanical locks jaw are released. Once you have verified the success of the operation release, the carriages are removed.
Advantageously according to the invention, the engagement/release phases can take place by making use of “intelligent” cars of an “intelligent” railway train. In particular, for “intelligent” cars the Applicant means the wagons carriages of a rail transport system with automatic train composition described in the above mentioned patent already issued to the Applicant.
Advantageously according to the invention, the coupling can take place both with a convoy already equipped with traction unit, both with a convoy in the formation in which the functions normally operated from the tractor unit are assumed by a “master” wagon or by a system at the station, either to another isolated carriage with which a new convoy will begin to form (in this case the wagon to which is hooked the wagon will be the “master”). In the following functions of the drive, the “master” wagon or the system at the station will be indicated only as “driving”. By way of example, relatively to the docking maneuvers disclosed in the previous patent to achieve such automatic composition of a train, the sequence of the above operations starts by a request made to an isolated wagon to perform the fastening operation to another wagon of a convoy in the composition. The carriage starts in the required direction and activates the sensors present in the first hooking group looking for the corresponding sensors of the second hooking group of the other wagon, identifying them with the sensor codes that were transmitted, for example by tracing with transponder. The carriage to which it will have to hook will alert and adjusts itself to engaging, accepting the same docking operation. During the approach the information provided by the sensor pairs on the two carriages are used by the management system of the wagon to hook to determine the distances between the wagons and the approach speed. In the vicinity of the contact, always through the sensors the existence of the minimum alignment between the terminals with protrusions will be determined verifying the relative positions of the two apparatuses either horizontally or vertically, watching in the approaching time the maximum deviations in the two directions and, if necessary, it may be provided for the possibility to operate an optimal alignment of the terminals with protrusions also by means of the actuators. Once the alignment positive verification, the approach maneuver is authorized and also the insertion of protrusions in the complementary ones. After the mechanical action of the thrust given by the insertion of protrusions in the complementary ones, the release mechanism that automatically closes the two jaw elements which can lock the seats rigid bodies on the two wagons to be hooked can be activated. When the lock of the jaws is occurred, a control system may enable the insertion of the pneumatic fittings of the braking system, the electrical and electronic connections, for example by means of the actuator which acts on the terminal. Once the perfect execution of the operation and efficiency of all connections (mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, electronic) is verified, the hooked wagon switches the management of the hooked wagon from isolated to hooked, and passes control of the wagon management to drive the convoy. The operator responsible for the certification of engagement will formally confirm the completion of the transaction after it, warned by appropriate screen message, will have viewed the images of surveillance cameras. The same images will be properly stored for future views for inspection and controls with indications of date, time, wagons concerned operator who confirmed the operation.
For the release operations starting with the order transmitted from the tractor to the two wagons that must come off, to perform the sequence of operations which will lead to the separation of the wagons. The wagon separating from the convoy asks for confirmation of the release to the wagon from which it has to disengage by means of the sensors verify of the identity of the wagons. Once the confirmation is obtained, the wagon to release will acquire the self-control of the wagon activating the switching of the control of the wagon from hooked to blocked. Both wagons will activate the actuators to disconnect the pneumatic, electrical and electronic connections. Upon completion of this operation confirmed from one wagon, it will proceed to operate the actuators to open the jaw elements to block the wagons. This operation will also charge the mechanical elements to allow a subsequent maneuver of engagement.
Advantageously according to the invention, the elastic cushioning apparatus 215, shown more in detail in
The
A second hooking group 350 of the system 300 connected to a second circulating vehicle 90b, shown in
The second and the third embodiment 200 and 300 comprise a second embodiment of the vertical alignment apparatus. In particular, the vertical alignment apparatus 211, shown in
More particularly, while the vertical guides of the apparatus of a vertical alignment 211, 251, 311, 351 are respectively fixed to hooking groups 210, 250, 310, 350, the sliding support element is fixed to the apparatus of elastic cushioning 215 or 251, in the case of the vertical alignment apparatus 211 or 251, while it is fixed to the bar which comes from the piston 314 or 354, in the case of the vertical alignment apparatus 311 or 351.
According to a third embodiment, as shown in
In
Advantageously according to the invention, the protrusions 218a and 218b, 258a and 258b have sections such that the protrusion 218a is complementary to the protrusion 258a and the protrusion 218b is complementary to the protrusion 258b. In fact, the protrusion 218a is configured to be wedged inside the protrusion 258a and the protrusion 258b is configured to be wedged inside the protrusion 218b. In this way, advantageously according to the invention, the hooking of the two hooking groups 210 and 250 between them can be realized.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first and the second terminal element 218 and 258 are realized with any material having characteristics of high resistance and low friction, such that penetration of the wedge-shaped protrusions during the fastening operation between the wagons that must be secured is facilitated.
According to another aspect of the invention, by way of example, the first and the second protrusion 218a and 218b, 258a and 258b have the shape of a truncated cone.
According to other aspects of the invention, the first and the second protrusion 218a and 218b, 258a and 258b they have alternative forms to that of a truncated cone.
The description relating to
Also the hooking groups of the second and third embodiment 200 and 300 of the system include sensors, not shown in the figure, configured to detect, during coupling operations between wagons, the relative positioning of the groups between their hooking instant by instant, with determination of the horizontal and vertical distances and the range of variation of these distances.
According to an aspect of the invention, alternative sensor systems (eg. image processing) to determine the distance and speed can be used alternately.
Moreover, advantageously according to the invention, the first hooking group 210 comprises a first mechanical device with jaws 221 and the second hooking group 250 comprises a second mechanical locking/unlocking device with jaws 261, both configured to ensure fastening and prevent the detachment of the first and second hooking 210 and 250, when positioned in alignment with each other and with the protrusions 218a and 258b respectively in the wedged protrusions 258a and 218b.
The coupling phases of the two hooking groups 210 and 250 are shown in
Advantageously according to the invention, the jaws of the mechanical locking/unlocking devices with jaws 221 and 261 devices are configured to automatically close due to the completion of the approach maneuver between wagons to hook and after that the complementary protrusions, 218a, 218b and 258a, 258b are coupled to each other, as already described above.
Advantageously according to the invention, the groups 210 and 250 each comprise an actuator device, not shown in the figure, configured to open and close the jaws of the mechanical locking/unlocking devices with jaws 221 and 261. By way of example, the actuator device can be, in the coupling phase, a pneumatic mechanism which, when operated on command of the computer system present on the wagon and on the sensor signal, closes the jaws and, in the release phase, with the same mode makes open the jaws. The actuation mechanism can be realized in different ways, for example with a hydraulic system, with an electric motor or any other actuator device suitable to lock the groups 210 and 250.
Advantageously according to the invention, as shown in
Advantageously according to the invention, the terminals 224a and similarly 264a may scroll forward, thanks to the movement of the actuator 222a and 262a, after the actual occurrence of the alignment of hooking groups 210 and 250, after the interlocking of the protrusions of rigid bodies 218 and 258, as described above and after the closing of the jaws. In this way, once the mechanical coupling occurred between the hooking groups 210 and 250, the electric, electronic and pneumatic coupling is provided.
More particularly, according to an aspect of the invention, as shown in
According to an aspect of the invention, as shown in
For greater clarity, the
Moreover, advantageously according to the invention, the systems 200 and 300 each comprise at least one camera or at least one pair of cameras, positioned so as to view the connection elements, necessary to enable the attendant operator, as specified below, to certify that they are locked on the basis of images detected by these cameras, which can also be stored on the computer system where the clerk operates.
In use, during coupling operations, the wagon which carries the fastening operation is to approach the wagon to be hooked, either it has stopped in a fixed position or it is in movement, for example in the queue of a moving convoy. Then the terms of engagement can be checked through sensors and information from this platform in the station or on the locomotive. In the moment in which the signals relating to the distance between the wagons, the speed, the horizontal and vertical alignment of the hooking groups, and other useful parameters, from sensors are such that the computer platform of the wagon can order this engagement, the terminals of the hooking groups are prepared in order to install the additional protrusions. Once the alignment occurred, the coupling is realized between the complementary protrusions of the terminals. At this point, or the jaws are closed and the actuator bellows continues forward within the protrusions so as to allow the connection of electrical cables, compressed air and data, or puts into operation the twist mechanism and then the connections are made.
In the case of systems of the type 300, the piston 314 first pushes forward the hooking group 310, and based on the jaws or twist lock, it retracts so as to create compression between the buffers 91a during the wagons race.
It is, therefore, the signal of wagon locked is given to the control panel. Finally, at the completion of the docking maneuver, caught on camera, images that frame each jaw docked or launches twist rotated, can be transmitted to a monitor that can be expected on the cab of the tractor in which the driver, having visually checked for perfect maneuver of the hooking, may confirm, in a manner provided for in the management information system present on the tractor, that the operation is fair, certifying the engagement itself.
In the release operations, after verification that the wagon has a self-control, pneumatic, electrical and electronic systems are disconnected, and, subsequently, the jaw or twist mechanical can be released. After the verification of the successful release operation, the wagons are removed.
Therefore, the three embodiments of the system 100, 200 and 300 can be used both with traditional carts that with “intelligent” wagons and allow advantageously to control, thanks also to the system of sensors, cameras and computer to support, the hooking and the perfect alignment on the move, as well as the release of the hooking groups of wagons.
Therefore, the system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network according to the invention allows to automatically perform the necessary maneuvers with speed, safety and high reliability also as a result of the coupling operations and very frequent release.
Another advantage of the system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network according to the invention is to ensure the elasticity of movement between the circulating means coupled both in compression and in traction.
A further advantage of the system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network according to the invention is to guarantee the vertical and horizontal alignment between the circulating vehicles coupled both stationary and in stroke.
Finally, the system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network according to the invention is facilitated enabler of rail transport.
Finally it is clear that the system for automatic coupling and release of vehicles travelling on the rail network here described and illustrated can be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
102015000069652 | Nov 2015 | IT | national |
This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/IB2016/056612, filed on Nov. 3, 2016, and published in English as WO 2017/077474 A1 on May 11, 2017. This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102015000069652, filed on Nov. 5, 2015. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2016/056612 | 11/3/2016 | WO | 00 |