Device for sealing an opening in the front area of a rail-bound vehicle as needed, nose cone module with such a device and rail-bound vehicle with such a nose cone module

[0001] The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of independent patent claim 1. In particular, the invention relates to a device for sealing, if necessary, an opening provided in the frontal area of ​​a traction vehicle, through which in the coupled or ready for coupling condition of the vehicle extends the shaft of the coupled-bumper coupling, the device comprising a sealing element of variable size and a frame for holding the sealing element, the frame together with the sealing element mounted thereon covering the area, through which the pin of the bumper coupling can be led, the sealing element being controlled such that the size of the surface covered by the sealing element is adjustable. The invention relates to a head module for a traction vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, with a frame arrangement for attaching the head module to the front face of the vehicle, the head module having an opening from the front face of the vehicle through which in the coupled or ready for coupling the vehicle extends the stem attached to the frontal side of the bumper-coupler vehicle, and wherein the front module further has a device of the type defined at the outset for sealing, if desired, a vehicle-side opening provided in the front module. Finally, the invention relates to a traction vehicle, especially a rail vehicle, with a frontal module of the kind defined at the front end and a bumper-coupler mounted on the front of the vehicle.

[0002] Such a device for sealing, if necessary, an opening provided in the frontal area of ​​a traction vehicle is known at least in principle from FR 2 934 550 A.

[0003] On the other hand, a flap system for a rail vehicle is known from document EP 2 208 655 A, the flap system comprising movable elements which, when closed, form part of the outer surface on the forehead or rear of the rail vehicle and cover the device couplings located in the front or rear of the rail vehicle and which, when open, enable the coupling device to be used. The flap system has three of the movable elements, wherein the first of the movable elements in the closed state has a more or less horizontally extending border line relative to the second and third movable elements, and wherein the second and third movable elements in the closed state have a more or less vertically extending border line.

[0004] Finally, from WO 2007/073273 A a front hatch with a self-supporting hatch actuation mechanism is known.

[0005] Accordingly, it is known from rail vehicle technology to provide the front of a traction vehicle with a protective cover to allow protection of the fore-and-bumper coupling provided on the vehicle front, in particular the coupling head, against the effects of atmospheric factors such as snow, icing, moisture and dirt. when the coupling is not used or possibly retracted or swung into the coupling chamber formed behind the protective cover. The term "coupling chamber" means the construction space behind the nose of the forehead, closed by a front protective cover.

[0006] Often, a part of the protective cover is made as a front cover that can be pivoted through the kinematics of the front flaps to open the coupling chamber towards the front of the traction vehicle, whereby the pull-stop coupling can be extended or retracted. In the case of rigidly mounted, i.e., out-of-draw or tilt-out couplings, the front flap part of the protective cover can be tilted so far that it is not in the plane of the coupling and the coupling is available ready for coupling.

[0007] The coupling chamber usually houses important components of the front flap kinematics, which means that in the closed state of the coupling chamber, i.e. when the front opening of the coupling chamber is covered by a part of the protective cover made as a front flap, not only the elements of the front flap kinematics the bumper coupler, especially the coupling head are protected against the effects of weather conditions.

[0008] So-called front modules are often used to make the front protective cover. Such a frontal module is a modular construction unit that can be mounted as such at the connection point on the front of the vehicle. The front module usually has at least one front flap, which is pivoting relative to the front of the vehicle or vehicle chassis to release, if necessary, the front opening of the front module and also the coupling chamber.

[0009] The bumper-coupler itself is usually connected via a bearing block to a vehicle front or vehicle chassis. Tilting the front flap relative to the front of the vehicle or vehicle chassis slows down at least the front part of the bumper coupling. This applies to both rigidly mounted, i.e. couplings that are not removable or tilted, as well as cases in which the draw-bar coupler must be moved from the retracted state and housed in the coupling chamber to the extended or tilted state ready for coupling.

[0010] The term "front flap" as used herein is understood to mean a portion of the front protective cover which, when closed, covers the opening provided in the closed condition in the frontal area of ​​the vehicle to protect the components housed in the coupling chamber from the effects of weathering. In the closed state of the front flap, the vehicle connector also has an aerodynamically advantageous front portion, as can be seen especially in streamlined motor trains such as high speed trains.

[0011] As already indicated, the flap kinematics of the front flap, which has at least one actuator and is designed to release the opening provided in the frontal area of ​​the vehicle and also the coupling chamber, is generally used to deflect the front flap relative to the vehicle chassis. As already indicated, this is especially necessary when the vehicle is to be put into a ready state for coupling or when, for example for maintenance reasons, access to the coupling chamber and the coupling components contained therein are to be enabled.

[0012] Even if it is possible to protect components, especially coupling components at the front of the rail vehicle, by known solutions against the effects of weather conditions, when the coupling chamber is covered by a front flap, it has not been possible to prevent the effects of weather conditions and possible damage of elements. located in the coupling chamber when the vehicle moves forward with the front flap open. This is the case, for example, when the front flap cannot be closed due to, for example, a technical fault in the kinematics of the front flaps or when another rail vehicle is coupled to the front of the rail vehicle.

[0013] As a result of this determination of the problem, the object of the invention is to provide a solution by which a safe protection of components located in the coupling chamber can be ensured even with or without the front flap open.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by the subject of independent patent claim 1.

Accordingly, a device has been proposed which is designed to seal, if necessary, an opening provided in the front area of ​​the traction vehicle, through which in the coupled or ready to couple the vehicle extends the shaft of the pull-stop coupling coupled to the vehicle. According to the invention, the device has a variable size sealing element and an arm for holding the sealing body. The frame together with the sealing element mounted on it cover the area through which the shaft of the draw-stop coupling can be passed. In order to enable sealing, if necessary, the opening provided in the frontal area of ​​the traction vehicle, the sealing element is designed so that the size of the surface covered by the sealing element can be adjusted.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention for sealing, if desired, the opening provided in the front area of ​​the traction vehicle is given in claims 2 to 5.

[0017] The object of the invention is further achieved by a front module according to claim 6.

[0018] The front module according to the invention, which is the front area of ​​the traction vehicle, has a frame arrangement for attaching the front module to the front side of the vehicle. In addition, the front module is equipped with an opening from the front of the vehicle through which, in the vehicle condition, coupled or ready for coupling, extends the shaft of the front-end coupled-bumper coupling. For sealing, if necessary, the opening from the front of the vehicle, the front module furthermore comprises a device according to one of claims 1 to 5.

[0019] Preferred embodiments in terms of the frontal module according to the invention are given in claims 7 and 8.

[0020] Finally, the object of the invention is further realized by a traction vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, which has a front module mounted on the vehicle's front according to one of claims 6 to 8 and a front stop coupling mounted on the vehicle's front.

[0021] Preferred embodiments for the vehicle according to the invention are given in claims 10 to 12.

[0022] The advantages obtained by the solution according to the invention are obvious: by providing the device according to the invention which has a variable size sealing element, it is ensured that also in extreme conditions such as winter conditions, no snow or moisture can enter the coupling chamber or other foreign matter, even when the vehicle is traveling with the front hatch open. The sealing element is made such that it is radially expandable, with the coupling chamber being closed in the expanded state of the sealing element. The sealing element runs through the bumper coupler or the shaft of the bumper coupler, so that also in the expanded state of the sealing element can be obtained ready to engage or coupled position of the bumper clutch. Preferably, the area surrounded by the sealing element through which the bumper coupler shaft extends is designed such that even in the expanded state of the sealing element, the tilt of the coupling shaft relative to the wagon body or wagon chassis in both horizontal and vertical directions is not limited to allow continue driving in corners or passing hills or passing dips.

[0023] The sealing element is held by a frame or frame structure. This frame forms the (only) installation joint by which the sealing element is mounted either to the frontal area of ​​the vehicle or to the coupling. This allows easy assembly of the device according to the invention, in particular without having to change the structure of the front area of ​​the wagon body or the structure of the front module.

[0024] The size of the surface covered by the sealing element can be adjusted by appropriate control of the sealing element. In this way, the sealing element can be moved from the expanded state to a reduced state, which is needed, for example, when the front flap needs to be opened or closed, or when, for maintenance reasons, access to the coupling chamber is needed.

In a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the sealing element has at least one intumescent, hollow chamber which is so constructed and controlled hydraulically or pneumatically that when inflating at least one hollow chamber, the surface covered by the sealing element expands. It is possible, for example, to make the sealing element as an inflatable seal, for example in the form of a bellows swelling clamp or swelling band.

[0026] Alternatively, it is also possible to use a mechanically actuated sealing element. For example, a rosette-built sealing element, which has a large number of lamellas suitably mounted on the axis, which are rotated by means of mechanics together towards the area surrounded by the frame to enlarge or change the surface covered by the sealing element.

[0027] Preferably, an inflatable and preferably roller bellows is used as the sealing element, which is made to expand during inflation in the radial direction. In the expanded state of the sealing element, it presses against the edge area of ​​the opening from the front of the vehicle and seals it accordingly.

[0028] In the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described.

[0029] The figures show:

Fig. 1 a perspective view of the front module with the device for sealing, if desired, the front of the vehicle in the front module in an embodiment of the invention, the sealing element of the sealing device is in an unstressed state;

Fig. 2 a perspective view of the front module of Fig. 1 in a state in which the sealing element is in an expanded state;

Fig. 3 a partial cross-sectional view of the front module of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4a a schematic top view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with an unstressed sealing element;

Fig. 4b a schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 4a with an expanded sealing element;

Fig. 5a a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention with an unstressed sealing element; and

Fig. 5b a schematic top view of the device of Fig. 5a with an expanded sealing element.

[0030] In the following with reference to Figs. 4a, b and 5a, b, the principle of the device 1 according to the invention is first described. More specifically, Figs. 4a and b show an embodiment of the solution according to the invention, in which a sealing element 2 is used, which is held by the frame 3, the sealing element 2 being radially expanded outwards to seal, if necessary, the opening provided in the frontal area of ​​the traction vehicle .

[0031] In contrast, Figs. 5a and b show an embodiment of the solution according to the invention in which the sealing element 2 is radially expanding inwards.

[0032] Both embodiments have in common that the sealing element 2, which, for example, is made in the form of an intumescent bellows of solid and flexible material, can change its size if necessary. The sealing element 2 is preferably constructed in such a pneumatic or hydraulic controlled manner that the size of the surface covered by the sealing element 2 can be adjusted. More specifically, in fig. 4a and 5a respectively, the sealing element 2 is shown in the unstressed state. In contrast, in Figs. 4b and 5b, the sealing element is shown in a state in which it is expanded, whereby the size of the surface covered by the sealing element 2 is increased accordingly.

[0033] In both embodiments 2, the sealing element is held by the frame 3. This frame 3 assumes the supporting function and at the same time serves as the only connection point through which the sealing element 2 connects to the front of the traction vehicle or to the coupler articulated with the chassis of the traction vehicle so that the sealing element 2 can be fitted with a tight fit. Shown in fig. 4a and 4b, the embodiment is made for mounting on the bumper coupling or on the shaft of the bumper coupling, as described below taking into account the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0034] As it results from the schematic view in Figs. 4a and 4b, in this embodiment the frame 3 with the sealing element 2 attached thereto comprise an area 4 through which the pin 12 of the draw-stop coupling can be passed. The sealing element 2 is located on the outer perimeter of the frame 3, whereby the sealing element 2 can be expanded radially outwards. The frame 3 is constructed in such a way that the sealing element 2 is spaced away from the preferably centrally located in the region 4 of the opening 5, so that the sealing element 2 in the expanded state (cf. Fig. 4b) is sufficiently distanced from the head stop coupling, so as not to impair the functionality of the coupling head . Through the aforementioned bore 5 there is pull-pin coupling pin 11.

[0035] The embodiment shown in Figs. 5a and 5b is implemented, however, not for mounting on the bumper coupler 11, but preferably for mounting in the peripheral region 13 of the opening 9 provided in the front of the vehicle. For this purpose, the sealing element 2 is placed inside the area 4 surrounded by the frame 3, whereby the sealing element 2 can expand radially into the inner area 4.

[0036] In both embodiments, the frame 3 or the sealing element 2 is made such that movement of the coupling is provided within the area 4 surrounded by the frame 3 together with the sealing element 2 attached thereto.

[0037] Below, taking into account the views of Figures 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention is described. More specifically, in Fig. 1, a frontal module 10 is shown in perspective view, the frontal module 10 being provided with an embodiment of the device 1 for sealing, if desired, the opening 9 provided from the vehicle side of the frontal module 10.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the front module of Fig. 1, however, the sealing element 2 of the device 1 according to the invention is now available in an expanded state in which the sealing element 2 presses against the edge area of ​​the opening 9 provided from the vehicle side in front module 10 and therefore ensures proper sealing. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the front module 10 of Fig. 2.

[0039] The front module shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is a frontal cover of the vehicle, this frontal cover can be connected via a connector (here frame structure 14) to the frontal side or chassis of the vehicle, especially the traction vehicle. The front module 10 is a modular construction unit that can be mounted as such at the connection point at the front of the vehicle.

[0040] Although not shown in the drawings, the front module 10 may have a front flap that is pivotable relative to the front module 10 to release, if desired, a hole 9 made frontally in the front module 10 and therefore the construction space (coupling chamber 15 ), surrounded by a frontal module 10 behind the front. For reasons of clarity, in the case of the frontal module 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the frontal flap has been omitted.

[0041] As can be seen from the partial cross-section of Fig. 3, the coupler chamber 9 formed by the front module 10 houses at least partly a bumper-coupler 11. The bumper-coupling 11 is pivotally connected via a bearing bracket 16 in a pivotable manner in the direction horizontal and vertical with the vehicle head not shown or the vehicle chassis not shown.

The draw-bar coupling 11 has a coupling shaft 12 and a coupling head 17 located on the end end region of the coupling shaft 12. An energy absorbing element 18 can be integrated in the coupling shaft 12 for the favorable regenerative damping of tractive and impact forces occurring during travel mode and introduced to the vehicle chassis through the bumper-coupling 11. Such energy absorbing elements are known in the art and are not further described.

[0043] In the coupling chamber 15 formed by the front module 10 there are not only parts of the bumper-coupler 11 but also important elements of the front flap kinematics that are used to deflect the front flap not shown in the drawings relative to the front module 10.

[0044] To enable sealing of the front opening 9 of the front module 10 during travel, namely also when the front flap is accessible in the open state, the front module 10 according to the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3 is equipped with a device 1 for sealing in case of the need for hole 9 provided in the frontal area of ​​the frontal module 10. The device 1 according to the invention is designed in particular as partly permanent protection against snow and is used especially in extreme weather conditions when it is intended to effectively prevent the penetration of snow or moisture into the coupling chamber 15 formed by the frontal module 10, since such atmospheric influences can damage the elements located in the coupling chamber, such as front flap kinematics or stop-pull couplings 11.

[0045] The device 1 for sealing, if necessary, the opening 9 has a frame 3, through which the sealing element 2 is held. The frame 3 serves as the only mounting connector of the device 1 and in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3 it is stationary with the coupling - bumper 11, more precisely with the shaft 12 of the bumper coupling. The frame 3 together with the sealing element 2 held by the frame 3 surround the area 4 through which the buffer-stop coupling shaft 12 is routed 11. This area 4 is chosen so that the sealing element 2 is sufficiently radially spaced from the coupling shaft 12 that the sealing element 2 in the expanded state (see Fig. 2 and 3) does not touch the coupling head elements 17, in particular the pivoting of the digital buffer coupling 11 relative to the vehicle chassis and relative to the front module 10.

[0046] Exactly and as shown in particular from the partial cross-sectional view in Fig. 3, in the embodiment of the frontal module 10 according to the invention shown therein, the shaft 12 of the bumper coupling 11 is routed through the area 4 surrounded by the frame and the sealing element 2 attached thereto, the frame 3 preferably being detachably attached to the shaft 12 of the bumper coupling 11 and the sealing element 2 is so expanded that in the expanded state the sealing element 2 preferably presses radially on the edge area 13 of the opening 9 provided in the frontal area of ​​the vehicle or in the frontal area of ​​the frontal module 10.

[0047] The sealing element 2 used in Figures 1 to 3 has at least one intumescent, hollow chamber which is so constructed and controlled hydraulically or pneumatically that when the at least one hollow chamber is inflated, the surface covered by the sealing element 2 enlarges. The sealing element 2 is designed in particular as an inflatable and roller-shaped bellows, which when inflated expands in the radial direction, which results directly from the combined observation of Figures 1 and 2.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a rigid bumper coupler 11 is used. It would of course also be possible to make the bumper coupler 11 as retractable and retractable or folded and unfolded.

[0049] The solution according to the invention is particularly suitable as partly permanent snow protection for bumper couplings. As already explained, the device according to the invention consists of a carrier 3 and a sealing element 2 or a bellows of solid, flexible material. The carrier 3 can be mounted on the bumper coupling 11 or on the bumper coupling rod 11 or on the front of the vehicle, especially in the edge region 13 of the opening 9 provided in the front of the vehicle.

[0050] The sealing element 2, when the sealing of the opening 9 is not needed, is folded, for example, by mechanical systems or compressed air and adheres to a smaller extent to the carrier 3 (see here, in particular, the view in Fig. 1).

On the other hand, when the sealing of the opening 9 is desired, by means of compressed air or a mechanical system, the prestressed element 2 can expand so much that the sealing element 2 covers the area between the coupling 11 and the edge area 13. Also in this state movement is provided the bumper linkage 11 relative to the vehicle chassis and relative to the front module 10 inside the carrier 3 or sealing element 2.

[0052] The advantage of this arrangement is, in particular, that the device 1 according to the invention only requires a mounting coupling, with a bumper coupling 11 or to the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicles can also be retrofitted later.

[0053] In the unstressed state of the sealing element 2, it does not disturb the opening or closing of the front flap.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but also results from the combined observation of all the features disclosed therein.

List of references [0055] device for sealing, if necessary, frame sealing element area surrounded by a frame hole for the coupling stem front hole of the coupling chamber front module coupler-stop coupling coupling shaft coupling edge area of ​​the front opening of the coupling chamber frame structure of the front module 10 chamber coupling bearing block coupling head energy absorbing element