AU2004285619A1

AU2004285619A1 - Device for locking mobile point elements, especially point closing elements

Info

Publication number: AU2004285619A1
Application number: AU2004285619A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Herbert Klein
Original assignee: Voestalpine VAE GmbH; Voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH
Current assignee: Voestalpine Turnout Technology Zeltweg GmbH; Voestalpine Railway Systems GmbH
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-10-15
Publication date: 2005-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-15
Also published as: BRPI0416010A; CN1874921A; ES2282883T3; EP1678024A1; AT500296B1; TWI261079B; ZA200603415B; TW200521296A; NO20061438L; AU2004285619B2; EP1678024B1; WO2005042330A1; BRPI0416010B1; DE502004003083D1; PL1678024T3; NO336605B1; PT1678024E; AT500296A1; ATE355216T1; HK1095304A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for locking end positions of mobile point elements, especially a point closing element, said device comprising at least two parts that can be moved in relation to each other, are guided inside each other, and can be displaced into a non-positively or positively coupled position, in at least one direction of displacement. According to the invention, said mobile parts are formed by an inner tube (14) and an outer tube (13) surrounding the inner tube (14), said tubes encompassing a fixed rod (5).

Description

VERIFICATION OF TRANSLATION Patent Application No. PCT/AT 2004/000352 , .. .:. ., residing at ... -1 * /...am the translator of the documents attached and I state that the following is a true translation to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signature of translator:................ Dated: ...... .. .. .

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- 1 DEVICE FOR LOCKING MOVABLE SWITCH COMPONENTS IN THEIR END POSITIONS, PARTICULARLY A SWITCH LOCK The invention pertains to a device for locking movable 5 switch components in their end positions, particularly a switch lock, with at least two parts that can be moved relative to one another, wherein said parts are guided within one another and can be displaced into a position in which they are positively or non-positively coupled to one 10 another in at least one moving direction. A device of this type is known from EP 603 156 Al. In the switch lock according to EP 603 156 Al, the parts that can be displaced relative to one another consist of a tube and a 15 bolt guided therein, wherein the tube and the bolt are guided in a stationary outer tube. This means that this publication proposes a completely encapsulated design, in which the admission of dirt is prevented. In addition, locking elements are provided that can be displaced in the 20 radial direction and consist, for example, of balls or rollers that are guided in openings of the tube. When the locking elements are displaced radially outward, they engage into a locking groove of the stationary outer tube and thus produce a force-locking connection between the tube and the 25 stationary outer tube. When the locking elements are displaced radially inward, they engage into a locking groove of the bolt such that a force-locking connection between the tube and the displaceably arranged bolt is produced. In one instance, the switch rail connected to the tube is locked in 30 its position, in which it adjoins the stock rail. In the other instance, the switch rail connected to the tube is driven by the bolt that is displaced by means of a drive and switched over from one end position into the other end position. During this process, the bolt carries out a stroke 35 that exceeds the switching stroke of the switch rail because the bolt is additionally displaced in the axial direction after the end position of the switch rail is reached. During - 2 this additional displacement, the locking elements are pressed into a radially outer position such that the switch rail is locked in the end position and the interlocked arrangement is prevented from disengaging due to the 5 covering or overlapping of the locking elements caused by additional axial displacement of the bolt. In the design according to EP 603 156 Al, it proved disadvantageous that the locking device has a significant 10 space requirement due to the extended switching stroke of the bolt connected to the switching drive. Consequently, this design is unsuitable for the restricted space conditions encountered in narrow gauge railways. In addition, the outer tube needs to be connected to a 15 stationary part of the track. This usually requires the mounting on a crosstie. However, this leads to an unfavorable distribution of forces because the locking forces acting upon the outer tube can only be absorbed eccentrically. 20 Consequently, the present invention is based on the objective of eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and improving a device of the initially mentioned type in such a way that a sufficiently compact design is ensured and 25 the mounting on a crosstie is no longer required. In addition, it shall be possible to combine the locking device with hydraulic adjusting drives, as well as with conventional switching linkages that operate mechanically. 30 According to the invention, this objective is essentially attained in that the parts that can be displaced relative to one another consist of an inner tube and an outer tube that surrounds the inner tube, wherein both tubes encompass a stationary rod. This means that the invention proposes, in 35 principle, a design similar to that disclosed in EP 603 156 Al, i.e., an arrangement comprising an outer tube, an inner tube that is guided in the outer tube and a rod or bolt that - 3 is guided in the inner tube. This makes it possible to realize an encapsulated design in order to prevent the admission of dirt. In contrast, however, to EP 603 156 Al, the innermost part, i.e., the rod guided in the inner tube, 5 is arranged stationarily rather than the outermost part, i.e., the outer tube. This means that the parts that can be displaced relative to one another are formed by an inner tube and an outer tube 10 that surrounds the inner tube. Consequently, the switching stroke required for switching over the switch blade as well as the additional stroke required for covering or overlapping the locking elements are carried out by the radially outer and consequently axially shorter parts such 15 that an altogether shorter structural length of the switching device is achieved. According to one preferred embodiment, the stationary rod is clamped between two stock rails such that a separate mounting on a crosstie is not required. The interlocking forces are directly absorbed by 20 the stock rails due to this measure such that a significantly more favorable distribution of forces between the stock rails and the switch rails can be achieved. The clamping of the rod between two stock rails also makes it possible to easily adjust the locking device. For this 25 purpose, the device is preferably realized in such a way that the rod is adjustable in the axial direction and can be fixed in the adjusted position. This makes it possible, for example, to precisely adjust the center position when switching over movable switch diamond points. In this case, 30 the device may be realized in such a way that both ends of the rod are respectively provided with a thread for being connected to a connecting piece that contains a corresponding counter thread and engages on the base of the stock rail. The connecting piece may be conventionally 35 realized in the form of a clamp that encompasses the base of the stock rail. In order to prevent undesirable forces from being introduced into the coupling region between the rod - 4 and the stock rail, the rod is preferably coupled to the stock rail such that it can be pivoted about an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rail. This also minimizes the bending load on the rod. 5 The movable switch components, particularly the switch rails, preferably are coupled to the adjusting device by means of the inner tube that is movably supported referred to the axial direction, wherein each of the two switch rails 10 is respectively coupled to the end of the inner tube that faces the respective switch rail. When using a one-piece inner tube, a synchronous switching of both switch rails takes place. However, in order to fulfill corresponding safety regulations of the railway administrations, it may 15 also be advantageous to carry out the switching in a non synchronous fashion, namely such that the switch rail situated in the distant position is initially moved in the direction of its proximal position and the switch rail situated in the proximal position is only driven and moved 20 by the stock rail after a stroke that corresponds to the overlap of the locking elements. For this purpose, the device is preferably additionally developed in such a way that the inner tube is formed by two parts that can be axially displaced relative to one another, wherein each part 25 is respectively coupled to a movable switch component, particularly a switch rail. In order to allow a precise adaptation of the switching device to the respectively required switching stroke of the 30 switch rails, the invention proposes that the inner tube or its two parts, respectively, contain coupling elements that can be adjusted in the axial direction and fixed in the respectively adjusted axial position, wherein said coupling elements cooperate with corresponding coupling elements of 35 the movable switch components, particularly the switch rails. This may be realized, for example, by providing both -5 ends of the inner tube with a thread, on which the coupling elements can be screwed. As mentioned above, the outer tube of the device according 5 to the invention is not arranged stationarily as it is the case with the state of the art, but rather such that it can be axially displaced relative to the inner tube. This makes it possible to produce a simple connection between the outer tube and a switching drive. The displaceable outer tube also 10 makes it possible to produce a favorite coupling with a drive linkage without requiring complicated adaptation measures. The switching stroke generated by the switching drive and 15 transmitted to the outer tube consequently is transmitted to the inner tube and the switch rails. For this purpose, locking elements are provided in order to ensure that the outer tube and the inner tube can assume a position, in which they are positively or non-positively coupled to one 20 another. In this respect, the inner tube is preferably provided with openings for accommodating locking elements. In this case, the locking elements can be advantageously displaced in the radial direction, and the rod comprises at least one section of reduced diameter while the inside 25 circumference of the outer tube contains at least one section with a greater clear width. If the locking elements are displaced into the radially outward position, the outer tube and the inner tube are moved into a position in which they are positively or non-positively coupled to one 30 another. If the locking elements are displaced radially inward, the inner tube and the rod are moved into a position in which they are positively or non-positively coupled to one another. This means that the inner tube is either coupled to the outer tube that can be displaced in the axial 35 direction or to the stationary rod. The locking elements are advantageously formed by balls or rollers in order to prevent frictional forces.

- 6 In order to minimize wear, the locking device may be filled with oil. This naturally requires corresponding seals. In this respect, the device preferably is realized in such a 5 way that the rod is guided in a sealed fashion in the inner tube and the inner tube is guided in a sealed fashion in the outer tube, wherein the device is filled with a lubricant, particularly oil. In order to equalize the volume changes taking place during the switching process, the outer tube 10 preferably carries an equalizing valve. The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to one embodiment that is schematically illustrated in the figures. Figure 1 shows a switch section 15 with switching, locking and monitoring devices; Figure 2 shows a side view of the locking device according to the invention in the installed state; Figure 3 shows a top view of the device according to the invention in the installed state; Figure 4 shows a section through the locking device; 20 Figure 5 shows a section along the line V-V in Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows a top view in the direction of the arrow VI in Figure 4. A section of a switch with stock rails 1 and switch rails 2 and 3 is illustrated in Figure 1. The drive unit for switching over the switch rails is identified by 25 the reference symbol 4 and coupled to a switching and locking device 6 by means of a drive linkage 5. Another switching and locking device is arranged offset thereto referred to the longitudinal direction of the rails and identified by the reference symbol 7, wherein the additional 30 switching and locking device is coupled to the first switching and locking device 6 by means of a lever 8 and a linkage 9. This figure also shows control and monitoring devices 10, 11 and 12 that serve for checking whether or not the respective switch rail has correctly assumed its end 35 position and for checking the function of the switching drive.

- 7 Figure 2 shows how the switching and locking device 6 is respectively coupled to the stock rails and switch rails. The locking device 6 consists of an outer tube 13, an inner tube 14 and a rod 15. The continuous rod 15 is clamped 5 between the stock rails 1 in this case, wherein both rod ends are respectively connected to a clamping element 16 that encompasses the base of the stock rail 1. The coupling is pivotable about an axis 17 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rails. The inner tube 14 is 10 respectively connected to the switch rails 2 and 3 by means of coupling elements 18. Each coupling element 18 contains a bolt 19 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rails and is provided with a cambered surface, behind which a projection 20 engages. The projection 20 can be screwed on 15 the respective end of the inner tube 14 and is axially adjustable in the direction of the arrow 21. In this case, the projection 20 can be secured in the respectively adjusted axial position with the aid of lock nuts 22. The axial adjustability of the projections 20 makes it possible 20 to adapt the distance between the switch rails 2 and 3 to the respectively required switching stroke of the switch rails. The outer tube 13 is connected to the drive linkage 5. 25 Figure 3 shows a corresponding top view of the switching and locking device 6, wherein identical components are identified by the same reference symbols. The function of the switching and locking device 6 is 30 described in greater detail below with reference to Figure 4. The rod identified by the reference symbol 15 is realized in the form of a tubular rod and extends through the entire locking device 6. Both ends of the rod 15 are provided with an interior thread, into which a corresponding connecting 35 piece 23 can be screwed. According to Figure 6, the connecting piece 23 is realized in a fork-shaped fashion, wherein both limbs of the fork-shaped connecting piece - 8 contain a bearing lug for a bolt that is not illustrated in greater detail and serves for producing a pivotable coupling with the clamp-like connecting piece 16 about the axis 17 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rails. The 5 inner tube 14 consists of two parts, wherein each of the two parts 24 and 25 is provided with respective threads 26 and 27 on its end that faces the switch rail. The projection 20 that engages behind the bolt 19 of the coupling element 18 can be respectively screwed on the threads provided on the 10 two parts of the inner tube. The two parts 24 and 25 are supported such that they can be displaced relative to the rod 15 in the axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the double arrow 21. The outer tube 13 is also supported such that it can be displaced relative to the inner tube in the 15 axial direction. The cross section illustrated in Figure 5 indicates that the inner tube 14 contains a series of openings 28, in which locking elements 29 and 30 are respectively supported. In this case, the respective locking elements 29 and 30 can be displaced in the radial direction. 20 If the locking elements are displaced radially inward, they are able to engage into respective locking grooves 31 and 32 arranged on the outside circumference of the rod 15 such that the respective inner tube parts 24 and 25 are non positively or positively coupled to the rod 15. If the 25 respective locking elements 29 and 30 are displaced radially outward, they engage into annular locking grooves 33 and 34 arranged on the inside circumference of the outer tube 13. This causes the respective inner tube parts 24 and 25 to be positively or non-positively coupled to the outer tube 13. 30 In the position illustrated in Figure 4, the right switch blade 2 is held in contact with the corresponding right stock rail 1 and locked in this end position. In this case, the inner tube part 25 that is connected to the switch blade 35 2 is coupled to the stationary rod 15 by means of the coupling elements 30 that are displaced radially inward. Consequently, the switch rail 2 is locked and secured in the - 9 respective axial position. The left switch rail 3 that is connected to the inner tube part 24 is coupled to the outer tube 13 by means of the coupling elements 29 that are displaced radially outward, wherein the outer tube is 5 connected to the drive linkage 5 by the connecting piece 35. When the switch is switched over, the outer tube 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow 36 by the drive linkage 5, namely via the connecting piece 35. In this case, the inner tube part 24 and consequently the switch rail 3 initially 10 are also coupled to the outer tube 13 by means of the locking elements 29 and driven in the direction of the arrow 36. After the outer tube 13 has carried out the switching stroke that corresponds to the overlap a, the locking elements 30 that are acted upon in the radially outward 15 direction by a spring engage with the locking groove 34 such that the inner tube part 25 can also be displaced together with the switch rail 2 during the continued switching movement in the direction of the arrow 36. As soon as the locking elements 29 reach the locking groove 31 of the rod 20 15, they yield radially inward and engage into the locking groove 31 such that the switch rail 3 is non-positively or positively coupled to the stationary rod 15 via the inner tube part 24. The switch rail 3 has now reached its end position and adjoins the stock rail 1, wherein this end 25 position is locked. During the additional displacement of the outer tube 13 in the direction of the arrow 36, the inner tube part 25 is now also driven until the distant end position of the switch rail 2 is reached and the corresponding overlap a of the locking elements 29 is 30 ensured. An equivalent moving sequence takes place during a switching movement opposite to the direction of the arrow 36.

Claims

1. A device for locking movable switch components in their end positions, particularly a switch lock, comprising at 5 least two parts that can be moved relative to one another, wherein said parts are guided within one another and can be displaced into a position in which they are positively or non-positively coupled to one another in at least one moving direction, characterized in that the parts that can be 10 displaced relative to one another consist of an inner tube (14) and an outer tube (13) that surrounds the inner tube, wherein both tubes encompass a stationary rod (15).

2. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that 15 the rod (15) is clamped between two stock rails (1).

3. The device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rod (15) can be adjusted in the axial direction and fixed in the adjusted position. 20

4. The device according to Claim i, 2 or 3, characterized in that both ends of the rod (15) are respectively provided with a thread in order to produce a connection with a connecting piece (23) that engages on the base of the stock 25 rails (1) and is provided with a corresponding counter thread.

5. The device according to one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the rod (15) is coupled to the stock rails (1) such 30 that it is pivotable about an axis (17) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the rails.

6. The device according to one of Claims 1-5, characterized in that the inner tube (14) is coupled to the movable switch 35 components, particularly switch rails (2, 3). - 11

7. The device according to one of Claims 1-6, characterized in that the inner tube (14) consists of two parts (24, 25) that can be axially displaced relative to one another, wherein each part (24, 25) is respectively coupled to a 5 movable switch component, particularly a switch rail (2, 3).

8. The device according to one of Claims 1-7, characterized in that the inner tube (14) or its two parts (24, 25), respectively, contain coupling elements (20) that can be 10 adjusted in the axial direction and fixed in the respectively adjusted axial position, wherein said coupling elements cooperate with corresponding coupling elements (18) of the movable switch components, particularly the switch rails (2, 3). 15

9. The device according to Claim 8, characterized in that both ends of the inner tube (14) are respectively provided with a thread (26, 27), onto which the coupling elements (20) can be screwed. 20

10. The device according to one of Claims 1-9, characterized in that the outer tube (13) is connected to a switching drive (4, 5). 25

11. The device according to one of Claims 1-10, characterized in that the inner tube (14) contains openings (28) for accommodating locking elements (29, 30).

12. The device according to one of Claims 1-11, 30 characterized in that the locking elements (29, 30) can be displaced in the axial direction, and in that the rod (15) contains at least one section (31, 32) of reduced diameter while the outer tube (13) contains at least one section (33, 34) with a greater width on its inside circumference. 35

13. The device according to one of Claims 1-12, characterized in that the outside circumference of the rod - 12 (15) and the inside a circumference of the outer tube (13) respectively contain at least two annular grooves (31, 32, 33, 34), wherein a locking element (29 or 30) that is guided in one the inner tube part (24 or 25) and displaced radially 5 outward cooperates with an annular groove (33 or 34) of the outer tube (13) and a locking element (30 or 29) that is guided in the other inner tube part (24 or 25) and displaced radially inward simultaneously cooperates with an annular groove (32 or 31) of the rod (15) in a locking position. 10

14. The device according to one of Claims 1-13, characterized in that the locking elements (29, 30) are formed by balls or rollers.

15 15. The device according to one of Claims 1-14, characterized in that the rod (15) is guided in a sealed fashion in the inner tube (14) and the inner tube (14) is guided in a sealed fashion in the outer tube (13), and in that the device (6) is filled with a lubricant, particularly 20 oil.

16. The device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the outer tube (13) carries an equalization valve for equalizing the volume changes occurring during the switching 25 process.