EP2617622B1 - Device for vertical support of a coupling rod - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for vertically supporting a coupling rod according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a device for vertically supporting a hinged to a car body of a particular track-guided vehicle via an articulated coupling rod, the device having a engageable with the coupling rod Abstützfedereinrichtung and a holder, via which the Abstützfedereinrichtung is connectable to the articulation.

Such a support device is already known in principle from the prior art, and in particular from rail vehicle technology. Such devices are used for vertical support a via a linkage to a car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell in the vertical direction pivotally hinged coupling rod. A support in the vertical direction is particularly necessary to allow a perfect coupling of two adjacent car bodies. For this, care must be taken that the coupling rod is always present in the horizontal center longitudinal plane during the coupling process.

The publication EP 1 719 684 A1 relates to an elastomer-spring joint with a vertical support device, in which a lower cross member serves to connect a support spring with a coupling rod to be supported. In the supporting device known from this prior art further two vertically extending lateral side members are used, which are connected via their lower end portion with the cross member, wherein the connection of the lateral side member is carried by the cross member via screws.

The publication EP 1 955 918 A1 relates to an automatic central buffer coupling with a coupling head, a coupling rod and a shock absorber, which has a destructively designed energy absorbing member in the form of a deformation tube. With the aim of providing the additional functionality of the retractability and retractability of the coupling rod, it is proposed in this prior art to equip the central buffer coupling with a controllable linear drive for axial displacement of the coupling rod relative to a mounting plate.

The publication CH 356 792 A relates to a device for suspending a central buffer coupling on rail vehicles, for this purpose, a lying above the coupling axis fork is used, the ends of which are angled downwards and connected to a designed as a Traverse role. The fork is laterally pivotable about the vertical center axis of a connecting joint, wherein further means for their elastic return and centering are provided.

Support devices known from the prior art are generally designed as resilient supports in which a support ram is connected via at least one spring element to a lower support of the support device. By the at least one spring element of the Abstützstempel is pressed with a bias from below in the vertical direction against the coupling rod. The bias at which the support ram pushes against the coupling rod is adjustable by a suitable choice of the vertical distance between the lower support and the coupling rod and should be chosen so that in a resting state of the coupling rod, i. if no dynamic forces acting on the coupling rod in the vertical direction, the coupling rod is present in the horizontal center position.

In conventional support devices, in which the at least one spring element is formed of an elastomeric material, it is usually essential that the vertical distance between the lower bracket and the coupling rod and thus the bias, with which the Abstützstempel presses against the coupling rod, at least after a first-time use of the clutch is readjusted because over time the elastomeric material of the at least one spring element sets and otherwise is not ensured that the coupling rod is in the idle state in the horizontal center position.

On the other hand, it is customary in rail vehicle technology, in particular in high-speed trains, to carry out the front side of a multiple unit train as a streamlined bow nose in order to avoid aerodynamically disadvantageous front sections. The bow nose is usually provided with a nose flap, which covers the coupling shaft in the closed state to protect components or components of the coupling arrangement, such as the vertical support device against environmental influences, such as dirt, ice or icing. There are probably one-piece as well as two-piece executed bow flaps known which are normally closed and only open when the clutch must be used, such as when two trains drive in double traction.

Car bodies whose end face is formed as a nose, often have a very limited space for receiving the central buffer coupling and belonging to the central buffer coupling components, in particular the vertical support device. In particular, in such rail vehicles, the accessibility for the readjustment of the support device is severely limited. Accordingly, a conventional support device can often adjust only with great effort, which is particularly time-consuming and thus costly.

Based on this problem, the invention has the object, a vertical support device of the type mentioned in such a way that in an easy to implement yet effective manner, the vertical bias, with which the support device presses against the coupling rod, can be adjusted or readjusted So that it is ensured with little time and effort that in their idle state, the coupling rod is always in the horizontal center position.

This object is solved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1, advantageous developments of which are specified in the dependent claims 2 to 9. Claims 10 to 12 each relate to a central buffer coupling with the supporting device according to the invention.

Accordingly, a supporting device is proposed, which has a support rod device which can be brought into contact with the coupling rod of a track-guided vehicle, and a holder via which the supporting spring device can be connected to the articulation and above to the carriage body. According to the invention, the holder has a lower cross member for supporting the Abstützfedereinrichtung and two vertically extending, lateral side members, via which the lower cross member is connected to the attached to the car body articulation. In order to adjust the vertical bias of the Abstützfedereinrichtung even with very limited accessibility with little time and effort, the invention provides that the lower end portion of the two lateral side members is connected via at least one biasing member in such a way with the cross member that a vertical distance between the cross member and the coupling rod and thus the vertical bias of Abstützfedereinrichtung is adjustable.

By providing at least one biasing element, which serve to connect the lower cross member of the holder with the lower end portions of one of the two lateral side members, can also be retrofitted in an easy to implement manner, ie after the supporting device and the other components of the coupling arrangement in the Bow nose on the car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell have been attached, the vertical distance between the cross member and the coupling rod and thus adjust the vertical bias of Abstützfedereinrichtung. All steps for adjusting and adjusting the vertical support device can be done by a maintenance flap or opening in the bow nose on the vehicle. The raising and lowering of the coupling rod is effected via the two side longitudinal members associated biasing elements. In this way, the vertical support device can be adjusted or set for the first time with little time and effort even for vehicles that provided only a very limited space for the clutch.

According to the invention, on the one hand that the lower end region of the two lateral side members each have a thread, and on the other hand that the two longitudinal members associated biasing members each have a corresponding mating thread and cooperate with the thread of the corresponding side member such that upon tightening of the biasing member of the vertical distance shortened between the cross member and the coupling rod and the vertical bias of Abstützfedereinrichtung is increased.

It would be conceivable here if the lower end region of the two lateral side members is in each case sleeve-shaped and received in a guide sleeve connected to the cross member, wherein the sleeve-shaped lower end region of the two lateral side members is provided at least in regions with an internal thread. As a biasing element here is a clamping screw (cylinder head screw) with a complementary to the internal thread of the corresponding longitudinal member formed external thread. These prestressing elements designed as tensioning screws preferably run in each case through a passage opening formed in the cross member, wherein the external threads of the pretensioning elements designed as tensioning screws respectively receive the internal threads of the corresponding longitudinal members.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide the lower end region of the two lateral side members each with an external thread. It is advantageous if the lower end regions of the two longitudinal members are each received in a through opening formed in the cross member such that the external thread extends in regions through the passage opening. As biasing elements are in this embodiment, for example, clamping nuts, which each receive the extending through the through holes threaded portion of the associated longitudinal member.

Alternatively, the lower end region of the two lateral side members may each have an external thread and be received in a guide sleeve connected to the cross member. In this case, the at least one biasing element may be designed as a clamping sleeve, which has an internal thread, which is designed to be complementary to the external thread of the corresponding longitudinal member. The biasing element, for example, formed as a clamping sleeve passes through a formed in the cross member through hole, wherein the internal thread of the clamping sleeve of the external thread of the corresponding longitudinal member receives.

In a preferred embodiment of the last-mentioned embodiment, it is provided that the external thread at the lower end region of the two lateral side members and the internal thread of the clamping sleeve are each designed as left-hand thread, wherein at least one securing element is provided for preventing unintentional manipulation of the clamping sleeve. For example, it is conceivable that the at least one securing element is designed as a cylindrical screw with a right-hand thread, wherein the right-hand thread of the fuse element designed as a cylinder screw is arranged coaxially to the clamping sleeve and engage in an internal thread, which formed in a running in the lower end of the lateral side member bore is.

All the embodiments described above have in common that only by manipulation of the at least one biasing element, the vertical bias of the Abstützfedereinrichtung can be adjusted, for manipulating the biasing element only a single tool is sufficient, and in this case also a limited access to the components of the support device, in particular the at least one biasing element is sufficient.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention it is provided that the at least one biasing element is associated with a backup to prevent inadvertent manipulation of the biasing member. In particular, the fuse is used to prevent unwanted loosening or Loosening the connection between the at least one biasing member and the associated lateral side member, which can be done in particular by external influences, eg vibrations (vibration), corrosion or setting of the connection.

By providing such a fuse can be prevented in an advantageous manner that is changed by external influences, especially in dynamic loads, a set on the at least one biasing element vertical distance between the cross member and the coupling rod. Depending on the type of biasing element used, the fuse may adopt different embodiments. If, for example, a nut (clamping nut) is used as the pretensioning element, then an adhesive, a plastic insert in the nut or a wire lock can serve as a screw lock. If, for example, a clamping screw (cylinder head screw) serves as the pretensioning element, then the securing device can be realized as a threaded insert in the sleeve-shaped region of the longitudinal members.

According to the invention, the supporting spring device has at least one and preferably two supporting springs, which are preferably detachably connected to the cross member, wherein this is, in particular, supporting springs formed from an elastomer material. By using at least two Abstützfedern, which are connected in parallel to each other, Abstützfedern can be used with a softer characteristic, whereby a particularly good resilient support is feasible.

In the Abstützfedereinrichtung invention, in addition to the at least one support spring further comprises a movable in the vertical direction relative to the two lateral side members pressure plate over which the at least one connected to the cross member support spring with the coupling rod can be brought into contact. According to the invention, a support plate connected to the pressure plate and engageable with the coupling rod is also provided. Of course, other embodiments come into question.

In order to enable a predictable and in particular uniform response of the vertical support device, especially under dynamic loads, is in a particularly preferred embodiment of the support device according to the invention a guide provided for guiding a movement of the pressure plate relative to the two lateral side members. The guide can be formed for example by corresponding recesses on the sides of the pressure plate, through which extend the longitudinal members.

The present invention further provides a central buffer coupling for track-guided vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, which has a coupling rod and an articulation with a bearing block. Here, the carriage box-side end portion of the coupling rod is connected to the articulation and articulated pivotally on the bearing block of the articulation on the car body of the track-guided vehicle. In the central buffer coupling, a vertical support device according to the present invention is further used to support the coupling rod in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the inventive solution will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anlenkung einer Mittelpufferkupplung mit einer vertikalen Abstützvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des unteren Bereiches der Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abstützvorrichtung;

Fig. 3:

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abstützvorrichtung;

Fig. 4:

eine Draufsicht auf die Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abstützvorrichtung;

Fig. 5:

eine Seitenschnittansicht der Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abstützvorrichtung;

Fig. 6:

eine Frontansicht der Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abstützvorrichtung; und

Fig. 7:

eine Schnittansicht eines Bereiches der bei der Anlenkung gemäß Fig. 1 zum Einsatz kommenden vertikalen Abstützvorrichtung.

Show it:

Fig. 1:

a perspective view of an articulation of a central buffer coupling with a vertical support device according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

a perspective view of the lower portion of the linkage according to Fig. 1 with the supporting device according to the invention;

3:

an exploded view of the linkage according to Fig. 1 with the supporting device according to the invention;

4:

a plan view of the linkage according to Fig. 1 with the supporting device according to the invention;

Fig. 5:

a side sectional view of the linkage according to Fig. 1 with the supporting device according to the invention;

Fig. 6:

a front view of the linkage according to Fig. 1 with the supporting device according to the invention; and

Fig. 7:

a sectional view of a portion of the articulation according to Fig. 1 used for vertical support device.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the supporting device 50 according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In detail, the support device 50 exemplified in the drawings is used in a linkage 2, which serves to articulate the coupling rod 1, for example, a central buffer coupling on the front side of a car body not explicitly shown or on the undercarriage of a car body not explicitly shown.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the linkage 2, an elastomeric spring device 10 for damping transmitted via the coupling rod 1 to the linkage 2 tensile and impact forces. It is provided that the elastomeric spring device 10 has an open towards a coupling head not shown in the drawings housing 11, in which the rear (carriage body side) end portion 3 of the coupling rod 1 protrudes coaxially with a radial distance from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11. The rear, i. carriage side, end portion 3 of the coupling rod 1 is connected via the housing 11 with the linkage 2. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the connection via a vertically extending pivot pin 16, to which the housing 11 is connected by means of shear elements 8 and hinged to the fixed to the car body or car body base bearing block 4 is horizontally and vertically pivotable.

Between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 11 prestressed spring rings 13 are provided of an elastic material which are aligned vertically with their center planes and arranged at a mutual distance in the longitudinal direction of the coupling rod 1, wherein both the rear end portion 3 of the coupling rod 1 and the inside of the housing 11 facing each other, circumferential annular beads 14, 15 have. These annular beads 14, 15 are designed such that the resilient rings 13 are held in each case in spaces between two adjacent annular beads 14, 15 relative to the rear end portion 3 of the coupling rod 1 and the housing 11. Characterized in that each resilient ring 13 directly on both the peripheral surface of the coupling rod 1 as well as against the inner peripheral surface 12 of the housing 11, wherein in the unloaded with respect to tensile and impact forces of the elastomeric spring device 10, the annular beads 14 of the coupling rod 1 are aligned with the associated annular beads 15 of the housing 11, it is achieved that on the one hand a gimbal movement of the coupling rod 1 is made possible, and that, on the other hand, tensile and compressive forces can be absorbed and absorbed up to a defined size.

As already mentioned, the housing 11 of the elastomeric spring device 10 is connected to the articulation 2 with the aid of at least one shearing element 8. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the linkage 2 has an upper and a lower vertically extending pivot 16, to each of which the housing 11 connected by means of a shear element 8 and at the fixed to the car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell bearing block 4 horizontally and is hinged vertically pivotable. In a preferred manner, it is provided that the response force of the shearing elements 8 is greater than the amount of force that the elastomer spring device 10 can transmit by regenerative deformation of the resilient rings 13.

The housing 11 of the elastomeric spring device 10 is formed in a preferred manner divided and consists of an upper and a lower housing shell 11 a. This embodiment ensures a particularly simple assembly of the spring means 10. Furthermore, this can be adjusted in a particularly simple manner, the bias of the elastomeric spring device 10 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling rod 1. It would also be conceivable, however, for the rear end region 3 of the coupling rod 1 to have a collar (not explicitly shown) against which, on the one hand, a pretensioning ring (not shown) with its rear side and, on the other hand, the spring ring 13 closest to the opening of the housing 11 the front side abuts, wherein the biasing ring biases the resilient rings 13 in the unloaded state of the elastomeric spring device 10 in the longitudinal direction of the coupling rod 1.

The linkage 2 allows horizontal and vertical pivoting and axial rotation of the coupling rod 1. In this way, the coupling rod 1, for example, perform pivotal movements relative to the car body or car body base, which occur especially when cornering a train. Furthermore, the coupling rod 1 vertical deflections For example, to compensate for height differences between two car bodies to be coupled follow.

The elastomeric spring device 10 with the spring rings 13 preferably formed of an elastomeric material serves to dampen the tensile and impact forces transmitted by the coupling rod 1 in the articulation 2 during normal driving operation. In general, provided in the articulation 2 elastomer spring device 10 is designed to allow the operationally required Ausschwenkwinkel the coupling rod 1 in the vertical direction of about ± 6 ° and in the horizontal direction of about ± 15 °.

The articulation 2 shown by way of example in the drawings is further equipped with a supporting device 50. As already stated in the introduction to the description, such support in the vertical direction is necessary, in particular, in order to ensure a perfect coupling of two to allow adjacent car bodies. For this purpose, care must be taken that the coupling rod 1 is always present in the horizontal center longitudinal plane during the coupling process.

For this purpose, the supporting device 50 shown in the drawings has a Abstützfedereinrichtung 51 in contact with the coupling rod 1 and a holder, via which the Abstützfedereinrichtung 51 is at least indirectly connected to the car body and the undercarriage of the car body. In detail, the holder comprises a lower cross member 54 which serves to support the Abstützfedereinrichtung 51. In addition to the lower cross member 54, two vertically extending, lateral side members 55, 56 are used, via which the cross member 54 is connected to the body or car body frame.

As in particular, for example, the representations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be removed, the two lateral side members 55, 56 of the holder are not directly connected to the car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell. Rather, in the illustrated embodiment, the respective upper end regions of the lateral side members 55, 56 are connected to the housing 11 of the articulation 2. As already stated, the housing 11 of the articulation 2 is over the upper and lower pivot pin 16 with the fixed to the car body or on the car body base bearing block 4 in combination.

In detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the respective upper end regions of the lateral side members 55, 56 are connected to the housing 11 via a screw connection 57. The screw connection 57 is preferably designed such that it loses its connection function when the operating load of the elastomer spring device 10 provided in the articulation 2 is exceeded. In this way, in a crash, for example, the impact of the vehicle on an obstacle, the connection between the support of the support device 50 and the car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell be solved so that the support device 50 does not hinder longitudinal movement of the coupling rod 1 in the direction of the car body , It would be conceivable in this context if, for the realization of the screw connection 57, at least one shearing / tear-off screw is used which, when the operating load of the elastomeric spring device 10 provided in the articulation 2 is exceeded, loses its connecting function, i. shears off or breaks off.

On the other hand, it would also be conceivable to use as screw 57 at least one screw which is received in such a Aufnehmung that when exceeding the operating load of the provided in the articulation 2 elastomeric spring device 10, the at least one screw is moved from the Aufnehmung, consequently the Connection between the support of the support device 50 and the car body or Wagenkastenuntergestell is solved.

The support device 50 is a resiliently formed support, in which the support spring device 51 has at least one support spring 52, 53, which in the illustrated embodiment is exactly two. The two support springs 52, 53 are connected to the cross member 54 and are pressed with a certain bias from below in the vertical direction against the coupling rod 1. The bias voltage with which the support springs 52, 53 press against the coupling rod 1 is adjustable by varying the vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod 1 and should be chosen so that in a resting state of the coupling rod 1, ie if no dynamic forces attack in the vertical direction on the coupling rod 1, the coupling rod 1 is present in the horizontal center position.

By the vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod 1 is varied, the vertical inclination of the coupling rod 1 can be adjusted. As already stated, the coupling rod 1 should be present in the unloaded state in the horizontal plane to allow proper coupling of two adjacent car bodies.

The use of support springs 52, 53, which are formed of an elastomeric material, however, has the consequence that after a certain time interval, the support must be readjusted, since it is under biased support springs 52, 53 over time to a setting of Elastomer material can come, ie the spring characteristic of the support springs 52, 53 becomes shallower over time, which may result in tilting of the coupling rod 1. Thus, an originally set in the horizontal center longitudinal plane coupling rod 1 must be readjusted after a certain time. In other words, care must be taken that subsequently the vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod 1 can be varied.

For this purpose, in the embodiment of the support device 50 according to the invention shown in the drawings 50 biasing elements are used, via which the lower end portions 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 are each connected to the cross member 54 such that a vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod 1 and thus a vertical bias of Abstützfedereinrichtung 51 is adjustable.

In detail and how it in particular the representation in Fig. 7 can be removed, it makes sense for this purpose that the lower end portions 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 each have an external thread and are each received in a connected to the cross member 54 clamping sleeve 61, wherein the clamping sleeve 61 serves as a biasing element and a complementary to the external thread of the corresponding longitudinal member 55, 56 formed internal thread. The representation in Fig. 7 It can also be seen that, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping sleeves 61 each run through a passage opening 60 formed in the cross member 54. Furthermore, it can be seen that the internal thread of the clamping sleeve 61, the external thread of the corresponding longitudinal member 55, 56 receives.

For adjusting the vertical bias of the Abstützfedereinrichtung 51, the two designed as clamping sleeves 61 biasing elements continue in the corresponding end portions 68, 69 of the longitudinal beams 55, 56 screwed in the embodiment shown in the drawings, consequently the vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod. 1 decreases and the bias of Abstützfedereinrichtung 51 is increased. In this way, the vertical deflection of the coupling rod 1 can subsequently be varied.

In order to prevent unintentionally loosening or loosening of the clamping sleeves 61 used in the embodiment shown in the drawings as a biasing element, as a result, the vertical distance between the cross member 54 and the coupling rod 1 inevitably increases and the vertical bias of the supporting spring means 51 is reduced would, the external thread at the lower end portion 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 and the internal thread of the clamping sleeve 61 are each designed as left-hand thread, at least one securing element 67 is provided to prevent inadvertent manipulation of the clamping sleeve 61st

As shown, the at least one securing element 67 is designed as a cylindrical screw with a right-hand thread, wherein the right-hand thread of the cylinder screw designed as securing element 67 is arranged coaxially to the clamping sleeve 61 and engage in an internal thread 58, which in a lower end portion 68, 69 of lateral side members 55, 56 executed bore is formed.

In this case, it is basically conceivable to provide the internal threads 58 of the lateral side members 55, 56 with a screw lock 62. For this purpose, in the vertically extending bores of the end regions 68, 69 of the lateral side members 55, 56 may be provided in each case a plastic insert, which forms a self-locking thread. However, it would also be conceivable to use the biasing element (clamping sleeve 61) with, for example, a split pin, i. a wire lock to provide.

In the illustrated embodiment of the support device 50 according to the invention, the two support springs 52, 53 are connected to the cross member 54 via a respective screw 63. The coupling rod end of the two support springs 52, 53 is connected to a vertically movable relative to the two lateral side members 55, 56 pressure plate 64. On the coupling rod side surface of the pressure plate 64, a Abstützstempel 65 is provided, which transmits the force exerted by the Abstützfedern 52, 53 supporting force on the coupling rod 1.

The pressure plate 64 is provided with a guide 66 to guide a movement of the pressure plate 64 relative to the two lateral side members 55, 56. In detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide 66 is formed by receptacles which are provided on the lateral end regions of the pressure plate 64 and receive the lateral side members 55, 56.

As the representations of the example Figures 3 and 5 can be removed, the bearing block 4 of the articulation 2 shown in the drawings at its the coupling rod 1 opposite end an opening 5, through which the elastomeric spring device 10 can be pressed together with the housing 11, when a via the coupling rod 1 on the Linkage 2 transmitted impact force exceeds a pre-definable critical value. Then namely the shear elements mentioned above 8, via which the housing 11 of the elastomer spring device 10 is connected to the bearing block 4 in normal driving operation. After the shearing elements 8 have responded, the elastomer spring device 10 and the housing 11 into which the elastomer spring device 10 is received can thus be pushed through the opening 5 of the bearing block 4. In this way, the coupling rod 1 is at least partially taken from the transferred to the linkage 2 power flow.

At the same time, the connection between the housing 11, the elastomeric spring device 10 and the supporting device 50 is also achieved by the screw connection 57, which is likewise designed as a shear or tear-off screw, between the upper end region of the longitudinal members 55, 56 and the housing 11 ,

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment of the supporting device 50 shown in the drawings, but results from a synopsis of all the features disclosed herein.

In particular, it is conceivable in this context that the lower end portions 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 are each sleeve-shaped and are each received in a guide sleeve connected to the cross member 54, wherein the sleeve-shaped lower end portions 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 are each at least partially provided with an internal thread. In this case, the two longitudinal members 55, 56 associated biasing elements may each be designed as a clamping screw with a complementary to the internal thread of the corresponding longitudinal member 55, 56 formed external thread, wherein the clamping screws each run through a formed in the cross member 54 through hole 60. The external thread of each biasing element designed as a clamping screw takes on the internal thread of the sleeve-shaped end portion 68, 69 of the corresponding longitudinal member 55, 56.

Alternatively, it would also be conceivable if the lower end regions 68, 69 of the two lateral side members 55, 56 each have an external thread and are each received in a through hole 60 formed in the cross member 54 such that the external thread at least partially through the passage opening 60th extends. In this case, the biasing element should be designed as a clamping nut and receive the through the opening 60 extending threaded portion of the associated longitudinal member 55, 56.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

coupling rod

2

linkage

3

rear end region of the coupling rod

4

bearing block

5

Opening in the bearing block

8th

shearing

10

Elastomeric spring mechanism

11

casing

11a

Half shells of the housing

13

spring washer

14, 15

torus

16

pivot

50

Support device

51

Abstützfedereinrichtung

52, 53

supporting spring

54

crossbeam

55, 56

lateral side members

57

screw

58

inner thread

59

external thread

60

Through opening

61

clamping sleeve

62

Backup / plastic insert

63

screw

64

printing plate

65

support plunger

66

guide

67

fuse element

68, 69

lower end region of the longitudinal member

Claims (12)

1. A device (50) for the vertical support of a coupling rod (1) articulated by means of a linkage to a car body of in particular a track-guided vehicle,
   wherein the device (50) comprises a supporting spring mechanism (51) able to be brought into contact with the coupling rod (1) and a mounting via which the supporting spring mechanism (51) is connectable to the linkage, wherein the mounting comprises a lower cross member (54) for supporting the supporting spring mechanism (51) and two vertically extending longitudinal side members (55, 56) via which the cross member (54) is connectable to the car body, wherein the lower end region (68, 69) of each of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) is connected to the cross member (54) by at least one pretensioning element such that a vertical distance between the cross member (54) and the coupling rod (1), and thus a vertical pretensioning of the supporting spring mechanism (51), can be set,
   characterized in that
   each lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) is of sleeve-shaped form and respectively accommodated in a guide sleeve connected to the cross member (54), wherein each sleeve-shaped lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) is at least in part provided with an internal thread, wherein the pretensioning elements associated with the two side members (55, 56) are in each case realized as tensioning screws having an external thread configured complementary to the internal thread of the respective side member (55, 56) and extending through a passage opening (60) formed in the cross member (54), and wherein the external thread of each pretensioning element configured as a tensioning screw receives the internal thread of the sleeve-shaped end region (68, 69) of the respective side member (55, 56); or that
   each lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) exhibits an external thread and is respectively accommodated in a passage opening (60) formed in the cross member (54) such that the external thread extends at least partly through the passage opening (60), and wherein the pretensioning element is configured as a tensioning nut and receives the threaded section of the associated side member (55, 56) extending through the passage opening (60); or that
   each lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) exhibits an external thread and is respectively accommodated in a tension sleeve (61) connected to the cross member (54), wherein the tension sleeve (61) serves as a pretensioning element and has an internal thread configured complementary to the external thread of the associated side member (55, 56), wherein the tension sleeve (61) extends through a passage opening (60) formed in the cross member (54), and wherein the internal thread of the tension sleeve (61) receives the external thread of the respective side member (55, 56).
2. The device (50) according to claim 1,
   wherein each lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) comprises a thread, and wherein each of the pretensioning elements associated with the two side members (55, 56) has a respective counterthread and interacts with the thread of the associated side member (55, 56) such that tightening the pretensioning element results in shortening the vertical distance between the cross member (54) and the coupling rod (1) and increasing the vertical pretensioning of the supporting spring mechanism (51).
3. The device (50) according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein each of the lower end regions (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) has an external thread and is respectively accommodated in a tension sleeve (61) connected to the cross member (54), wherein the tension sleeve (61) serves as a pretensioning element and has an internal thread configured complementary to the external thread of the associated side member (55, 56), wherein the tension sleeve (61) extends through a passage opening (60) formed in the cross member (54), and wherein the internal thread of the tension sleeve (61) receives the external thread of the respective side member (55, 56),
   wherein the external thread at the lower end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) and the internal thread of the tension sleeve (61) are in each case configured as left-handed thread, and wherein at least one securing element (67) is provided to prevent inadvertent manipulation of the tension sleeve (61).
4. The device (50) according to claim 3,
   wherein the at least one securing element (67) is configured as a cylinder screw having a right-handed thread, wherein the right-handed thread of the securing element (67) designed as a cylinder screw is arranged coaxially with the tension sleeve (61) and engages in an internal thread formed in a drill hole provided in the lower end region (68, 69) of the longitudinal side members (55, 56).
5. The device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   wherein a retainer (62) is provided to prevent inadvertent manipulation of the pretensioning element.
6. The device (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein the supporting spring mechanism (51) comprises at least one and preferably two supporting springs (52, 53), particularly supporting springs formed from an elastomer material, which are preferably detachably connected to the cross member (54).
7. The device (50) according to claim 6,
   wherein the supporting spring mechanism (51) further comprises a pressure plate (64) which is vertically movable relative to the two longitudinal side members (55, 56), by means of which the at least one supporting spring (52, 53) connected to the cross member (54) can be brought into contact with the coupling rod (1).
8. The device (50) according to claim 7,
   wherein the supporting spring mechanism (51) further comprises a supporting jack (65) which is connected to the pressure plate (64) and able to be brought into contact with the coupling rod (1).
9. The device (50) according to claim 7 or 8,
   wherein a guide (66) is provided to guide a movement of the pressure plate (64) relative to the two longitudinal side members (55, 56).
10. A central buffer coupling for track-guided vehicles, particularly railway vehicles, having a coupling rod (1) and a linkage comprising a bearing block (4), wherein the car body-side end region of the coupling rod (1) is connected to the linkage (2) and the linkage (2) is pivotably articulated to the car body of the track-guided vehicle via the bearing block (4), and wherein a device (50) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 for the vertical support of the coupling rod (1) is further provided.
11. The central buffer coupling according to claim 10,
    wherein an elastomer spring mechanism (10) for absorbing tractive and impact forces transmitted via the coupling rod (1) to the linkage (2) is further provided, wherein the elastomer spring mechanism (10) has a housing (11) open to the coupler head into which the car body-side end region of the coupling rod (1) projects coaxially at a radial distance from the inner peripheral surface of the housing (11), wherein the car body-side end region of the coupling rod (1) is connected to the linkage (2) via the housing (11), wherein pretensioned flexible rings (13) of an elastic material are provided between the inner peripheral surface of the housing (11) with their central planes aligned vertically and arranged at a distance one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the coupling rod (1).
12. The central buffer coupling according to claim 11,
    wherein the upper end region (68, 69) of the two longitudinal side members (55, 56) are detachably connected to the housing (11) of the elastomer spring mechanism (10), preferably by means of at least one breakaway or shear bolt (57).

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