DE-102024133333-B3 - Actuating device for manually uncoupling a digital automatic coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuating device for manually uncoupling a digital automatic coupler (DAK) for rail vehicles, which is designed as a center buffer coupler (2) and is mounted on the front of a car (1) and has an automatic coupling mechanism (3) for coupling, wherein an actuator unit (4) acting on the coupling mechanism (3) is provided for uncoupling, which can be centrally controlled via an electrical control line (5), wherein for additional or alternative manual uncoupling of the coupling mechanism (3) an operating interface (6; 6') accessible from the side of the car (1) within reach is provided, from which the actuator unit (4) can be locally actuated via a connecting control line (8; 8'), wherein an electrical operating interface (6') is provided for electrical actuation, through which an electrical uncoupling signal is transmitted via the electrical control line (8') to supply a drive motor of the actuator unit (4), wherein in or on the car (1) an electrical energy storage device (11) of the type of a supercapacitor is arranged for short-term energy storage for supplying the electrical actuation, wherein the electrical energy storage device (11) can be charged via the vehicle's electrical system (1) or inductively from the outside.

Inventors

• Cheng Liu
• Tomasz Niepala
• Jury Meshenberg
• Michael Mathieu
• Ulrich Wermund
• Istvan Babos

Assignees

• KB INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH & CO. KG

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20241114

Claims (10)

1. Actuating device for manually uncoupling a digital automatic coupler (DAK) for rail vehicles, which is designed as a center buffer coupler (2) and is mounted on the end of a car (1) and has an automatic coupling mechanism (3) for coupling, wherein an actuator unit (4) acting on the coupling mechanism (3) is provided for uncoupling, which can be centrally controlled via an electrical control line (5), wherein for additional or alternative manual uncoupling of the coupling mechanism (3) an operating interface (6; 6') accessible from the side of the car (1) within reach is provided, from which the actuator unit (4) can be locally actuated via a connecting control line (8; 8'), wherein an electrical operating interface (6') is provided for electrical actuation, via which an electrical uncoupling signal is transmitted via the electrical control line (8') to supply a drive motor of the actuator unit (4), characterized in that in or on the car (1) an electrical energy storage device (11) of the type of a supercapacitor is arranged for short-term energy storage for supplying the electrical actuation and wherein the electrical energy storage device (11) can be charged via the vehicle's electrical system (1) or inductively from the outside.
2. Actuating device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical operating interface (6') comprises at least two electrical contacts, via which an auxiliary power supply and/or control of the actuator unit (4) is provided.
3. Actuating device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical control line (8') is designed as at least a two-pole electrical line.
4. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical operating interface (6; 6') is provided with a lockable cover to protect against unauthorized operation.
5. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating interface (6, 6') is arranged in the corner area (7) of a carriage (1).
6. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation to uncouple the coupling mechanism (3) of the other coupled car can also be carried out via the operating interface (6; 6') of one coupled car (1).
7. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator unit (4) for uncoupling the coupling mechanism (3) is designed as an electromechanical actuator.
8. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic coupling mechanism (3) is designed in the manner of a Scharfenberg mechanism.
9. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical actuation can be triggered by means of a radio remote control or the like in order to activate the uncoupling.
10. Rail vehicle, in particular for freight transport, equipped with at least one Digital Automatic Coupler (DAK) which can be manually uncoupled locally by means of an actuating device according to one of the preceding claims.

Description

The present invention relates to an actuating device for manually uncoupling a digital automatic coupler for rail vehicles, which is designed as a center buffer coupler and is mounted on the end of a car and has an automatic coupling mechanism for coupling. An actuator unit acting on the coupling mechanism is provided for uncoupling and can be centrally controlled via an electrical control line. For manual uncoupling of the coupling mechanism, an operating interface is provided that is accessible from the side of the car within easy reach. From this interface, the actuator unit can be locally actuated via a connecting control line. An electrical operating interface is provided for electrical actuation, through which an electrical uncoupling signal is transmitted via the electrical control line to power a drive motor of the actuator unit. The invention's field of application extends to rail vehicles, particularly for freight transport, where a so-called Digital Automatic Coupling (DAK) is used. This allows freight trains to be assembled efficiently and flexibly through process automation. Furthermore, train-wide digital interfaces enable new functionalities with regard to diagnostics, maintenance, and repair. The intermediate buffer couplings of interest here are primarily based on the well-known principle of a Scharfenberg coupling, which enables purely mechanical engagement when opposing couplings come into contact. In contrast, a DAK (Dual-Actuator Coupling) requires actuator units for uncoupling, which are electrically controlled to move the coupling mechanism into the uncoupled state. The present invention addresses a functional enhancement with regard to the uncoupling process. State of the art From the DE 10 2023 102 659 A1 A central buffer coupling of the Scharfenberg type, serving as a DAK (Dual Automatic Coupling), is described, comprising a coupling housing, a hook disc with a pivot axis, and an actuator with an actuating element, wherein the actuating element interacts with the hook disc. The actuator unit is designed here as an electromechanical actuator with at least one electric motor. The DE 10 2022 123 656 A1 This concerns an arrangement at the coupling point of two rail vehicles with digital automatic coupler halves (DAK) and a synchronization device that enables simultaneous actuation of the electrical actuators of both coupler halves, even without a train-wide TCMS. The core element is at least one bidirectional transmission link between the actuator controllers via binary lines, implemented either wired via the existing electrical coupler (using data contacts or digital interfaces such as Ethernet/CAN) or wirelessly via transmission units (e.g., WiFi Direct, Bluetooth, UWB; optionally 5G/satellite/WLAN). Signal boxes on both vehicles can initiate and abort the uncoupling process and display statuses; microcontrollers and/or wagon control units translate bus signals into binary control signals and enable variants ranging from local synchronization to full TCMS integration. The document DE 10 2020 119 328 A1 This concerns an automatic coupling device with a mechanical coupling mechanism, automatic release mechanism, and manual release via a pull rope and pivoting lever. The lever has a segment with a handle and a groove for winding the rope; stops limit the rotation to approximately 100° and mark the positions. The handle may be detachable, and the lever is mounted laterally on the frame for improved accessibility. With the DE 76 13 990 U An actuating device for manually uncoupling an automatic coupling for rail vehicles is also already known. Automatic coupling and uncoupling with a digital automatic coupler is carried out in the highest expansion stage, DAC5, via a central car control system and an internal electrical power supply, which requires a train-wide power and data line. There are also applications in the so-called DAC2 expansion stage, which only requires automatic mechanical coupling with the Scharfenberg mechanism. Uncoupling in this case requires manual intervention at the center buffer coupler. Until now, manual uncoupling required the shunter to climb into the center of the track between the wagons to be uncoupled. A pivot lever for manual uncoupling is located on the center buffer coupler and must be grasped and operated. Furthermore, after manual uncoupling, the coupling mechanism remains in the ready-to-couple position, making unintentional re-coupling possible. To prevent this, the shunter must continue to hold the coupling mechanism in the uncoupled position. The object of the present invention is to further improve an actuating device for the manual uncoupling of a digital automatic coupler for rail vehicles in such a way that a local manual uncoupling of the coupling mechanism can be carried out simply and safely. Disclosure of the invention The problem is solved starting from an actuating device according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with its character