MOUNTING A RAIL VEHICLE COMPONENT ON A BODY ROOF OF A RAIL VEHICLE BODY

A rail vehicle body has a body roof and a rail vehicle component is mounted on the body roof. A form-fitting portion of a mounting element is positively retained in a receptacle positioned on the body roof creating a form fit at the mounting point or each of the mounting points. A passage portion connected to the respective form-fitting portion is led to the outside out of an opening of the respective receptacle. A mounting portion of the respective mounting element located outside the receptacle forms a connection point for the rail vehicle component. The form-fitting portion is separated from the base of the respective associated receptacle by an elastic separating body.

The invention relates to a rail vehicle body having a body roof and a rail vehicle component which is fixed to the body roof.

In aluminum constructions, C-shaped rails which provide one or more fixing locations for fixing in the longitudinal direction are often used for the assembly of rail vehicle components on body roofs. As a result of production tolerances, there is often the problem that a height adaptation has to be carried out during the assembly of the rail vehicle components in order to achieve a situation in which the orientation of the rail vehicle components on the body roof is brought about—generally in a horizontal manner—within predetermined tolerances. Nowadays, so-called shims are generally used for the height adaptation.

An object of the invention is to improve the fixing of rail vehicle components on body roofs of rail vehicle bodies.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a rail vehicle body having the features according to patent claim1. Advantageous embodiments of the rail vehicle body according to the invention are set out in dependent claims.

There is accordingly provision according to the invention for a positive-locking portion of a fixing element to be retained in a positive-locking manner at the fixing location(s) on the body roof so as to form a positive-locking connection in a receiving member fitted to the body roof, an introduction portion which is connected to the positive-locking portion to be directed outward from an opening of the receiving member, a fixing portion of the fixing element to form a connection location for the rail vehicle component, which fixing portion is located outside the receiving member, and the positive-locking portion to be separated from the base of the associated receiving member by a resilient separation member.

A substantial advantage of the fixing system according to the invention is that, as a result of the combination provided according to the invention of a positive-locking connection with a resilient separation member, a simple height adaptation and orientation of the rail vehicle component are possible: at the fixing locations, only separation members which have a thickness adapted to the respective fixing location have to be used to correct the height or to adapt the height. Furthermore, the separation members damp oscillations as a result of their resilience; the fixing elements are prevented from being torn out by the positive-locking connection.

Another substantial advantage of the fixing system according to the invention is that electro-corrosion problems can be prevented at the interface between the fixing element and the receiving member. Even if the material of the receiving member fitted to the body roof is different from the material of the fixing element fixed thereto and consequently there could be electro-corrosion owing to the difference in material, direct contact is prevented as a result of the separation provided according to the invention between the base of the receiving member and the fixing element as a result of the resilient separation member at that location so that no electro-corrosion will occur at that location as long as a suitable material, preferably a material which is non-conductive or poorly conductive, is selected for the resilient separation member.

With regard to optimum oscillation damping, it is considered to be advantageous for the resilient separation member to comprise rubber.

The rail vehicle component is preferably fitted on the fixing portion of the fixing element so as to form a plug type connection, which fixing portion is located outside the receiving member. The plug type connection can be secured by a split-pin or the like.

The resilient separation member is preferably positioned on the base of the receiving member before the fixing element is inserted into the receiving member.

In order to achieve a secure fixing of the rail vehicle component on the body roof, it is considered to be advantageous for the rail vehicle component to be positioned on the body roof at least at two fixing locations. Preferably, the thickness of the separation member at one of the fixing locations is greater than or smaller than the thickness of the separation member at another of the fixing locations in order to achieve tolerance compensation with respect to the local assembly height.

In order to achieve complete separation of the positive-locking portion of the fixing element from the associated receiving member, it is considered to be advantageous for the positive-locking portion(s) to be embedded in the associated receiving member thereof in a casting material and to be separated from the receiving member by the casting material and the resilient separation member.

Preferably, the casting material is an adhesive material in order to permanently fix the positioning of the positive-locking portion or the fixing element inside the receiving member. The casting material and the adhesive material are preferably poorly conductive or non-conductive in order to prevent electro-corrosion.

It is advantageous, for simple and rapid assembly of the fixing element in the receiving member, for the positive-locking portion and the opening of the associated receiving member to form a bayonet type connection.

The positive-locking portions and the openings of the associated receiving members are preferably constructed in such a manner that, in a first adjustment position, the positive-locking portion can be introduced into the receiving member from above through the opening, the positive-locking portion can be rotated in the receiving member and there is formed, by the positive-locking portion being rotated in the receiving member, a positive-locking connection which prevents the positive-locking portion from being withdrawn upward from the receiving member.

The body roof preferably has an extruded rail which forms an opening slot which extends in the extrusion direction of the rail. The extruded rail can, for example, be formed by a portion of an extrusion profile. The rail or the extrusion profile are preferably components of the body roof; alternatively, they can be positioned on the body roof.

In the event of assembly on a rail, it is considered to be advantageous if the rail forms one or more receiving member(s) which is/are located one behind the other in the extrusion direction of the rail.

The extruded rail is preferably arranged parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle body.

The rail vehicle component may be fixed directly to the fixing element(s); alternatively, it is possible to provide only indirect fixing by a platform, on which the rail vehicle component is in turn fixed, being fitted to the fixing element(s).

The invention further relates to a method for assembling a rail vehicle component on a body roof of a rail vehicle body.

With regard to such a method, there is provision according to the invention for a resilient separation member to be inserted at least at one fixing location in a receiving member which is fitted to the body roof, a positive-locking portion of a fixing element to be introduced in the receiving member so as to form a positive-locking connection between the positive-locking portion and the receiving member and to be positioned on the separation member, and the rail vehicle component to be fitted directly or indirectly to a fixing portion of the fixing element, which fixing portion is located outside the receiving member.

With respect to the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference may be made to the above explanations in connection with the rail vehicle body according to the invention because the advantages of the method according to the invention substantially correspond to those of the rail vehicle body according to the invention.

With regard to a complete separation of the positive-locking portion from the receiving member, it is considered to be advantageous for the positive-locking portion(s) to be embedded in a casting material and for the positive-locking portions to be separated from the inner walls of the receiving members by the casting material and the resilient separation members. The casting material is preferably an adhesive material so that the positive-locking portion(s) is/are adhesively bonded in the associated receiving member thereof.

With regard to optimum adjustment of the rail vehicle component, it is considered to be advantageous for a resilient separation member to be inserted in a receiving member which is fitted to the body roof at least at two fixing locations and a height difference present in respect of the receiving members to be compensated for completely or at least partially by the thickness of the separation members being selected to be different and the assembly height of the positive-locking portions of the fixing elements thereby being adjusted to each other.

For the sake of clarity, the same reference numerals are always used in the Figures for identical or comparable components.

FIG. 1is a schematic cross-section of a rail vehicle body10. It can be seen that there are provided on the body roof20of the rail vehicle body10two extruded rails30and40, on which a rail vehicle component50is assembled.

The rail vehicle component50may be, for example, a current collector, an air conditioning device, a current converter, a transformer, a frequency converter or the like.

The two extruded rails30and40may form an integral component of the body roof20or have been subsequently fixed to the body roof20as separate components.

FIG. 2is a plan view of the rail vehicle body10with the rail vehicle component50assembled thereon. There can be seen the two extruded rails30and40, on which the rail vehicle component50is positioned. In the embodiment according toFIG. 2, four fixing locations100,110,120and130are provided for fixing. Alternatively, more or fewer fixing locations than are shown inFIG. 2may naturally be provided.

FIG. 3is a cross-section of an embodiment of the fixing location100according toFIG. 2. There can be seen the extruded rail30which has an upper slot; the upper slot forms an opening200, through which the interior of the rail30is accessible from the outer side. The interior of the rail30forms a receiving member210, in which a fixing element220is retained in a positive-locking manner. The fixing element220has a positive-locking portion230, an introduction portion240and a fixing portion250.

The positive-locking portion230of the fixing element220is retained in a positive-locking manner in the receiving member210because the cross-section of the positive-locking portion230is greater than the opening200of the rail30. In the illustration according toFIG. 3, therefore, it is not possible to withdraw the fixing element220upward as a result of the positive-locking portion230.

The introduction portion240extends through the opening200in the rail30and connects the fixing portion250to the positive-locking portion230.

The rail vehicle component50illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2can be assembled directly on the fixing portion250. Alternatively, it is possible first to assemble on the fixing portion250a platform300on which the rail vehicle component50is then subsequently positioned (cf.FIG. 2). A shim310can further be provided between the platform300and the rail vehicle component50for tolerance compensation.

A through-hole320, through which a split-pin which is not shown inFIG. 3can be fitted, is provided in the fixing portion250for locking the rail vehicle component50which is not illustrated inFIG. 3on the fixing portion250and also for locking the platform300or the shim310.

InFIG. 3, it can further be seen that the positive-locking portion230of the fixing element220is not positioned directly on the base210aof the receiving member210but instead is separated from the base210aby a resilient separation member400. The resilient separation member400preferably comprises rubber in order to ensure both optimum oscillation damping in a vertical direction and electrical insulation in order to prevent electro-corrosion.

The arrangement according toFIG. 3can be assembled, for example, as follows:

Firstly, the resilient separation member400is introduced into the receiving member210of the rail30and positioned on the base210aof the receiving member210. Subsequently, the fixing element220is inserted in the receiving member210of the rail30. In the embodiment according toFIG. 3, the insertion of the fixing element220can be carried out, for example, in that the fixing element220is inserted in the rail with the positive-locking portion230thereof at one of the two ends of the rail30and, from there, is pushed in the longitudinal direction of the rail to the fixing location100(seeFIG. 2).

After the fixing element220is inserted, casting of the components with each other is preferably carried out by a casting material500being poured into the receiving member210of the rail30in the region of the fixing element220. Such a pouring action can be carried out, for example, through the slot in the rail30or the opening200. Alternatively, the casting material500may also be introduced through an additional filling hole600which is schematically illustrated inFIG. 3by broken lines.

The casting material500is preferably an adhesive material which securely fixes the position of the positive-locking portion230in the receiving member210after hardening.

In order to reduce or to prevent a flow of the casting material500away perpendicularly to the plane of the image inFIG. 3or in the longitudinal direction of the rail, a securing element, for example, in the form of a beam, can be fitted before and/or after the fixing element220. After hardening of the casting material, such a securing element can further also act as a means for preventing the fixing element220from being torn out with respect to forces which act in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

An embodiment of such a securing element is illustrated inFIG. 4, which is a longitudinal section through the fixing location100in the longitudinal direction of the rail, and designated610at that location.FIG. 5is a plan view of the fixing location100.

The fixing element220may, for example, be formed by a bolt whose positive-locking portion230forms a bolt plate. In the case of a bolt acting as a fixing element220, it is considered to be advantageous if the bolt is formed by a rotationally symmetrical member. A rotationally symmetrical member may be produced, for example, by rotation.

Alternatively, it is possible to select the construction of the positive-locking portion230so that it forms, depending on the spatial orientation thereof with respect to the opening200of the rail30, a bayonet type connection therewith. Such a construction has the advantage that the fixing element220does not have to be inserted into the rail at one of the two rail ends of the rail30, as described above by way of example, but instead can be inserted directly into the receiving member210from above through the opening200; a securing or a positive-locking connection of the positive-locking portion230is achieved in such an embodiment only after the fixing element220has been rotated relative to the rail30or about the longitudinal axis of the introduction portion240.

In the context of the assembly of the fixing elements220in the respective receiving members210, there is preferably brought about an adaptation of the height of the fixing elements relative to the height of the other fixing elements which are fitted at the other fixing locations110,120and130on the body roof20according toFIG. 2. Generally, the receiving members210at the fixing locations100,110,120and130according toFIG. 2will not have exactly the same absolute height as a result of assembly tolerances, but will instead differ from each other slightly in terms of height: however, such deviation would result in the rail vehicle component50assembled thereon not lying in a horizontal manner. In order to achieve a precise orientation, in particular a precise horizontal position of the assembled rail vehicle component50, the thickness d of the resilient separation members400is preferably selected so as to be different so that the fixing portions250which are used to assemble the rail vehicle component50actually have the same absolute height after the fixing elements220are positioned on the separation member400, respectively. By the fixing elements220being cast in the receiving members210, it is subsequently ensured that the positioning of the fixing elements220is permanently fixed at the provided height.

FIG. 6shows another example of a fixing location, by means of which a rail vehicle component50can be fixed on a body roof20. In the embodiment according toFIG. 6, a receiving element700whose inner walls form a receiving member710for a fixing element220can be seen. The receiving member710has an opening720through which an introduction portion240of the fixing element220is introduced. A positive-locking portion230of the fixing element220is located at the inner side of the receiving member710. It can be seen that the positive-locking portion230is retained in the receiving member710so that it is not possible to withdraw the fixing element220upward in the illustration according toFIG. 6.

FIG. 7is a plan view of the receiving element700. It can be seen that the opening720, through which the receiving member710is accessible from above, is not rotationally symmetrical unlike the outer walls of the receiving element700, but instead has four rotationally symmetrically arranged opening portions750,751,752and753which protrude radially outward. In order to allow introduction of the positive-locking portion230of the fixing element220through the opening720, the shape of the positive-locking portion230is adapted to the shape of the opening720. Thus, the positive-locking portion230has radially protruding part-portions which correspond to the opening portions750to753of the opening720. Two of those part-portions of the positive-locking portion230are shown inFIG. 6and designated230aand230b.

The assembly of the fixing element220according toFIG. 6can be carried out, for example, as follows:

At first, a resilient separation member400, by which the base710ais completely covered with respect to the fixing element220to be assembled thereon, is fitted to the base710aof the receiving member710.

Subsequently, the positive-locking portion230is rotated or positioned in such a manner that it can be introduced through the opening720into the receiving member710; for example, the mutually opposing part-portions230aand230bare orientated relative to the mutually opposing opening portions750and752in such a manner that they are aligned with each other.

After the fixing element220has been positioned on the resilient separation member400, the fixing element220is rotated relative to the receiving element700or relative to the receiving member710in order—as in a bayonet type closure—to produce a positive-locking connection between the positive-locking portion230and the receiving member710. In the embodiment according toFIGS. 6 and 7, a rotation through 45 degrees is brought about for locking.

After the fixing element220has been positioned correctly and is retained in the receiving member710in a positive-locking manner, a casting of the fixing element220and the separation member400is preferably carried out inside the receiving member710by a casting material500—preferably in the form of an adhesive material—being poured into the receiving member710. As soon as the casting material500has hardened, the fixing element220is securely retained in the receiving member710so that it is subsequently possible to securely fix a rail vehicle component on the fixing element220, as already explained in connection with theFIGS. 1 to 3.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variants can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.