Bogie for a rail vehicle

Abstract: A bogie for a rail vehicle comprising a frame (4) of light design due to the end cross beam (11) being coupled via torsion slack connections to both ends (7) of longitudinal girders (6). As a result the frame (4) may twist without this causing problems at the end cross beam (11). Nor does the end cross beam (11) itself need to be more robust that is required for absorption of the vertical forces caused by braking torque and/or drive torque.

Description: The invention relates to a bogie for a rail vehicle as disclosed in the preamble of the claim. The bogie of this type disclosed in FR-A-2227163 takes such a rigid form that it twists hardly or not at all. The end cross beam in particular is heavily loaded when there is torsion, as this end cross beam and its connection to the longitudinal girders are robustly designed, and this makes the bogie heavy. The invention has for its purpose to provide a simple and lighter design. To this end the characterizing feature of the claim is applied. As a result the frame may twist without this causing problems at the end cross beam. Nor does the end cross beam itself need to be more robust than is required for absorption of the vertical forces caused by braking torque and/or drive torque. EP-0 177 459 discloses a bogie having end cross beams connected to longitudinal girders by means of ball bearings providing a torsionless connection. These ball bearing connections do not provide simple connections. They result in additional manufacturing and maintenance costs. The invention will be elucidated in the description hereinafter with reference to a drawing. In the drawing in schematic form: Fig. 1 shows a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a bogie according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows on a larger scale a perspective view of a rail vehicle at the point of the connection between vehicle body and bogie according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a top view of a bogie according to the invention drawn in more detail; Fig. 4 is a side view of the bogie from fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a section along line V-V from fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a front view along arrow VI from fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is a section along line VII-VII from fig.3. A rail vehicle 1 has a coach body 2 which supports on two bogies 3 according to the invention. Each body 2 has a frame 4 that is constructed from two tubular longitudinal girders 6 with swan-neck shaped ends 7, two pipe-shaped transverse girders 5, which are welded firmly to longitudinal girders 6, and two tubular end cross beams 11 which are connected via torsion slack connections 12 to both ends 7 of longitudinal girders 6. The ends 7 of longitudinal girders 6 support via spiral springs 8 on axle sets 9 which are held in place on frame 4 by means of lying swivelling arms 10 swivelling on horizontal transverse shafts 13. Each axle set 9 is driven via a drive gear 14 and an electro-motor 16 connected thereto with flange connections 15. Drive gear 14 and electro-motor 16 are supported as a unit by a transverse girder 5 and an end cross beam 11 and is connected thereto at three suspension points 17. Each axle set 9 has two brake discs co-acting with braking means 19 which are suspended on end cross beam 11. Absorbed by the end cross beam in addition to the weight of the drive unit and the braking means are the vertical forces of the drive torque and of the braking torque. While the connections 12 have a considerable bending rigidity in the vertical longitudinal plane, they are nevertheless torsion slack. They consist substantially of vertical plates 20 with cross ribs 21 which are arranged close to their neutral axis. It is noted that both a motor bogie and a running bogie without motor can be formed as according to the invention.

Claims: Bogie (3) for a rail vehicle (1) comprising a frame (4) having at least two longitudinal girders (6) and at least two transverse girders (5) and at least one end cross beam (11), wherein said end cross beam (11) is coupled via connections (12) to both ends (7) of said longitudinal girders (6), said connections having a considerable bending rigidity in the vertical longitudinal plane, characterized in that said connections comprise connection elements (12) extending in longitudinal direction of the bogie and having such profile that they combine a considerable bending rigidity in the vertical longitudinal plane with torsion slackness.

Inventors: KEIZER CORNELIS PIETER, KEIZER, CORNELIS PIETER
Applicants: WERKSPOOR SERVICES BV, WERKSPOOR SERVICES B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B61F5
IPC codes: B61F1, B61F5, B61F3, B61H5, F16D55