JP3126701B2 - Coupler - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a coupler for a railway vehicle .
(Hereinafter, simply referred to as a coupler) . More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupler that is lightweight, has no problem of sagging, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a railway vehicle, a coupler 31 has been used to connect between two adjacent vehicles C. Have been.

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a conventional vehicle coupler mainly includes a metal aggregate 32 and a waterproof cloth 33.
Is combined with the above-mentioned aggregate 32 to form a cylindrical shape, so that the vehicle can freely and safely travel between the two adjacent vehicles C.

The aggregate 32 is made of a metal rod such as SUS304 or iron. The aggregate 32 includes a rectangular frame portion 32a and two adjacent frame portions 32a.
And a support rod 32b which is arranged to be inclined so that the space can be extended and contracted.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 9, the coupler 31 is manufactured by sewing a waterproof cloth 33 on the upper and lower ends of a frame portion 32 a of the aggregate 32 using a sewing thread 34 in a ring shape.

[0006] The safety of the coupler is important, but it is also important that the expansion and contraction of the coupler can be maintained without losing its shape when the train passes through a curve, and that the waterproof effect is perfect. It is necessary to satisfy conditions such as light weight, easy attachment and detachment, no breakage of aggregate or waterproof cloth, and no burning. Also, since the coupler is a publicly and socially important vehicle component,
High security is required and it is actually implemented.

[0007] The weight of the entire coupler having the present metal aggregate varies depending on the standard, but in the case of a certain standard, the weight is 40 kg.
Weight. This means that when a force exceeding a certain limit is applied to the metal bone (tolerance limit), the coupling cannot be restored. For example, when a train bends a sharp curve, if a force exceeding a permissible limit is applied to the coupler, the shape of the coupler remains deformed, and the coupler does not return to its original shape and becomes defective. In order to eliminate the occurrence of such a defect, safety is maintained by adding a support rod 32b that functions as a spring between two adjacent frame portions 32a, but the weight of the entire coupler is heavy. In other words, the energy loss required to operate the train increases.

Another problem is that metal aggregates corrode. Aggregate is particularly susceptible to corrosion in the lower part, but the corrosion makes the surface of the aggregate rough. Friction between the roughened aggregate and the waterproofing cloth causes the waterproofing cloth to become defective due to holes and tears as if it were rubbed with a file, resulting in reduced waterproofing or wind. Problems such as intrusion occur. Therefore, the conventional coupler needs to be repaired in about 3 to 5 years.

Therefore, in order to reduce the weight and prevent corrosion,
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, there is a coupler 41 having an aggregate 42 made of fiber reinforced plastic (hereinafter referred to as FRP) instead of an aggregate made of metal.

Connector 41 having aggregate 42 made of FRP
Has a weight of about 20 kg, is very light in comparison with the weight (about 40 kg) of the coupler having the above-mentioned metal aggregate, and can save energy required for operation.

FRP has a specific gravity of about 1.8, and a specific gravity (4.8) of a metal such as steel used for a metal aggregate.
Degree) and very light weight. And FRP
Because the so-called elastic recovery is greater than that of metal, as shown in FIG. 6, when the train passes through a curve, the shape can be sufficiently maintained with a small amount of aggregate relative to the curve of the track. Also, FRP has no corrosion like metal,
In addition, because it is in soft contact with the waterproof cloth and has low friction,
There is also an advantage that a hole or a break in the waterproof cloth is not generated for about 0 years.

An FRP aggregate 4 shown in FIGS.
2 is different in size depending on the type of vehicle, but has a diameter of 8 to
By inserting a straight FRP round bar 42a of about 12 mm into an L-shaped metal pipe 42b, the long side becomes 2 mm.
m, a short frame of about 1 m
About 4 to 7 aggregates 42 per connector are shown in FIG.
Are arranged coaxially as shown in FIG. These aggregates 4
2 is sewn with a waterproof cloth 43 to form a tubular coupler 4.
1 is manufactured.

However, in the case of the FRP aggregate 42, unlike the metal aggregate 32, they are independent of each other, so there is no place to be a fulcrum. There is a drawback that the range of movement increases and the ceiling part sags. Therefore, conventionally, a relatively hard tape-shaped reinforcing cloth 44 is sewn on both sides of the waterproof cloth 43 in order to stabilize the shape and movement of the coupler.

As a result, the coupler 41 made of FRP requires time and effort to sew the reinforcing cloth 44, and furthermore, it is necessary to perform post-processing such as sealing and waterproofing the perforated portion of the sewn portion, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Up.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coupler which is lightweight, has no problem of sagging, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The coupler is composed of a spiral aggregate made of FRP and a waterproof cloth covering the outside of the spiral aggregate.
And at least a portion of the aggregate and the waterproof cloth that are in contact with each other.
A railway with a nearly rectangular cross-section with an adhesive cloth
It is a coupler of a business vehicle .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupler.
Spiral bone made of fiber reinforced plastic
And a waterproof cloth covering the outside of the spiral aggregate,
A tape is provided so as to sandwich the aggregate together with the waterproof cloth.
The tape is thermally fused to the waterproof cloth.
It is a railroad vehicle coupler with a substantially rectangular surface.
It is a sign .

Preferably, an inner cloth for covering the inside of the spiral aggregate is provided.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coupler according to the present invention. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective explanatory view showing an embodiment of the coupler of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the aggregate of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional explanatory view of the coupler of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the adhesive cloth of FIG. The coupler 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a spiral aggregate 2 made of FRP, and a waterproof cloth 3 that covers the outside of the spiral aggregate 2.
It is composed of Both ends of the aggregate 2 are fixed to the vehicle, respectively.

Since the aggregate 2 has a continuous spiral shape, the FRP aggregate 4 comprising a plurality of conventional rectangular frames.
2 (see FIGS. 10 to 11), the aggregate 2 does not move freely, and the movement is limited. Therefore, there is no problem such as the waterproof cloth 3 (especially the ceiling portion) drooping. The reinforcing cloth 44 (FIG. 11) is provided on both sides of the waterproof cloth 3.
) Can be manufactured at low cost, and the appearance is improved and the appearance is improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the train passes through a curve, the coupler 1 can be restored to its original shape (elastic recovery) by the bending elasticity of the FRP. This restoring force can be adjusted by improving the position of the bent portion of the continuous FRP, the distance between the aggregate 2 and the waterproof cloth 3, and the position of the adhesive cloth 4 described later.

Further, by adopting the aggregate 2 made of FRP, the weight of the coupler is reduced to about 12 kg, so that energy saving in train operation can be achieved.

As fibers contained in the FRP constituting the aggregate 2, inorganic fibers such as glass, carbon and ceramic fibers are employed, and organic fibers can also be used.

As the resin contained in the FRP constituting the aggregate 2, a material which can be deformed spirally and which can be cured by heating or the like after the deformation can be used. For example, epoxy resin, vinyl ester resin, phenol resin Etc. can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin because the resin is cured by heating after being deformed into a spiral shape, so that there is little deformation with time and excellent corrosion resistance.

The volume ratio of the fibers contained in the FRP is as follows:
It can be applied up to about 60 to 70% of the entire volume of the FRP, and the higher the fiber ratio, the higher the strength of the FRP. In the resin impregnation method, the resin can be sufficiently impregnated only by dipping the fiber bundle in the resin, but a vacuum impregnation machine may be used.

When manufacturing a spiral aggregate 2 made of FRP, first, a mandrel having a substantially rectangular cross section and made of metal such as iron or stainless steel is prepared.

Next, on the mandrel surface, a desired length of FRP made of inorganic filaments impregnated with a thermosetting resin such as the epoxy resin previously formed into a linear shape is wound (winding).

After that, the linear FRP wound around the mandrel is cured by heating and pressing. Finally, when the mandrel is pulled out of the FRP, a spiral aggregate 2 having a rectangular cross section is produced.

In the present embodiment, the spiral aggregate 2 having a rectangular cross section has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In order to widen the aggregate, a shape in which the upper side and / or the lower side of the aggregate protrudes outward in an arc shape may be adopted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the upper side and the lower side of the aggregate 2 extend in the width direction of the coupler 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. And may extend slightly inclining.

Further, the aggregate 2 is not limited to a round bar, but may be a bar having a flat elliptical cross section.

The waterproof cloth 3 is waterproof (only about 1000 mm), abrasion resistance, tensile strength and shear (tear) strength, light weight, stretchability, long life (about 7 to 10 years), nonflammability (Or flame-retardant), bending strength, difficulty in flapping against wind pressure, weather resistance (waterproof life, discoloration life), adhesion resistance to dirt (metal powder, salt, dust, dirt on the outside of waterproof cloth, dirt, etc.) Of the waterproof cloth), chemical resistance (acid and alkali), water repellency, aesthetics, elastic recovery, and cost reduction are selected.

The waterproof cloth 3 having the above-mentioned performance can be obtained by, for example, using a woven fabric of a coarse density using filament yarns of synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester as a reinforcing material, from both sides of the woven fabric to a vinyl chloride or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Such as olefin elastomers, other urethanes,
A waterproof cloth generally called tarpaulin (trade name) laminated with synthetic rubber or foamed polyethylene is used. Any other waterproof cloth can be used as long as it satisfies predetermined conditions such as waterproofness, strength, and light weight. For example, cotton canvas or synthetic canvas (for example, vinylon) can be used. It is particularly preferable to use the above-mentioned tarpaulin because it satisfies the required strength and is lightweight.

Further, in the present embodiment, the adhesive cloth 4 is disposed at least at a portion where the aggregate 2 and the waterproof cloth 3 are in contact with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive cloth 4 is wound around an appropriate position of the aggregate 2 and is adhered. A pair of the adhesive cloth 4b formed with a large number of small loop-like protrusions adhered to the inner surface of the waterproof cloth 3 is attached to the linear portion of each side of the coupler 1 having a rectangular cross section by 2 to 3 respectively.
About two places (two in the example of FIGS. 1 to 3) may be provided. If the inner surface of the waterproof cloth 3 is fluffy, the adhesive cloth 4b may be omitted. Further, the waterproof cloth can be stopped by a hook instead of the adhesive cloth.

By arranging the adhesive cloths 4a and 4b as described above, the conventional sewing is not required, and the waterproof cloth can be attached to the aggregate with one touch. if,
In the unlikely event that the waterproof cloth 3 is damaged, the waterproof cloth 3 can be easily attached and detached even by a person who is not required to be a conventionally required expert.

In the present embodiment, the waterproof cloth 3 is attached using the adhesive cloths 4a and 4b, but the present invention is not limited to this. As another attachment method, the aggregate 2 may be sandwiched between the outer waterproof cloth 3 and the inner tape, and the tape may be thermally fused to the waterproof cloth 3 by high frequency or the like.

Further, although not shown, an inner cloth having a good view of the inside of the aggregate 2 may be provided in order to improve the beauty of the internal space of the coupler 1 used as a passage between trains. . As the inner cloth, a quilted cloth or a pile cloth is preferable because it has a particularly good appearance.

In the case of disposing the inner cloth, the inner cloth may be fixed by using the adhesive cloth 4a having small hook-like projections wound around the above-mentioned aggregate 2 shown in FIG. In this case as well, the adhesive cloth 4b having the above-described small loop-shaped protrusions may be adhered to the outer surface of the inner cloth, and if the outer surface of the inner cloth is fluffy, the adhesive cloth 4a is interposed between the adhesive cloth 4a and the inner cloth. What is necessary is just to adhere directly.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the waterproof cloth 3 and the inner cloth are attached using the adhesive cloth 4a wound on the aggregate 2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As another mounting method, an adhesive cloth may be provided on surfaces of the waterproof cloth 3 and the inner cloth facing each other, and the waterproof cloth 3 and the inner cloth may be directly bonded. As another mounting method, a waterproof cloth 3
The quilt method may be used to partially sew between the inner cloth and the inner cloth.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the adoption of a spiral aggregate made of FRP as the aggregate makes it lighter than the case of the conventional metal aggregate, and the coupling is made leaner. Since there is no lowering problem and no reinforcing cloth is required, it can be manufactured at low cost. Furthermore, since there is no fear of corrosion, deterioration and breakage of the aggregate itself and the waterproof cloth rubbed with the aggregate are less likely to occur, and as a result, the life of the coupler can be greatly extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing one embodiment of a coupler of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the aggregate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of the coupler of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the adhesive cloth of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a train provided with a conventional vehicle coupler.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the train of FIG. 5 curves.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a conventional aggregate provided with a metal aggregate.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory sectional view of a coupler including the aggregate of FIG. 7;

9 is a partially enlarged view of a sewing portion of the waterproof cloth of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an aggregate in a connector provided with a conventional fiber-reinforced plastic aggregate.

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway front view of the coupler provided with the aggregate of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coupler 2 Aggregate 3 Waterproof cloth 4 Adhesive cloth

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Masaaki Yamamoto, Inventor 3-3-33 Nakamikunigaokacho, Sakai City, Osaka (72) Inventor, Isao Tajima 5--11-17, Nishitomikaga, Nara City (56) References JP-A-2-2 85055 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 3-24968 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model 63-162679 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B61D 17/20-17 / 22 B60D 5/00 B61G 5/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] Mutual and 1. A aggregate comprising the shape of a spiral made of fiber-reinforced plastic, Ri Do and a tarpaulin covering the outside of the spiral aggregates, at least the aggregate and tarpaulin
The cross section where the adhesive cloth is placed in the area
Shaped railway vehicle coupler. 2. A spiral made of fiber reinforced plastic.
And a cover for covering the outside of the spiral aggregate.
It is made of water cloth and sandwiches the aggregate with the waterproof cloth.
Tape is provided on the waterproof cloth.
A connector for a railway vehicle having a substantially rectangular cross section formed by fusion . 3. The coupler for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an inner cloth for covering the inside of the spiral aggregate is provided.