ES2935501T3 - Protection device for land vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection device (30) for a railway vehicle (10), comprising: a flap (34) movable in rotation with respect to said bodywork; and a first sensor (44), capable of measuring a first distance (64) between the body of the vehicle and a ground located under said vehicle. The protection device also comprises: a flexible strap (36), one end of said strap being attached to the flap; a reel (40) rotatable with respect to the body, one end of the strap (36) being attached to said reel; a motor (42), capable of winding or unwinding the strip of flexible material around the winder; and a computer, capable of determining a position of the reel according to the first distance measured by the first sensor and of controlling the motor according to the measured position. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Protection device for land vehicle

The present invention refers to a protection device for a land vehicle, specifically a rail vehicle, appropriate to be fixed under a front part of a bodywork of said vehicle, said protection device including: a shutter, appropriate to be mounted mobile in rotation with respect to said bodywork along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle; and a first sensor, suitable for measuring a first distance between the body of the vehicle and a ground located under said vehicle.

It is known to equip land vehicles, specifically of the tram type, with protection devices in the event of impact with an obstacle found on the track. In particular, in the case where the obstacle is a pedestrian lying on the ground, the purpose of the protection device is to prevent the wheels of the bogie from injuring the pedestrian. A railway vehicle equipped with such a protection device is specifically described in the document DE20002278U. Other protection devices are known from US-1,893,634 A and DE97920C.

However, the known protection devices have drawbacks. In particular, the protection device described in the document DE20002278U is relatively complex to implement in a railway vehicle.

In order to solve the problems associated with the known devices, the object of the invention is a protection device of the aforementioned type, comprising: a band of elastic material, a first end of said band being fixed to the obturator; a roller, suitable to be mounted so that it can rotate with respect to the bodywork along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, a second end of the band of elastic material being fixed to said roller; a motor, suitable for rotating the roller with respect to the bodywork, so as to wind or unwind the band of elastic material around said roller; and a calculator, suitable for determining a position of the roller as a function of the first distance measured by the first sensor, and for controlling the motor as a function of the measured position.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the protection device includes one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

- the plug includes first and second opposite edges, respectively, proximate to, and remote from, the first axis, the first end of the band of elastic material being attached to the second edge;

- the second edge of the shutter includes a bar to which the first end of the band of elastic material is fixed;

- the elastic material is a non-stretchable material;

- the elastic material is a textile material, preferably comprising Kevlar fibers;

- the device also comprises a second sensor, suitable for measuring a second distance between the body of the vehicle and the ground located under said vehicle;

- the device also comprises a deactivation element, suitable for actuating a winding of the band of elastic material around the roller so as to place the obturator in a retracted position.

The invention also relates to a land vehicle, comprising a bodywork and at least one transmission shaft arranged under said bodywork, the bodywork comprising a front part that protrudes with respect to the transmission shaft according to a direction of movement of said vehicle. the vehicle also comprising, fixed under the front part, a protection device as described above.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the land vehicle includes one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:

- the first sensor is fixed under the front part of the bodywork, rearward with respect to the first axis of rotation of the shutter;

- the first sensor is aligned with at least one wheel of the at least one transmission shaft, according to the direction of movement of the vehicle;

- the second sensor is fixed under the front part of the bodywork, rearward with respect to the first axis of rotation of the shutter.

The invention will be better understood after reading the description that will follow, provided solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings, where:

- [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a protection device in a first configuration;

- [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic detail view of the vehicle of Figure 1; and

- [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a detailed schematic view of the vehicle of Figures 1 and 2, with the protection device in a second configuration.

Figure 1 shows a land vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the vehicle 10 is a railway vehicle, for example of the tram type. In a variant not shown, the land vehicle is a road vehicle, such as a bus or truck.

The railway vehicle 10 includes at least one lead car 12 and, preferably, at least one passenger car 14 connected to said lead car.

The lead wagon 12 includes a body 16 and at least one bogie 18 arranged under said body. The bogie 18 includes 19 wheels.

In the description below, an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) is considered, the Z direction representing the vertical. The railway vehicle 10 is intended to move on rails 20 according to a direction of travel parallel to the direction X.

The bodywork 16 includes a front part 22, which protrudes from the bogie 18 in a direction of movement of the leading wagon 12. In the description below, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood with respect to the X direction.

The front part 22 of the bodywork 16 includes a lower surface 24, which forms a lower end of said front part along the Z direction. A lower space 26 is provided between said lower surface 24 and a lower end of the bogie 18, along the vertical Z.

The lead wagon 12 also includes a protection device 30, arranged in the lower space 26. Said device 30 is intended to prevent the bogie 18 from rolling over an obstacle 32 located on the rails 20.

The protection device 30 can be seen more precisely in Figures 2 and 3. The protection device 30 includes: a shutter 34; a band 36 of elastic material 38; a roller 40; a 42 engine; a first sensor 44; and a computer 46. In the embodiment shown, the protection device 30 also includes a second sensor 48.

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the shutter 34, the roller 40, the band 36 of elastic material, the first 44 and the second 48 sensors, are fixed to the lower surface 24 of the front part 22 of the body 16 , in order to be arranged in the lower space 26.

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the plug 34 is mounted so that it can be rotated with respect to the front part 22 of the body 16 along a first axis 50 parallel to Y.

Preferably, plug 34 includes first 52 and second 54 opposing edges, respectively, proximal to, and remote from, the first axis 50.

In the embodiment shown, the plug 34 is materialized by bars 56, 58. More precisely, the plug 34 includes two longitudinal bars 56 and at least one transverse bar 58.

The longitudinal bars 56 are arranged on both sides of a median plane (X, Z) of the rail vehicle 10. A first end of each of the longitudinal bars 56 is articulated to the bodywork 16 along the first axis 50, said first ends forming the first edge 52 of the shutter 34.

The transversal bar 58 is arranged along Y, and is attached to a second end of each of the longitudinal bars 56. The transversal bar 58 embodies the second edge 54 of the obturator 34.

The band 36 of elastic material 38 has a substantially rectangular shape, extending between a first 60 and a second end. The first end 60 of said band 36 of elastic material is fixed to the transversal bar 58 of the obturator 34.

According to a first variant, the first end 60 of the band 36 is free to rotate with respect to the transversal bar 58. According to a second variant, the first end 60 of the band 36 is integral with said transverse bar 58.

Preferably, the elastic material 38 is flexible, but not stretchable.

Preferably, the elastic material 38 is a textile material, chosen in particular for its resistance to tearing. More preferably, elastic material 38 is a textile material comprising Kevlar fibers.

As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the roller 40 is mounted movable in rotation with respect to the front part 22 of the bodywork 16 along a second axis 62 parallel to Y. The second axis 62 is located at the front part of the vehicle rail 10 with respect to the first axis 50 of rotation of the shutter 34.

The second end (not shown) of the band 36 of elastic material 38 is attached to the roller 40.

The motor 42 is connected to the roller 40. As will be described below, the motor 42 is intended to rotate the roller 40 with respect to the bodywork 16 along the second axis 62, so as to wind up or unwind the band 36 of elastic material around said roller.

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the first sensor 44 is fixed under the front part 22 of the bodywork 16, so as to measure a first distance 64 between said front part 22 and the ground under the rail vehicle 10.

Preferably, the first sensor 44 is X-aligned with at least one wheel 19 of the bogie 18. Therefore, the first distance 64 is measured between the front part 22 of the bodywork 16 and a first rail 20.

In the embodiment shown, the second sensor 48 is fixed under the front part 22 of the bodywork 16, so as to measure a second distance 66 between said front part 22 and the ground located under the rail vehicle 10.

Preferably, the first 44 and second 48 sensors are substantially identical. Said sensors are, for example, distance sensors, of the lidar type.

Preferably, the first 44 and second 48 sensors are positioned opposite each other with respect to the median plane (X, Z) of the rail vehicle 10. More preferably, each of the first 44 and second 48 sensors is X-aligned with a wheel 19 of the bogie 18. Therefore, the second distance 66 is measured between the front part 22 of the bodywork 16 and a second rail 20, parallel to the first rail.

Preferably, each of the first 44 and second 48 sensors is attached to the front 22 of the body 16, rearward with respect to the first 50 axis of rotation of the plug 34. More preferably, the first 44 and second 48 sensors are located close to each other. to said first axis 50 according to X.

According to a first variant, not shown, the first 44 and second 48 sensors are located close to the first end 60 of the band 36 according to X. According to a second variant, not shown, the protection device comprises a third sensor, centered on the vehicle, for example, included in the median plane (X, Z). A third sensor of this type makes it possible, in the event of a closed curve of the rails, to measure the shortest distance between the vehicle and the ground under any circumstance.

The computer 46 is incorporated in the railway vehicle 10. Said computer 46 is electronically connected, on the one hand, to the first 44 and second 46 sensors, and, on the other hand, to the motor 42. As will be detailed below, the computer 46 is suitable for determining an angular disposition of the roller 40, as a function of the first 64 and/or of the second 66 distance measured by the first 44 or by the second 48 sensor.

As will be described below, the protection device 30 described above allows the shutter 34 to pivot with respect to the bodywork 16, in the lower space 26. Figures 1 and 2, on the one hand, and Figure 3, on the other hand , represent the obturator 34 in a first and a second different angular positions, corresponding to a first and a second configuration of the protection device 30.

In particular, in Figures 1 and 2, the rails 20 located under the front part 22 of the bodywork 16 extend substantially horizontally. Instead, Figure 3 depicts the rail vehicle 10 as the front end 22 reaches the beginning 70 of a slope. In the example shown, it is a downward slope.

In each of the first and second configurations of the guard 30, the second edge 54 of the plug 34 is disposed forward of the first edge 52 in the X-direction. Furthermore, in each of the first and second configurations, the second edge 54 of shutter 34 is arranged lower than roller 40 in direction Z.

On the other hand, in each of the first and second configurations, the second edge 54 of the shutter, that is, the transversal bar 58, presents a non-zero spacing 72 with respect to the rails 20 according to the Z direction. Said spacing 72 is substantially identical in the first and second configurations.

As will be described below, the non-zero spacing 72 is chosen to be small enough to prevent an obstacle 32, such as a human body lying on the rails 20, from passing under the shutter 34 during the movement of the rail vehicle 10. Furthermore, the spacing 72 is chosen to be large enough to avoid rubbing of the plug 34 against the ground and/or contact with small objects of the gravel type, which are located between the rails 20.

On the other hand, in the first configuration of Figures 1 and 2, the second edge 54 of the shutter 34 is closer to the roller 40 according to Z, than in the second configuration of Figure 3.

In the first and second configurations of the protection device 30, the roller 40 has, respectively, first and second angular arrangements, different from one another. The length of the band 36 wound on the roller 40 is greater in the first configuration of Figures 1 and 2 than in the second configuration of Figure 3.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the protection device 30 also includes a deactivation element (not shown), for example, in the form of a control button connected to the computer 46. Said control button is integrated, for For example, in a control panel located in the lead car 12.

Actuation of the deactivation element entrains the winding of the band 36, so as to place the shutter 34 in a retracted position. Preferably, in said shutter retracted position, the crossbar 58 is a minimum distance from the lower surface 24 of the front part of the bodywork 16.

Such a deactivation element enables an operator, in particular, to disable the protection device 30, in the event of unfavorable external conditions, for example, in the event of flooding or heavy snowfall.

An implementation method of the protection device 30 of the railway vehicle 10 will now be described.

It is considered that the railway vehicle 10 travels on substantially horizontal rails 20, the protection device 30 being in the first configuration of Figure 1. A part of the band 36 of elastic material 38 unfolds between the roller 40 and the crossbar 58 of the shutter 34, another part of said band being wound around the roller 40. Preferably, the weight of the transverse bar 58 keeps the unwound part of the band 36 of elastic material taut.

When the rails 20 located under the first 44 and second 48 sensors are horizontal, each of said sensors measures an initial value of either the first 64 or second 66 distance. Said initial value, communicated to the calculator 46, allows said calculator to determine the angular position of the roller 40, so as to maintain the separation 72 between the second edge 54 of the shutter and the rails 20. The angular position of the shutter 34 is determined by the length of the unfolded part of the band 36.

According to one embodiment, when the calculator 46 receives the values of the first 64 and second 66 distances, said calculator takes an average of said values, in order to deduce from it the angular disposition of the roller 40. An embodiment of this type makes it possible, for example, to take into account height differences between the two rails 20.

For the rest, in the event of failure of one of the first 44 and second 48 sensors, the computer 46 only takes into account the value provided by the sensor in operation.

In the event of the presence of an obstacle 32 on the rails 20, the cross bar 58 comes into contact with said obstacle 32. The band 36 of elastic material 38 retains said obstacle 32 and prevents it from coming into contact with the wheels 19 of the bogie 18 .

Eventually, the stress exerted by the obstacle 32 on the band 36 causes the unwinding of the roller 40. However, preferably, the total length of the band 36 is chosen short enough to keep the obstacle 32 away from the wheels 19.

Preferably, the protection device 30 is configured in such a way that the impact of the obstacle 32 is detected, for example, at the level of the shutter 34 or of the roller 40, and triggers an emergency braking device of the rail vehicle 10.

At this time, it is considered that, in the absence of obstacle 32, the railway vehicle 10 reaches the level of a descending slope, as represented in Figure 3.

When the first 44 and/or second 48 sensor reaches the vertical of the beginning 70 of the slope, said first or second sensor measures a new value of the first 64 and/or second 66 distance, different from the initial value. In the case illustrated in Figure 3, the new value is greater than the initial value.

The new value of the first 64 and/or of the second 66 distance is communicated to the computer 46 by the first 44 and/or by the second 48 sensor. Said calculator 46 determines a new angular disposition of the roller 40, appropriate to maintain the separation 72 between the second edge 54 of the shutter and the rails 20.

Then, the computer 46 drives the motor 42, to set the roller 40 in rotation, so as to wind or unwind the band 36 of the appropriate length. In the case illustrated in Figure 3, the band 36 is unwound. Led by the weight of the cross bar 58, which holds the unfolded part of the band 36 taut, the shutter 34 pivots downwards to the second configuration.

On the contrary, in the case of an ascending slope, the band 36 is rolled up, and the obturator 34 pivots upwards, dragged by the first end 60 of said band.

Therefore, regardless of the slope of the lanes 20 at the level of the front 22 of the bodywork 16, the protection device 30 maintains a substantially constant spacing 72 with the lanes 20, so as to effectively protect a pedestrian who is meet in front of rail vehicle 10.

Advantageously, the positioning of the first 44 and second 48 sensors backwards with respect to the shutter 34, prevents said sensors from being vertical to an obstacle 32, before said obstacle comes into contact with the shutter 34. Therefore, the protection device 30 is not misled by such an obstacle, as regards the distance 64, 66 with the rails 20.

Tramway railways generally respect standards associated with slopes of limited inclination. Therefore, it is possible to parameterize the calculator 46, to allow the protection device 30 to anticipate the variations in slope of the rails 20. Preferably, said protection device 30 is suitable to maintain the separation 72 included in an interval centered on a nominal value said nominal value being stored in the computer 46 .

Likewise, the motor 42 is chosen with a maximum speed compatible with the maximum slopes of the rails, and with a maximum speed of the rail vehicle 10

Preferably, during the putting into service of the rail vehicle 10 equipped with the protection device 30, said device is calibrated to adjust the nominal value of the gap 72. The optimal nominal value can vary depending on factors such as the load of the vehicle 10 , the wear of the wheels 19 or an eventual snowfall on the tracks.

Claims (10)

Yo. Protection device (30) for a land vehicle (10), suitable for being fixed under a front part (22) of a bodywork (16) of said vehicle, said protection device including: a shutter (34), suitable for mobile mounting on rotation with respect to said bodywork along a first axis (50) substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle; and a first sensor (44), suitable for measuring a first distance (64) between the body of the vehicle and a ground located under said vehicle, the protection device being characterized in that it comprises: - a band (36) of elastic material (38), a first end (60) of said band being fixed to the obturator; - a roller (40), suitable to be mounted so that it can rotate with respect to the bodywork along a second axis (62) substantially parallel to the first axis, a second end of the band (36) of elastic material being fixed to said roller; - a motor (42), suitable for rotating the roller with respect to the bodywork, so as to wind or unwind the band of elastic material around said roller; and - a computer (46), suitable for determining a position of the roller as a function of the first distance measured by the first sensor, and for controlling the motor as a function of the measured position. Device according to claim 1, wherein the plug (34) includes a first (52) and a second (54) opposing edges, respectively, proximal to, and remote from, the first axis (50), the first end being ( 60) of the band of elastic material attached to the second edge. Protection device according to claim 2, wherein the second edge (54) of the shutter includes a bar (58) to which the first end of the band of elastic material is fixed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic material (38) is a non-stretchable material. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic material (38) is a textile material, preferably comprising Kevlar fibers. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second sensor (48), suitable for measuring a second distance (66) between the body of the vehicle and the ground located under said vehicle. Device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a deactivation element, suitable for actuating a winding of the band (36) of elastic material around the roller (40), so as to position the shutter in a retracted position. 8. Land vehicle (10, 12), specifically rail, comprising a bodywork (16) and at least one transmission shaft arranged under said bodywork, the bodywork comprising a front part (22) protruding from the transmission shaft according to a direction (X) of movement of said vehicle, the vehicle also comprising, fixed under the front part (22), a protection device (30) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the first sensor (44) is fixed under the front part of the bodywork, rearward with respect to the first axis (50) of rotation of the plug (34). Vehicle according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first sensor (44) is aligned with at least one wheel (19) of the at least one drive shaft, according to the direction of travel of the vehicle.