U.S. patent application number 16/640077 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for covering system for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Eberhard Schubert, Philipp Zeitler.
Application Number | 20200198667 16/640077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62843148 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200198667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeitler; Philipp ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
COVERING SYSTEM FOR WHEELSET SHAFTS OF RAIL VEHICLES
Abstract
A covering system for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles includes
a cover, a wheelset bearing unit, and a centering device. The
wheelset bearing unit has an axis of rotation, a bearing housing
with an end face facing towards the cover, and a wheelset bearing
for the mounting of a wheelset shaft. The wheelset bearing has an
end cap surrounded by the cover. The centering device is for
aligning the cover in relation to the bearing housing. The
centering device includes a groove on the end face.
Inventors: |
Zeitler; Philipp; (Kups,
DE) ; Schubert; Eberhard; (Bundorf, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG |
Herzogenaurach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Schaeffler Technologies AG &
Co. KG
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
62843148 |
Appl. No.: |
16/640077 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
July 11, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE2018/100630 |
371 Date: |
February 19, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 30/36 20130101;
B61F 15/26 20130101; B61F 19/00 20130101; B61F 15/20 20130101; B61D
43/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61F 19/00 20060101
B61F019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2017 |
DE |
10 2017 119 250.6 |
Claims
1.-9. (canceled)
10. A covering system for wheelset shafts of rail vehicles
comprising: a cover; a wheelset bearing unit comprising: an axis of
rotation; a bearing housing comprising an end face facing towards
the cover; and a wheelset bearing for the mounting of a wheelset
shaft, the wheelset bearing comprising an end cap surrounded by the
cover; and a centering device for aligning the cover in relation to
the bearing housing, the centering device comprising a groove on
the end face.
11. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the groove is shaped
as a circular arc.
12. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises an
elevation aligned with the bearing housing and engaged with the
groove.
13. The covering system of claim 12, wherein a depth (TN) of the
groove, measured in an axial direction starting from the end face,
is greater than a depth (TE) of the elevation.
14. The covering system of claim 12, wherein: the cover comprises a
flange segment that lies against the end face; and the elevation is
arranged on the flange segment.
15. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises a
flange segment that lies against the end face.
16. The covering system of claim 10, further comprising a gasket
arranged between the cover and the bearing housing.
17. The covering system of claim 10, wherein the cover covers a
generator unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is the United States National Phase of PCT
Appin. No. PCT/DE2018/100630 filed Jul. 11, 2018, which claims
priority to German Application No. DE102017119250.6 filed Aug. 23,
2017, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The disclosure relates to a covering system for wheelset
shafts of rail vehicles and a generator system with such a covering
system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As a rule, wheelset bearings are arranged on the wheelset
shafts, having an end cap. The end cap of the wheelset bearing
covers the wheelset bearing and prevents particles from getting
into the wheelset bearing. Normally, no additional covering is
needed to cover the end cap.
[0004] When a device is mounted on the end cap, such as a device
for monitoring an operating variable of a wheelset bearing
according to DE 10 2006 035 703 A1, an additional cover is required
to cover the device. The cover from DE 10 2006 035 703 A1 basically
covers the end of the wheel axle distant from the wheel and it is
releasably connected by screws to the rest of the housing.
[0005] Further possibilities of covering an end of the wheelset
shaft are disclosed in DE 10 2009 050 145 A1 or in DE 199 34 307
A1.
SUMMARY
[0006] The covering system according to the disclosure for wheelset
shafts of rail vehicles includes a cover and a wheelset bearing
unit. The wheelset bearing unit has a bearing housing and a
wheelset bearing for the mounting of a wheelset shaft.
[0007] Furthermore, the wheelset bearing has an end cap and the
cover surrounds the end cap of the wheelset bearing. The covering
system according to the disclosure is characterized by a centering
device for aligning the cover in relation to the bearing housing.
The centering device has at least one groove on the end face of the
bearing housing facing toward the cover. The bearing housing is
often also called the adapter, which is connected to the bogie of
the rail vehicle.
[0008] Preferably, the groove is shaped as a circular arc. The
circular arc groove is fashioned coaxially to the wheelset bearing.
Furthermore, the groove preferably extends over the entire width of
the end face of the bearing housing. The width of the bearing
housing is measured in the radial direction, starting from the axis
of rotation of the bearing housing.
[0009] In one example embodiment, the cover includes at least one
elevation aligned with the bearing housing that engages with the
groove of the bearing housing. The elevation extends for example
across the entire length of the groove. Alternatively, the
elevation extends for a portion along the length of the groove. For
example, a plurality of elevations may be formed on the cover, with
the elevations engaging in a groove or each elevation in a
groove.
[0010] Moreover, the depth of the groove in the bearing housing,
measured in the axial direction starting from the axis of rotation
of the wheelset bearing, is greater than the depth of the elevation
of the cover. This ensures that the end face of the bearing housing
lies flat with the end face of the cover and no unwanted air gap is
produced between the bearing housing and the cover.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the cover includes at least one
flange segment, which lies against the end face of the bearing
housing. The flange segment of the cover is preferably joined by
means of two connection elements, especially screws, to the bearing
housing of the wheelset bearing unit. That is, the cover is joined
to the bearing housing of the wheelset bearing unit by means of
screw connections. Preferably, the cover includes two flange
segment, which are arranged in particular symmetrically on the
bearing housing of the wheelset bearing unit. Moreover, it is
expedient for the at least one elevation to be arranged on the at
least one flange segment of the cover.
[0012] In one example embodiment, the covering system includes a
gasket arranged between the cover and the bearing housing of the
wheelset bearing unit. The gasket is formed for example as a
labyrinth seal. Preferably, the wheelset bearing is designed as a
tapered roller bearing.
[0013] Moreover, the cover may cover a device, especially a
generator unit. This means that a generator unit is situated
axially next to the end cap of the wheelset bearing and surrounded
by the cover.
[0014] The generator system according to the disclosure for rail
vehicles includes a generator unit and the above described covering
system. The generator unit is located in the cover of the covering
system. The generator unit includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor
is coupled to the end cap of the wheelset bearing and the stator to
the cover of the covering system. Preferably, the generator unit is
designed as a pancake generator.
[0015] Further details, features, combinations of features and
effects based on the disclosure will emerge from the following
description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. In
the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a covering system
according to the disclosure in perspective view,
[0017] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bearing housing in
perspective view,
[0018] FIG. 3 shows the cover of FIG. 1 in perspective front
view,
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the cover of FIG. 1 in perspective rear
view,
[0020] FIG. 5 shows the covering system of FIG. 1 in side view,
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a cutout feature of the connection between the
cover and the bearing housing of the covering system of FIG. 1 in
cross sectional view,
[0022] FIG. 7 shows the cross sectional view A-A of FIG. 5, and
[0023] FIG. 8 shows the cross sectional view B-B of FIG. 5.
[0024] In all of the figures, the same or equivalent parts are
given the same reference symbols.
[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 represent an exemplary
embodiment of a covering system 1 according to the disclosure for
wheelset shafts of rail vehicles in various views. The covering
system 1 includes a cover 2 and a wheelset bearing unit 3, the
cover 2 being rotationally fixed to the wheelset bearing unit
3.
[0026] The wheelset bearing unit 3 includes a bearing housing 4,
often also called an adapter, as well as a wheelset bearing 5. The
wheelset bearing 5 includes a bearing inner race 6, a bearing outer
race 7, a plurality of roller elements 8 arranged between the two
bearing races 6, 7 and an end cap 9 rotationally fixed to the
wheelset shaft, which axially closes off the wheelset bearing 5
starting from the axis of rotation of the wheelset bearing 5.
[0027] The end cap 9 of the wheelset bearing 5 is completely
enclosed by the cover 2. That is, the cover 2 extends beyond the
end cap 9 and partly surrounds the bearing outer race 7 of the
wheelset bearing 5.
[0028] The bearing housing 4 is firmly connected to a bogie of a
rail vehicle, not shown here, and represented in FIG. 2. At the end
face 10 of the bearing housing 4 facing toward the cover 2 there is
formed a circular arc shaped groove 11, which extends across the
entire width B of the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4. The
circular arc shape of the groove 11 in the bearing housing 4 is
fashioned coaxially to the wheelset bearing 5.
[0029] Furthermore, four boreholes 12 are arranged on the end face
10 of the bearing housing 4, starting from the axis of rotation of
the wheelset bearing 5, radially above the groove 11 in circular
arc shape. The boreholes 12 are fashioned identically and arranged
symmetrically to the radial midplane of the bearing housing 4.
[0030] The cover 2 is represented in various views in FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0031] The cover 2 is pot shaped and has a closed end face 13 and
an open end face 14, the closed end face 13 facing away from the
wheelset bearing unit 3. A recess 15 is present, extending from the
open end face 14 in the axial direction, which extends in the
circumferential direction across the width B of the bearing housing
4. Two flange segments 16 are formed flush at the recess 15. That
is, the flange segments 16 are set off in the axial direction as
compared to the open end face 14 of the cover 2. Hence, the flange
segments 16 are formed between the two end faces 13, 14 of the
cover 2, and the flange segments 16 lie directly against the recess
15. Each flange segment 16 has two boreholes 12, corresponding to
the boreholes 12 at the end face 10 of the bearing housing 4.
[0032] On the flange segments 16 there is formed a circular arc
shaped axial elevation 17, which extends along the entire
circumference of the recess 15. That is, the elevation 17 protrudes
into the recess 15 toward the wheelset bearing unit 3.
[0033] In the assembled state, as can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6,
the flange segments 16 lie against the end face 10 of the bearing
housing 4. The elevation 17 of the cover 2 protrudes into the
groove 11 of the bearing housing 4. The depth T.sub.N of the groove
11 of the bearing housing 4, measured in the axial direction
starting from the axis of rotation of the wheelset bearing 5, is
larger than the depth T.sub.E of the elevation 17, so that the
flange segments 16 lie directly against the end face 10 of the
bearing housing 4.
[0034] Through the boreholes 12 of the flange segments 16,
connection means 18, e.g. screws, protrude into the bearing housing
4, firmly connecting the cover 2 to the wheelset bearing unit 3,
especially to the bearing housing 4.
[0035] The groove 11 in the bearing housing 4 and the elevation 17
on the cover 2 form a centering device 19 which serves for more
easily orienting the cover 2 of the covering system 1 relative to
the bearing housing 4 of the covering system 1 during the mounting
process of the covering system 1, which simplifies the mounting of
the cover 2.
[0036] In the cover 2 there is arranged a device, not depicted
here, such as a generator unit. The cover 2 thus provides a
covering of the device arranged therein and prevents the
penetration of unwanted particles.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0037] 1 Covering system
[0038] 2 Cover
[0039] 3 Wheelset bearing unit
[0040] 4 Bearing housing
[0041] 5 Wheelset bearing
[0042] 6 Bearing inner race
[0043] 7 Bearing outer race
[0044] 8 Roller element
[0045] 9 End cap
[0046] 10 End face of bearing housing facing toward the cover
[0047] 11 Groove
[0048] 12 Borehole
[0049] 13 Closed end face of the cover
[0050] 14 Open end face of the cover
[0051] 15 Recess
[0052] 16 Flange segment
[0053] 17 Elevation
[0054] 18 Connection element
[0055] 19 Centering device
[0056] B Width of the end face of the bearing housing
[0057] T.sub.N Depth of the groove
[0058] T.sub.E Depth of the elevation
* * * * *