SWITCHING ASSEMBLY FOR SWITCHING A POINT RAIL

Abstract

 A switching assembly (1) for switching a point rail (2) in and out of engagement with a stock rail (3) comprising a frame (4) and at least one organ (5) that is at least partly rotatably supported by the frame (4),
wherein the organ (5), when viewed from one side, is shaped as a segment of a body embodied with two linear edges (6) converging to each other under a predefined angle towards a corner (7), and a nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) and connecting the linear edges (6), wherein said segment is supported by the frame (4) at a position in the vicinity of said corner (7) to which both linear edges (6) are converging, wherein the organ (5) is movable between two positions limiting at opposite ends a range of consecutive positions of the organ (5), a first position at one end of the range corresponding with the point rail (2) being in engagement with the stock rail (3) and a second position at an opposite end of the range wherein the point rail (2) and the stock rail (3) are out of engagement,
and wherein partial rotation of the organ (5) causes the point rail (2) to lift and move while moving between the first and second position;
wherein the nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) comprises a first linear portion (8') that provides a stable support for the point rail (2) in the first position wherein the point rail (2) is in engagement with the stock rail (3), and that the remainder of the nonlinear edge (8) of the organ (5) is arranged to cause that leaving the stable first position immediately results into the organ (5) and the point rail (2) supported by the organ (5) entering into an unstable area of the range of positions that the organ (5) can assume.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switching assembly for switching a point rail in and out of engagement with a stock rail, comprising a frame and at least one organ that is at least partly rotatably supported to the frame,
wherein the organ, when viewed from one side, is shaped as a segment of a body embodied with two linear edges converging to each other under a predefined angle towards a corner, and a nonlinear edge distant from the corner and connecting the linear edges, wherein said segment is supported by the frame at a position in the vicinity of said corner to which both linear edges are converging,
wherein the organ is movable between two positions limiting at opposite ends a range of consecutive positions of the organ, a first position at one end of the range corresponding with the point rail being in engagement with the stock rail and a second position at an opposite end of the range wherein the point rail and the stock rail are out of engagement,
and wherein partial rotation of the organ causes the point rail to lift and move while moving between the first and second position.

[0002] Railroad switches are known from the rail transportation sector and are used to switch a pair of point rails in and out of engagement with a pair of stock rails. Switching assemblies are most often found in the vicinity of train stations where multiple railways have to cross each other. Depending on whether the point rails are in or out of engagement with the stock rails, a train passing such a switching assembly is forced to either stay on its current stock rails or switch to another stock rails, guided by the point rails. The sideways motion of a point rails in a direction perpendicular to the length of the stock rails, generates frictional forces. To more easily overcome these forces, rollers are often used that support a plate with the point rail resting thereon. These rollers are equipped with bearings and their rolling motion during switching of a point rail reduces frictional forces. NL 2 015 856 discloses a switching assembly according to the preamble which comes closest to the instant invention.

[0003] The switching assembly of NL 2 015 856 is embodied with an arcuate and partly circularly shaped edge, which results in that only little force is required to overcome the frictional forces arising from the partial rotation of the organ around its supporting point on the frame. This decreases the switching assembly's vulnerability for malfunctioning due to debris, disadvantageous weather conditions, wear and tear and other factors that could increase friction between the organ and the frame at the supporting point. Preferably the height of the frame of the switching assembly is adjustable, relative to the point rail. This allows the organ to be adjusted to a desired height relative to the point rail at site, while the switching assembly is already installed between two sleepers. As the height of the rails may vary during use, the option to adjust the organ to a desired height relative to the point rail, ensures that the switching assembly can be adjusted to the correct height therewith ensuring its correct functioning. Suitably the switching assembly comprises therefore at least one adjustable screw.

[0004] A remaining problem with the known switching assembly is that switching the organ from a first position corresponding with the point rail being in engagement with the stock rail to a second position wherein the point rail and the stock rail are out of engagement, does not always result into a distinct second position wherein there is sufficient distance between the point rail and the stock rail for unhindered passage of the flange of a passing rail wheel.

[0005] The invention therefore has as an objective to provide a secured distance between point rail and the stock rail when the organ is moved out of the first position into the second position of the organ.

[0006] Accordingly the switching assembly of the invention is provided with the features of one or more of the appended claims.

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention the nonlinear edge distant from the corner comprises a first linear portion that provides a stable support for the point rail in the first position wherein the point rail is in engagement with the stock rail, and that the remainder of the nonlinear edge of the organ causes that leaving the stable first position immediately results into the organ and the point rail supported by the organ entering into an unstable area of the range of positions that the organ can assume. This has the effect that the organ by nature will continue to move until it reaches the second position distant from the first position, which will secure that indeed the point rail will eventually assume sufficient distance with respect to the stock rail to enable unhindered passage of the flange of a passing rail wheel.

[0008] Preferably the nonlinear edge distant from the corner comprises one of a second linear portion or a circular segment portion.

[0009] It is preferred that when the nonlinear edge distant from the corner comprises a second linear portion, this second linear portion is set at an obtuse angle with reference to the first linear portion to provide stability to the organ not only in the first position wherein the point rail is in engagement with the stock rail, but eventually also in the second position of the organ wherein the point rail and the stock rail are out of engagement, and that between the first position and the second position the position of the organ and the point rail supported by the organ is unstable.

[0010] When the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the nonlinear edge distant from the corner each are at a distance of 120 mm from said corner, a preferred angle between both linear edges at the corner of the organ is 32°. With a distance of 70 mm between the first and second positions of the organ, a displacement from the first position to the second position or vice versa of the organ causes the point rail to be lifted 5 mm.

[0011] It is known from NL 2 015 856 that the organ may comprise a protrusion at the nonlinear edge, which extends from one of the linear edges. According to the invention it is preferable that adjacent to the protrusion and at a far side of the point rail a movement limiter is provided to secure keeping the protrusion close to the point rail independent from the movement and the movement direction of the point rail.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention the corner is shaped arcuately and semi circularly with an inner radius conforming to a supporting axis of the frame, so as to arrange that mounting of the organ on the frame can be done by mere placement of the corner of the organ on the supporting axis of the frame. Another advantage is that the switching assembly is less sensitive to freezing conditions.

[0013] Finally it is remarked that the organ is preferably made by injection moulding or 3-D printing from a plastic material. This may be for example a combination of polyamide and fiberglass. An advantage thereof is that such a material does not conduct electricity, preventing short circuiting. Another advantage is that damage to the bottom of the point rail resting on the organ is prevented when the organ is in its disengaged position.

[0014] The organ may comprise at least one recess and/or orifice. Manufacturing an organ comprising orifices saves material and makes the organ less susceptible to weather conditions.

[0015] The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of an switching assembly according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.

[0016] In the drawing:

• figure 1 shows a top-side of a point rail and stock rail at which a switching assembly according to the invention is applied;
• figure 2A and figure 2B show in a side view the switching assembly according to the invention in a first position with the point rail being in engagement with the stock rail, and a second position wherein the point rail and the stock rail are out of engagement,
• figure 3 shows in a perspective view the switching assembly according to the invention in an unmounted condition,
• figure 4 shows in a side view the organ of the switching assembly according to the invention, and
• figure 5 shows a detail of a movement limiter of the switching assembly according to the invention.

[0017] Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

[0018] Making reference first to figure 1, it shows in a top view a pair of point rails 2 and stock rails 3, wherein their mutual position is at least in part determined by a switching assembly 1 according to the invention which is shown in figure 1 only schematically. The manner in which the point rails 2 are actuated is for more than a century known to the skilled person, and requires therefore no further elucidation. Over time the switching assembly that is used to assist the movement of the point rails 2 has evolved, and has now culminated in the switching assembly 1 of the invention which is shown in unmounted condition in figure 3.

[0019] Figure 3 shows that the switching assembly 1 comprises a frame 4 which is mountable on sleepers of the rail track. For this purpose the frame 4 has two parts 4', and 4'', each part being mountable on a respective sleeper. Between the two parts 4', 4" an axis is mountable, which axis supports an organ 5 which is designed in accordance with the invention. The axis cannot be seen in figure 3, but it will be clear for the skilled person that this axis is positioned below organ 5 in order to enable it to support the organ 5. Figure 3 depicts that the organ 5 is relatively broad in relation to its supporting axis.

[0020] Figure 4 shows the organ 5 from the side and reveals that the organ 5 is shaped as a segment of a body embodied with two linear edges 6 converging to each other under a predefined angle towards a corner 7, and that it has a nonlinear edge 8 distant from the corner 7 which connects the linear edges 6. During use the organ 5 is supported by the frame 4 as shown in figure 3. The organ 5 is then supported by the axis of the frame 4 at said corner 7 to which both linear edges 6 are converging. Figure 4 also clearly shows that the corner 7 is shaped arcuately and semi-circularly with an inner radius which should conform to the supporting axis of the frame 4 shown in figure 3. This arranges that mounting of the organ 5 on the frame can be done by mere placement of the corner 7 of the organ 5 on the supporting axis of the frame 4. It may be preferable to extend the semicircular corner 7 with shallow protrusions 14 (shown in broken lines) that provide a click on system on the supporting axis of the frame 4. For that purpose the protrusions 14 then have to temporarily elastically deform at the time the corner 7 is clicked on said axis of the frame 4.

[0021] Figure 2A and figure 2B are most suited to show that the organ 5 is movable between two positions limiting at opposite ends a range of consecutive positions of the organ 5, a first position at one end of the range corresponding with the point rail 2 being in engagement with the stock rail 3 as shown in figure 2A, and a second position at an opposite end of the range wherein the point rail 2 and the stock rail 3 are out of engagement as shown in figure 2B. One of the features than is that because of the nonlinearity of the edge 8, a partial rotation of the organ 5 causes the point rail 2 to lift and move while moving between the first position shown in figure 2A and the second position shown in figure 2B. The nonlinearity of the edge 8 has the further effect that upon progressing movement the organ 5 by nature will continue to move until it reaches the second position distant from the first position, which will secure that indeed the point rail 2 will eventually assume sufficient distance with respect to the stock rail 3 to enable unhindered passage of the flange of a passing rail wheel.

[0022] As will be clear from figure 2A, but even better viewable in figure 4 the nonlinear edge 8 distant from the corner 7 comprises a first linear portion 8' that provides a stable support for the point rail 2 in the first position wherein the point rail 2 is in engagement with the stock rail 3. The nonlinear edge 8 causes that when the organ 5 leaves the first position shown in figure 2A, the organ 5 then enters into an unstable area of the range of positions that the organ 5 can assume on its way moving to the second position shown in figure 2B. This unstable area is immediately entered after the organ 5 leaving the first position. It is preferable that in accordance with what is shown in the figures the nonlinear edge 8 distant from the corner 7 comprises a second linear portion 8" which is set at an obtuse angle 9 with reference to the first linear portion 8' to provide stability to the organ 5 both in the first position wherein the point rail 2 is in engagement with the stock rail 3, and in the second position of the organ 5 shown in figure 2B wherein the point rail 2 and the stock rail 3 are out of engagement, and that between the first position and the second position the position of the organ 5 and the point rail 2 supported by the organ 5 is unstable with an inclination to move to either the first position or to the second position. Although it is not shown in the figures, it is also possible to apply a circular segment portion instead of the second linear portion 8".

[0023] Turning back to figure 4 it shows that the organ 5 comprises a protrusion 10 at the nonlinear edge 8, extending one of the linear edges 6. According to a preferred aspect of the invention a movement limiter is provided adjacent to the protrusion 10 at a far side of the point rail 2 indicated with arrow A to secure keeping the protrusion 10 close to the point rail 2 independent from the movement and movement direction of the point rail 2. The way of embodying the movement limiter can vary widely. One way is embodying the movement limiter as a spring clip which can be clipped on the point rail 2 and extends along the protrusion 10 at the far side of the point rail 2. Another way of embodying the movement limiter is fixing a rod 11 between clamping plates 12, 13 as shown in fig. 5, wherein the rod 11 extends along the far side of the point rail 2 along the protrusion 10, and wherein the clamping plates 12, 13 are on the other part mounted through clamping on the point rail 2.

[0024] Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the switching assembly of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

Nomenclature

[0025] 

1.

Switching assembly

2.

Point rail

3.

Stock rail

4.

Frame

5.

Organ

6.

Linear edge(s)

7.

Corner

8.

Nonlinear edge

9.

Obtuse angle

10.

Protrusion

11.

rod

12.

clamping plate

13.

clamping plate

14.

protrusions

Claims

1. A switching assembly (1) for switching a point rail (2) in and out of engagement with a stock rail (3) comprising a frame (4) and at least one organ (5) that is at least partly rotatably supported by the frame (4),
wherein the organ (5), when viewed from one side, is shaped as a segment of a body embodied with two linear edges (6) converging to each other under a predefined angle towards a corner (7), and a nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) and connecting the linear edges (6), wherein said segment is supported by the frame (4) at a position in the vicinity of said corner (7) to which both linear edges (6) are converging,
wherein the organ (5) is movable between two positions limiting at opposite ends a range of consecutive positions of the organ (5), a first position at one end of the range corresponding with the point rail (2) being in engagement with the stock rail (3) and a second position at an opposite end of the range wherein the point rail (2) and the stock rail (3) are out of engagement,
and wherein partial rotation of the organ (5) causes the point rail (2) to lift while moving between the first and second position;
characterized in that
the nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) comprises a first linear portion (8') that provides a stable support for the point rail (2) in the first position wherein the point rail (2) is in engagement with the stock rail (3), and that the remainder of the nonlinear edge (8) of the organ (5) is arranged to cause that leaving the stable first position immediately results into the organ (5) and the point rail (2) supported by the organ (5) entering into an unstable area of the range of positions that the organ (5) can assume.

2. A switching assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) comprises one of a second linear portion (8") or a circular segment portion.

3. A switching assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) comprises a second linear portion (8") which is set at an obtuse angle with reference to the first linear portion (8') to provide stability to the organ (5) both in the first position wherein the point rail (2) is in engagement with the stock rail (3), and in the second position of the organ (5) wherein the point rail (2) and the stock rail (3) are out of engagement and wherein between the first position and the second position the position of the organ (5) and the point rail (2) supported by the organ (5) is unstable.

4. A switching assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first linear portion (8') and the second linear portion (8'') of the nonlinear edge (8) distant from the corner (7) each are at a distance of 120 mm from said corner (7), and an angle between both linear edges (6) at the corner (7) of the organ (5) is selected at value of 32°.

5. A switching assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the organ (5) comprises a protrusion (10) at the nonlinear edge (8), extending one of the linear edges (6), characterized in that adjacent to the protrusion (10) and at a far side of the point rail (2) a movement limiter is provided to secure keeping the protrusion (10) close to the point rail (2) independent from the movement direction of the point rail (2).

6. A switching assembly (1) according to any one of the previous claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the corner (7) is shaped arcuately and semi-circularly with an inner radius conforming to a supporting axis of the frame (4), so as to arrange that mounting of the organ (5) on the frame (4) can be done by mere placement of the corner (7) of the organ (5) on the supporting axis of the frame (4).

7. A switching assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the semicircular corner (7) is extended with shallow protrusions (14) that provide a click-on connector for the supporting axis of the frame (4).

8. A switching assembly (1) according to any one of the previous claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the organ (5) is made by one of injection moulding and 3-D printing from a plastic material.

Drawing