AN ACTUATION DEVICE FOR ACTUATING RAILROAD SWITCHES

Abstract

 A device (1) for manually actuating a railroad switch (100) comprises an operating tie-rod (20) that s able to translate along a translation direction in a first, or second, displacement direction, in order to displace a first and a second switch points (101, 102) between two limit positions. The device (1), furthermore, provides a displacement group (50) for causing the operating tie-rod (20) to translate along the translation direction in the first, or the second movement direction and an actuation member (55), which is operated by an operator for actuating the displacement group (50). The actuation device (1), furthermore, comprises a push element (40) rotatably engaged at a first end portion (41) in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis (140) orthogonal to the translation direction (120). The push element (40) moves from a first working configuration in which it exerts a pushing force, which opposes the translation of the operating tie-rod (20) from a limit position to an intermediate position, and a second working configuration in which it exerts a pushing force, which, instead, helps the above mentioned translation.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to railway technical field and in particular relates to an actuation device for actuating the movement of the switch points of a railroad switch.

Description of the prior art

[0002] As known, the switch machines of the railroad switches generally provide at least one actuator, which moves the switch points of the railroad switch between two limit positions. More precisely, at the above mentioned limit positions, a switch point is close to the respective rail stock and is, therefore, called closed switch point, whilst the other switch point is arranged in an open position relative to the respective rail stock and is, therefore, called open switch point. At the opposite limit position, instead, the opposite situation occurs, and, therefore, the switch point that in the previous limit position was the closed switch point, is positioned at a predetermined distance from the respective rail stock and therefore becomes the open switch point, whilst the switch point that was previously arranged in the open position is arranged close to the respective rail stock and, therefore, become the closed switch point.

[0003] The movement from a limit position to the other one is, normally, caused by an actuator having a predetermined actuation stroke along an actuation direction.

[0004] It is also known that mechanisms exist through which is possible to manually actuate a railroad switch. A known type of device for manually actuating a railroad switch provides a frustum-pyramidal body at the top of which a big arm is provided ending with a handle portion and a counterweight, and can be caused to rotate generally for 180° in one direction, or in the opposite direction in order to position the railroad switch in the desired position. The arm is rigidly connected to a leverage that is fixed to the switch points of the railroad switch.

[0005] Normally this kind of actuation device is installed where the rolling stock is arranged, or however, in the stretches of the railroad line where the switch machines with remote control are not installed. When the rolling stock has to be moved from a line to another one, the railroad switch is manually actuated and, then, is brought again into the previous position by rotating the device in the opposite direction.

[0006] However, the devices for manually displacing the railroad switches, in particular because of the presence of the counterweight, but also because of the high encumbrance of the actuation lever, are not easy to be actuated, and, particularly, are not able to satisfy the necessary safety conditions for the operators who have to actuate the same thus exposing them to the risk of being injured.

[0007] In FR2905922 an actuation mechanism is described for actuating the switch points of a railroad switch comprising a control group of the actuator which actuates two operating half-bars, each of which is connected to a switch point through a device for setting and a manual command connected to the actuator control group. The actuation of the operating half-bars by the actuator command group is carried out by rotary cam-drive devices each of which associated to a half-bar. The device for setting the switch points is a device, which is independent from the operating half-bars and is controlled by the actuator control group.

[0008] However, the solution described in FR2905922 is not completely satisfying, in particular because of the complexity of the actuation mechanism that cannot be manually actuated by an operator in an easy way.

Summary of the invention

[0009] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an actuation device of a railroad switch that is able to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the actuation devices of prior art.

[0010] It is, in particular, an object of the present invention to provide an actuation device of a railroad switch that is highly efficient and reliable and that is, at the same time, able to assure the safety of the operator who has to operate the railroad switch.

[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an actuation device of a railroad switch that is able to help the operator during the positioning of the railroad switch from a working position to another one.

[0012] These and other objects are achieved by a device, according to the invention, for manually actuating a railroad switch, said device comprising:

• an operating tie-rod configured to translate along a translation direction in a first movement direction, or in a second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction, in order to displace a first switch point and a second switch point between two limit positions, at which a switch point is close to a respective rail stock, and the other switch point is arranged in an open position relative to the respective rail stock;
• an actuation group configured to cause the above mentioned translation of the operating tie-rod along said translation direction in the first, or in the second movement direction;
• an actuation member configured to allow a user to actuate the actuation group;

whose main characteristic is that the actuation group comprises:

• a push element rotatably engaged at a first end portion in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis orthogonal to the above mentioned translation direction, the push element being configured to move from a first working configuration in which is arranged to exert, at a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, a pushing force arranged to oppose the translation of the operating tie-rod between a limit position and an intermediate position, and a second working configuration in which is arranged to exert a pushing force arranged, instead, to help the above mentioned translation of the operating tie-rod between the intermediate position and the other limit position;
• a movement transmission group operatively connected to said actuation member and to said push element, said movement transmission group being configured to cause said push element to rotate about said first rotation axis in said first, or said second, rotation direction, and said translation of said operating tie-rod in said first, or said second, displacement direction along said translation direction, when said actuation member is actuated by a user; - a guide device operatively connected to said push element and configured to guide said translation of said operating tie-rod along said translation direction in said first, or second movement directions.

[0013] In particular, the technical solution according to the invention allows to provide a manual actuation device of a railroad switch that is able to assure the necessary safety conditions of the operator who has to operates the same, besides of considerably simplifying, with respect to the prior art solutions, the positioning of the railroad switch in one of the working positions, i.e. in the normal position, or in the opposite direction.

[0014] Further features of the invention and relative embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the actuation device can be directed both to railroad switches of trailable type, and to railroad switches of non-trailable type. As described in detail in the following, in fact, it will be sufficient to choose a geometry of the actuation device, or another one, in order to satisfy the different needs.

[0016] Advantageously, the actuation member, in particular the crank element, can be engaged to the displacement group through an engagement device configured in such a way to engage the actuation member to the displacement group only at the first working configuration and, instead, to disengage the same at the second working configuration.

Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will now be shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a partial side elevational view of an actuation device, according to the invention, for manually actuating a railroad switch in a first working configuration corresponding to the condition where the first switch point is the closed switch point and the second switch point is the open switch point;
• Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows the working position a railroad switch corresponding to the working configuration of figure 1 of the actuation device;
• Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows a partial side elevational view of an actuation device, according to the invention, for manually actuating a railroad switch in a first working configuration alternative to the one shown in figure 1, because corresponding to the condition where the first switch point is the open switch point and the secondo switch point is the closed switch point;
• Fig. 4 diagrammatically shows the working position of a railroad switch corresponding to the working configuration of figure 3 of the actuation device;
• Figures 5 and 6 diagrammatically show a side elevational view of the actuation device of a railroad switch, according to the invention, in two following instants of the switch points displacement from a limit position to another and, respectively, in the first working configuration and in the second working configuration;
• Figures 7 and 8 respectively show a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of the actuation device of a railroad switch, according to the invention, in two different working configurations;
• Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows a side elevational view of the actuation device of a railroad switch, according to the invention;
• Fig. 10 diagrammatically shows a side elevational view of an embodiment of the actuation device according to the invention, alternative to the one shown in figure 1.

Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0018] In the figures from 1 to 4 a device 1 for manually actuating a railroad switch 100, according to the invention, is diagrammatically shown. In particular, the device 1 provides an operating tie-rod 20 configured to translate along a translation direction 120 in a first movement direction (figures 1 and 2), or in a second movement direction opposite to the first one (figures 3 and 4), to displace a first and a second switch points 101 and 102 between two limit positions. More in particular, at a first limit position the first switch point 101 is close to a respective rail stock 111, and the second switch point 102 is arranged in an open position relative to the respective rail stock 112 (figure 2), instead, at the second limit position, the first switch point 101 is arranged in an open position relative to the respective rail stock 111, and the second switch point 102 is close to the respective rail stock 112 (figure 4).

[0019] The actuation device 1, according to the invention, furthermore, comprises a displacement group 50 configured to cause the above mentioned translation of the operating tie-rod 20 along the translation direction 120 in the first, or in the second movement direction. In particular, the displacement group 50 is actuated by a user by acting on an actuation member 55. According to the invention, the displacement group 50 comprises a push element 40 rotatably engaged at a first end portion 41, in particular to a containment body 200 (see for example figure 2), in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis 140 orthogonal to the translation direction 120. More in particular, during the translation of the operating tie-rod 20 from a limit position to the other, for example in the case shown in the figures 5 and 6, during the translation to bring the second switch point 102 from the condition of closed switch point to the condition of open switch point to the respective rail stock 112, the push element 40, for example an elastic element 45, is configured to move from a first working configuration (figure 5) in which is arranged to exert, at a second end portion 42 opposite to the first, a pushing force, which opposes the above mentioned translation of the operating tie-rod 20 from the limit position, to an intermediate position, and a second working configuration (figure 6) at which the push element 40 is, instead, arranged to exert a pushing force helping the above mentioned translation of the operating tie-rod 20 from the intermediate position of figure 5 to the other limit position (figure 6). This because from a condition in which the force exerted by the push element 40 has a component along the translation direction 120 that is concordant with the translation direction, to a condition in which, instead, the above mentioned component, owing to the rotation of element 40 about axis 140, becomes concordant with the same, thus helping the translation.

[0020] The actuation device 1 furthermore provides a movement transmission group 60 operatively connected to the actuation member 55 and the push element 40. In particular the movement transmission group 60 is configured to cause the above mentioned rotation of the push element 40 about the first rotation axis 140 in the first, or second, rotation direction, and the translation of the operating tie-rod 20 in the first, or second, displacement direction along the translation direction 120, when the actuation member 55 is operated by the user. In a particular embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figure for reasons of simplicity, the actuation member 55, for example the crank element, can engage the displacement group 50 through an engagement device. This is configured in such a way to engage the actuation member 55 to the displacement group 50 only at the first working configuration, i.e. when the push element 40 exerts a force that is opposite to the displacement of the switch points 101 and 102, and, instead, to disengage the same at the second working configuration, i.e. when the push element 40 exerts a force helping the displacement of the switch points 101 and 102. In this way, it is guaranteed that the operator can work in the necessary safety conditions, in particular avoiding that the crank element 55, actuated in rotation by the push element 40, can accidentally hit an anatomical part of the operator.

[0021] As shown for example in figure 1, the displacement group 50 can comprise, advantageously, a guide device 30 operatively connected to the push element 40. In particular, the guide device 30 can be configured to guide the translation of the operating tie-rod 20 along the above mentioned translation direction 120 in the first, or in the second movement direction. More in particular, the guide device 30 can provide a slider element 35 slidingly mounted along a guide 32 oriented along the translation direction 120. Advantageously, the push element 40 can be configured in such a way to move from the first working configuration of figure 5 to the second working configuration of figure 6, when the slider element 30 reaches the middle point of its stroke along the guide 32.

[0022] More in particular, the slider element 35 is arranged to engage the operating tie-rod 20 and an actuation arm 70. Advantageously, the actuation arm 70 provides a first end 71 rotatably engaged to the slider element 35, in such a way to be able to rotate about a fourth rotation axis 170 orthogonal to the translation direction 120, and a second end 72 rotatably engaged to the second end portion 42 of the push element 40. For example, the operating tie-rod 20 and the actuation arm 70 are engaged to the slider element 35 at opposite sides.

[0023] In particular, the actuation member 55 can be configured to be actuated by a user in order to rotate, in a first, or a second, rotation direction, about a second rotation direction 155 orthogonal to the translation direction 120. More in particular, the movement transmission group 60 can be configured to cause the push element 40 to rotate about the first rotation axis 140, in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the actuation member 55 about axis 155. More in particular, the movement transmission group 60 can comprise a transmission arm 65 having a first end 66 arranged to rotate about a third rotation axis 166 parallel to the first rotation axis 155, and a second end 67 operatively connected to the second end portion 42 of the push element 40 in such a way to cause the above mentioned rotation about axis 140. It is then provided a predetermined number of gears, in particular comprising 4 gear wheels 81-84, arranged to mesh each other in such a way to transmit the rotation caused by the user to the actuation member 55, preferably a crank element, about the rotation axis 155, to the above mentioned transmission arm 65. For example, the actuation member 55 can be pivoted on a rod 85 on which a first gear wheel 81 is mounted, which, thus, rotates integral to the rod on which the actuation member 55 is mounted. A second gear wheel 82 is, furthermore, provided meshing with the first gear wheel 81. In particular, the second gear wheel 82 is mounted on a shaft 86 on which a third gear wheel 83 is mounted that, therefore, rotates integral with the second gear wheel 82. More in particular, the third gear wheel 83 meshes with a fourth gear wheel 84, advantageously a circular sector, as shown in figures from 7 to 9. More precisely, the fourth gear wheel 84 is fitted on a transmission shaft 85 on which the first end 66 of the transmission arm 65 is mounted. The second end 67 of the transmission arm 65 as well as the second end 72 of the actuation arm 70 and the second end portion 42 of the push element 40 are, instead, fitted on a shaft 75. Therefore, when the actuation member 55 is forced to rotate about axis 155 by a user, for example clockwise, as shown in figure 7, through the above mentioned movement transmission group 60, a correspondent rotation of the transmission shaft 85 is caused and, therefore, of the transmission arm 65 about axis 166. This causes the push device 40 to rotate about axis 140 and, therefore, the operating tie-rod 20 to translate along the translation direction 120.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment that is shown in detail in the figures from 5 to 9, the push element 40 provides a spring 45, in particular a linear spring, arranged between a first and a second containment plates 46 and 47. In particular, the first and the second containment plates 46 and 47 are operatively connected through a connection element 48 arranged longitudinally to the above mentioned linear spring 45. More in particular, the connection element 48 can comprise a first and a second portion 48a and 48b, respectively, fixed to the first and to the second containment plate 46 and 47, and movable one with respect to the other, for example through a telescopic connection, in order to lengthen, or shorten, the same in such a way to move the containment plates 46 and 47 away from each other, or bring these near to each other.

[0025] The device 1 for manually actuating a railroad switch, according to the invention, can be directed both to railroad switches of trailable type, and to railroad switches of non-trailable type.

[0026] In particular, in the case in which the actuation device 1 is directed to a railroad switch trailable type, the geometry of the embodiment will be the one that is shown in the figures from 1 to 9. More precisely, the position of shaft 75, to which the second end 67 of transmission arm 65, the second end 72 of the actuation arm 70, and the second end 42 of the push element 40, are engaged with, is such that when the train passes over the railroad switch, in the direction opposite to that one admitted by the current position of the switch points 101 and 102, the force Ft exerted on device 1 by the train passing over the same is able to win the force that keeps the switch point 101, or 102, close to the respective rail stock 111, or 112, and, therefore, causes the switch points 101 and 102 to move, without damaging the actuation device 1. More in detail, in case of railroad switch of trailable type, the railroad switch moves from a configuration to the other when a predetermined threshold value Ft* is exceeded, that means when a stabilization load, which is set during the design step, is exceeded quale the switch points 101 and 102 of the railroad switch are set by the train up to reach a trailing load.

[0027] Instead, in the case in which the actuation device 1 is directed to a railroad switch of non-trailable type, the embodiment will be the one shown in figure 10. More precisely, as diagrammatically shown in figure 10, in this case axis 175 of shaft 75 is positioned below the axis of tie-rod 20, of a distance dt, even though only few millimetres below. In this way, the railroad switch becomes of non-trailable type. In fact, the force Ft generated in this case by the train passing at the railroad switch in the direction opposite to that one admitted by the current position of the switch points 101 and 102, is not able to open the railroad switch same, that means to move the switch points 101 and 102, without damaging the actuation system.

[0028] The foregoing description exemplary embodiments of the invention will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realize the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. Device (1) for manually actuating a railroad switch (100), said device comprising:

- an operating tie-rod (20) configured to translate along a translation direction in a first movement direction, or in a second movement direction opposite to the first, to move a first switch point (101) and a second switch point (102) between two limit positions, in which a switch point (101,102) is close to a respective rail stock (111,112), and the other switch point (101,102) is arranged in an open position relative to the respective rail stock (111,112);

- a displacement group (50) configured to cause said operating tie-rod (20) to translate along said translation direction in said first, or second movement directions;

- an actuation member (55) configured in such a way that it can be operated by an operator in order to actuate said displacement group (50);

said actuation device (1) being characterized in that said displacement group (50) comprises:

- a push element (40) rotatably engaged at a first end portion (41) in such a way to be able to rotate about a first rotation axis (140) orthogonal to said translation direction (120), said push element (40) being configured to move from a first working configuration in which is arranged to exert, at a second end portion (42) opposite to the first one, a pushing force arranged to oppose said translation of said operating tie-rod (20) from a limit position to an intermediate position, and a second working configuration, in which is arranged to exert a pushing force arranged, instead, to help said translation of said operating tie-rod (20) from said intermediate position to the other limit position;

- a movement transmission group (60) operatively connected to said actuation member (55) and to said push element (40), said movement transmission group (60) being configured to cause said push element (40) to rotate about said first rotation axis (140) in said first, or second, rotation direction, and said translation of said operating tie-rod (20) in said first, or second, displacement direction along said translation direction (120), when said actuation member (55) is operated by the user;

- a guide device (30) operatively connected to said push element (40) and configured to guide said translation of said operating tie-rod (20) along said translation direction (120) in said first, or second, movement direction.

2. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to claim 1, wherein said actuation member (55) is configured to be operated by the user in order to rotate, in a first, or a second, rotation direction, about a second rotation direction (155) orthogonal to said translation direction (120), and wherein said movement transmission group (60) is configured to cause said push element (40) to correspondently rotate, in an opposite rotation direction, about said first rotation axis (140).

3. Actuation device (1) a railroad switch (100), according to claim 1, wherein said guide device (30) provides:

- a slider element (35) slidingly mounted along a guide (32), which is oriented along said translation direction (120), said operating tie-rod (20) having an end integral to said slider element (35);

- an actuation arm (70) having a first end (71) rotatably engaged to said slider element (35) and a second end (72) engaged to said second end portion (42) of said push element (40).

4. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said movement transmission group (60) comprises a transmission arm (65) having a first end (66) operatively connected to said actuation member (55) through said movement transmission group (60), and a second end (67) operatively connected to said second end portion (42) of said push element (40).

5. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100), according to claim 4, wherein said transmission arm (65) is configured to rotate about a third rotation axis (166) parallel to said second rotation direction (155) in such a way to cause said rotation of said push element (40) about said first axis (140), when said actuation member (55) is operated by the user per rotate about a said second rotation direction (155).

6. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to claim 3, wherein said actuation arm (70) and said push element (40) are engaged to said second end (67) of said transmission arm (65) in such a way to rotate about said third rotation axis (166).

7. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to any claim from 3 to 7, wherein said push element (40) is configured in such a way to move from said first working configuration to said second working configuration when said slider element (30) reaches the middle point of its stroke along said guide (32).

8. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said push element (40) provides an elastic element (45) arranged between a first and a second containment plate (46,47), which are connected each other through a connection element (48) that is arranged longitudinally to said elastic element (45) and configured to shorten, or lengthen, in such a way to move said first and second containment plates (46,47) away from each other, or bring the same near to each other.

9. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to claim 8 wherein said first containment plate (46) is hinged to said first rotation axis (140), and said second containment plate (47) is operatively connected to said actuation arm (70) and to said transmission arm (65).

10. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to claim 8, wherein said connection element (48) comprises a first portion (48a) and a second portion (48b), respectively, fixed to said first and to second containment plate (46, 47), said first portion (48a) and said second portion (48b) being movable one with respect to the other in such a way to lengthen, or shorten, in order to move said containment plates (46,47) away from each other, or to bring one close to the other.

11. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to claim 10, wherein said first portion (48a) and said second portion (48b) are engaged to each other through a telescopic connection.

12. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said actuation member (55) is a crank element.

13. Actuation device (1) of a railroad switch (100) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said movement transmission group (60) comprises a predetermined number of gear wheels (81,82,83,84) configured to mesh with each other in such a way to transmit said rotation from said actuation member (55) about said second rotation direction (155) to said transmission arm (65) in order to cause a rotation about said third rotation axis (166).

Drawing