SNOW PLOUGH UNIT, METHOD FOR WEATHER-DEPENDENT USE OF A SNOW PLOUGH UNIT AND RAIL VEHICLE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a snow plough unit for a rail vehicle, the snow plough unit comprising
- a snow plough profile symmetric to a vertical longitudinal plane of the rail vehicle,
- at least one fixation means connecting the snow plough profile to an underframe of the rail vehicle and
- a cover for the snow plough profile,
characterized in that
- the cover is an individual component completely detachable from the snow plough profile.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow plough unit, a method for weather-dependent use of a snow plough unit and rail vehicle.

[0002] It is well-known that a rail vehicle, e.g. a locomotive or an end car of a trainset, can have a snow plough that is attached to the front of the rail vehicle. Seen from above, snow ploughs can have various symmetric shapes e.g. U-shapes, V-shapes or combinations thereof. A forward or side-long profile of a snow plough is often C-shaped but can have other shapes as well. Such snow ploughs cause a high aerodynamic drag resulting in a high energy consumption of the traction equipment of the locomotive or trainset respectively.

[0003] EP 2 003 250 A2 discloses a snow plough for removing snow from a track for a rail vehicle. The snow plough is fastened to the rail vehicle. The snow plough has a middle part with a continuous surface and two side parts with lamellas that are arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal direction. Slots between the lamella allow for reduction of an air drag of the snow plough side parts. However, the snow plough as a whole still has a high aerodynamic drag which causes a high energy consumption of the rail vehicle, especially when there is no snow on the track and the snow plough is not in use.

[0004] JP 2008239118 A refers to a snow plough cover opening/closing device for reducing noise. The cover has two parts forming a V-Shape pointing towards the direction of travel. The two parts are connected to a frame by hinges. Each part can be swung upwards for uncovering the snow plough and downwards for covering the snow plough. A respective pivoting is effected by means of a mechanism with a piston rod and link arms. This mechanism has a complicated structure and is susceptible to freezing. In addition, the weight of the rail vehicle is increased.

[0005] JP 2008239117 A describes a snow plough cover opening/closing device for reducing noise and traveling resistance during normal traveling without snow falls requiring no snow plough. The snow plough is V-shaped and the cover is U-shaped. The cover is divided in an upper cover and a lower cover that can be lifted or lowered by a mechanism. The upper and lower covers are stored in a side body structure of the rail vehicle when lifted. The lifting/lowering mechanism also has a complicated structure and is susceptible to freezing. Additionally, the weight of the rail vehicle is increased.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the present invention consisted in developing a snow plough unit, a method for weather-dependent use of a snow plough unit and rail vehicle, that allow for better aerodynamics when the snow plough is not in use, for reduced weight when the snow plough is in use and thus for a reduction of energy consumption in both cases.

[0007] The technical problem outlined above is solved by the snow plough according to claim 1, the method defined in claim 11 and the rail vehicle defined in claim 15. The dependent claims define further developments of the invention.

[0008] According to the invention the objectives are solved by a snow plough unit for a rail vehicle, the snow plough unit comprising a snow plough profile symmetric to a vertical longitudinal plane of the rail vehicle, at least one fixation means connecting the snow plough profile to an underframe of the rail vehicle and a cover for the snow plough profile. The cover is an individual component completely detachable from the snow plough profile.

[0009] The advantage of the inventive solution is that the cover can be removed, e.g.in winter conditions, thereby reducing the weight of the snow plough unit. When the snow plough profile is covered, e.g. in summer conditions, aerodynamics of the rail vehicle are improved. Thus, in both cases an energy consumption of the rail vehicle is reduced.

[0010] Preferably, the cover is removably attached to the underframe of the rail vehicle and/or to a mounting zone of the snow plough unit. Thus, the cover can be easily assembled to and disassembled from already existing components.

[0011] The cover may be symmetric to the vertical longitudinal plane of the rail vehicle. A symmetric shape contributes to improved aerodynamics.

[0012] The cover can have a convex shape towards the direction of travel, thereby further increasing the aerodynamics.

[0013] Preferably, the cover has a concave shape towards the snow plough profile. Therefore, a hollow space can be formed between the snow plough profile and the cover can have a reduced wall thickness which contributes to the weight reduction.

[0014] Furthermore, a cover profile runs at least partly parallel along the snow plough profile. Therefore, the volume and weight of the cover can be reduced as well as the aerodynamic drag.

[0015] Advantageously, the snow plough profile comprises a first horizontal tapering pointing in a direction of travel of the rail vehicle and the cover comprises a second horizontal tapering also pointing in the direction of travel. A tapered snow plough profile improves the snow ploughing properties. A tapered cover improves the aerodynamics. It is also advantageous that the cover and the snow plough profile have similar shapes.

[0016] The cover may be at least partially made of metal and/or at least partially made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic. Such materials are advantageous for forming the cover easily in a manufacturing process.

[0017] Alternatively, the cover can be at least partially made of a rubber material. A Rubber material can avoid injuries during assembly and disassembly of the cover.

[0018] The cover can be inflatable, such that the weight of the cover is further reduced and the cover can be folded and stored in a small place.

[0019] Furthermore, the objectives are solved by a method for weather-dependent use of a snow plough unit. The removable cover of the snow plough unit is detached completely from the snow plough profile before driving in snow conditions and mounted after driving in snow conditions. By detaching the cover completely from the snow plough profile the weight of the snow plough unit is reduced when the snow plough profile is needed. The snow plough unit is flexible and can be adapted to weather conditions.

[0020] The cover may be at least partially made of a rubber material and inflated by a pumping device which is independent of an air supply of the rail vehicle. Therefore, the cover can be inflated e.g. in a service depot or in a train station and the compressed air volume of the rail vehicle can be retained.

[0021] The cover can be carried in a lockable hollow space at a bottom of the rail vehicle. Thereby, the cover is available at any time and in any place where the rail vehicle is located. The hollow space can be lockable.

[0022] Alternatively, the cover is kept in a rail service depot, whereby the weight of the snow plough unit is reduced.

[0023] The objectives are also solved by a rail vehicle with at least one snow plough unit.

[0024] Further features, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention represented in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1a

shows a schematic front view of an inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is removed,

Fig 1b

shows a schematic front view of the inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is attached,

Fig. 1c

shows a schematic side view of the inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is removed,

Fig. 1d

shows a schematic side view of the inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is attached,

Fig. 1e

shows a schematic perspective view of the inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is removed,

Fig. 1f

shows a schematic perspective view of the inventive snow plough unit wherein the cover is attached,

Fig. 2

shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the inventive snow plough along line A-A in Fig. 1b,

Fig. 3

shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 2 of the inventive snow plough unit according to the first embodiment,

Fig. 4

shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 2 of the inventive snow plough unit according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 1a to 1f are diagrammatic illustrations of a rail vehicle cab 10 which is attached to a car body (not shown) of a rail vehicle (not shown) when the rail vehicle is in operation. The inventive snow plough unit 20 is attached to an underframe 11 of the rail vehicle 10. With reference to Fig. 1a, 1c and 1e a cover 40 of the snow plough unit 20 is removed and the snow plough profile 30 is visible. In Fig. 1b, 1d and 1f the cover 40 is attached. In Fig. 1a to 4 x defines a direction of travel, y defines a transverse direction and z defines a vertical direction.

[0026] In Fig. 2 the snow plough unit 20 is shown in a cross-sectional view along a line A-A in Fig. 1b. The rail vehicle cab 10 is only indicated. The snow plough unit 20 comprises the snow plough profile 30 and the cover 40 with a cover profile 41. The snow plough profile 30 is concave towards the direction of travel x and allows for clearing snow when cover 40 is removed. The cover profile 41 is convex towards the direction of travel x to provide low aerodynamic drag during the travel of the rail vehicle when there is no snow on a track.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of the inventive snow plough unit 20a in a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows the second embodiment of the inventive snow plough unit 20b in a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Fig. 2. In both embodiments the snow plough unit 20a, 20b is fixed to the underframe 11 of the rail vehicle (not shown). The snow plough unit 20a, 20b comprises the snow plough profile 30 with a first horizontal tapering 32. The first horizontal tapering 32 has three zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 symmetrically located on both sides of the center line. There can also be more or fewer than three zones, e.g. there can only be only one zone with a continuous curved tapering.

[0028] In Fig. 3 the cover 40a is made of a rigid material, e.g. metal or glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GRP). The cover 40a is fixed to the underframe 11 by two fixation means 31. There can be more than two fixation means 31, e.g. a plurality of fixation means can be located along the top and/or the bottom of the snow plough profile 30 and cover 40a. The fixation means can comprise screws, clasps and/or glue.

[0029] The cover profile 41 has a second horizontal tapering 42 also comprising three zones Z1, Z2 and Z3. The first horizontal tapering 32 has a first contour C1 and a second contour C2. Along contour C2 the snow plough profile 30 abuts the cover profile 41. The cover profile 41 has a third contour C3 forming the outer contour of the whole snow plough unit 20a. Contours C1, C2 and C3 run parallel to each other through zones Z1, Z2 and Z3. In addition, contours C1, C2 and C3 are symmetric to the center line.

[0030] In Fig. 4 the cover 40b is made of an elastic material, e.g. a rubber material. The cover 40b can comprise an inflatable volume. When inflated the cover 40b fits the snow plough profile 30 and has an aerodynamic exterior shape. The cover 40b can be deflated and retracted into the underframe 11, e.g. into a self-contained hollow space of the underframe 11.

[0031] The cover 40b can be fixed to the underframe 11 and/or the snow plough profile 30 by fixation means 31, e.g. lugs and bolts. In Fig. 4 only two fixation means 31 are shown at the underframe 11. There can be more than two fixation means 31, e.g. a plurality of fixation means can be located along the top and/or the bottom of the snow plough profile 30 and cover 40b.

[0032] In operation, the cover 40a according to the first embodiment in Fig. 3 can break in case of running into a snowdrift. The cover 40a can have predetermined braking points (not shown). It is also possible to remove the cover 40a before driving in snow conditions. The cover 40a can be re-attached to the underframe 11 and/or the snow plough profile 30 after driving in snow conditions.

[0033] The cover 40b according to the second embodiment in Fig. 4 is removed or retracted before driving in snow conditions. The cover 40b can be re-attached to the underframe 11 and/or the snow plough profile 30 after driving in snow conditions.

Reference list

[0034] 

10

Rail vehicle cab

11

Underframe

20

Snow plough unit

20a

Snow plough unit

20b

Snow plough unit

30

Snow plough profile

31

Fixation means

32

First horizontal tapering

40

Cover

40a

Cover

40b

Cover

41

Cover profile

42

Second horizontal tapering

x

Direction of travel

y

Transverse direction

z

Vertical direction

Z1

First zone

Z2

Second zone

Z3

Third zone

C1

First contour

C2

Second contour

C3

Third contour

Claims

1. A snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) for a rail vehicle, the snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) comprising

- a snow plough profile (30) symmetric to a vertical longitudinal plane (x, z) of the rail vehicle,

- at least one fixation means (31) connecting the snow plough profile (30) to an underframe (11) of the rail vehicle and

- a cover (40, 40a, 40b) for the snow plough profile (30),
characterized in that

- the cover (40, 40a, 40b) is an individual component completely detachable from the snow plough profile (30).

2. Snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (40, 40a, 40b) is removably attached to the underframe (11) of the rail vehicle and/or to a mounting zone of the snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b).

3. Snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (40, 40a, 40b) is symmetric to the vertical longitudinal plane (x, z) of the rail vehicle.

4. Snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (40, 40a, 40b) has a convex shape towards the direction of travel (x).

5. Snow plough unit (20, 20a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (40, 40a) has a concave shape towards the snow plough profile (30).

6. Snow plough unit (20, 20a) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cover profile (41) at least partly runs parallel along the snow plough profile (30).

7. Snow plough unit (20, 20a) according to claim 6, wherein the snow plough profile (30) comprises a first horizontal tapering (32) pointing in a direction of travel (x) of the rail vehicle and the cover (40, 40a) comprises a second horizontal tapering (42) also pointing in the direction of travel (x).

8. Snow plough unit (20, 20b) according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the cover is at least partially made of metal and/or at least partially made of glass-fiber reinforced plastic.

9. Snow plough unit (20, 20b) according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover (40, 40b) is at least partially made of a rubber material.

10. Snow plough unit (20, 20b) according to claim 9, wherein the cover (40, 40b) is inflatable.

11. Method for weather-dependent use of a snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable cover (40, 40a, 40b) of the snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) is detached completely from the snow plough profile (30) before driving in snow conditions and mounted after driving in snow conditions.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the cover (40, 40b) is at least partially made of a rubber material and inflated by a pumping device which is independent of an air supply of the rail vehicle.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cover (40, 40b) is carried in a hollow space at a bottom of the rail vehicle.

14. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cover (40, 40b) is kept in a rail service depot.

15. Rail vehicle with at least one snow plough unit (20, 20a, 20b) according to any of the claims 1 to 10.

Drawing