Triggering monitoring device for a deformation tube for a coupling; and train coupling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019023290-A1
Application number	US-201816126694-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 10, 2018
Priority date	Mar 10, 2016
Publication date	Jan 24, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

The current invention relates to a triggering monitoring device for a deformation tube having two tube parts which can slide into each other against resistance in a coupling, in particular a train coupling, having a housing that includes a connection for connecting to the deformation tube and at least one working surface for action of one tube part during its movement relative to the other tube part of the deformation tube part, wherein the housing can be deformed through the action of the tube part on the working surface. The triggering monitoring device according to the invention is characterized in that a sensor is provided in or on the housing which detects deformation of the housing and which is moreover equipped to transmit detection of a deformation to an evaluation device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A triggering monitoring device for a deformation tube used with a train coupling, comprising:
a first tube part and a second tube part sliding into each other against a resistance in the train coupling; a housing including a connection for connecting to the deformation tube and at least one working surface for an action of the first tube part during movement of the first tube part relative to the second tube part of the deformation tube, the housing deforming through the action of the first tube part and the second tube part on the at least one working surface; and a sensor located in or on the housing for detecting a deformation of the housing and transmitting detection of the deformation to an evaluation device.

2 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is equipped with an electrical connection that is at least indirectly connected with the sensor to connect the evaluation device.

3 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 2 , wherein the evaluation device is positioned on or remotely from the housing and is connected with the sensor, by at least one electric line, for an analysis of sensor data.

4 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is at least one of bent and sheared off through the action of the first tube part and the second tube part on the at least one working surface.

5 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes:
at least one stationary housing part and at least one movable housing part, wherein the at least one movable housing part is at least one of moveable and twistable relative to the at least one stationary housing part; and the at least one working surface is positioned on the at least one movable housing part, wherein the at least one movable housing part is moved relative to the at least one stationary housing part, by the action of the first tube part and the second tube part on the at least one working surface, wherein the sensor detects the at least one movable housing part being moved relative to the at least one stationary housing part.

6 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one movable housing part is rotatably supported by the at least one stationary housing part and represents a cam shape.

7 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one stationary housing part has an at least essentially cylindrical shape and an outside thread on one axial end and is surrounded by the at least one movable housing part.

8 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing includes at least one cylindrical end section, where the connection retains the at least one cylindrical end section in a bore of the deformation tube.

9 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 8 , wherein the connection is provided by an outside thread on the at least one cylindrical end section of the cylinder.

10 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a deformation element that is irreversibly deformed, with the deformation of the housing.

11 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 10 , wherein the sensor includes an electrical conductor that progresses over the deformation element, wherein an electric conductivity of the electrical conductor is changed with the deformation of the deformation element.

12 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 10 , wherein the sensor includes at least two electrically conductive electrodes electrically connected by an at least one contact element positioned in close contact with the at least two electrically conductive electrodes, wherein the at least one contact element is pressed against the at least two electrically conductive electrodes with an at least one elastic pressure element, wherein the deformation element represents a resistance for the at least one elastic pressure element being destroyed with the deformation of the housing.

13 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an optical sender and an optical receiver being coupled with an optical signal that is dependent on the deformation of the housing.

14 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor produces a magnetic field with the deformation of the housing and detects changes in the magnetic field.

15 . The triggering monitoring device according to one claim 1 , wherein the sensor produces an electric capacity with the deformation of the housing and detects changes in the electric capacity.

16 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor produces an electromagnetic oscillating circuit with the deformation of the housing and detects changes in the electromagnetic oscillating circuit.

17 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a pressure sensor which detects a pressure that is produced from the deformation of the housing.

18 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein a volatile medium is enclosed in the housing with the working surface positioned on the housing where the action of the first tube part and the second tube part on the at least one working surface opens the housing and releases the volatile medium, wherein the sensor at least indirectly detects at least one of a presence and a volume of the volatile medium.

19 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 18 , wherein the volatile medium is an electroconductive fluid enclosed in the housing and the sensor includes at least one electrode in electrical contact with the electroconductive fluid, wherein the sensor detects at least one of an electrical current and an electrical resistance produced by at least one of the presence and the volume of the electroconductive fluid in the housing.

20 . The triggering monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an electric push button positioned in or on the housing where it is activated with the deformation of the housing.

21 . The triggering monitoring device according to one claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one strain gauge.

22 . A deformation tube for a train coupling, comprising:
a first tube part and a second tube part sliding into each other against a resistance; and a sensor connecting to the deformation tube in a region of an interface between the first tube part and the second tube part two tube and transmitting detection of the deformation to an evaluation device.

23 . The deformation tube according to claim 22 , wherein the coupling includes a Scharfenberg train coupling.

Assignees

• Voith Patent Gmbh

Inventors

• Prill Thomas
• Ahrens Michael
• Homann Matthias
• Lauter Bernd
• Seeberger Tobias

Classifications

• B61G11/16

  absorbing shocks by permanent deformation of buffer element · CPC title

• B61G9/20 Primary

  Details; Accessories · CPC title