CN117719545A - Device for reducing air resistance of railway vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides an apparatus for reducing air resistance of a rail vehicle. The invention relates to a rail vehicle head, wherein the rail vehicle head has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end, such that the free coupling end can be connected to a further central buffer coupling of a further rail vehicle head, wherein the central buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position, wherein the central buffer coupling is constructed and arranged such that the free coupling end can be pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the rail vehicle head has a front bulkhead, wherein the front bulkhead radially surrounds at least a part of the central buffer coupling, such that a front opening, which is essentially directed in a longitudinal direction, is defined between the front bulkhead and the central buffer coupling. The invention further relates to a protective cover device for covering a front opening extending between a front bulkhead of a rail vehicle and a center bumper coupling.

Description

Device for reducing air resistance of rail vehicles

Technical field

The invention relates to a rail vehicle locomotive, wherein the rail vehicle locomotive has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end such that the free coupling end can be connected to another central buffer coupling of another rail vehicle locomotive. , wherein the central buffer coupling extends along the longitudinal axis in the rest position, wherein the central buffer coupling is constructed and mounted in such a manner that the free coupling end is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the rail vehicle head has A front bulkhead, wherein the front bulkhead radially surrounds at least a portion of the central buffer coupling such that a front opening directed substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front bulkhead and the central buffer coupling. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cover device for covering a front opening extending between a front bulkhead of a rail vehicle and a central damping coupling.

Background technique

Rail vehicles, especially regional trains and urban express trains, usually have an open center buffer coupling at each of the two front ends of a coupled train. This center buffer coupling is used to connect multiple trains together to obtain longer overall length trains. It is impossible for passengers to switch between trains while the train is in motion.

The center buffer coupling is an integral part of the rolling stock and is surrounded by the front bulkhead of the rolling stock.

Usually, both ends of a train have a rail vehicle head with a central buffer coupling, so the train can also be connected to other trains through both ends.

Therefore, during the movement of such a train, the front end of the rail vehicle located in front when viewed in the direction of travel has a central buffer coupling which is not connected to another central buffer coupling.

Since the central buffer coupling has limited mobility, at least in the horizontal direction, the coupling can rotate when driving around corners. The central buffer coupling at the front of a rail vehicle in a train or train segment is compared to the front bulkhead surrounding the central buffer coupling. A front opening extends between them, which may also be referred to as the free space between the central buffer coupling and the front bulkhead.

When traveling at speeds exceeding 50 km/h, turbulence occurs in the area of the front opening, causing the fluid resistance of the train to increase. It has thus been found that the front opening is detrimental to the aerodynamics of the train. Especially when driving into a tunnel, the front opening will cause increased fluid resistance because the air in the tunnel cannot be squeezed out effectively due to the front opening.

Contents of the invention

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to improve the aerodynamic properties of the front end of the rail vehicle mentioned at the outset.

This object is achieved by a rail vehicle front end as claimed in the claims and a protective cover device as claimed in the claims.

According to an embodiment of the rail vehicle locomotive of the invention, the rail vehicle locomotive has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end such that the free coupling end can be connected to another central buffer coupling of another rail vehicle locomotive Connection, wherein the central buffer coupling extends along the longitudinal axis in the rest position, wherein the central buffer coupling is constructed and mounted in such a manner that the free coupling end is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the rail vehicle head having a front bulkhead, wherein the front bulkhead radially surrounds at least a portion of the central buffer coupling such that a front opening directed substantially in the longitudinal direction is defined between the front bulkhead and the central buffer coupling, wherein the rail vehicle The front of the vehicle has a cover device, wherein the cover device is constructed and arranged in such a manner that at least a portion of the front opening is covered by the cover device, wherein the cover device includes a through hole aligned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the free coupling end part passes through the through-hole from the inside to the outside or is substantially flush with the through-hole, wherein the cover device has at least one first rigid support element, wherein the cover device has at least one first fabric-like material portion and a second fabric-like material portion portion, wherein the cover means is constructed and arranged on the rail vehicle such that the first fabric-like material portion extends at least partially radially between the front bulkhead and the first rigid support element, wherein the cover means is constructed in such a manner that the second portion of fabric-like material extends at least partially radially between the central cushioning coupling and the first rigid support element.

This combination of a rigid support element and two parts of fabric-like material makes the cover device strong but at the same time enables movement of the through-hole defined by the cover device. It is therefore possible to provide a cover device for the front opening which, due to the fabric-like material portion used, moves together with the movement of the central buffer coupling such that the movement of the central buffer coupling is not affected by the cover device limits. However, at the same time, due to the reinforcing effect of the rigid support elements, strong axial compression or deformation of the cover device at higher driving speeds can be avoided, so that the cover device can reduce the air resistance value of the rail vehicle. The latter, in turn, will lead to trains with a better energy balance, thus saving resource consumption and improving economic efficiency.

In particular, the first portion of fabric-like material and the second portion of fabric-like material may be two separate webs of fabric-like material.

The fabric-like material part may in particular comprise or consist of polyester, polyamide, aramid, polypropylene, cotton and/or viscose. However, other materials can also be used. The fabric-like material portion may be a woven, knitted, non-woven, or non-crimp fabric (eg, non-crimp cord fabric).

The fabric-like material portion may include a coating. The coating may include plastic. In particular, coatings include synthetic rubber, silicone, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) and/or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

The front opening may also be called a headband. The front opening can also be called the front opening.

Within the scope of the present invention, the terms "radial" and "axial" refer to the stated longitudinal axis.

Within the scope of the present invention, the rest position of the central damping coupling is understood to be that position which the central damping coupling occupies when no external forces are acted upon or acted upon. In particular, the rest position may be a position in which the central buffer coupling extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the protective cover device is constructed in such a way that the protective cover device is connected to the front bulkhead through the radial outer edge of the protective cover device or is in close contact with the front bulkhead, wherein the protective cover device is constructed in such a way that the protective cover device is connected to the central buffer coupling through the radially inner edge of the protective cover device or is in close contact with the central buffer coupling.

This ensures that the front opening is adequately covered. In particular, the cover device can also be tightly attached to or connected to the front bulkhead in a sealed manner. In particular, the cover device can be connected to the front bulkhead while only being in close contact with the central buffer coupling. This facilitates installation of the cover device.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the cover device is constructed and arranged within the rail vehicle front end in such a way that the first rigid support element is axially spaced from the area of the first fabric-like material portion and is spaced apart from the region of the first fabric-like material portion. The regions of the second portion of fabric-like material are axially spaced apart. Thus, a first portion of fabric-like material may extend in a first axial direction starting from the first rigid support element and a second portion of fabric-like material may extend in an opposite axial direction starting from the first rigid support element. This axially spaced arrangement of the rigid support element and the fabric-like material portion allows a high mobility of the rigid support element, so that the movement of the central buffer coupling can also be tracked by the rigid support element.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling is pivotable in a first pivot direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, preferably in a horizontal direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 40 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling is pivotable in a pivot direction, preferably in a horizontal direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 35 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling is pivotable in a pivot direction, preferably in a horizontal direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 30 degrees. This ensures sufficiently good cornering behavior of the rail vehicle in traffic operations on regional lines and makes the implementation of the cover device simple and economical.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling can be rotated in a second pivot direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first pivot direction, preferably in a vertical direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 25 degrees. Make a pivot. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling is pivotable in a second pivot direction, preferably a vertical direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 20 degrees. According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling is pivotable in a second pivot direction, preferably a vertical direction, with a total rotation angle of up to 15 degrees. This ensures sufficiently good uphill performance of the rail vehicle for traffic operations on regional lines and makes the implementation of the cover device simple and economical.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, at least part of the first rigid support element is arranged within the front opening such that at least part of the first rigid support element is radially surrounded by the front bulkhead. This arrangement of rigid support elements has proven to be advantageous. This is because, if the first rigid support element is placed in the free space enclosed by the front bulkhead, then for most existing rail vehicle heads it does not pose an obstacle to any cables and/or compressed air ducts, which Cables and/or compressed air ducts run in these rail vehicle heads along the central buffer coupling as far as the free end of the central buffer coupling.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the present invention, the first rigid support element is arranged outside the front opening, so that the first rigid support element and the front bulkhead are arranged axially spaced apart. This arrangement makes the construction of the cover device aerodynamically advantageous. For example, a plurality of rigid support elements and individual portions of fabric-like material disposed between two adjacent support elements may be arranged to taper relative to the free end of the central buffer coupling. This results in a further reduction in the air resistance value of the rail vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the cover device has at least one second rigid support element, wherein the second rigid support element defines a minimum cross-sectional area of the through hole, and wherein the configuration of the second rigid support element and arranged such that the central buffer coupling passes through the through hole, wherein the central buffer coupling and cover means are constructed and arranged such that pivoting of the central buffer coupling relative to the longitudinal axis results in a second rigid support element changes in position and/or orientation. The second rigid support element may in particular be a rigid support element of the cover arrangement which is arranged closest to the central buffer coupling. As a result, the movement of the central buffer coupling is linked to the movement of the cover device in a simple manner.

According to an embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the cover device includes a first module, wherein the first module covers a first area of the front opening in the rest position of the central buffer coupling, wherein the cover device includes a second module, wherein the second module covers a second area of the front opening in the rest position of the central buffer coupling, wherein the first area and the second area of the front opening do not completely coincide, and wherein the first module of the cover device and The second modules of the cover device can be connected to each other by locking means and can be separated from each other in a non-destructive manner. The locking device may in particular comprise a screw connection and/or a click connection. The modular structure of the cover device enables a particularly smooth connection of the cover device to already existing rail vehicle systems. The modules can be constructed in such a way that the outer module is first connected to the front bulkhead and then the inner module is connected to the outer module. Since the individual modules are lightweight compared to the entire cover assembly, it is easier for the person installing the modules to align them correctly.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the cover device is constructed in such a way that it substantially completely encloses the front opening. This ensures lower turbulence in the front area of the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle travels at high speeds above 50 km/h.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the central buffer coupling extends in the rest position both inside and outside of the front opening. In particular, the cover device described in this disclosure is advantageously suitable for rail vehicles having a central buffer coupling configured in such a manner.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end according to the invention, the front bulkhead is essentially rigid, wherein the front bulkhead is preferably made of metal and/or inelastic plastic.

According to one embodiment of the rail vehicle front end of the invention, the rail vehicle front end is constructed in such a way that the front opening cannot be closed or partially closed by a removable front cover.

The basic object of the invention is also achieved by a cover device for covering a front opening extending between a front bulkhead of a rail vehicle and a central buffer coupling, wherein the cover device is constructed in such a way that , allowing at least a portion of the front opening to be covered by the cover means, wherein the cover means has at least one first rigid support element, wherein the cover means has at least one first fabric-like material portion and a second fabric-like material portion, wherein The cover device may be constructed and arranged on the rail vehicle in such a way that the first fabric-like material portion is at least partially radially arranged between the front bulkhead and the first rigid support element, wherein the cover device It is constructed in such a way that the second portion of fabric-like material can be arranged at least partially radially between the central cushioning coupling and the first rigid support element.

Such a cover arrangement makes it possible to advantageously improve the airflow characteristics of a rail vehicle having a front opening by covering the front opening with the cover arrangement.

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the first fabric-like material portion, the second fabric-like material portion and the first rigid support element are integral parts of the bellows. Such a bellows may comprise a plurality of rigid support elements, each rigid support element configured as a frame profile, wherein a fabric-like material portion configured as a material web extends between each two adjacent frame profiles. The material web can be curved in vertical and horizontal directions in the shape of waves or pleats. Two adjacent material webs rest against each other with their respective ends and are accommodated in the recesses of the frame profile. By clamping the frame profile, the two ends can be connected to each other and to the frame profile in a force-fitting manner. It has been shown that a cover device of this type designed as a bellows can be moved together particularly smoothly during the movement of the central damping coupling and at the same time ensure coverage of the front opening.

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the first and second portions of fabric-like material are constructed and arranged in such a way that they each have pleats or corrugations. The corrugations and corrugations are particularly suitable to allow smooth mobility of the first rigid support element relative to the other rigid support elements and/or relative to the front bulkhead, while ensuring a high degree of axial rigidity and therefore low mobility in the axial direction .

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the pleats or corrugations of the first and second material portions are constructed in such a way that their respective centers of curvature are arranged between the longitudinal axis and the apex of the pleat or the apex of the corrugation. between. In other words, the folds or ripples are outward.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the pleats or corrugations of the first and second material portions are constructed in such a way that their respective apexes are arranged on the longitudinal axis with respect to the pleats or corrugations. between the centers of curvature. In other words, the folds or ripples are inward.

According to an embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the protective cover device is constructed in such a way that the protective cover device can be connected to the outside of the front bulkhead or can be tightly attached to the front bulkhead, wherein the preferred structural manner of the protective cover device is , so that the protective cover device can be internally connected to the central buffer connector or can be tightly attached to the central buffer connector. This connects well with the front bulkhead for aerodynamically beneficial effects.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the first fabric-like material part is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner, wherein the second fabric-like material part The shaped material part is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner.

In particular, the rigid support element may have one or more grooves into which portions of fabric-like material are introduced and then clamped by deformation of the grooves. The deformation of the grooves can be effected, for example, by hammering or extrusion.

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the first rigid support element is self-supporting. According to an embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the protective cover device is self-supporting. Thus, in an independent position, the cover device has a shape and structure that can be maintained without additional support from the outside. This is advantageous for the rigidity of the cover device, since the axially moving air flow creates a force effect.

According to an embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the protective cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the first fabric-like material portion or the second fabric-like material portion is located on two of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements. Rigid support elements extend between them. By means of a plurality of rigid support elements, it is possible to increase the mobility of the through-hole - and consequently the mobility of the central buffer coupling through the through-hole - and the relative mobility of the support elements relative to each other.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the first rigid support element is a closed ring, wherein the ring surrounds a circular, elliptical or polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-section. According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are closed rings. It has been found that closed rings, in particular those with a rectangular cross-section (which may also be referred to as frames), provide an advantageous rigidity for the cover device.

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to each other only by an intermediate portion of fabric-like material. Therefore, low-cost manufacturing is possible without the need for additional connecting elements.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are arranged coaxially with each other. According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, all rigid support elements of the cover device are arranged substantially coaxially with each other. This advantageously enables good movability of two adjacent rigid support elements relative to each other.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the protective cover device includes a plurality of rigid support elements, wherein the plurality of rigid support elements together form a pyramid shape or a cone. This also allows the vias to be highly mobile in both vertical and horizontal directions with a small amount of material consumption.

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the cover device has 4 to 18 rigid support elements. According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, the cover device has 8 to 14 rigid support elements. It has been found that this number of rigid support elements is ideally suited to provide the necessary through-hole mobility for central buffer couplings on regional trains, while also making fabrication and installation simple and cheap.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the axial distance between two supporting elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid supporting elements is at least 0.5 cm. According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the axial distance between two supporting elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid supporting elements is at least 1 cm. These minimum parameter values ensure good mobility of the rigid support elements relative to each other.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the axial distance between two supporting elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid supporting elements is at most 10 cm. According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the axial distance between two supporting elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid supporting elements is at most 5 cm. According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the invention, the axial distance between two supporting elements of each pair of axially adjacent rigid supporting elements is at most 3 cm. These maximum parameter values ensure good rigidity of the cover device.

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the total area over which the protective cover device extends is at most 6 m ² .

According to one embodiment of the protective cover device of the present invention, the total area over which the protective cover device extends is at most 4 m ² .

According to one embodiment of the cover device of the invention, two rigid support elements of a pair of adjacent rigid support elements are connected to each other only by an intermediate portion of fabric-like material.

It is understood that features described above that are only associated with and described separately for the cover device according to the invention may also constitute features of the cover device according to the invention, which cover device is an integral part of the front of a rail vehicle. At the same time, the features of the cover device which are described only in connection with the superordinate unit rail vehicle locomotive also constitute optional features for separately constructed embodiments of the cover device according to the invention.

Description of the drawings

Further advantages, features and scope of application of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical elements are designated with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a rail vehicle front end equipped with a protective cover device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the interior of one embodiment of a cover device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the exterior of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 .

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the protective cover device according to the present invention.

List of reference signs

1 Rail vehicle head

2 center buffer coupling

3 connector end

4 front partition

5 Rigid support components

6 fabric-like material part

7 Cover device

8 Outer edge of cover unit

9 Inner edge of cover unit

10 Module 1

11 Second module

12 Locking device

13 Rigid fastening elements

14 through holes

15 First position of fabric-like material part

15a Second position of fabric-like material part

Detailed ways

Figure 1 shows a rail vehicle front end 1 with an open central buffer coupling 2. A cover device 7 according to the present disclosure is located between the central bumper coupling 2 and the front bulkhead 4 . In an embodiment, the cover device 7 includes a plurality of rigid support elements 5, wherein each pair of adjacent rigid support elements 5 is connected by a fabric-like material portion 6 that forms regular corrugations in a resting state. The rigid support element 5 is configured as a closed rectangular frame with rounded corners. The portion of material extending between two adjacent frames forms regular corrugations in the vertical and horizontal directions respectively.

The cover device is constructed in such a way that the central buffer coupling 2 passes through the through hole of the rigid support element 5 while the coupling end 3 remains visible and accessible from the outside. The outer surface of the first rigid support element 5 is connected to the front bulkhead 4 of the rail vehicle head 1 through the outer edge of the cover device 8 . Starting from this starting point, the cover device 7 extends inwardly in a funnel-like manner to the central buffer coupling 2 .

As soon as another rail vehicle is connected to the vehicle shown via the coupling end 3 and subsequently moves, the center buffer coupling 2 will also move horizontally due to cornering travel and vertically due to uphill travel. Due to the corrugated fabric-like material portions 6 between the individual rigid support elements 5, the cover device 7 can also follow a movement, for example in a right turn. In this case, the side of the cover device 7 located inside the turn is increasingly squeezed, so that the corrugations of the fabric-like material portion 6 located inside the turn cover a smaller area of the front opening. . At the same time, the side of the protective cover device 7 located outside the bend is stretched. Thus, by means of the movement space provided by the corrugated arrangement of the fabric-like material portions 6, a cover arrangement is provided which moves together with the horizontal movement of the central buffer coupling.

Figure 2 shows the inside of the cover device 7 in a possible embodiment. This inner side includes a number of axially consecutively arranged rigid support elements 5 which are interconnected by portions 6 of fabric-like material. The grouping of rigid support elements 5 and associated portions 6 of fabric-like material may form a module extending between two rigid support elements defining the module. In an application example, the cover device 7 contains two such modules, which are connected to each other via a locking device 12 .

The locking device 12 may in particular comprise connecting elements forming a positive fit.

In the embodiment shown here, the first module 10 is an internal module. When the protective cover device is implemented as an integral part of the rail vehicle front as shown in Figure 1, the first module 10 forms a through hole 14 with the inner edge 9 of the protective cover device 7 (also the inner edge of the module 10), and the central buffer connection 2 passes through the through hole. In this application example, the second module 11 is an external module. As shown in Figure 1, the second module is fixed to the front bulkhead 4 of the rail vehicle head 1 through the outer edge 8 of the protective cover device 7. The outermost element of the second module 11 connected directly to the front bulkhead 4 is the rigid fastening element 13 .

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the embodiment of the cover device 7 shown in FIG. 2 . From this angle one can see the inner rigid support element 5 which, together with the inner edge of the cover device 9 , defines the through-hole 14 of the central buffer coupling 2 . Only the remaining rigid support elements 5 , which together with the fabric-like material part 6 form the first and second modules 10 , 11 , are only slightly visible through the through-holes 14 . Likewise, only part of the locking device 12 is visible, which connects the two modules together via the rigid support element 5 .

FIG. 4 shows a vertical sectional view of one embodiment of the cover device 7 . The cover device includes a first module 10 which is connected to a second module 11 via a locking device 12 . The modules 10, 11 each consist of a fabric-like material portion 6 and a rigid support element 5 arranged in a corrugated manner. The outermost element of the second module is a rigid fastening element 13 which can be fixed to the front bulkhead 4 of the rail vehicle front 1 via the outer edge of the cover device 8 .

Figure 4 shows the inner fabric-like material portion 6 of the first module 10 in two different positions 15, 15a. The first position 15 of the inner portion of fabric-like material 6 shows it in the rest position of the cover device 7 , ie when the central buffer coupling 2 (shown in Figure 1 ) is passed through the through hole 14. The second position 15a shows characteristics when the cover device 7 is displaced from its rest position - for example by vertical rotation of the center buffer coupling 2 through the through hole 14.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the rigid support element 5 is a frame profile with a U-shaped cross-section. In a groove formed by a U-shaped section, two adjacent ends of two fabric-like material portions 6 are fixed in such a way that the two fabric-like material portions 6 can form pleats or corrugations. In the event of a vertical deflection of the through-hole 14 (caused by a vertical rotation of the central buffer coupling 2 ), the internally located support element 5 is moved in the vertical direction, which is pressed against or by the inner edge 9 of the cover device 7 Can fit snugly into center buffer coupling 2. A portion of fabric-like material 6 fixed in the groove can also follow this movement. In a further sequence, the unfolding of this portion of fabric-like material 6 causes a vertical movement of the next adjacent rigid support element 5 . Therefore, a series of associated relative movements of the rigid support element 5 is possible, such that the central buffer coupling 2 is moved while the front opening is covered.

Claims (15)

1. A head of a railway vehicle,

wherein the rail vehicle head has a central buffer coupling with a free coupling end, such that the free coupling end can be connected with another central buffer coupling of another rail vehicle head,

wherein the center buffer coupling extends along a longitudinal axis in a rest position,

wherein the center bumper coupler is constructed and arranged such that the free coupler end is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis,

wherein the railway vehicle head is provided with a front baffle plate,

wherein the front bulkhead radially surrounds at least a portion of the central cushion coupler such that a front opening is defined between the front bulkhead and the central cushion coupler that is directed substantially in a longitudinal direction,

wherein the rail vehicle head is provided with a protecting cover device,

wherein the cover means is constructed and arranged such that at least a portion of the front opening is covered by the cover means,

wherein the cover means comprises through holes aligned in the longitudinal direction,

wherein the free coupler end passes through the through hole from inside to outside or is substantially flush with the through hole,

wherein the protective cover device has at least one first rigid support element,

wherein the protective cover device has at least a first textile-like material portion and a second textile-like material portion,

wherein the cover device is constructed and arranged on the rail vehicle in such a way that the first textile-like material portion extends radially at least partially between the front bulkhead and the first rigid support element,

wherein the protective cover device is configured in such a way that the second textile material portion extends radially at least partially between the central buffer coupling and the first rigid support element.

2. The rail vehicle head of claim 1,

wherein the protective cover device is constructed in such a way that the protective cover device is connected with the front baffle plate through the radial outer edge of the protective cover device or is tightly attached to the front baffle plate,

wherein the protective cover device is configured in such a way that the protective cover device is connected to the central buffer coupling via a radially inner edge of the protective cover device or is in close contact with the central buffer coupling.

3. The rail vehicle head of any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the cover device is configured and arranged within the rail vehicle head such that the first rigid support element is axially spaced from the region of the first textile-like material portion and is axially spaced from the region of the second textile-like material portion.

4. The rail vehicle head of any one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least a portion of the first rigid support element is disposed within the front opening such that at least a portion of the first rigid support element is radially surrounded by the rail vehicle head.

5. The rail vehicle head of any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the protective cover device has at least one second rigid support element,

wherein the second rigid support member defines a through-hole,

wherein the second rigid support member is constructed and arranged such that the center bumper coupler passes through the through hole,

wherein the central buffer coupling and the protective cover device are constructed and arranged in such a way that a pivoting of the central buffer coupling relative to the longitudinal axis results in a change of position and/or orientation of the second rigid support element.

6. The rail vehicle head of any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the protective cover device comprises a first module, wherein the first module covers a first area of the front opening,

wherein the protective cover device comprises a second module, wherein the second module covers a second area of the front opening,

wherein the first and second regions of the front opening do not completely coincide,

wherein the first module of the cover device and the second module of the cover device are connectable to each other by a locking device and are detachable from each other in a non-destructive manner.

7. A protective cover device for covering a front opening extending between a front bulkhead and a center bumper coupler of a rail vehicle,

wherein the cover means comprises through holes aligned in the longitudinal direction,

wherein the cover device is configured in such a way that at least a part of the front opening can be covered by the cover device,

wherein the protective cover device has at least one first rigid support element,

wherein the protective cover device has at least a first textile-like material portion and a second textile-like material portion,

wherein the cover device may be constructed and arranged on the rail vehicle in such a way that the first textile-like material portion may be arranged at least partially radially between the front bulkhead and the first rigid support element,

wherein the protective cover device is configured in such a way that the second textile-like material portion can be arranged at least partially radially between the central buffer coupling and the first rigid support element.

8. A protective cover device according to claim 7,

wherein the first textile-like material portion, the second textile-like material portion, and the first rigid support element are integral parts of a bellows.

9. A protective cover device according to claim 7 or 8,

wherein said first and second web-like material portions are constructed and arranged in such a way that each has folds or corrugations,

wherein the folds or corrugations of the first material part and the second material part are preferably configured in such a way that the respective center of curvature of the folds or corrugations is arranged between the longitudinal axis and the apex of the folds or the apex of the corrugations.

10. The protective cover device according to any one of claims 7 to 9,

wherein the protective cover device is configured in such a way that it can be connected to the outside of the front partition or can be in close contact with the front partition,

the protective cover device is preferably designed such that it can be connected to the inside of the central buffer coupling or can be attached to the central buffer coupling.

11. The protective cover device according to any one of claims 7 to 10,

wherein the first material portion is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner,

wherein the second material portion is connected to the first rigid support element in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner, in particular in a force-fitting manner.

12. The protective cover device according to any one of claims 7 to 11,

wherein the first rigid support element is self-supporting,

wherein preferably the entire protective cover device is self-supporting.

13. The protective cover device according to any one of claims 7 to 12,

wherein the protective cover device has a plurality of rigid support elements,

wherein the first or second web-like material portion extends between two rigid support elements of at least one pair of adjacent rigid support elements.

14. The protective cover device according to any one of claims 7 to 13,

wherein the first rigid support element is a closed ring, wherein the ring surrounds a circular, oval or polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-section,

wherein preferably all rigid support elements are closed loops.

15. The rail vehicle head of any one of claims 1 to 6,

wherein the protective cover device is constructed according to any one of claims 7 to 14.