Handbrake with a double-sided gear box

摘要

A handbrake for a railroad car includes a handbrake body having one or more gear train components therein and a drive shaft operatively connected to the one or more gear train components. An intermediate pinion shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft through one or more gears. A shaft alignment link is adapted for maintaining a relative spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A gear box housing is provided to enclose at least a portion of the drive shaft, the intermediate pinion shaft, and the shaft alignment link. The shaft alignment link is movable relative to the gear box housing due to any eccentric movement of the drive shaft to maintain the proper spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft, thereby eliminating a possibility of gear binding. A method for aligning internal gear components within a handbrake and an alignment system for use with a railway vehicle handbrake is also provided.

主权项

1. A handbrake for a railway vehicle, comprising:
a handbrake body and a backplate, said handbrake body and back plate defining a space for containing one or more gear train components therein; a drive shaft protruding from an upper surface of the back plate of the handbrake and outside of the space defined by the handbrake body and the back plate, said drive shaft operatively connected to the one or more gear train components; an intermediate pinion shaft operatively connected to the drive shaft; a shaft alignment link having a bottom face portion facing the upper surface of the back plate, said shaft alignment link associated with the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft, the shaft alignment link adapted for maintaining a relative spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft during rotation of the drive shaft; and a gear box housing associated with the upper surface of the back plate opposite from the space defined by the handbrake body and the back plate, the gear box housing configured to enclose at least the shaft alignment link, wherein the gear box includes an opening containing a first pinion shaft bushing therein, the opening configured to receive an upper portion of the intermediate pinion shaft.