BSI compact coupling

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The BSI compact coupling is a mechanical device for connecting two rail vehicles to form a train. It transfers the tensile and compressive forces within a train set and can be automatically coupled and uncoupled. It is mainly used in tram cars and regional rail cars .

The name BSI comes from the former company Bergische Stahlindustrie in Remscheid, which is now part of the Wabtec group.

construction

The BSI compact coupling consists of a metallic coupling head with two pins arranged diagonally one above the other and two grooves arranged symmetrically to them. When two cars are being coupled, the pins of one coupling engage in the grooves of the other, so that the two coupling heads are fixed in the vertical direction as well as transversely to the direction of travel. A bolt embedded in the couplings is used to transfer the longitudinal forces and creates a firm connection between the two couplings. When uncoupling, the latches are pulled back by a mechanism so that the two couplings are released from each other.

The BSI coupling can be supplemented with attachments to connect air lines, power lines and control lines. These attachments can be arranged above, below or (on both sides) to the side of the coupling head. A flap closes the electrical contacts in the uncoupled state in order to prevent contamination.

distribution

The BSI compact coupling was developed by Bergische Stahl-Industrie and has been used in trams since the 1950s and later also in rail vehicles. Compared to the previously used trumpet clutches and Albert clutches , it has the advantage of being able to automatically couple and uncouple, so that the coupling process is considerably simplified. In addition, the simultaneous, automatic connection of the brake and control lines makes it possible to dispense with additional cable and hose connections. The range of functions of the BSI compact coupling corresponds to that of the Scharfenberg coupling .

Today the BSI compact coupling can be found, for example, on trams in Darmstadt , light rail vehicles in Dortmund and Bielefeld as well as on the regional shuttle railcars of some operators and on the SBB RABDe 500 (ICN). BSI couplings are used to a large extent on British railcars. The Nederlandse Spoorwegen use a low-lying BSI compact coupling below the screw coupling on double-decker trains and some of the 1700 series locomotives .

  • Coupling with attachment for connecting the control and air lines below

  • Coupling with laterally arranged contact attachments

  • Coupled BSI compact couplings with contact attachment

  • Regional shuttle of the Ortenau S-Bahn with BSI compact coupling

  • Low-lying coupling of a Dutch control car

literature