Scharfenberg as a technical design principle and brand name
Scharfenberg and the abbreviation Schaku are registered trademarks of Voith Patent GmbH.[2][3] For this reason, only couplings from Voith can use this name. The associated coupling principle is also referred to as latch type design.[4] It is not protected by a patent and is used with fully compatible couplers from manufacturers such as Dellner or Wabtec.
Working principles
The face of the Scharfenberg coupler has a protruding cone and a matching cup. Inside the cone there is a rigid metal hoop connected to a revolving, spring-loaded metal disk with a notch on the opposite side. When ready to couple, the spring turns the disk so the hoop is extended from the cone. As the cars meet, the hoop enters the cup on the other coupler, stopping against the disk. The hoops are then pressed back into their own coupler, causing the disks to rotate until the notches align with the hoops. After the hoops have entered, the notches on the disks spring back into the hoop extended position, locking the coupling. In the coupled position, forces on the hoops and disk will balance out, which means that the Scharfenberg, unlike many other couplers, is not dependent on heavy latches to stay locked.
Small air cylinders, acting on the rotating heads of the coupler, ensure the engagement of the components, making it unnecessary to use force to get a good coupling. Joining portions of a passenger train can be done at very low speed (less than 3 km/h or 2 mph in the final approach), so that the passengers are not jolted. One problem with the coupler is that it is often hard to connect it in a curve. Planned coupling is normally done on a straight flat track, while there has been trouble coupling a broken down train at an unplanned place.
Scharfenberg couplers
Layout of a Scharfenberg coupler (Labels in German)
Coupling process of a Scharfenberg coupler (Labels in German)
Uncoupling process of a Scharfenberg coupler (Labels in German)
Uses
File:Pendeltåg kopplas ihop.webm
Rail equipment manufacturers such as Alstom offer the Schaku as an option on their mass transit passenger cars and locomotives. Presently, Scharfenberg couplers are in use on the following passenger transit systems:
Australia
Victoria - V/Line (VLocity 160, Sprinter), Metro Trains Melbourne (Comeng, Siemens Nexas, X'Trapolis 100 [also used in Chile])
New South Wales - Sydney Trains (T, M, A & B sets), NSW TrainLink (Endeavour railcar and Xplorer)
Western Australia - Transperth (A-series, B-series train)
South Australia - Adelaide Metro (3000 class railcar)
Some UK Hitachi A-train AT300 including the Class 395 Javelin AT300, Class 801 Azuma AT300, and Class 802 IET/Nova 1/Paragon AT300, Class 803 AT300, and the under construction/in testing Class 805 AT300, Class 807 AT300, Class 810 Aurora AT300.[citation needed]
San Bernardino - Metrolink Arrow Service (Stadler FLIRT DMU & FLIRT H2)
San Francisco Bay Area - BART (New Type D and E vehicles and Stadler FLIRT GTW)
Scharfenberg coupler on a NCTD Sprinter Siemens Desiro VT642 DMU at Escondido Transit CenterSan Francisco Bay Area - Muni Metro (New Type 4 vehicles)
San Francisco Bay Area - Caltrain (Stadler KISS)
San Diego County, California (NCTD Sprinter hybrid rail)
Types
Type 10 as used on TGVThe Shanghai Metro is among several metro systems that use the Type 35 Scharfenberg coupler
Coupler heads for passenger trains that work according to the Scharfenberg principles:[10][11]
Type 10: Used for mainline railways and high speed rail applications
Type 12: For regional, intercity and high-speed trains, as well as underground railways
Type 35: Designed for rolling stock without a compressed air system and used for urban transit applications
Type 330: Used for trams and light rail transit
Type 430/530: A folding coupler designed for low-floor trams and monorails
Type 55: Designed for shunting purposes
Type 140: Designed for industrial railways
CargoFlex: For freight trains, based on the type 10 Scharfenberg coupler head
Couplers for freight trains based on the Scharfenberg principles: [12][13]
Digital automatic coupler for freight trains, based on the Scharfenberg coupler head Type 10.
Hybrid digital automatic coupler for locomotives, based on the Scharfenberg coupler head type 10. The coupler can be used with both automatic and screw couplings.
From HandWiki - Reading time: 6 min
Layout of a Scharfenberg coupler (Labels in German)
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