|
A coupling (or a coupler) is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the track gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together. The equipment that connects the couplings to the rolling stock is known as the draft gear. == Nomenclature == The different types of coupling do not always have formal or official names, which makes descriptions of the couplings in use on any railway system problematic. == Buffers and chain == (詳細はPlanet class locomotive of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway of 1830. These couplings followed earlier tramway practice but were made more regular. The vehicles are coupled by hand using a hook and links with a turnbuckle that draws the vehicles together. In Britain, this is called a ''screw coupling''. Vehicles have buffers, one at each corner on the ends, which are pulled together and compressed by the coupling device. This arrangement limits the slack in trains and lessens shocks. The earliest buffers were fixed extensions of the wagon frames, but later spring buffers were introduced. This coupling is still the standard in European countries (except the former Soviet Union, where the SA-3 automatic coupler is used). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Railway coupling」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|