NEEDLE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tongue device, in particular a grooved rail tongue device, with a tongue rail, wherein the tongue device comprises at least a jaw rail, a connecting rail and a tongue rail support, and wherein the tongue rail and the connecting rail are connected to each other via a weld joint.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for replacing a tongue rail in a tongue device, in particular a grooved rail tongue device, comprising at least one jaw rail, one connecting rail and one tongue rail support, wherein the tongue rail and the connecting rail are joined together by welding to form a weld joint.

[0003] DE 195 07 376 C2 describes a tongue joint device in which the tongue rail transitions into the connecting rail at an angled joint. The rails are connected to each other via mechanical retaining elements.

[0004] Instead of a mechanical connection, the tongue rail and connecting rail can also be connected to each other by means of welding, as can be seen, for example, in DE 685 445 A or DE 1 048 938 B.

[0005] In a monoblock turnout according to DE 40 11 523 A1, a tongue rail is welded to a connecting rail inside the block.

[0006] The advantage of a mechanical connection is that a tongue rail can be easily replaced. In contrast, welding connections require complex work, especially when the tongue assembly, comprising the stock rail, connecting rail, and tongue rail support, is manufactured as a monoblock, i.e., milled from a single block. Therefore, mechanical connections between the tongue rail and connecting rail have become the predominant method for tongue assemblies in monoblock construction.

[0007] DE 853 759 C and EP 0 515 708 A1 relate to tongue devices with a sliding plate for a tongue rail, each having a closed sliding surface.

[0008] A grooved rail tongue device according to DE 20 2016 002 305 U1 has a base plate with openings to allow a jaw rail arranged on the base plate to be welded to it.

[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of further developing a tongue device and a method for replacing a tongue rail in a tongue device in such a way that a tongue rail can be replaced without problems even in the case of a welded connection.

[0010] To solve the problem, a tongue device of the type mentioned above is characterized in that the tongue rail support has a cavity bounded on its underside and a through-opening extending into the cavity below the weld joint, or that the tongue rail support has a recess below the weld joint, wherein the width of the through-opening or the recess is greater than the width of the tongue rail below the weld joint and the through-opening or the recess has a length that allows a separation cut between the connecting rail and the tongue rail through the weld joint or adjacent to the weld joint in the connecting rail, as well as a connection of the connecting rail with tongue rails of the same or different lengths.

[0011] A method for replacing a tongue rail is characterized in that a tongue device is used in which the tongue rail support has a cavity on its underside and a through-opening extending into the cavity in the area of ​​the weld joint, or in which a recess is formed in the tongue rail support below the weld joint, wherein the width of the through-opening or the recess is greater than the width of the tongue rail below the weld joint and the through-opening orthe recess has a length that allows separation cuts between the connecting rail and tongue rails of the same or different lengths, wherein, to replace a tongue rail, a separation cut is made through the weld joint or a separation cut adjacent to the weld joint in the connecting rail, and then the connecting rail is connected to a new tongue rail, wherein, with the separation cut being spaced apart from the previous weld joint, the new tongue rail to be connected to the connecting rail is longer than the replaced tongue rail by the distance between the previous weld joint and the separation cut.

[0012] According to the invention, a tongue assembly consisting of a stock rail, connecting rail, and tongue rail support, which can also be referred to as a sliding plate, can be used in a monoblock construction without problems arising when the tongue rail is connected to the connecting rail by welding. This is because, due to the recess or through-opening present in the tongue rail support or sliding plate, it is possible to weld a connecting rail or a section thereof as part of the monoblock to tongue rails multiple times, i.e., that a tongue rail can be replaced multiple times. Thus, it is possible to remove a tongue rail to be replaced by cutting it, and then to connect a new tongue rail to the connecting rail by welding. The tongue assembly itself is not damaged, since, according to the invention, the recess in the support or sliding plate...The through-opening must be present to allow for the separation cut and also for re-welding. The recess or through-opening should be dimensioned in relation to the tongue rail or connecting rail in such a way that welding anchors can easily be positioned below the tongue rail or connecting rail to weld root passes and then, for example, form an I- or V-groove weld.

[0013] With proper welding, the separation cut can be made at the weld joint. Preferably, however, the cut is made at a distance from the weld joint in the connecting rail or the section integrated into the monoblock. The new tongue rail, which is then welded to the connecting rail, is longer than the replaced rail by the distance between the previous weld joint and the cut point. Trimming to size can be done on site.

[0014] Preferably, the length of the recess or through-opening is 50 mm to 150 mm, particularly 80 mm to 120 mm, and / or the recess or through-opening extends to each side of the tongue or connecting rail over a width of between 10 mm and 50 mm, particularly between 20 mm and 30 mm. With these dimensions, for example, 5 to 6 cuts, i.e., the replacement of 5 to 6 tongue rails, can be easily carried out without any loss of functionality of the tongue device.

[0015] If there is no through-opening, but a recess is formed in the support, such as a sliding plate, the depth should be designed so that a welding safety device can be easily inserted into the recess.

[0016] While it is preferably intended that the tongue device be designed as a monoblock, it is readily possible to use other designs, such as those described in the prior art. In particular, the tongue device can be manufactured from a lower part and an upper part, wherein, in the case of a grooved rail tongue device, the upper part comprises the stock rail, connecting rail, auxiliary rail, and tongue rail support, and the lower part can be a mounting.

[0017] It is also possible to construct the tongue device from an upper part made of high-strength steel and a lower part made of structural steel or other lower-grade steel.

[0018] The invention also covers the possibility of constructing the tongue device in one piece from a high-strength steel.

[0019] The invention is also characterized in that the tongue device is designed in monoblock construction, and in particular is arranged on a base plate to which the underside of the tongue rail support runs at a distance, or that the tongue device has a lower part in block construction on which an upper part having the tongue rail support is arranged.

[0020] Preferably, the tongue device is arranged on a base plate, with the underside of the tongue rail support spaced apart from it. A heating element, for example, can be arranged in the cavity thus formed.

[0021] Regardless of this, a further development provides that the base plate may have a drainage opening which, in projection along the vertical axis of the tongue device, preferably overlaps at least partially with the through-opening, or that a drainage opening such as a channel or bore extends from the recess. This offers the particular advantage that water entering through the through-opening can drain away easily.

[0022] The method according to the invention is also characterized in that the tongue device is designed in monoblock construction with a block-like lower part and an upper part having a tongue rail support, wherein the recess running below the weld joint should have a depth that allows the insertion of a weld pool sealant.

[0023] Further training stipulates that a weld pool guard will be inserted into the through-opening or recess for welding.

[0024] In particular, the invention is characterized by the fact that the jaw rail, a side rail, the connecting rail and the tongue rail support of the tongue device are designed as a monoblock.

[0025] Preferably, the tongue device consists of an upper part and a lower part made of the same or different materials.

[0026] Further details, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent not only from the claims and the features to be derived therefrom - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of a preferred embodiment to be derived from the drawings.

[0027] They show: Fig. 1 a top view of a tongue device with tongue rail, Fig. 2 a detail of the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a section along line AA in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 a section accordingly Fig. 3 an alternative tongue device.

[0028] The Figuren 1 - 3 A tongue assembly 10 in monoblock construction is shown, without this limiting the teaching according to the invention. Rather, the tongue assembly 10, which accommodates a tongue rail 12, can also consist of several individual parts. Preferably, however, a monoblock construction is provided.

[0029] The tongue device 10, which is also explained by way of example using a grooved rail tongue device, comprises, in a known manner, a stock rail 14, a guide rail 30, and a sliding plate 16, which can also be referred to as a tongue rail support. The tongue rail 12 is adjustably arranged on the sliding plate 16 in a known manner. The stock rail 14 and the sliding plate 16 are sections of the tongue device 10, which, as mentioned, is designed as a monoblock in the drawing.

[0030] In the embodiment example, the tongue device 10 is arranged on a base plate 18, which has thicknesses adapted to the height of the control rails or grooved rail profiles such as R59 / 60 adjoining the tongue device, without requiring a change in the height of the tongue device 10 itself.

[0031] The sliding plate 16 is spaced apart from the surface of the base plate 18, as shown in the sectional view of the Fig. 3 This can be seen from the cavity 20 thus formed. A heating element, for example, can be arranged in the cavity 20 thus formed. The cavity 20 also serves as a drain, which leads via an opening 22 in the base plate into a drain plug 24. Furthermore, drainage openings 28 are provided in the groove 26 of the jaw rail 14, which are connected to the cavity 20.

[0032] The sliding plate 16 runs between the jaw rail and the auxiliary rail 30, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the tongue device 10 and is part of the monoblock.

[0033] Furthermore, the tongue device includes a connecting rail 32, which is welded to the tongue rail 12. The corresponding weld joint is marked with reference numeral 34. This is located in the embodiment example of the Fig. 3 above a through-opening 36, which is preferably located directly above the drain plug 24, i.e., the projection of the through-opening 36 in the vertical axis direction of the tongue device overlaps the drain plug 24, as is also shown in particular in the illustration in the Fig. 2 clarifies.

[0034] If the tongue rail 12 is worn or damaged, it must be replaced. This is done by making a cut directly at the joint surface or at a distance from it, as illustrated by lines 1, 2, 3, and 4. These are cuts 38 that can be easily made thanks to the provided through-hole 36. The cutting process is just as straightforward as welding in a new tongue rail. Specifically, a plate-shaped weld pool support, such as a sheet, is positioned below the connecting rail 32 and the tongue rail 12 in the joint area to facilitate the welding of root passes and subsequent I- or V-grooves. The new tongue rail is longer than the one being replaced by the distance between the weld joint 34 of the tongue rail being replaced and the cut.If this occurs directly in weld joint 34, the new tongue rail has the same length as the replaced tongue rail.

[0035] The space created by the through-hole 36 therefore allows for trouble-free, e.g., oxy-fuel cutting, due to the available space for the cutting jet. Other cutting methods are also suitable.

[0036] For the re-welding of a new tongue rail, the weld pool protection 40 is inserted into the through-opening below the rail feet; this can consist of a sheet metal and has a width that should at least correspond to the tongue width.

[0037] Based on the Fig. 3 The described through-opening represents a preferred implementation of the teaching according to the invention. Alternatively, and by the Fig. 4 clarifies that the same reference symbols are used for identical elements as in the Fig. 3 To be used, it is possible to form a recess 116 in the tongue rail support, i.e. the sliding plate 16, in the area of ​​the weld joint to be produced, into which, according to the Fig. 3 A weld pool protection layer 40 can be introduced.

[0038] The sectional view according to Fig. 4 This takes place in a tongue device 100, which is manufactured in a monoblock construction, but which is not a single piece, but consists of an upper part 102 and a lower part 104. The upper part 102 is made of high-strength steel, whereas the lower part can be made of, for example, structural steel. According to the embodiment shown Fig. 3 A drainage bore 28 can extend from the lowest point of the groove 26 of the stock rail 14 and transition into the connecting stub 24, although this is not a mandatory feature. It is also possible for the tongue device 100 to be arranged on a base plate 18 of the desired thickness, as is the case in connection with the Fig. 3 has been explained.

[0039] The invention relates to a tongue device with a tongue rail 12, wherein the tongue device comprises at least a jaw rail 14, a connecting rail 32, and a tongue rail support 16, and the tongue rail and the connecting rail are connected to one another via a weld 34. The tongue rail support 16 has a through-opening 36 or recess 116 below the weld, the width of the through-opening 36 or the recess 116 being greater than the width of the tongue rail 12. The through-opening 36 or the recess 116 further has a length that allows the connecting rail 32 to be connected to tongue rails of the same or different lengths.

Claims

1. A switch device (10, 100), in particular a grooved rail switch device, with a tongue blade (12), whereby the switch device comprises at least one stock rail (14), one connecting rail (32), and one tongue blade support (16), and whereby the tongue blade and the connecting rail are connected to each other via a weld joint (34), characterized in that the tongue blade support (16) at its lower side borders on a hollow space (20) and below the weld joint (34) comprises a through opening (36) passing into the hollow space, or in that the tongue blade support comprises a cut-out (116) below the weld joint, whereby the width of the through opening or cut-out is greater than the width of the tongue blade (12) below the weld joint, and the through opening or the cut-out possesses a length that allows a separating cut through the weld joint (34) between the connecting rail (32) and the tongue blade (12) or a separating cut adjacent to the weld joint (34) in the connection rail (32) as well as joining the connecting rail (32) with tongue blades of equal or different lengths.

2. The switch device of claim 1, characterized in that the switch device (10, 100) is embodied in monobloc design and in particular is arranged on a base plate (18), at some distance from which extends the lower side of the tongue blade support (16), or in that the switch device comprises a lower part (104) embodied in monobloc design, on which is arranged an upper part (102) that comprises the tongue blade support.

3. The switch device of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base plate (18) comprises a drain opening (22, 24), which, if projected along the vertical axis of the switch device (10), preferably at least sectionally overlaps with the through opening (36), or that originating from the cut-out is a drain opening such as a drain channel or drain hole.

4. The switch device of at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the through opening (36) or cut-out (116) is 50 mm to 150 mm, in particular 80 mm to 120 mm, and / or the through opening or the cut-out extends on each side of the tongue blade or connecting rail (12, 32) over a width of between 10 mm and 50 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm.

5. A method for replacing a tongue blade (12) in a switch device (10, 100), in particular a grooved rail switch device, comprising at least one stock rail (14), one connecting rail (32) as well as a tongue blade support (16), whereby the tongue blade and the connecting rail are connected to each other by forming a weld joint (34) by means of welding, characterized in that one employs a switch device (10, 100), in which the tongue blade support (16) is bordered on its lower side by a hollow space (20) and in the area of the weld joint (24) comprises a through opening (36) that passes into the hollow space, or in that a cut-out (116) is embodied below the weld joint in the tongue blade support, whereby the width of the through opening or cut-out is greater than the width of the tongue blade (12) below the weld joint and the through opening or cut-out possesses a length that allows separating cuts between the connecting rail (32) and tongue blades of equal or different lengths, whereby for replacing a tongue blade, a separating cut is made through the weld joint or a separating cut is made adjacent to the weld joint in the connecting rail, and subsequently the connecting rail is connected to a new tongue blade, whereby if the separating cut extends at a distance from the previous weld joint, the new tongue blade to be connected to the connecting rail will be longer than the replaced tongue blade by the distance between the previous joint weld and the separating cut.

6. The method of claim 5, characterized in that the switch device (10, 100) is arranged on a base plate (18), which possesses a height that is adapted to the overall height of the standard rails, such as grooved rail sections, to be connected to the switch device.

7. The method of claim 5, characterized in that the switch device (100) is embodied in monobloc design with a block-like lower part (104) and an upper part (102) that comprises the tongue blade support, whereby the cut-out (116) extending below the weld joint possesses a depth that is sufficient to allow the insertion of a weld backing (40).

8. The method of claim 5 or 6, characterized in that for welding purposes, a weld backing (40) is introduced into the through opening (36) or the cut-out (116).

9. The method of at least one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the stock rail (14), a side rail (30), the connecting rail (32), and the tongue blade support (16) of the switch device (10, 100) are embodied as a monobloc.

10. The method of at least one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the switch device (100) consists of an upper part (102) and a lower part (104) of equal or different materials.