Railway line automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic ballast-replenishing device, system, and integrated work vehicle for railway lines. The automatic ballast-replenishing device comprises: a ballast bucket mounted on a vehicle frame for accommodating ballast; a spiral conveying mechanism disposed below the ballast bucket, which quantitatively removes the ballast from the bucket by controlling the number of revolutions of the spiral conveying mechanism; and a ballast-dropping bucket disposed below the spiral conveying mechanism, which controls the ballast drop and backfills it into a pick pocket, thereby achieving single-time quantitative ballast backfilling. The present invention addresses the technical problems of existing ballast-replenishing devices, such as their susceptibility to malfunction, poor reliability, limited operability, and inability to achieve quantitative ballast distribution control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of railway engineering machinery, and in particular to an automatic ballast backfilling device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway line tamping construction operations. Background Art

[0002] Aside from high-speed rail, which uses ballastless track, my country currently has over 100,000 kilometers of conventional lines. These lines require tamping and maintenance as they age. Furthermore, whether replacing rails or laying new lines, the ballast supporting the rails within the trackbed must be tamped using equipment such as tamping vehicles, using tamping picks and other methods to vibrate and stabilize the rails, ensuring a stable and reliable rail support. When laying new railway lines or performing tamping maintenance on existing lines, the tamping vehicles tamp the ballast supporting the rails, causing the ballast to sink and form pick pockets, which require ballast filling. Obviously, during the tamping process, the ballast will sink, forming pick pockets of a certain volume. To ensure that the ballast provides adequate support, these pick pockets need to be replenished and filled with ballast. Currently, the main method of ballast filling is manual ballast transportation and ballast filling, which is both labor-intensive and labor-intensive.

[0003] In the prior art, the following technical solutions are mainly related to the present invention:

[0004] Prior art 1 is a Chinese invention application filed by China Railway Construction High-Tech Equipment Co., Ltd. on September 14, 2018, and published on December 11, 2018, with publication number CN108978370A. The invention discloses a ballast unloading device for backfilling pick pockets, including a ballast bucket and a ballast unloading device. The bottom of the ballast bucket is provided with a ballast unloading port, and an anti-ballast jamming structure is provided between the lower part of the ballast bucket and the ballast unloading device. Compared with the existing manual method, the invention is widely applicable to occasions requiring fixed-point and quantitative unloading, and is particularly suitable for automatic backfilling of pick pockets formed after tamping operations. It can realize fixed-point and quantitative ballast unloading, replacing the existing manual backfilling of pick pockets, which not only greatly reduces manual workload and saves a lot of labor costs, but also greatly improves the work efficiency of backfilling pick pockets. However, the invention is prone to ballast jamming on the edge of the funnel for larger ballast, resulting in damage to the rotating device. Especially when the ballast begins to fill the hopper, the ballast exerts great pressure on the rotating device, making it difficult to separate the ballast into layers at the ballast opening, and the ballast separating device cannot smoothly rotate in and out. Therefore, the ballast unloading device of the invention is prone to failure, has poor reliability, and is not easy to operate.

[0005] Prior Art 2 is a Chinese utility model patent application filed by China Railway Construction High-Tech Equipment Co., Ltd. and China Railway Corporation on January 25, 2019, and published on March 17, 2020, with publication number CN210151491U. This utility model discloses a ballast-splitting device adaptable to different operating positions, comprising a ballast-discharging device and a ballast-splitting device. The ballast-splitting device is located below the ballast-discharging device and includes a ballast-splitting bucket and an adjustable ballast-splitting mechanism. The adjustable ballast-splitting mechanism includes a ballast-splitting bucket hydraulic cylinder, guide rods, and guide rod columns. A fastener sensing device is provided below the ballast-splitting device, comprising a fastener-sensing lifting beam and a fastener-sensing sensor. This utility model can transport its own ballast on board and automatically backfill the pick pocket with ballast. It can automatically adjust the direction of ballast placement to backfill the roadbed with ballast at different sleeper spacings when the sleeper spacing is inconsistent. It can effectively improve the density of ballast between sleepers, further enhance the stability of the roadbed, and ensure the safety of train operation. However, this utility model mainly uses an oil cylinder to drive the ballast bucket to swing along the length of the rails to adapt to different sleeper spacings. At the same time, the ballast placement device of this utility model has the same structure as the existing technology 1 and has similar technical defects.

[0006] Prior Art 3 is a Chinese invention application filed by China Railway Construction High-Tech Equipment Co., Ltd. on August 31, 2018, and published on December 21, 2018, with publication number CN109056433A. This invention discloses a sleeper ballast maintenance device, comprising a trolley frame with a ballast compacting trolley mounted below it, and a pick-hole backfilling device mounted on the trolley frame. The pick-hole backfilling device includes a ballast bucket, a ballast unloading device, a ballast separator, and a ballast filling power source. The ballast unloading device is driven by the ballast filling power source to rotate, achieving quantitative ballast unloading. The ballast separator is used to guide the ballast released from the ballast unloading device into the sleeper pick-holes on both sides of the rail. Compared to existing manual methods, this invention can be integrated into large-scale road maintenance machinery and equipped with a corresponding intelligent detection and control system. It can simultaneously automatically backfill the tamping pits and automatically compact the ballast between sleepers, enabling fixed-point and fixed-quantity ballast placement and compaction, replacing manual labor. This not only significantly saves labor costs but also significantly improves maintenance efficiency. However, the operating device of this invention cannot achieve the offset of the vehicle centerline during curved section operations, and the ballast bucket cannot be aligned with the pick pits, making it only suitable for straight section operations. At the same time, the ballast placement principle of this invention is the same as that of the prior art 1.

[0007] Prior Art 4 is a Chinese utility model patent application filed by Hebei Rongkun Railway Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. on September 24, 2019, and published on June 26, 2020, with publication number CN210856812U. This utility model discloses a ballast distribution device for track laying, comprising a vehicle body and four wheels mounted on the vehicle body. A ballast bucket is provided on the top of the vehicle body, and a ballast distribution conveyor is provided on the bottom of the vehicle body. The discharge port of the ballast bucket is located above the ballast distribution conveyor. The ballast in the ballast bucket is automatically discharged when transported by a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor can also move laterally along the large cabinet, allowing the ballast to be laid at any location near the track. This utility model is simple to operate, and the ballast in the ballast bucket is automatically discharged when transported by the belt conveyor. Furthermore, the belt conveyor can move laterally along the guide rails, allowing the ballast to be laid at any location near the track, significantly improving ballast laying efficiency and reducing worker labor. However, the ballast leveling device of the utility model is used to lay the ballast at any position near the track, and does not realize quantitative ballast distribution control. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines to solve the technical problems that the existing ballast replenishing device is prone to failure, has poor reliability, is not practical in operation, and cannot achieve quantitative ballast distribution control.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention specifically provides a technical implementation scheme of an automatic ballast filling device for railway lines, the automatic ballast filling device for railway lines comprising:

[0010] A ballast bucket mounted on the frame to hold ballast;

[0011] A spiral conveying mechanism is provided below the ballast bucket, and the ballast falling from the ballast bucket is quantitatively taken out by controlling the number of rotations of the spiral conveying mechanism;

[0012] The ballast bucket is arranged below the spiral conveying mechanism to control the ballast to fall and backfill it into the pickaxe hole, so as to realize the single quantitative backfilling of the ballast.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower portion of the ballast bucket is symmetrically formed with two identical inverted conical bucket openings along the horizontal direction. These openings connect to the ballast outlet, one for filling the ballast pits on either side of the two rails. A spiral conveyor is located below each ballast outlet, with a ballast drop bucket positioned below each lateral end of the spiral conveyor. The ballast drop buckets are arranged horizontally to correspond to the four ballast pits between each pair of sleepers. The ballast delivered by the spiral conveyor is divided into two portions, which fall through the ballast drop buckets and are backfilled into the ballast pits.

[0014] Furthermore, the spiral conveying mechanism includes an outer housing, a power mechanism, a reduction mechanism, and two sets of spiral transmission mechanisms disposed within the outer housing. The two sets of spiral transmission mechanisms are symmetrically arranged back-to-back and rotate in opposite directions. The power mechanism drives the spiral transmission mechanisms via the reduction mechanism. The ballast falling from the ballast bucket is divided into two parts and transported to the left and right ends respectively via the spiral transmission mechanisms.

[0015] Furthermore, the ballast drop bucket includes a ballast drop barrel and a swinging funnel arranged below the ballast drop barrel. A valve is arranged in the ballast drop barrel, and the valve includes a valve plate, a torsion spring, a pin ear and a pin shaft. The pin ear is arranged on the valve plate, the pin shaft is passed through the pin ear, the torsion spring is sleeved on the pin shaft, and the valve plate is installed inside the ballast drop barrel through the pin shaft. During operation, the power mechanism rotates to drive the spiral transmission mechanism to take out the ballast and transport it to the left and right ends, and then drop it into the ballast drop barrel. The falling impact force of the ballast overcomes the torsion force of the torsion spring to open the valve, and the ballast falls into the pickaxe through the swinging funnel. The torsion spring closes the valve under the action of the torsion force, completing the falling and backfilling of the ballast.

[0016] Furthermore, a swing funnel is installed at the lower part of the ballast drop drum via a rotating shaft, and the side parts of the two swing funnels corresponding to a spiral conveying mechanism are connected via a bidirectionally driven transverse driving mechanism.

[0017] Furthermore, the automatic ballast filling device includes two or three groups of ballast buckets arranged in the longitudinal direction to simultaneously realize the automatic ballast filling and backfilling operations of two or three groups of pick pockets.

[0018] The present invention further specifically provides a technical implementation solution for an integrated work vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame, a detection device mounted on the vehicle frame, and the automatic ballast filling device described above. The detection device is arranged in front of the automatic ballast filling device along the working direction.

[0019] The present invention further specifically provides a technical implementation solution for an integrated work vehicle, comprising a frame, a tamping device and a detection device mounted on the frame, and the aforementioned automatic ballast-replenishing device. The detection device, tamping device, and automatic ballast-replenishing device are arranged sequentially from front to back along the working direction. The tamping device and the automatic ballast-replenishing device are installed at a spacing that ensures that tamping and ballast-replenishing operations can be performed simultaneously.

[0020] The present invention also specifically provides a technical implementation scheme for an automatic ballast replenishment system for railway lines based on the first type of integrated work vehicle mentioned above. The automatic ballast replenishment system for railway lines includes: a control device, wherein the integrated work vehicle is continuously traveling. When the ballast bucket approaches the top of the pick pocket, the control device outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism to rotate a certain number of circles, quantitatively pulling out ballast and dropping it into the pick pocket, and the automatic ballast replenishment device completes one operation cycle. At the same time, the control device infers the distance of the next group of four pick pockets based on the spacing of the next group of sleepers measured by the detection device located in the front, and then calculates the time required to pass through the next group of four pick pockets based on the operating vehicle speed, and performs the next ballast replenishment operation. This is repeated to achieve automatic and accurate ballast replenishment of the integrated work vehicle during continuous driving.

[0021] The present invention also specifically provides a technical implementation scheme for an automatic ballast replenishing system for railway lines based on the second type of integrated work vehicle mentioned above. The automatic ballast replenishing system for railway lines includes: a control device, wherein the integrated work vehicle is moving in a walking manner. When the detection device located in the front detects the position of the sleeper, the control device infers the time required for the tamping device to reach the working position based on the sleeper position. When the tamping operation position is reached, the integrated work vehicle stops and the tamping device performs the tamping operation. At the same time, the control device outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism to rotate a certain number of circles, quantitatively taking out the ballast and dropping it into the pickaxe hole, and the automatic ballast replenishing device completes an operation cycle. This is repeated to achieve automatic and precise ballast replenishment of the integrated work vehicle during the walking process.

[0022] Furthermore, when the track is straight, the direction of the guide nozzle of the swing funnel is locked by the transverse driving mechanism, so that the ballast falls into the pickaxe hole from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel.

[0023] Furthermore, when the track is curved, based on the offset distance measured by the front detection device, the pick hole deviation signal output by the control device controls the lateral drive mechanism to drive the swing funnel to rotate to adjust the direction of the guide nozzle, so that the ballast falls into the pick hole from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel.

[0024] Furthermore, when the integrated operation vehicle When the vehicle is running, the road spikes are detected first and then the ballast filling action is performed. The time it takes for the detection device to detect the road spikes is recorded as , Assume that the structural comprehensive response delay time of the control device and the automatic ballast filling device is , the time of each ballast drum opening is recorded as , , the vehicle speed when the ballast drum is opened is , then the ballast bucket reaches the When the sleeper is in the middle position in front of the spike, the following formula is satisfied:

[0025]

[0026] in, To measure the distance from the detection device to the ballast bucket, For The speed of the vehicle, It is the height of the ballast falling from the ballast drop tube to the pickaxe hole. is the acceleration due to gravity.

[0027] By implementing the technical solutions of the automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines provided by the present invention, the following beneficial effects are achieved:

[0028] (1) The automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines of the present invention have safe operation, high reliability, strong practicality and can realize quantitative ballast distribution control;

[0029] (2) The automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines of the present invention realize the transportation of ballast of different sizes by adopting a spiral conveying mechanism, and transport the ballast out of the ballast bucket by the spiral conveying mechanism, thereby avoiding the ballast jamming situation;

[0030] (3) The automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines of the present invention realize quantitative and accurate backfilling through precise control of the motor. By arranging an automatic door with a torsion spring in the ballast dropping barrel, it prevents a small amount of ballast from falling due to vibration during the vehicle's operation when the spiral conveying mechanism is not working;

[0031] (4) The automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines of the present invention can achieve accurate positioning of the ballast falling during ballast filling by providing a lateral drive mechanism and a swing funnel to compensate for the offset of the pickaxe hole, thereby meeting the requirements of ballast filling in curved operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be derived from these drawings without inventive effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the transverse arrangement structure of a specific embodiment of the automatic ballast filling device for railway lines of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal arrangement structure of a specific embodiment of the automatic ballast replenishing device for railway lines of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of a valve in a specific embodiment of the automatic ballast replenishing device for railway lines of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a structural principle block diagram of a specific embodiment of the railway line automatic ballast filling system of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a structural principle block diagram of another specific embodiment of the railway line automatic ballast filling system of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the differential compensation principle of a specific embodiment of the automatic ballast replenishing device for railway lines of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 It is a partial structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the comprehensive working vehicle of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 8 It is a partial structural diagram of another specific embodiment of the comprehensive working vehicle of the present invention;

[0041] In the figure: 1- ballast bucket, 2- ballast outlet, 3- screw conveying mechanism, 4- outer cover, 5- power mechanism, 6- reduction mechanism, 7- screw transmission mechanism, 8- ballast bucket, 9- ballast dropping drum, 10- swing funnel, 11- transverse driving mechanism, 12- valve, 13- valve plate, 14- torsion spring, 15- pin ear, 16- pin shaft, 17- mounting plate, 18- rotating shaft, 19- mounting bracket, 20- rail, 30- trackbed, 40- pickaxe, 50- sleeper, 60- ballast, 70- spike, 100- automatic ballast feeding device, 200- tamping device, 300- control device, 400- detection device, 500- integrated operation vehicle, 501- frame, 502- driver's cab. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] As attached Figure 1 To the attached Figure 8 As shown, specific embodiments of the railway line automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated working vehicle of the present invention are given. The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0044] Generally, after the ballast tamping operation is carried out on the line, two pick pockets 40 will be formed in the roadbed 30 area between the two sleepers 50 on both sides of each rail 20, so four pick pockets 40 will be formed between the two sleepers 50 of the two rails 20. In order to solve this technical problem, the specific embodiment of the present invention proposes a new ballast automatic ballast filling and backfilling device, system and integrated operation vehicle to address the technical problem that pick pockets 40 are formed after the railway line is tamped, and manual ballast filling and backfilling are required, which is labor-intensive and labor-intensive. The specific embodiment of the present invention utilizes a spiral conveying mechanism to quantitatively convey the ballast 60 pre-loaded in the ballast bucket 1 and drop it into the pick pocket 40, completing the automatic ballast filling and precise backfilling operation. The device and system described in the specific embodiment of the present invention can be applied to construction vehicles that are continuously running or stepping in operation.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] As attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of an automatic ballast replenishing device 100 for railway lines according to the present invention specifically includes:

[0047] The ballast bucket 1 is mounted on the vehicle frame 501 via the mounting plate 17 and is used to accommodate the ballast 60;

[0048] The spiral conveying mechanism 3 is provided below the ballast bucket 1, and quantitatively takes out the ballast 60 falling from the ballast bucket 1 by controlling the number of rotations of the spiral conveying mechanism 3;

[0049] The ballast bucket 8 provided below the spiral conveying mechanism 3 controls the ballast 60 to fall and backfill it into the pick pocket 40 , so as to achieve a single quantitative backfill of the ballast 60 .

[0050] The automatic ballast filling device 100 described in Example 1 of the present invention uses a spiral conveying mechanism 3 to quantitatively take out and convey the ballast 60 in the ballast bucket 1 installed on the frame 501 of the comprehensive working vehicle 500, and the spiral conveying mechanism 3 driven by the servo motor drops the ballast 60 from the ballast outlet 2 and backfills it into the pick pocket 40. The servo motor completes one start-stop working cycle to realize the backfilling of a group of pick pockets 40.

[0051] The screw conveyor 3 further comprises an outer housing 4, a power mechanism 5, a speed reduction mechanism 6, and two screw transmission mechanisms 7 disposed within the outer housing 4. The screw transmission mechanisms 7 are mounted within the outer housing 4. A square opening is defined above the outer housing 4, connecting to the ballast outlet 2. The outer housing 4 is welded to the ballast outlet 2, allowing ballast 60 to drop directly from the ballast bucket 1 into the screw conveyor 3. Circular holes are defined below each end of the outer housing 4, and two ballast drop drums 9 are symmetrically welded to the ends. The two screw transmission mechanisms 7 are symmetrically arranged back-to-back and rotate in opposite directions. The power mechanism 5 (which can be a speed-controlled motor) drives the screw transmission mechanisms 7 via the speed reduction mechanism 6. The two screw conveyor mechanisms are symmetrically arranged in forward and reverse directions, ensuring uniform delivery of ballast 60 to both ends. Ballast 60 falling from the ballast bucket 1 is divided into two portions and transported to the left and right ends via the screw transmission mechanisms 7, respectively. According to railway crushed stone ballast standards, the size of the ballast 60 ranges from 16 mm to 63 mm, which is a large size range. Therefore, the spiral transmission mechanism not only needs to complete the transportation of the ballast 60 but also needs to prevent it from getting stuck.

[0052] As a typical specific embodiment of the present invention, the ballast bucket 1 is welded from steel plates and fixed to the crossbeam of the frame 501 by bolts. The lower part of the ballast bucket 1 is horizontally (as shown in the attached figure). Figure 1 Two identical inverted conical hopper openings are symmetrically formed (in the direction indicated by W in the figure) to facilitate ballast discharge. These hopper openings are connected to the ballast outlet 2 and are used to add ballast to the pick pockets 40 on both sides of the two rails 20. A spiral conveyor mechanism 3 is located below each ballast outlet 2. Ballast drop buckets 8 are located below each lateral end of the spiral conveyor mechanism 3. The ballast drop buckets 8 are arranged horizontally to correspond to the four pick pockets 40 between each pair of sleepers 50. The ballast 60 quantitatively transported by the spiral conveyor mechanism 3 is divided into two parts, which fall through the ballast drop buckets 8 and are backfilled into the pick pockets 40. In the transverse direction, four pick pockets are formed between every two sleepers 50. The ballast bucket 1 has two ballast outlets 2 arranged transversely. The lower part of each ballast outlet 2 is provided with two sets of spiral conveying mechanisms 3 with forward and reverse transmission. There are a total of four drop nozzles (i.e., ballast buckets 8) to ensure the backfilling of the four pick pockets 40.

[0053] The ballast bucket 8 further includes a ballast bucket 9 and a swing funnel 10 arranged below the ballast bucket 9. A valve 12 is arranged in the ballast bucket 9, and the valve 12 further includes a valve plate 13, a torsion spring 14, a pin ear 15 and a pin shaft 16. Figure 3As shown. A pin lug 15 is mounted on the valve plate 13, a pin 16 is inserted through the pin lug 15, and a torsion spring 14 is sleeved on the pin 16. The valve plate 13 is mounted inside the ballast drop drum 9 via the pin 16. During operation, the power mechanism 5 rotates and drives the screw transmission mechanism 7 to extract and transport the ballast 60 to the left and right ends, where it then drops into the ballast drop drum 9. The falling impact of the ballast 60 overcomes the torsion force of the torsion spring 14, opening the valve 12. The ballast 60 then passes through the swinging funnel 10 and falls into the pick pocket 40. The torsion force of the torsion spring 14 closes the valve 12, completing the ballast 60's drop and backfilling. Frequent starts and stops of the drive motor (i.e., power mechanism 5) of the screw conveyor 3 result in excessive starting torque. To ensure sufficient motor life, a valve 12 is provided to enable continuous motor operation during intermittent ballast filling. This avoids frequent starts and stops and allows for precise positioning of the ballast 60 during backfilling. A conical swing hopper 10 is mounted on the lower portion of the ballast drop drum 9 via a rotating shaft 18. The sides of the two swing hoppers 10 corresponding to each screw conveyor 3 are connected by pins to a bidirectionally driven transverse drive mechanism 11 (which can be a motor, pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or electric cylinder). The mounting base of the transverse drive mechanism 11 is welded to the screw conveyor 3 and secured with bolts. During operation, the motor (i.e., the power mechanism 5) rotates and drives the spiral conveying mechanism 3 to take out the ballast 60 and convey it to the circular holes below the two ends, and then drops it into the ballast drop tube 9. The gravity of the ballast 60 overcomes the torsion force of the torsion spring 14, thereby opening the valve plate 13 of the valve 12, and the ballast 60 falls into the pickaxe nest 40.

[0054] When the track is straight, the lateral drive mechanism 11 locks the direction of the guide nozzle of the swing funnel 10, and the ballast 60 falls from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel 10 into the pick pocket 40. When the track is curved, the lateral drive mechanism 11 is controlled by a given pick pocket deviation signal to push (or pull) the swing funnel 10 to rotate, adjust the direction of the guide nozzle, and ensure that the ballast 60 falls accurately into the pick pocket 40.

[0055] The longitudinal arrangement of the automatic ballast filling device 100 can be determined according to the installation space of the actual construction vehicle (i.e., the integrated working vehicle 500). According to the installation space, the automatic ballast filling device 100 can include a plurality of ballast filling devices along the longitudinal direction (such as the attached ballast filling device 100). Figure 2 Two or three groups of ballast buckets 1 are arranged in the direction shown by L in the figure to realize the automatic ballast backfilling operation of two or three groups of pickaxe holes 40 at the same time. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the automatic ballast filling device 100 includes two groups of ballast buckets 1 arranged in the longitudinal direction, so as to simultaneously realize the automatic ballast filling and backfilling operations of the two groups of pick pockets 40 .

[0056] The automatic ballast filling device 100 described in Example 1 of the present invention addresses the technical issues of the pick pocket 40 formed after tamping of the railway line, which requires manual ballast transportation and ballast backfilling, resulting in high labor intensity and labor demand. A new ballast automatic ballast filling and backfilling device is proposed. The automatic ballast filling device 100 uses a screw transmission mechanism to transport the ballast 60 from the ballast bucket 1, completing the quantitative and precise positioning of ballast filling and backfilling functions. The automatic ballast filling device 100 uses a railway flat car as a carrier, and uses a screw transmission mechanism to quantitatively transport the ballast 60 pre-loaded in the ballast bucket 1 and drop it into the pick pocket 40 to complete the automatic ballast filling and precise backfilling operations.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] As attached Figure 7 As shown, an embodiment of the comprehensive working vehicle 500 of the present invention specifically comprises: a vehicle frame 501, a detection device 400 mounted on the vehicle frame 501, and the automatic ballast filling device 100 as described in Example 1. The detection device 400 moves along the working direction (as shown in FIG. Figure 7 The vehicle frame 501 is provided with a driver's cab 502 in the direction indicated by L in the figure.

[0059] Example 3

[0060] As attached Figure 8 As shown, another embodiment of the comprehensive working vehicle 500 of the present invention specifically comprises: a vehicle frame 501, a tamping device 200 and a detection device 400 mounted on the vehicle frame 501, and the automatic ballast filling device 100 as described in Example 1. The detection device 400, the tamping device 200 and the automatic ballast filling device 100 are arranged along the working direction (as shown in FIG. Figure 8 The tamping device 200 and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 are arranged sequentially from front to back (in the direction indicated by L in FIG). A driver's cab 502 is also provided on the vehicle frame 501. The installation spacing between the tamping device 200 and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 ensures that tamping and ballast-adding operations can be performed simultaneously. For example, when the tamping device 200 is tamping a single sleeper, the installation spacing between the tamping device 200 and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 corresponds to an integral multiple of the spacing between the sleepers 50. This ensures that the swing funnel 10 of the automatic ballast-adding device 100 is aligned with the pickaxe socket 40 during the tamping operation.

[0061] Example 4

[0062] As attached Figure 4As shown, an embodiment of the automatic ballast replenishment system for railway lines of the present invention, based on the integrated operation vehicle 500 described in Example 2, specifically includes a control device 300. The integrated operation vehicle 500 is continuously traveling. When the ballast drop drum 9 approaches the top of the pick pocket 40, the control device 300 outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism 5 to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism 7 to rotate a certain number of times, quantitatively removing ballast 60 and dropping it into the pick pocket 40, and the automatic ballast replenishment device 100 completes one operation cycle. At the same time, the control device 300 infers the distance between the next group of four pick pockets 40 based on the spacing of the next group of sleepers 50 measured by the detection device 400 located in the front, and then calculates the time required to pass through the next group of four pick pockets 40 based on the operating vehicle speed, and performs the next ballast replenishment operation. This process is repeated to achieve automatic and accurate ballast replenishment of the integrated operation vehicle 500 during continuous driving.

[0063] When the track is straight, the lateral drive mechanism 11 locks the direction of the guide nozzle of the swing hopper 10, allowing the ballast 60 to fall from the guide nozzle of the swing hopper 10 into the pick pocket 40. When the track is curved, the pick pocket 40 will have a certain external offset when the integrated working vehicle 500 passes through the curve, and this offset needs to be compensated laterally. Based on the offset distance measured by the front detection device 400, the pick pocket deviation signal output by the control device 300 controls the lateral drive mechanism 11 to rotate the swing hopper 10 to adjust the direction of the guide nozzle, allowing the ballast 60 to fall from the guide nozzle of the swing hopper 10 into the pick pocket 40, thereby achieving offset ballast filling when passing through curves.

[0064] As attached Figure 6 As shown, when the integrated operation vehicle 500 moves toward When the vehicle is running, the road spike 70 is detected first and then the ballast filling action is performed. The time when the detection device 400 detects the road spike 70 is recorded as , Assume that the structural comprehensive response delay time of the control device 300 and the automatic ballast filling device 100 is The time for each ballast dropping drum 9 to be opened is recorded as , , the vehicle speed when the ballast drum 9 is opened is , then the ballast drum 9 reaches the When the sleeper 50 is in the middle position in front of the spike 70, the following formula is satisfied:

[0065]

[0066] in, is the distance from the detection device 400 to the ballast drum 9, For The speed of the vehicle, The height at which the ballast 60 falls from the ballast drop tube 9 to the pickaxe hole 40, is the acceleration due to gravity.

[0067] Obviously, is a constant, is also a constant, denoted as ,therefore:

[0068]

[0069] Because the volume of each pick pocket 40 is essentially constant, Example 4 can employ quantitative ballast backfilling technology during ballast backfilling. The railway automatic ballast backfilling system described in Example 4 utilizes a screw conveyor mechanism to transport ballast 60. By controlling the operating speed of the power mechanism 5 in conjunction with the operating vehicle speed and the cross-sectional area of ​​the ballast bucket outlet, quantitative ballast backfilling is achieved. As can be seen from the above calculations, the activation time of the power mechanism 5 only needs to be adjusted by adding a delay correction value to the detection time of the first spike 70.

[0070] Example 5

[0071] As attached Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the railway line automatic ballast replenishing system of the present invention based on the integrated working vehicle 500 described in Example 3 specifically includes a control device 300. The integrated working vehicle 500 moves in a step-by-step manner. When the detection device 400 located in the front detects the position of the sleeper, the control device 300 infers the time required for the tamping device 200 to reach the working position based on the sleeper position. When the tamping operation position is reached, the integrated working vehicle 500 stops driving and the tamping device 200 performs the tamping operation. At the same time, the control device 300 outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism 5 to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism 7 to rotate a certain number of circles, quantitatively taking out the ballast 60 and dropping it into the pickaxe nest 40, and the automatic ballast replenishing device 100 completes an operation cycle. This is repeated to achieve automatic and precise ballast replenishment of the integrated working vehicle 500 during the step-by-step driving process. For a plurality of automatic ballast-replenishing devices 100 arranged in the longitudinal direction, when the integrated operation vehicle 500 performs a tamping operation on a plurality of sleepers, the automatic ballast-replenishing device 100 completes one operation cycle, thereby achieving the quantitative ballast backfilling target.

[0072] The tamping device 200, the detection device 400, and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 are mounted on the frame 501 of the multi-purpose vehicle 500. The detection device 400, the tamping device 200, and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 are arranged in sequence from front to back along the working direction. The spacing between the tamping device 200 and the automatic ballast-adding device 100 corresponds to an integer multiple of the spacing between the sleepers 50.

[0073] When the automatic ballast filling device 100 passes through a curve operation, the lateral drive mechanism 11 controls the guide nozzle direction of the swing funnel 10 to deviate outward according to the offset distance measured in front of the integrated operation vehicle 500, thereby achieving the goal of accurate ballast backfilling.

[0074] Example 6

[0075] An embodiment of a method for automatic ballast filling of a railway line based on the system described in Example 4 specifically includes the following steps:

[0076] The integrated work vehicle 500 continues to travel. When the ballast drop drum 9 approaches directly above the pick pocket 40, the control device 300 outputs a trigger signal to activate the power mechanism 5, driving the screw transmission mechanism 7 to rotate a certain number of times, removing a fixed amount of ballast 60 from the ballast bucket 1 and dropping it into the pick pocket 40. The automatic ballast replenishment device 100 completes one operation cycle. Simultaneously, the control device 300 infers the distance between the next set of four pick pockets 40 based on the spacing of the next set of sleepers 50 measured by the detection device 400 located in the front. The control device 300 then calculates the time required to pass the next set of four pick pockets 40 based on the operating speed of the vehicle and then performs the next ballast replenishment operation. This process is repeated, achieving automatic and precise ballast replenishment while the integrated work vehicle 500 continues to travel.

[0077] A ballast bucket 1 for accommodating ballast 60 is mounted on the frame 501 of the multi-purpose vehicle 500. A screw conveyor mechanism 3 is provided below the ballast bucket 1. The ballast 60 that falls from the ballast bucket 1 is quantitatively removed by controlling the number of revolutions of the screw conveyor mechanism 3. A ballast drop bucket 8 is provided below the screw conveyor mechanism 3. This controls the ballast 60's drop and backfills it into the pick pocket 40, achieving a single, quantitative backfill of the ballast 60.

[0078] Two identical, inverted-conical openings are symmetrically formed laterally at the lower portion of the ballast bucket 1. These openings connect to the ballast outlet 2, one for ballast filling the pick pockets 40 on either side of the two rails 20. A spiral conveyor 3 is located beneath each ballast outlet 2, with ballast drop buckets 8 positioned below each lateral end of the spiral conveyor 3. The ballast drop buckets 8 are arranged laterally to correspond to the four pick pockets 40 between each pair of sleepers 50. The ballast 60 delivered in a fixed quantity by the spiral conveyor 3 is divided into two equal portions, which then fall through the ballast drop buckets 8 and are then backfilled into the pick pockets 40.

[0079] The screw conveyor mechanism 3 further comprises an outer housing 4, a power mechanism 5, a speed reduction mechanism 6, and two sets of screw transmission mechanisms 7 disposed within the outer housing 4. The two sets of screw transmission mechanisms 7 are arranged symmetrically back-to-back and in opposite directions of rotation. The power mechanism 5 drives the screw transmission mechanisms 7 through the speed reduction mechanism 6. The ballast 60 falling from the ballast bucket 1 is divided into two parts and transported to the left and right ends respectively through the screw transmission mechanisms 7.

[0080] The ballast bucket 8 further includes a ballast drum 9 and a swinging funnel 10 disposed below the ballast drum 9. A valve 12 is disposed within the ballast drum 9 and further comprises a valve plate 13, a torsion spring 14, a pin 15, and a pin shaft 16. During operation, the power mechanism 5 rotates and drives the screw transmission mechanism 7 to extract and transport the ballast 60 to the left and right ends, where it then drops into the ballast drum 9. The downward pressure of the ballast 60 overcomes the torsion force of the torsion spring 14, opening the valve 12. The ballast 60 then falls through the swinging funnel 10 into the pickaxe 40. The swinging funnel 10 is mounted at the bottom of the ballast drum 9 via a rotating shaft 18. The sides of the two swinging funnels 10 corresponding to one screw conveying mechanism 3 are connected via a bidirectionally driven transverse drive mechanism 11.

[0081] For a continuously traveling integrated work vehicle 500, during automatic ballast filling operations, when only one set of automatic ballast filling devices 100 is provided longitudinally, the screw conveyor mechanism 3 only needs to operate once, and the motor (i.e., the power mechanism 5) needs to start and stop once, based on the vehicle's operating speed, every time it passes through a set (four pick pockets 40) in the forward direction, to achieve automatic and precise ballast filling during continuous travel. If installation space permits, multiple sets of automatic ballast filling devices 100 can be further provided longitudinally. Each time the integrated work vehicle 500 passes through a corresponding number of sleepers 50, the automatic ballast filling device 100 completes a ballast filling cycle. As a typical embodiment of the present invention, two or three sets of ballast buckets 1 are arranged longitudinally on the vehicle frame 501 to simultaneously achieve automatic ballast filling and backfilling operations for two or three sets of pick pockets 40.

[0082] When the track is straight, the lateral drive mechanism 11 locks the direction of the guide nozzle of the swing funnel 10, allowing the ballast 60 to fall from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel 10 into the pick pocket 40. When the track is curved, the lateral drive mechanism 11 controls the swing funnel 10 to rotate based on the offset distance measured by the front detection device 400 and the pick pocket deviation signal output by the control device 300 to adjust the direction of the guide nozzle, allowing the ballast 60 to fall from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel 10 into the pick pocket 40.

[0083] Example 7

[0084] Another embodiment of a method for automatic ballast filling of a railway line based on the system described in Example 5 specifically includes the following steps:

[0085] The integrated work vehicle 500 moves forward. When the detection device 400 located in front detects the sleeper position, the control device 300 infers the time required for the tamping device 200 to reach the working position based on the sleeper position. When the tamping position is reached, the integrated work vehicle 500 stops and the tamping device 200 performs the tamping operation. Simultaneously, the control device 300 outputs a trigger signal to activate the power mechanism 5, driving the screw transmission mechanism 7 to rotate a certain number of revolutions, removing a fixed amount of ballast 60 from the ballast bucket 1 and dropping it into the pick pocket 40. The automatic ballast filling device 100 completes one operating cycle. This process is repeated, achieving automatic and precise ballast filling while the integrated work vehicle 500 moves forward.

[0086] Similarly, for the walking integrated operation vehicle 500, multiple sets of automatic ballast replenishing devices 100 can be further arranged in the longitudinal direction. Every time the integrated operation vehicle 500 passes through the corresponding multiple sleepers 50, the automatic ballast replenishing device 100 completes a ballast replenishing and tamping work cycle.

[0087] In the description of this application, it should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed on" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly set on the other element; when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0088] It should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0089] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" or "several" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0090] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification for people familiar with this technology to understand and read, and are not used to limit the conditions under which this application can be implemented. Therefore, they have no technical significance. Any structural modification, change in proportional relationship or adjustment of size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this application without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by this application.

[0091] By implementing the technical solutions of the railway line automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle described in the specific embodiments of the present invention, the following technical effects can be produced:

[0092] (1) The railway line automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle described in the specific embodiment of the present invention have safe operation, high reliability, strong practicality and can realize quantitative ballast distribution control;

[0093] (2) The automatic ballast replenishing device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines described in the specific embodiments of the present invention realize the transportation of ballast of different sizes by adopting a spiral conveying mechanism, and transport the ballast out of the ballast bucket by the spiral conveying mechanism, thereby avoiding the ballast jamming situation;

[0094] (3) The railway automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle described in the specific embodiment of the present invention realize quantitative and accurate backfilling through precise control of the motor, and prevent the ballast from falling due to vibration during the vehicle's operation when the spiral conveying mechanism is not working by arranging an automatic door with a torsion spring in the ballast dropping barrel;

[0095] (4) The automatic ballast filling device, system and integrated operation vehicle for railway lines described in the specific embodiments of the present invention can achieve accurate positioning of the ballast falling during ballast filling by providing a lateral drive mechanism and a swing funnel to compensate for the offset of the pickaxe nest, thereby meeting the ballast filling requirements for curved operations.

[0096] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0097] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any formal limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can, without departing from the spirit and technical solution of the present invention, use the methods and technical contents disclosed above to make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into an equivalent embodiment of equivalent changes. Therefore, any simple modification, equivalent replacement, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, still fall within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic ballast filling device for railway lines, characterized in that: include: A ballast bucket (1) mounted on a vehicle frame (501) for accommodating ballast (60); A spiral conveying mechanism (3) is provided below the ballast bucket (1), and quantitatively removes the ballast (60) dropped from the ballast bucket (1) by controlling the number of rotations of the spiral conveying mechanism (3); and a ballast bucket (8) arranged below the spiral conveying mechanism (3) to control the ballast (60) to fall and backfill it into the pickaxe cavity (40), thereby achieving single quantitative backfilling of the ballast (60); The spiral conveying mechanism (3) comprises an outer cover (4), a power mechanism (5), a speed reduction mechanism (6), and two sets of spiral transmission mechanisms (7) arranged inside the outer cover (4); the two sets of spiral transmission mechanisms (7) are symmetrically arranged back to back and rotate in opposite directions, and the power mechanism (5) drives the spiral transmission mechanism (7) to rotate through the speed reduction mechanism (6); the power mechanism (5) adopts a speed regulating motor, and the ballast (60) dropped from the ballast bucket (1) is divided into two parts and transported to the left and right ends respectively through the spiral transmission mechanism (7); The ballast dropping bucket (8) includes a ballast dropping drum (9) and a swing funnel (10) arranged below the ballast dropping drum (9); a valve (12) is arranged in the ballast dropping drum (9), and the valve (12) includes a valve plate (13), a torsion spring (14), a pin ear (15) and a pin shaft (16); the pin ear (15) is arranged on the valve plate (13), the pin shaft (16) is passed through the pin ear (15), the torsion spring (14) is sleeved on the pin shaft (16), and the valve plate (13) is connected to the pin shaft (16). 6) is installed inside the ballast drop drum (9); during operation, the power mechanism (5) rotates to drive the spiral transmission mechanism (7) to take out the ballast (60) and transport it to the left and right ends, and then drop it into the ballast drop drum (9); the falling impact force of the ballast (60) overcomes the torsion force of the torsion spring (14) to open the valve (12), and the ballast (60) falls into the pickaxe nest (40) through the swing funnel (10); the torsion spring (14) closes the valve (12) under the action of the torsion force, completing the falling backfill of the ballast (60).

2. The automatic ballast filling device for railway lines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of the ballast bucket (1) is symmetrically formed with two identical inverted cone-shaped bucket openings along the transverse direction, and the bucket openings are connected to the ballast outlet (2) and are respectively used for ballast filling in the pick pockets (40) on both sides of the two rails (20); a spiral conveying mechanism (3) is provided below each ballast outlet (2), and a ballast dropping bucket (8) is provided below both ends of the spiral conveying mechanism (3) along the transverse direction; the ballast dropping bucket (8) is arranged in the transverse direction to correspond to the four pick pockets (40) between every two sleepers (50); the ballast (60) quantitatively conveyed by the spiral conveying mechanism (3) is divided into two parts, falls through the ballast dropping bucket (8) and is backfilled into the pick pockets (40).

3. The automatic ballast replenishing device for railway lines according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A swing funnel (10) is installed at the lower part of the ballast drum (9) via a rotating shaft (18), and the sides of two swing funnels (10) corresponding to a screw conveying mechanism (3) are connected via a bidirectionally driven transverse driving mechanism (11).

4. The automatic ballast filling device for railway lines according to claim 3, characterized in that: The automatic ballast filling device (100) comprises two or three groups of ballast buckets (1) arranged in the longitudinal direction, so as to simultaneously realize the automatic ballast filling and backfilling operation of two or three groups of pick pockets (40).

5. A comprehensive working vehicle, characterized in that: include: A vehicle frame (501), a detection device (400) mounted on the vehicle frame (501), and an automatic ballast filling device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4; the detection device (400) is arranged in front of the automatic ballast filling device (100) along an operating direction.

6. An automatic ballast filling system for railway lines based on the integrated working vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The system includes a control device (300), and the integrated operation vehicle (500) is continuously traveling. When the ballast bucket (8) approaches the top of the pick pocket (40), the control device (300) outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism (5) to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism (7) to rotate a set number of circles, quantitatively taking out the ballast (60) and dropping it into the pick pocket (40), and the automatic ballast replenishing device (100) completes one operation cycle; at the same time, the control device (300) infers the distance of the next group of four pick pockets (40) based on the spacing of the next group of sleepers (50) measured by the detection device (400) located in the front, and then calculates the time required to pass through the next group of four pick pockets (40) based on the operating vehicle speed, and performs the next ballast replenishing operation; this is repeated to achieve automatic and accurate ballast replenishing of the integrated operation vehicle (500) during continuous driving.

7. A comprehensive working vehicle, characterized in that: include: A vehicle frame (501), a tamping device (200), a detection device (400), and an automatic ballast-replenishing device (100) installed on the vehicle frame (501); the detection device (400), the tamping device (200), and the automatic ballast-replenishing device (100) are arranged in sequence from front to back along an operating direction; and the installation spacing between the tamping device (200) and the automatic ballast-replenishing device (100) ensures that tamping and ballast-replenishing operations can be carried out simultaneously.

8. An automatic ballast filling system for railway lines based on the integrated working vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The system includes a control device (300), the integrated operation vehicle (500) is moving in a step-by-step manner, and when a detection device (400) located in front detects the position of a sleeper, the control device (300) infers the time required for the tamping device (200) to reach the working position based on the sleeper position; when the tamping working position is reached, the integrated operation vehicle (500) stops moving, and the tamping device (200) performs the tamping operation; at the same time, the control device (300) outputs a trigger signal to control the power mechanism (5) to start, driving the spiral transmission mechanism (7) to rotate a set number of circles, quantitatively taking out ballast (60) and dropping it into the pickaxe (40), and the automatic ballast filling device (100) completes an operation cycle; this is repeated, thereby realizing automatic and precise ballast filling of the integrated operation vehicle (500) during the moving process.

9. The railway line automatic ballast filling system according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the track is straight, the guide nozzle direction of the swing funnel (10) is locked by the transverse driving mechanism (11), so that the ballast (60) falls into the pickaxe nest (40) from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel (10).

10. The railway line automatic ballast filling system according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the track is curved, the lateral driving mechanism (11) is controlled by the pick hole deviation signal output by the control device (300) based on the offset distance measured by the front detection device (400) to drive the swing funnel (10) to rotate to adjust the direction of the guide nozzle, so that the ballast (60) falls into the pick hole (40) from the guide nozzle of the swing funnel (10).

11. The railway line automatic ballast filling system according to claim 6, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that: When the integrated operation vehicle (500) When the vehicle is running, the road spike (70) is detected first and then the ballast filling action is performed. The time when the detection device (400) detects the road spike (70) each time is recorded as , Assume that the structural comprehensive response delay time of the control device (300) and the automatic ballast filling device (100) is , the time for each ballast dump drum (9) to open is recorded as , , the vehicle speed when the ballast drum (9) is opened is , then the ballast bucket (8) reaches the When the sleeper (50) in front of the spike (70) is in the middle position, the following formula is satisfied: ； in, is the distance from the detection device (400) to the ballast bucket (8), For The speed of the vehicle, is the height from which the ballast (60) falls from the ballast drop tube (9) to the pickaxe hole (40), is the acceleration due to gravity.

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