Manipulation device and method for manipulating an elongate object

Abstract

Proposed is a manipulation device (1) for acting on an elongate object, in particular a railway rail (3), the manipulation device comprising: at least one manipulation unit (2) for acting on a surface (4) of the elongate object; and a coupling device for reversibly coupling the at least one manipulation unit (2) to the elongate object such that the at least one manipulation unit (2) can act on the surface (4), in particular the underside, of the elongate object, wherein the coupling device has a guide means for guided movement of the manipulation device (1) along a longitudinal direction of the elongate object. Also proposed are a combination and a system (16) having such a manipulation device (1), and a method for manipulating an elongate object.

Description

[0001] MANIPULATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANIPULATING AN ELONGATED OBJECT

[0002] This patent application claims priority from European patent application EP 23 186 294.7, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a manipulation device for manipulating an elongated object, in particular a track rail, in particular for the automated attachment of a linear signal transmission element to the elongated object. Furthermore, the invention relates to a combination and a system comprising such a manipulation device. The invention also relates to a method for manipulating an elongated object.

[0004] Conductive signal transmission elements are known from the prior art. These include, for example, a measuring tape, an electrical cable, or the like. These are often arranged in the area of ​​an elongated object, for example, on a rail, a pipeline, a rope, a road, or an engineering structure such as a bridge. The purpose of the signal transmission element can be of a variety of nature – for example, it can be used to transmit data along the object or to perform measurements along the object. For example, it is known from railway technology to lay elongated measuring tapes next to the rails or to attach them to the rails in order to detect mechanical or thermal loads on the rails. The length of the signal transmission element can be several kilometers.

[0005] One problem with installing such signal transmission elements is that, to avoid wear and tear and environmental influences, they should preferably be attached to a clean and homogeneous contact surface on the underside of the object. This is particularly complicated for rails and other objects connected to the ground, so installation usually has to be done manually and is very time-consuming.

[0006] The object of the invention is to realize a device which facilitates the attachment of such signal transmission elements to elongated objects, in particular enabling automated attachment.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a manipulation device according to claim 1.

[0008] The manipulation device preferably comprises at least one manipulation unit for acting on the elongate object, in particular on a surface, in particular the underside, of the elongate object. The elongate object is preferably a railway track. The elongate object can also be a pipe, a cable, in particular a supporting cable of a cable car, a road, an engineering structure, such as a bridge, and / or an infrastructure object, an engineering structure, a supporting cable, a supporting structure, a geotechnical line, a supply duct, in particular for an above-ground and / or underground facility, a pipeline orA fuel pipeline, in particular for gas and / or oil, a water pipeline, in particular a hot water pipeline, in particular a geothermal pipeline, a wind turbine tower, a high-speed traffic route, in particular in which a transport capsule, in particular for persons, moves in a largely airless tube, and / or any other elongated object.

[0009] The manipulation device is understood to be a device designed to act on the surface of the elongated object. The actuation preferably comprises pressing a signal transmission element, in particular a linear signal transmission element with preferably at least one optical fiber, against the surface, in particular an underside, of the elongated object and / or attaching, in particular gluing and / or clamping, the signal transmission element to the object.Acting on the surface can alternatively or additionally comprise pressing a body, preferably an elongated body, against the surface, applying a substance, in particular an adhesive, to the surface, cleaning the surface, surface activation and / or pretreatment, in particular to prepare for adhesive application, deforming the surface, changing the temperature of the surface, hardening the surface, applying material, in particular welding it on, and / or removing material from the surface, in particular cutting it off and / or grinding it off. The manipulation device is preferably designed so that acting on the elongated object can be at least partially, in particular completely, automated.For this purpose, the at least one manipulation unit can have at least one, preferably electrical and / or fluidic, actuator which is designed to press a body, in particular the signal transmission element, onto the elongate object and / or to apply a substance, in particular an adhesive and / or a cleaning agent, onto the elongate object and / or to displace the manipulation device along the elongate object and / or to mechanically process the elongate object.

[0010] Influencing the elongated object is also referred to as manipulating the elongated object. Accordingly, manipulating the surface should not be understood as requiring an influence, especially an irreversible one, on a property of the surface, particularly in the sense of surface treatment.

[0011] The guide means is preferably designed to ensure the guided displacement of the manipulation device, in particular of the at least one manipulation unit. For this purpose, the coupling device can have a guide means in the form of a linear guide. The guide means is preferably designed to block, in particular reversibly block, a movement of the manipulation device, in particular of the at least one manipulation unit, relative to the elongate object at least in one, in particular in every, direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate object. Along the longitudinal direction of the elongate object, a movement of the manipulation device, in particular of the manipulation unit, relative to the elongate object is preferably released by the guide means.The guide means can comprise at least one plain bearing and / or at least one rolling bearing, in particular a ball bearing and / or a roller bearing, for guided displacement of the manipulation device. The guide means preferably contacts the elongated object reversibly and / or point-like and / or linearly and / or over a surface for guided displacement. The guide means enables displacement of the manipulation device along the longitudinal direction with particularly low friction. If the relative movement of the manipulation device perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is completely blocked, the at least one manipulation unit can be positioned particularly precisely on the elongated object or can be displaced relative to it in the longitudinal direction of the object.

[0012] The manipulation device can be a component of a housing unit. The housing unit can be designed to be suspended and / or placed laterally on the elongate object in order to partially or completely enclose the elongate object in a region of its length. One or more support means can preferably be provided inside the housing unit. The support means are preferably designed to connect the housing unit to the elongate object in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner such that the manipulation device, in particular the at least one manipulation unit, can manipulate at least one surface, in particular a contact surface, of the elongate object, in particular located on the underside of the elongate object.The at least one manipulation unit can preferably be designed to arrange, in particular to apply, in particular to fasten at least one, in particular linear, signal transmission element, in particular with at least one optical fiber, in particular at least one glass fiber, and / or at least one sensor, in particular connected thereto, in particular a strain sensor and / or a temperature sensor and / or a force sensor, to the surface, in particular on the underside, of the elongated object. Particularly preferably, a combination of signal transmission element and sensor, in particular an optical fiber with at least one fiber Bragg grating, is applied by means of the at least one manipulation unit.

[0013] For applying the linear signal transmission element and / or sensor, the at least one manipulation unit can have a pressing means, in particular a pressing roller, for pressing against the surface of the elongate object and / or at least one deflection means, in particular a deflection roller, for continuously feeding to the surface of the elongate object, in particular from a reel.

[0014] According to one aspect, the manipulation device can have a feed device for continuously feeding a linear signal transmission element, in particular with at least one optical fiber, to the surface of the elongated object. The feed device can comprise the reel and / or the deflection means. The feed device is preferably designed to guide, in particular to convey, the linear signal transmission element to the pressing means. The linear signal transmission element is preferably designed to be flexible in shape, in particular to be pliable, and / or can be guided non-destructively over a deflection roller and / or unwound from a reel.

[0015] The linear signal transmission element preferably comprises at least one, in particular several, optical fibers, in particular glass fibers. These can be designed as sensor and / or signal fibers. Alternatively or additionally, the linear signal transmission element can comprise at least one electrical conductor.

[0016] The linear signal transmission element can be cable- and / or ribbon-shaped. It is also referred to as a line-shaped signal transmission element.

[0017] The linear signal transmission element can have at least one, in particular several, in particular at least 10, in particular at least 50, sensors, in particular strain sensors and / or temperature sensors. The at least one sensor can be designed as a fiber Bragg grating, which is preferably a component of the at least one optical fiber, and / or as a strain gauge.

[0018] The linear signal transmission element preferably has a length of at least 20 m, in particular at least 100 m, in particular at least 500 m, and / or a maximum transverse dimension of at most 20 cm, in particular at most 10 cm, in particular at most 5 cm, and / or a thickness of at most 3 cm, in particular at most 1 cm, in particular at most 0.5 cm. According to a further aspect, the coupling device can have a prestressing means, in particular a prestressing spring, for pressing the at least one manipulation unit against the surface of the elongate object. The prestressing means preferably acts between the elongate object and the manipulation unit, in particular between the guide means and the at least one manipulation unit. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly precise arrangement of the at least one manipulation unit on the elongate object.The pressing of the manipulation unit and / or the signal transmission element onto the elongated object can be carried out using the pre-tensioning means with a predetermined pre-tensioning force.

[0019] According to a further aspect, the manipulation device can have a propulsion motor, in particular an electric and / or fluidic one, for displacing the manipulation device along the longitudinal direction of the elongated object. The propulsion motor can be a component of the manipulation device, in particular of the at least one manipulation unit. Preferably, the manipulation device can be displaced automatically along the elongated object by means of the propulsion motor, in particular between several positions in which the surface of the elongated object is to be acted upon.

[0020] According to one aspect, the coupling device can surround the elongate object over an angle of at least 180°, in particular at least 240°, in particular at least 270°, in particular at least 300°, in particular 360°, in particular relative to a central longitudinal axis of the elongate object. This ensures particularly precise guidance of the manipulation device along the longitudinal direction of the elongate object. The surface of the elongate object, which is to be acted upon, can thus be shielded from the environment, in particular enclosed. This advantageously reduces, in particular prevents, environmental influences on the surface of the elongate object, in particular due to contamination and / or light and / or oxygen, for example in order to avoid faulty adhesive joints. On the other hand, impairment of the environment, for example due to flying sparks, can be avoided.

[0021] According to a further aspect, the manipulation device can comprise a housing unit that at least partially, in particular completely, surrounds the elongated object along a portion of its length. In particular, the housing unit can comprise the support structure, in particular be designed as a support structure. The housing unit preferably surrounds the elongated object on at least two opposite sides of the elongated object.

[0022] According to a further aspect, the housing unit can have a closure element, which is particularly designed to reversibly and releasably lock the elongated object in a configuration in which it is enclosed by the manipulation device. The closure element can be displaced between an open position, in which the manipulation device can be removed from the elongated element, and a closed position, in which the manipulation device surrounds the elongated object in a form-fitting manner. This allows for particularly comprehensive shielding of the elongated object, in particular the surface to be manipulated, from the environment.

[0023] According to a further aspect, the at least one manipulation device and / or the system can comprise an assembly unit for, in particular, automated, establishing and / or releasing a fastening of the elongated object, in particular the track rail, in particular a rail fastening. The assembly unit can be designed, in particular, for establishing and / or releasing a screw connection and / or a nail connection.

[0024] According to a further aspect, a displacement unit can be provided for the, in particular automated, displacement of the elongated object, in particular the track rail, in particular for raising and / or lowering the track rail, in particular relative to a track sleeper. In particular, the manipulation device can comprise the displacement unit. This advantageously ensures that the at least one manipulation unit can act on the underside of the elongated object, in particular the track rail.

[0025] According to a further aspect, the feed device can be designed such that the linear signal transmission element can be inserted into the underside of the elongated object, in particular the track rail, in particular a rail foot, in particular into a groove formed therein, and / or into an intermediate layer, in particular into a groove of the intermediate layer. For this purpose, the feed device can comprise guide means for feeding and / or pressing the linear signal transmission element.

[0026] Preferably, the manipulation device, in particular the feed device and / or the assembly unit and / or the displacement unit, are designed such that the linear signal transmission element can be held and / or clamped in a form-fitting manner between the track rails when the track rails are fastened to the track sleepers. The invention further relates to a combination comprising a plurality of interconnectable manipulation devices. The plurality of manipulation devices preferably have different manipulation units. The combination can be further developed with at least one of the features described in connection with the manipulation device. The advantages of the combination preferably correspond to the advantages described in connection with the manipulation device.

[0027] The combination preferably comprises at least one manipulation unit which is designed as a cleaning unit for chemically and / or physically, in particular mechanically, cleaning the surface and / or the signal transmission element and / or which is designed as an application unit for applying the linear signal transmission element and / or an adhesive layer and / or a weld seam to the surface and / or the adhesive layer to the signal transmission element and / or which is designed as a pressing unit for positioning and / or pressing the signal transmission element against the surface and / or which is designed as a covering unit for applying a cover, in particular a covering body and / or a covering layer, in particular a protective varnish, to the signal transmission element.The cover is preferably designed to protect, in particular the signal transmission element, from moisture and / or from contamination and / or from animals.

[0028] According to a further aspect, at least one of the manipulation units can comprise a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface and / or at least one application unit for applying the linear signal transmission element to the surface. In particular, the combination can be designed to carry out the cleaning of the surface and the application of the signal transmission element to the surface in an automated manner, in particular sequentially in this order.

[0029] According to a further aspect, a connection between at least two of the plurality of manipulation devices can be designed to be reversibly detachable and / or flexible, in particular articulated.

[0030] The invention further relates to a system comprising a carriage, in particular a track vehicle for traveling on track rails, and at least one manipulation device attached to the carriage and / or a combination. Preferably, the system is further developed with at least one of the features described in connection with the manipulation device and / or the combination. The system can have the advantages described in connection with the manipulation device and / or the combination. The carriage preferably comprises a traction motor for displacement along the elongated object, in particular the track rails. The assembly unit and / or the displacement unit can be attached to the coupling device and / or to the carriage. In particular, the displacement of the manipulation device along the object can take place by means of the carriage, in particular the traction motor.The propulsion motor of the manipulation device can be designed for fine positioning on the object and can be provided in addition to the drive motor.

[0031] The system preferably comprises a rail laying device for laying rails and / or a maintenance device and / or a track processing unit, in particular a track tamping unit and / or a lifting and straightening unit, and / or the assembly unit. These are preferably arranged on the carriage. The reel and / or the relocation unit are preferably arranged on the carriage.

[0032] The system can be a track-laying machine and / or a track maintenance machine and / or a track tamping machine with the manipulation device. This advantageously allows the signal transmission element to be attached to the track rail during track reconstruction, new track construction, and / or track maintenance. Consequently, multiple work steps can be carried out in parallel, thus making them particularly time- and cost-efficient.

[0033] The invention further relates to a method for manipulating an elongated object, in particular a track rail. The method preferably comprises the steps of: coupling a manipulation unit to the elongated object, manipulating a surface, in particular an underside, of the elongated object by means of the at least one manipulation unit, and / or guided displacement of the manipulation unit along the longitudinal direction of the elongated object. The method is preferably further developed with at least one of the features described in connection with the manipulation device, the combination, or the system. The advantages of the method preferably correspond to the advantages of the manipulation device, the combination, or the system.

[0034] The linear signal transmission element is preferably arranged, in particular fastened, to the track rail in a continuous and / or integral manner along the track rail, in particular on the underside of the track rail, across at least five, in particular at least ten, in particular at least twenty, in particular at least fifty, sleepers. In particular, at least two, in particular at least five, in particular at least ten, in particular at least twenty, sensors can be arranged, in particular fastened, to the track rail, wherein the sensors are components of a single-piece and / or continuous signal transmission element.

[0035] According to a further aspect, a fastening of the elongated object, in particular a rail fastening, can be released and / or established. In particular, this allows a surface that would otherwise be concealed, in particular by a track sleeper, in particular the underside of the object, to be exposed.

[0036] According to a further aspect, the elongated object, in particular the track rail, can be lifted, in particular by means of the displacement unit, in particular after the rail fastening has been released. The lifting of the track rail can occur with or preferably relative to the track sleepers. The lifting, in particular by means of the displacement unit, preferably occurs by at least 1 cm, in particular at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm, in particular at least 20 cm, in particular at least 30 cm, and / or a maximum of 100 cm, in particular a maximum of 50 cm.

[0037] According to a further aspect, the signal transmission element, in particular a linear one, is applied, in particular attached, in particular clamped and / or glued, to the surface, in particular the underside, of the elongated object, in particular with the at least one optical fiber, in particular the glass fiber. On the underside of the track, the signal transmission element is particularly well protected and thus robust in operation.

[0038] The manipulation unit can be configured to perform any desired mechanical, chemical, and / or electronic processing of the object. In particular, the manipulation unit can be used to secure a conductive signal transmission element to a contact surface of the elongated object.

[0039] The conductive signal transmission element can be any measuring tape, a fiber optic cable, an electrical cable, a hydraulic line or any other transmission system for physical quantities.

[0040] The manipulation device can be designed to be suspended or placed laterally on the elongated object. This allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the manipulation device on the object. The manipulation device can partially or completely enclose the object along a portion of its length.

[0041] One or more support means can be provided inside the manipulation device, which are designed to connect the manipulation device to the object in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner. The at least one support means can be a component of the guide means. The connection is made such that the manipulation unit can manipulate at least one contact surface of the object. The contact surface can be on the top or bottom of the object. However, the contact surface can also be a side surface of the object. The support means can comprise at least one rail, in particular a Teflon rail, and / or a rolling bearing, in particular a ball bearing and / or a roller bearing and / or a roller, and / or chain and / or support roller and / or pressure roller.The support means are preferably resiliently mounted on the manipulation device and / or are designed to support the manipulation device on the top side of the object and / or to press it against the bottom side of the object. The support means can press the manipulation device and / or against a side surface of the object.

[0042] A force-locking and / or form-locking, in particular reversibly detachable, connection of the manipulation device to the elongated object can be ensured, in particular while the manipulation unit is processing the object.

[0043] The manipulation device can in particular be designed to move independently forward along the object during processing of the object.

[0044] In one embodiment, it can be provided that the manipulation device has at least one preferably spring-mounted support means, in particular a support roller. The support roller can be designed to support the manipulation device in a rolling manner on the upper side of the object. Thus, the manipulation device can be moved in a rolling manner along the upper side of the object. In particular, the manipulation device can have at least one preferably spring-mounted pressure roller, which is designed to press the manipulation device against the underside and / or a transverse side of the object. Thus, pressure can be exerted against the object during the movement of the manipulation device along the object.

[0045] The at least one support means, in particular the support roller and pressure roller, can mount the manipulation device in a form-fitting manner on the object, so that the movement of the manipulation device is preferably only possible in the longitudinal direction of the object.

[0046] The manipulation device can be substantially box-shaped and preferably cuboid-shaped.

[0047] In particular, the manipulation device can have a lateral opening, for example, a longitudinal slot, for guiding the object along the elongated object. For example, the manipulation device can have at least one lateral joint on which container flaps are arranged. To attach the manipulation device to the object, the container flaps are opened and closed again for fastening. A mechanical or magnetic locking mechanism for the flaps can be provided.

[0048] The at least one container flap can form the at least one closure element.

[0049] In one embodiment, two or more support means can be provided, which are arranged inside the manipulation device on both sides of the longitudinal slot and preferably symmetrically to the longitudinal slot. However, embodiments of the invention are also provided in which the manipulation device does not have a slot, but completely encloses the object. The manipulation device can have a preferably U-shaped base element, wherein the manipulation unit is arranged on the base element, preferably pretensioned against the object. In particular, the manipulation unit can be arranged on the base element inside the manipulation device. If necessary, the support means can also be arranged on the base element, preferably inside the manipulation device.

[0050] The manipulation device can have at least one, preferably U- or L-shaped, cover element arranged on the base element, wherein the cover element can be removed or folded away from the base element to enable the manipulation device to be suspended or placed laterally on the elongated object. Preferably, the support means can be arranged on this cover element so that they can also be folded away from the object.

[0051] The device may further comprise a deflection unit, for example, a deflection pulley for supporting and / or delivering the line-shaped signal transmission unit to the object and / or the application unit. For example, a measuring tape or a fiber optic cable may be mounted externally and delivered via the deflection unit.

[0052] A device according to the invention can be designed for the automated attachment of a conductive signal transmission element to a contact surface of the elongated object and / or can comprise at least one manipulation device according to the invention. The device can comprise a plurality of separately interchangeable, modular, and / or interconnectable or connected manipulation devices, preferably with different manipulation units.

[0053] For example, a device according to the invention can comprise at least one manipulation unit with a cleaning unit for chemically and / or physically cleaning the contact surface and / or the signal transmission element. The cleaning unit can preferably be arranged upstream of the downstream application unit in the feed direction V. Thus, the contact surface or the signal transmission element can be cleaned before the application of the adhesive layer, the weld seam, or the fastening element. For mechanical cleaning, sandblasting, for example, can be provided.

[0054] Likewise, a manipulation unit with an application unit for applying an adhesive layer and / or a weld seam to the contact surface and / or the signal transmission element can be provided. For this purpose, the application unit can have an adhesive nozzle, a welding head, and / or other connecting means such as screws or rivets, so that the contact surface can be connected to the signal transmission element in a point-like, linear, or planar manner. The adhesive layer, weld seam, and / or other connecting means can comprise plastics and / or metals. Both a force-fit and an elastic connection can be provided.

[0055] Furthermore, a manipulation unit with a pressing unit for positioning and pressing the signal transmission element against the contact surface can be provided. The pressing unit can comprise at least one pressure roller or pressure cylinder for pressing the signal transmission element against the contact surface.

[0056] The pressing unit may have at least one deflection roller for providing the signal transmission unit.

[0057] Furthermore, guide means, in particular guide rails, stamps, pressure rollers and similar devices, can be provided in order to bring the signal transmission element into a defined position and / or to press it against the contact surface with a defined contact pressure.

[0058] The pressing unit can be designed to press the signal transmission element, in particular upwards, against the contact surface, so that the signal transmission element can preferably be attached to the underside of the object. This has the advantage that the signal transmission element experiences less wear, for example, when attached to a track rail. Alternatively, the pressing unit can be designed to press the signal transmission element downwards against the contact surface, so that the signal transmission element can be attached to the top side of the object.

[0059] Furthermore, a manipulation unit with a cover unit for applying a cover made of metal, plastic, rubber, textile, or the like, or a protective varnish, to the signal transmission element can be provided. The cover unit can be arranged downstream of the pressing unit in the feed direction V. Thus, the signal transmission element can be protected by a cover after pressing. For example, an epoxy resin or the like can be provided for the cover.

[0060] Finally, the manipulation device according to the invention and / or the combination can comprise a propulsion unit designed to move the manipulation device and / or the combination along the object in a feed direction V, in particular comprising at least one propulsion motor. The propulsion unit can be designed as an independent unit, in particular independent of the manipulation device and / or a track vehicle, in particular with its own power supply, in particular a battery. The propulsion unit can have electrically driven rollers, wheels, or other drive means. With the aid of the propulsion unit, the device can be moved independently, in particular automatically, along the object in the feed direction V.

[0061] According to the invention, a combination of manipulation devices can be combined with different manipulation units, wherein a propulsion unit can be positioned and / or integrated at any desired position in the combination. The propulsion unit can be modular and / or reversibly or interchangeably coupled to one of the manipulation devices, in particular manipulation units. One propulsion unit can be provided for each manipulation device, in particular manipulation unit. For efficient production, several propulsion units are preferably identically designed. The propulsion unit can be attached to the manipulation device, in particular the manipulation unit, above it and / or can be coupled to it. Alternatively, a single propulsion unit can be provided for one or more manipulation devices, in particular manipulation units, which are coupled to one another.

[0062] In general, the propulsion unit can be designed to contact and / or clamp the elongated object, in particular the track rail, in order to transmit the propulsion force, in particular on an upper side and / or a side surface and / or on an underside.

[0063] According to the invention, it can be provided, in particular, that a first manipulation device with a cleaning unit, and / or a second manipulation device with an application unit, and / or a third manipulation device with a pressing unit, and / or a fourth manipulation device with a covering unit, and / or a fifth manipulation device with a propulsion unit are provided along the object in a feed direction V. The manipulation devices themselves can be essentially identical and differ only in their, in particular integrated, manipulation units. The manipulation devices can be connected by rigid and / or flexible, in particular articulated, connecting means.

[0064] A device according to the invention can comprise a plurality of separately interchangeable, substantially identical, modular, and / or interconnectable manipulation devices. The manipulation units can be accommodated in these manipulation devices, in particular in the respective housing units. In particular, the manipulation devices can each fully or partially comprise an application unit, a pressing unit, a cleaning unit, a covering unit, and / or a propulsion unit. For this purpose, the manipulation devices can have modular connections and / or plug-in connections. This enables the device to be easily adapted to different circumstances.For example, some applications require different application units, pressing units, cleaning units, covering units, and / or propulsion units, which can be easily swapped using the modular manipulation devices. Maintenance of the individual units can also be facilitated.

[0065] In particular, the manipulation devices can be connected to the object so that they can be moved longitudinally, allowing them to be moved along the object at different speeds if necessary. This is particularly advantageous when the individual steps of attaching the signal transmission element take different lengths of time.

[0066] Preferably, along the object in the feed direction V, a first manipulation device with a propulsion unit, preferably then a second manipulation device with a cleaning unit, preferably then a third manipulation device with an application unit, preferably then a fourth manipulation device with a pressing unit, and preferably a fifth manipulation device with a covering unit are provided.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the object is a track rail and the signal transmission element is a measuring tape with at least one sensor. To attach the measuring tape, the track rail is lifted and the device according to the invention is placed on the track rail. The manipulation devices clamp onto the rail foot or the rail head and / or move along the track rail to attach the measuring tape to the underside of the rail foot. For this purpose, the manipulation devices can at least partially encompass the track rail, with a support roller engaging the upper side of the rail foot and / or the rail head, and / or a pressure roller engaging the underside of the rail foot.

[0068] Further features of the invention emerge from the patent claims, the description of the embodiments and the figures.

[0069] The invention is explained in more detail below using non-exclusive embodiments. They show:

[0070] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention;

[0071] Fig. 2a - 2b a schematic representation of an embodiment of a manipulation device according to the invention;

[0072] Fig. 3a - 3b a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a manipulation device according to the invention;

[0073] Fig. 4a - 4b a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a manipulation device according to the invention;

[0074] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a combination according to the invention. A first embodiment of a system 16 with a manipulation device 1 is described in Fig. 1. The system 16 has a carriage 17 for moving the manipulation device 1 along the track rails 3.

[0075] A feed device 18 comprises a reel 19 for providing a linear signal transmission element, in particular a measuring tape 10, and a deflection means 20 for guiding the signal transmission element to the track rail 3.

[0076] A displacement unit 21a, 21b is designed to raise and / or lower the track rail 3, in particular relative to the track sleepers 22.

[0077] A mounting unit (not shown) is designed to release a rail fastening of the track rails 3 before lifting and to restore it after lowering onto the track sleepers 22.

[0078] System 1 is optionally configured as a track tamping machine. More preferably, system 1 is configured as a track maintenance machine and / or track laying machine. When configured as a track maintenance machine, system 1 can optionally include a straightening unit 23.

[0079] The system 1 preferably comprises at least one, in particular two, assembly units 23a, 23b for the, in particular automated, establishment and / or release of a fastening, in particular a screw connection, of the track rail 3 to the track sleepers 22. When configured as a track tamping machine, the system 1 can have at least one tamping unit. The track tamping unit is preferably positioned in an area in which the track rails 3 are fastened to the track sleepers 22, in particular along the longitudinal rail direction in front of or behind the displacement unit 21a, 21b.

[0080] Fig. 2a - 2b show a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a manipulation device 1 according to the invention in a cross-section and in a side view. The manipulation device 1 comprises a manipulation unit 2 for manipulating a track rail 3. In this embodiment, the manipulation device 1 partially encompasses the track rail 3. The manipulation device 1 is essentially cuboid-shaped and has two joints. It can be suspended laterally from the track rail 3 in order to partially enclose the track rail 3 in a region of its length. Provided inside the manipulation device 1 is a coupling device with a guide means, in particular with a support means, in the form of support rollers 5, 5'.These are designed to connect the manipulation device 1 to the track rail 3 in a form-fitting manner such that the manipulation unit 2 can manipulate a contact surface 4 located on the underside of the track rail 3, in particular displaceably along the longitudinal direction of the object.

[0081] In this exemplary embodiment, the manipulation device 1 is box-shaped with a U-shaped base element 8 and two L-shaped closure elements, in particular cover elements 9, 9', connected via joints. The manipulation unit 2 is resiliently mounted on the base element 8 via spiral springs or the like and is aligned against the track 3 via a force indicated by arrows. The support rollers 5, 5' are attached to the cover elements 9, 9' and support the manipulation device 1 on the track 3. The rail head of the track 3 protrudes through a gap 7 between the cover elements 9, 9'. On the underside of the rail foot of the track 3 is the contact surface 4, on which the measuring tape 10 is arranged, which is processed by the manipulation unit 2.

[0082] 3a - 3b show a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a manipulation device 1 according to the invention in a cross-section and in a side elevation. In this embodiment, the manipulation device 1 completely encompasses the track rail 3. The manipulation device 1 has a U-shaped base element 8 and a U-shaped cover element 9, which is connected to the base element 8 on one side via a joint and on the other side via a screw connection. In this embodiment, several manipulation units 2, 2' are provided, which process both the underside of the rail foot and the top side of the rail foot. A support roller 5 is arranged on the cover element 9 and supports the manipulation device 1 on the rail head of the track rail 3.

[0083] Fig. 4a - 4b show a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a manipulation device 1 according to the invention in a cross-section and a side view. In this embodiment, the manipulation device 1 is open at the bottom and is only placed on the track rail 3 from above. The manipulation unit 2' processes an upper side of the rail foot, on which the measuring tape 10 is arranged. A support roller 5, spring-mounted via spiral springs or the like, is provided on the upper side of the U-shaped base element 8; furthermore, a pressure roller 6, which presses against the rail neck, is located on the side of the track rail 3. Again, two joints are provided that connect the base element 8 to the cover elements 9, 9' in an articulated manner, so that the manipulation device 1 can be easily placed on the track rail 3.

[0084] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a combination according to the invention for the automated fastening of a measuring tape 10 on an underlying contact surface 4 at the rail foot of a track rail 3 lifted from the track bed. The combination moves automatically forward in the feed direction V along the track rail 3.

[0085] In this embodiment, the combination comprises six manipulation devices 1, 1', 1", 1'", 1"", 1"'" arranged one behind the other and connected. The manipulation devices 1, 1', 1", 1'", 1"", 1"'" accommodate a mechanical cleaning unit 11, a chemical cleaning unit 11', an application unit 12, a pressing unit 13, a covering unit 14 and a propulsion unit 15. Also shown is a deflection roller in the application unit 12, which provides the measuring tape 10.

[0086] The cleaning units 11, 11' mechanically and chemically clean the contact surface 4 of the track rail 3 and the measuring tape 10. The downstream application unit 12 applies an adhesive layer to the contact surface 4. The pressing unit 13 presses the measuring tape 10 upward against the contact surface 4 of the track rail 3, so that the measuring tape 10 provided by the deflection roller is attached to the underside of the track rail 3. A covering unit 14 is located downstream, which covers the measuring tape 10 with a plastic coating.

[0087] The propulsion unit 15 serves to move the connected manipulation devices 1 along the track 3 and is equipped with electrically driven rollers or other drive means for this purpose. In this embodiment, the manipulation devices 1 are rigidly connected to one another. After the combination has processed the track 3, the track 3 is lowered back into the track bed.

[0088] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but encompasses all subject matter within the scope of the following patent claims.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Manipulation device (1) for acting on an elongated object, in particular a track rail (3), comprising 1.1 at least one manipulation unit (2) for acting on a surface (4) of the elongated object, 1.2 a coupling device for reversibly coupling the at least one manipulation unit (2) to the elongated object in such a way that the at least one manipulation unit (2) can act on the surface (4), in particular the underside, of the elongated object, characterized in that 1.3 the coupling device comprises a guide means for the guided displacement of the manipulation device (1) along a longitudinal direction of the elongate object.

2. Manipulation device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated object is a track rail (3).

3. Manipulation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one manipulation unit is designed to apply a linear signal transmission element, in particular with at least one optical fiber, to the surface (4) of the elongated object.

4. Manipulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a feeding device (18) for continuously feeding a linear signal transmission element to the surface (4) of the elongated object.

5. Manipulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device has a pretensioning means for pressing the at least one manipulation unit (2) against the surface (4) of the elongated object.

6. Manipulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a propulsion motor (15) for displacing the manipulation device (1) along the longitudinal direction of the elongated object.

7. Manipulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device surrounds the elongate object over an angle of at least 240 °, relative to a central longitudinal axis of the elongate object.

8. Manipulation device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing unit which at least partially, in particular completely, surrounds the elongate object in a section of its length.

9. Manipulation device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing unit has at least one closure element which is displaceable between an open position in which the manipulation device can be reversibly removed from the elongate object, and a closed position in which the manipulation device surrounds the elongate object in a form-fitting manner.

10. Combination comprising several interconnectable manipulation devices according to one of the preceding claims (1, 1', 1 “, 1 “ 1““, 1 “ “ ') with different manipulation units (2, 2').

11. Combination according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the manipulation units (2, 2') is a cleaning unit (11, 11') for chemically and / or physically cleaning the surface (4) and / or the signal transmission element, an application unit (12) for applying a linear signal transmission element and / or an adhesive layer and / or a weld seam to the surface (4) and / or the adhesive layer to the signal transmission element, a pressing unit (13) for positioning and / or pressing the signal transmission element against the surface (4), and / or a covering unit (14) for applying a cover and / or a protective varnish to the signal transmission element.

12. Combination according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of the manipulation units (2, 2') is a cleaning unit (11) for cleaning the surface (4) and at least one of the manipulation units (2, 2') is an application unit (12) for applying the linear signal transmission element to the surface (4).

13. Combination according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by a flexible, in particular articulated, connection between at least two of the plurality of manipulation devices (1, 1', 1", 1'", 1"", 1"").

14. System (16), comprising 14.1 a carriage (17), in particular a track vehicle for traveling on track rails (3), and 14.2 at least one manipulation device (1) mounted on the carriage according to one of claims 1 to 9 and / or at least one combination according to one of claims 10 to 13.

15. System (16) according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one manipulation device (1) and / or the at least one combination can be displaced along the longitudinal direction of the object by means of the carriage (17).

16. Method for manipulating an elongated object, in particular a track rail (3), comprising the steps: 16.1 Coupling at least one manipulation unit (2) to the elongated object, 16.2 Acting on a surface (4), in particular an underside, of the elongated object by means of the at least one manipulation unit (2) and 16.3 guided displacement of the manipulation device (1) along the longitudinal direction of the elongated object.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized by releasing a fastening of the elongated object, in particular a rail fastening of the track rail (3).

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by lifting the elongated object, in particular the track rail (3).

19. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by applying a linear signal transmission element, in particular with at least one optical fiber, to the surface (4) of the elongated object.

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