Rail cutting machine including an anti-vibration device

Abstract

The cutting machine (10), adapted for cutting profiles, particularly railway track rails, comprises: a frame (12) to which are attached a motor (13), a support (17), a cutting disc (16), and a drive shaft attached to the cutting disc (16) and rotatable relative to the frame (12); a transmission system connecting the motor (13) to the drive shaft; at least one first rotational guide element interposed between the frame (12) and the drive shaft; and an anti-vibration device. The anti-vibration device comprises: a damping bearing (23); at least one second rotational guide element interposed between the drive shaft and the damping bearing (23); and at least one damping element (25, 26, 27), ensuring damping of the vibrations experienced by the damping bearing (23). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Rail cutting machine comprising an anti-vibration device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting machine suitable for cutting profiles, in particular of the railway track rail type, comprising: - a chassis to which a motor is secured, a support comprising mounting elements capable of allowing reversible fixing of the cutting machine on a support device to be fixed on the profile to be cut, a cutting disc adapted to the profile to be cut, and a transmission shaft secured to the cutting disc and movable in rotation relative to the chassis by rotating around an axis of rotation, - a transmission system connecting the engine to the drive shaft.

[0002] The engine may be electrically powered or thermally powered. In the latter case, it may be a piston or turbine engine, and its control may be via a control component comprising a carburetor or an electronic control unit in the case of an injection engine. State of the art

[0003] The railway track cutting machines currently in use are designed from an adaptation of a machine initially intended for cutting concrete. At the same time, the trend in concrete cutting machines is towards the use of increasingly powerful engines that meet the latest standards for the emission of polluting substances. This therefore implies obligations to make additional modifications to make them suitable for railway applications.

[0004] One of these modifications consists of replacing the concrete cutting disc with a cutting disc adapted to the profile to be cut.

[0005] When using an abrasive disc, for example, it has been observed that the vibrations generated by the motor wear out the abrasive discs prematurely and do not allow the required cutting qualities to be obtained and cause visible defects. This is why the use of an anti-vibration device has already been considered to dampen these vibrations and comply with the geometric constraints of the cut.

[0006] Document FR2910829Al presents a cutting machine which comprises a block motor driving by belt a cutting disc fixed on a disc holder, a sleeve with an axis parallel to the axis of the cutting disc, intended to be fixed on a Device for supporting and guiding the chainsaw comprising a vice for fixing to the rail and allowing the machine to pivot in the plane of the cutting disc, the sheath and the disc holder forming a single-piece assembly mounted on the engine block with the interposition of elastic means. The engine block comprises a first part containing the engine and a second part on which the single-piece assembly is mounted, the second part being movable relative to the first part so as to allow sufficient tensioning of the cutting disc drive belt, means for locking the relative position of the first and second parts being provided. The single-piece assembly comprises a plate carrying the sheath and a bearing intended for mounting a cutting disc drive shaft.The elastic means comprise at least one elastic element, such as a stud or a plate, arranged between the engine block (in particular its front part) and the plate of the single-block assembly.

[0007] This solution to the vibration problems is effective in limiting disk wear and respecting geometric constraints, but it has the disadvantage of being expensive and requiring specific and numerous components (which also increases complexity and weight), and heavy modifications to the machine (initially devoid of any damping system) initially supplied by the supplier.

[0008] The objective of the invention is therefore to provide a solution which jointly addresses all of these problems: providing a cutting machine capable of damping vibrations, limiting wear phenomena on the cutting discs, respecting the geometric constraints of perpendicularity of the cut, while proposing an economical, simple, lightweight solution, and avoiding as much as possible the use of specific components and the need to modify the supplier's machine. Subject of the invention

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to propose a cutting machine suitable for cutting profiles, in particular of the railway track rail type, which addresses the problems set out above in relation to the state of the art.

[0010] In particular, the aim of the invention is to propose a cutting machine which meets at least one of the following objectives: - damping vibrations, - limit wear phenomena on cutting discs, - respect the geometric constraints of perpendicularities of the cut, - be economical, simple and light.

[0011] This aim can be achieved by means of a cutting machine adapted to cutting profiles, in particular of the railway track rail type, comprising: - a chassis to which a motor is secured, a support comprising mounting elements capable of allowing reversible fixing of the machine cutting on a support device to be fixed on the profile to be cut, a cutting disc adapted to the profile to be cut and for example formed from an abrasive or metallic material, and a transmission shaft secured to the cutting disc and movable in rotation relative to the chassis by rotating around an axis of rotation, - a transmission system connecting the engine to the transmission shaft, - at least one first rotational guide element interposed between the chassis and the transmission shaft to guide the transmission shaft in rotation relative to the chassis,

[0012] the cutting machine comprising an anti-vibration device, which comprises: - a damping bearing arranged at one end of the transmission shaft, - at least one second rotational guide element interposed between the shaft transmission and the damping bearing to guide the transmission shaft in rotation relative to the damping bearing, - at least one damping element, interposed between the damping bearing and the chassis, the at least one damping element ensuring damping, between the damping bearing and the chassis, of the vibrations undergone by the damping bearing under the effect of the rotation of the transmission shaft and under the effect of the operation of the engine.

[0013] Such an anti-vibration device mainly makes it possible to avoid too many possible adaptations and replacements of all or part of the chassis and can advantageously adapt to an existing chassis without modification and / or replacement of existing parts. The anti-vibration device also has the advantages of being light, simple and economical. It makes it possible to avoid an excessively rigid rotational mounting between the transmission shaft and the chassis, conferring on the contrary a specifically damped degree of freedom, making it possible to dampen the vibrations between the cutting disc and the chassis.

[0014] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the transmission shaft is rigidly mounted for rotation on the chassis in a first zone of the transmission shaft, while it is mounted for rotation on the damping bearing which advantageously has a possibility of damped mobility in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, but also and above all in a manner collinear with the axis of rotation.

[0015] According to one embodiment, for damping in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the at least one damping element works essentially in tension / compression while for damping along the axis of rotation, the at least one damping element works essentially in shear. Thus, the damping bearing is very advantageously and simply mounted on the chassis by means of the at least one damping element.

[0016] Some preferred but non-limiting aspects of this cutting machine are as follows.

[0017] The chassis comprises an external block removable from the rest of the chassis and the at least one damping element is interposed between said external block and a peripheral surface of the damping bearing.

[0018] The external block delimits a housing receiving the at least one damping element and the damping bearing.

[0019] The at least one damping element is configured so as to provide said damping in at least one direction contained in a main plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation and / or along the axis of rotation.

[0020] The transmission shaft comprises a rotary shaft cooperating with the at least one first rotational guide element, and a centering member interposed between the rotary shaft and the at least one second rotational guide element so as to ensure centering of the damping bearing relative to one end of the rotary shaft.

[0021] The centering member comprises a needle screw and a needle screw axis, the needle screw axis being interposed between the needle screw and the at least one second rotational guide element, the needle screw cooperating with the needle screw axis by a helical connection, the needle screw delimiting a centering end ensuring the centering of the end of the rotary shaft in the main plane, an adjustment of the relative position between the needle screw and the needle screw axis by means of said helical connection allowing an adjustment of the contact pressure exerted by the centering end against the end of the rotary shaft along the axis of rotation.

[0022] This decomposition of the centering member, in addition to the advantage of being able to adjust the pressure forces, advantageously makes it possible to make the needle screw removable and interchangeable with respect to the other parts of the centering member and more generally of the anti-vibration device, to compensate for its natural wear due to its use, typically due to its relative friction with respect to the rotating shaft.

[0023] The needle screw shaft and the damping bearing respectively comprise first and second connecting elements capable of ensuring, between the needle screw shaft and the damping bearing, a temporary and reversible rotational locking, the needle screw being free to rotate relative to the needle screw shaft. These arrangements allow easy adjustment of the contact pressure by facilitating the rotation of the needle screw relative to the needle screw shaft.

[0024] The cutting machine may comprise an acceleration control capable of being activated by the hand of a user of the cutting machine, a control component controlling the motor and taking as input data representative of the stress applied to the acceleration control, a determination device capable of automatically occupying a first state as soon as the support is fixed on the support device or a second state as soon as the support is separated from the support device, a stop circuit configured to vary between an active state in which the rotation of the cutting disc is inhibited and an inactive state in which the rotation of the cutting disc is authorized, the control component being capable of placing the stop circuit in the active state or in the inactive state depending on whether the determination device occupies the first state or the second state and / or depending on the presence or absence of a stress applied to the acceleration control.

[0025] The control component places the stop circuit in the active state when the following two conditions are verified simultaneously: - the determination device occupies the second state, - the presence of a stress applied to the acceleration control.

[0026] The at least one first rotational guide element and / or the at least one second rotational guide element comprises at least one rolling bearing. Advantageously, these arrangements allow the assembly to be economical and simple to mount.

[0027] The damping bearing delimits a housing receiving the at least one bearing of said at least one second rotational guide element.

[0028] The at least one damping element is formed from polymer or metal.

[0029] The at least one damping element comprises one or more damping pads, distinct from each other and angularly distributed around the axis of rotation. The damping pads have advantages in terms of cost, simplicity of installation and simplicity of supply since they are standard commercial elements. Advantageously, their angular distribution relative to each other ensures that at least one of them works in compression / tension while at least one of the others works in shear, guaranteeing optimization of the damping provided in a simple and economical manner. Summary description of the drawings

[0030] Other aspects, aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the cutting machine.

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the cutting machine. Detailed description

[0033] In the figures and in the remainder of the description, the same references represent identical or similar elements. Furthermore, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and may be combined with each other.

[0034] Figures 1 and 2 represent an example of a cutting machine 10 according to the invention.

[0035] The cutting machine 10 is suitable for cutting profiles. These profiles may be, for example, made of metallic material or reinforced concrete. The cutting machine 10 is particularly suitable for cutting profiles such as railway track rails.

[0036] As can be seen in [Fig.l], the cutting machine 10 firstly comprises a chassis 12 which can be in the form of one or more parts (in the figure the chassis 12 comprises first and second parts respectively marked 12a, 12b).

[0037] On the chassis 12, in particular on the first part 12a, a motor 13 is fixed, of a thermal nature here (it can be for example an engine with at least one piston or a turbine engine), but which can be an electric motor depending on the needs.

[0038] The cutting machine 10, in addition to the motor 13, comprises a support 17 including mounting elements 18 capable of allowing reversible fixing of the cutting machine 10 on a support device to be fixed on the profile to be cut. The support 17 is fixed to the frame 12, typically to the first part 12a, by means of fixing elements such as for example a plurality of screws.

[0039] The mounting elements 18 may for example comprise a male member or a female member, respectively capable of being inserted into or onto a female or male element secured to the support device. However, the mounting elements may be of any other nature, such as for example a support plate or a half-shell.

[0040] The support device may comprise, for example, a vice to be fixed by clamping on the profile to be cut, on which is articulated a first arm, to the distal end of which is articulated the proximal end of a second arm whose distal end comprises said male or female element.

[0041] The cutting machine 10 also comprises a cutting disc 16, for example formed from an abrasive or metallic material, and a transmission shaft 21 secured to the cutting disc 16 and movable in rotation relative to the chassis 12, being able to rotate around an axis of rotation D, in particular relative to the second part 12b.

[0042] The cutting machine 10 also comprises a transmission system connecting the motor 13 to the transmission shaft 21. The transmission system may for example comprise an elongated element such as a belt or a chain, connecting on the one hand the output shaft of a clutch itself coupled to the output of the motor 13 and on the other hand a drive pulley 20 mounted on the transmission shaft 21. Any other transmission system may however be used, for example using a transmission by a train of toothed wheels.

[0043] The cutting machine 10 comprises at least a first rotation guide element 22 interposed between the chassis 12 (in particular the second part 12b) and the transmission shaft 21 to guide the transmission shaft 21 in rotation relative to the chassis 12.

[0044] Advantageously, the cutting machine 10 comprises an anti-vibration device comprising: - a damping bearing 23 arranged at one end of the transmission shaft 21, - at least one second rotation guide element 24 interposed between the transmission shaft 21 and the damping bearing 23 to guide the transmission shaft 21 in rotation relative to the damping bearing 23, - at least one damping element 25, 26, 27, interposed between the damping bearing 23 and the chassis 12 (in particular the second part 12b).

[0045] The at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 is configured to ensure damping, between the damping bearing 23 and the chassis 12, of the vibrations undergone by the damping bearing 23 under the effect of the rotation of the transmission shaft 21 and under the effect of the operation of the engine 13.

[0046] The anti-vibration device mainly makes it possible to avoid too many possible adaptations and replacements of all or part of the chassis 12 and can advantageously adapt to an existing chassis without modification and / or replacement of existing parts. The anti-vibration device is also light, simple and economical. It makes it possible to avoid an excessively rigid rotational mounting between the transmission shaft 21 and the chassis 12, conferring on the contrary a specifically damped degree of freedom, making it possible to dampen the vibrations between the cutting disc 16 and the chassis 12.

[0047] The transmission shaft 21 is thus rigidly mounted for rotation on the chassis 12 (in particular the second part 12b) in a first zone of the transmission shaft 21, while it is mounted for rotation on the damping bearing 23 which advantageously has a possibility of damped mobility in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation D, but also and above all in a manner collinear with the axis of rotation D.

[0048] According to one embodiment, for damping in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 works essentially in tension / compression while for damping along the axis of rotation D, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 works essentially in shear. Thus, the damping bearing 23 is very advantageously and simply mounted on the chassis 12 (in particular the second part 12b) by means of the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the chassis 12 comprises an external block 19 removable from the rest of the chassis 12 and the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 is interposed between this external block 19 and a peripheral surface of the damping bearing 23. The external block is in particular integral with the second part 12b of the chassis when the latter is in two parts. The external block 19 may for example be permanently integral with the rest of the chassis, or else be attached to a lateral face of the latter by means of fixing means ensuring a reversible and removable fixing of the external block 19 on the chassis, such as for example one or more screws engaged by screwing into the chassis 12. In the case where the external block 19 is removably attached to the rest of the chassis 12, these arrangements have the advantage of limiting as much as possible the need for adaptation / modification of the chassis 12.

[0050] According to an embodiment as visible in the figures, the external block 19 delimits a housing, which may be a closed or open cavity, and receiving the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 and the damping bearing 23.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 is configured so as to provide this damping in at least one direction contained in a main plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation D and / or also possibly along the axis of rotation D.

[0052] According to one embodiment, and as can be seen in [Fig. 2], the transmission shaft 21 comprises a rotary shaft 210 cooperating with the at least one first rotation guide element 22, and a centering member 220 interposed between the rotary shaft 210 and the at least one second rotation guide element 24 so as to ensure centering of the damping bearing 23 relative to one end 210a of the rotary shaft 210.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the centering member 220 comprises a needle screw 220a and a needle screw axis 220b, the needle screw axis 220b being interposed between the needle screw 220a and the at least one second rotational guide element 24, the needle screw 220a cooperating with the needle screw axis 220b by a helical connection, the needle screw 220a delimiting a centering end 220c ensuring the centering of the end 210a of the rotary shaft 210 in the main plane, an adjustment of the relative position between the needle screw 220a and the needle screw axis 220b by means of this helical connection allowing an adjustment of the contact pressure exerted by the centering end 220c against the end 210a of the rotating shaft 210 along the axis of rotation D.

[0054] This decomposition of the centering member 220, in addition to the advantage of being able to adjust the pressure forces, advantageously makes it possible to make the needle screw 220a removable and interchangeable with respect to the other parts of the centering member 220 and more generally of the anti-vibration device, to compensate for its natural wear. due to its use, typically due to its relative friction with respect to the rotating shaft 210.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the needle screw axis 220b and the damping bearing 23 respectively comprise a first connecting element and a second connecting element, such as two orifices in the extension of one another with insertion of a pin adapted to be removed, capable of ensuring, between the needle screw axis 220b and the damping bearing 23, a temporary and reversible rotational locking, the needle screw 220a being free to rotate relative to the needle screw axis 220b. These arrangements allow easy adjustment of the contact pressure by facilitating the rotation of the needle screw 220a relative to the needle screw axis 220b.

[0056] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the cutting machine 10 further comprises: - an acceleration command capable of being requested by the hand of a user of the cutting machine 10, - a control component controlling the motor 13 and taking as input data representative of the stress applied to the acceleration control, - a determination device capable of automatically occupying a first state as soon as the support 17 is fixed on the support device or a second state as soon as the support 17 is separated from the support device, - a stop circuit configured to vary between an active state in which rotation of the cutting disc 16 is inhibited and an inactive state in which rotation of the cutting disc 16 is permitted.

[0057] In this variant, the control component is capable of placing the stop circuit in the active state or in the inactive state depending on whether the determination device occupies the first state or the second state and / or depending on the presence or absence of a stress applied to the acceleration control.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the control component places the stop circuit in the active state when the following two conditions are verified simultaneously: - the determination device occupies the second state, - the presence of a stress applied to the acceleration control.

[0059] The control component which controls the engine 13 comprises for example a carburetor or an electronic control unit in the case of an injection engine.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the at least one first rotational guide element 22 and / or the at least one second rotational guide element 24 comprises at least one bearing (for example of the ball, roller or needle type) or a bearing. Advantageously, these arrangements allow the assembly to be economical and simple to mount. Each bearing used could possibly be of the bearing type smooth, magnetic bearing, compressed air or hydrostatic bearing.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the damping bearing 23 delimits a housing receiving the at least one bearing of said at least one second rotational guide element 24.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 may be formed from polymer, in particular rubber or plastic, or from metal (ferrous or non-ferrous) for example steel, aluminum or copper.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 comprises one or more distinct damping pads angularly distributed around the axis of rotation D. The number of damping pads is not limiting in itself. In a variant, as illustrated and giving good satisfaction in practice, the at least one damping element 25, 26, 27 comprises: at least a first damping pad 25, a second damping pad 26, and a third damping pad 27,

[0064] these three pads being distinct from each other and angularly distributed around the axis of rotation D.

[0065] The decomposition of the damping element into several separate damping pads has advantages in terms of cost, simplicity of installation and simplicity of supply since they can advantageously be standard commercial elements and not specifically manufactured elements. Advantageously, their angular distribution relative to each other makes it possible to ensure that at least one of them works in compression / tension while at least one of the others works in shear, guaranteeing optimization of the damping provided in a simple and economical manner.

Claims

Claims

1. Cutting machine (10) suitable for cutting profiles, in particular of the railway track rail type, comprising: - a chassis (12) to which a motor (13) is secured, a support (17) comprising mounting elements (18) capable of allowing reversible fixing of the cutting machine (10) on a support device to be fixed on the profile to be cut, a cutting disc (16) adapted to the profile to be cut, and a transmission shaft (21) secured to the cutting disc (16) and movable in rotation relative to the chassis (12) by rotating around an axis of rotation (D), - a transmission system connecting the engine (13) to the transmission shaft (21), - at least one first rotational guide element (22) interposed between the chassis (12) and the transmission shaft (21) to guide the transmission shaft (21) in rotation relative to the chassis (12), the cutting machine (10) comprising an anti-vibration device wherein the anti-vibration device comprises: - a damping bearing (23) arranged at one end of the transmission shaft (21), - at least one second rotational guide element (24) interposed between the transmission shaft (21) and the damping bearing (23) for guiding the transmission shaft (21) in rotation relative to the damping bearing (23), - at least one damping element (25, 26, 27), interposed between the damping bearing (23) and the chassis (12), the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) ensuring damping, between the damping bearing (23) and the chassis (12), of the vibrations undergone by the damping bearing (23) under the effect of the rotation of the transmission shaft (21) and under the effect of the operation of the engine (13).

2. A cutting machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein the chassis (12) comprises an external block (19) removable from the rest of the chassis (12) and the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) is interposed between said external block (19) and a peripheral surface of the damping bearing (23).

3. Cutting machine (10) according to claim 2, in which the external block (19) delimits a housing receiving the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) and the damping bearing (23).

4. Cutting machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) is configured so as to provide said damping in at least one direction contained in a main plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D) and / or along the axis of rotation (D).

5. Cutting machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission shaft (21) comprises a rotary shaft (210) cooperating with the at least one first rotational guide element (22), and a centering member (220) interposed between the rotary shaft (210) and the at least one second rotational guide element (24) so ​​as to ensure centering of the damping bearing (23) relative to one end (210a) of the rotary shaft (210).

6. Cutting machine (10) according to claim 5, wherein the centering member (220) comprises a needle screw (220a) and a needle screw axis (220b), the needle screw axis (220b) being interposed between the needle screw (220a) and the at least one second rotational guide element (24), the needle screw (220a) cooperating with the needle screw axis (220b) by a helical connection, the needle screw (220a) delimiting a centering end (220c) ensuring the centering of the end (210a) of the rotary shaft (210) in the main plane, an adjustment of the relative position between the needle screw (220a) and the needle screw axis (220b) by means of said helical connection allowing an adjustment of the contact pressure exerted by the centering end (220c) against the end (210a) of the rotating shaft (210) along the axis of rotation (D).

7. Cutting machine (10) according to claim 6, in which the needle screw axis (220b) and the damping bearing (23) respectively comprise first and second connecting elements capable of ensuring, between the needle screw axis (220b) and the damping bearing (23), a temporary and reversible rotational lock, the needle screw (220a) being free to rotate relative to the needle screw axis (220b).

8. Cutting machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first rotational guide element (22) and / or the at least one second rotational guide element (24) comprises at least one rolling bearing.

9. Cutting machine (10) according to claim 8, in which the damping bearing (23) delimits a housing receiving the at least one bearing of said at least one second rotational guide element (24).

10. A cutting machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) is formed from polymer or metal.

11. Cutting machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the at least one damping element (25, 26, 27) comprises one or more damping pads, distinct from each other and angularly distributed around the axis of rotation (D).

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