Rail unloading device

Abstract

To provide a rail unloading device which can enhance workability of a rail unloading work.SOLUTION: A rail unloading device 20 includes: a girder part 24 supported on first and second column parts 23A and 23B; first and second column rotating mechanisms 55A and 55B for rotating and falling the first and second column parts 23A and 23B; and first and second connection mechanisms 60A and 60B for connecting the upper ends of the first and second column parts 23A and 23B and the girder part 24. In each of the connection mechanisms 60A and 60B, a girder side arc-shaped surface which projects downward with a girder side through hole as an arc center is formed at a girder side joint part 70, and a column side arc-shaped surface which is recessed downward with a column side through hole as the arc center is formed at a column side joint part 80. A radius of curvature of the girder side arc-shaped surface and a radius of curvature of the column side arc-shaped surface are equivalent to each other. Each of the connection mechanisms 60A and 60B includes a pin member 90 inserted into each of the through holes, in a state in which the girder side arc-shaped surface and the column side arc-shaped surface are brought into contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail loading / unloading device provided on a rail transport vehicle that runs on rails. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a known device of this type includes a dolly that runs on rails, a support pillar provided at an end of the dolly in the vehicle width direction, and an arm extending in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the support pillar. The arm is provided with a crane that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the arm and suspends the rail. With this device, the rail can be loaded and unloaded from one side of the dolly in the vehicle width direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6621090 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in rail loading and unloading devices in order to improve the workability of rail loading and unloading operations.

[0005] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rail loading / unloading device capable of improving the workability of rail loading / unloading operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a rail loading / unloading device provided on a rail transport vehicle that travels on a rail, A base portion provided at each end of the rail transport vehicle in a vehicle width direction; A support portion extending upward from each of the base portions; A girder portion supported by each of the support pillars and extending in the vehicle width direction; a suspension device provided on the girder so as to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the girder and suspending the rail; a support column rotation mechanism provided individually corresponding to each support column, which rotates the support column to a tilted state; a connecting mechanism provided individually corresponding to each of the support columns and connecting an upper end portion of each of the support columns to the girder portion; Equipped with Each of the connecting mechanisms is A column-side joint portion is provided at an upper end of the support portion, and has a column-side through hole formed therein that penetrates in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder portion; a girder-side joint portion provided on the girder portion and having a girder-side through hole penetrating in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder portion; having The girder-side joint portion has a girder-side arc surface that is convex downward with the girder-side through hole as a circular center, The column-side joint portion has a column-side arc surface that is concave downward with the column-side through hole as the arc center, The radius of curvature of the girder-side arc surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the column-side arc surface, Each connecting mechanism has a pin member that is inserted into the girder-side through hole and the column-side through hole with the girder-side arcuate surface and the column-side arcuate surface in contact.

[0007] The column-side joint part provided at the upper end of the column part has a column-side arc surface that is concave downward with the column-side through-hole as its arc center. The girder-side joint part provided at the girder part has a girder-side arc surface that is convex downward with the girder-side through-hole as its arc center.

[0008] Here, the radius of curvature of the girder-side arc surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the column-side arc surface. Therefore, by abutting the girder-side arc surface against the column-side arc surface, the center of the girder-side through hole and the center of the column-side through hole are positioned coaxially. This improves the positioning accuracy of the girder-side through hole and the column-side through hole. As a result, with the girder-side arc surface abutting against the column-side arc surface, it becomes easier to insert the pin member into the girder-side through hole and the column-side through hole.

[0009] The above-described configuration is for enabling loading and unloading of rails from either side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle. Here, one of the two support parts is referred to as the first support part (23A), and the other is referred to as the second support part (23B). In addition, the coupling mechanism provided corresponding to the first support part is referred to as the first coupling mechanism (60A), and the coupling mechanism provided corresponding to the second support part is referred to as the second coupling mechanism (60B). In the following, first, a case where the first support part side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle is the rail loading and unloading side will be described, and then a case where the rail unloading side is switched from the first support part side to the second support part side will be described.

[0010] First, a case where the first support portion side is the rail loading / unloading side will be described.

[0011] With the girder supported by the first and second support columns, the pin member of the first connecting mechanism is removed from the girder-side through-hole and the column-side through-hole. After that, the girder is rotated around the pin member of the second connecting mechanism as the rotation center so that the girder moves away from the upper end of the first support column. Then, the first support column is brought into a fallen state by the support column rotation mechanism provided on the first support column.

[0012] Then, the girder is rotated around the pin member of the second connecting mechanism until the girder is horizontal, which allows the rail to be loaded and unloaded by the suspension device from the first support column side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle.

[0013] Next, a case where the rail unloading side is switched from the first support section side to the second support section side will be described.

[0014] The girder is rotated around the pin member of the second connecting mechanism as a rotation center so as to lift the first support part side of the girder. Then, the support part rotation mechanism provided on the first support part sets the first support part in an upright state. After that, the girder is rotated around the pin member of the second connecting mechanism as a rotation center until the girder side arc surface and the column side arc surface of the first connecting mechanism abut. Here, since the radius of curvature of the girder side arc surface and the radius of curvature of the column side arc surface are equal, when the girder side arc surface and the column side arc surface abut, the center of the girder side through hole and the center of the column side through hole are coaxial in the first connecting mechanism. This makes it easier to insert the pin member into the girder side through hole and the column side through hole in the first connecting mechanism. As a result, the workability can be improved when switching the rail loading / unloading side from the first support part side to the second support part side.

[0015] Then, in the second connecting mechanism, the pin member is removed from the girder-side through-hole and the column-side through-hole. Then, the girder is rotated around the pin member of the first connecting mechanism as the rotation center so that the girder is separated from the upper end of the second support part. Then, the second support part is brought into a fallen state by the support rotation mechanism provided on the second support part.

[0016] After that, the girder is rotated around the pin member of the first connecting mechanism until the girder is in a horizontal position. This allows the rail to be loaded and unloaded by the suspension device from the second support column side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle.

[0017] According to the present invention as described above, the workability of rail loading and unloading operations can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] Side view of a rail transport vehicle. [Diagram 2] Front view of a rail transport vehicle. [Diagram 3] Top view of the girder. [Figure 4] 13 is a side view of the support column that has been brought into an upright position by the support column rotation mechanism. FIG. [Diagram 5]13 is a side view of the support column that has been tilted down by the support column rotation mechanism. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 shows the girder side joint. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the column side joint part. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the girder-side joint portion and the column-side joint portion are connected by a pin member. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in Figure 8. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view of each joint portion and pin member when the girder portion is in an inclined state. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle in a state where the coupling by the first side support part has been released. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle with the first support portion side of the girder raised. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle when loading rails from the first support portion side. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle in a state where the coupling by the second side support portion has been released. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle with the second support portion side of the girder raised. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a front view of the rail transport vehicle when loading and unloading rails from the second support portion side. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 in Figure 17. [Figure 19] Plan view of the ball arrangement section. [Figure 20] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the base rotation mechanism showing a state in which the base portion is separated from the placement portion. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a manner in which the base and the girder can rotate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A rail loading / unloading device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The rail loading / unloading device is provided on a rail transport vehicle that travels on a track.

[0020] 1 and 2, the rail transport vehicle 10 includes a bogie 11 and wheels 12 provided on the bottom of the bogie 11. The rail transport vehicle 10 runs on a pair of rails 15 on which rail vehicles run.

[0021] The carriage 11 is provided with a rail loading / unloading device 20. The rail loading / unloading device 20 includes a base portion 21 fixed to the upper portion of the carriage 11, a first base portion 22A, and a second base portion 22B as a base structure of the device. The first base portion 22A is provided on one end side of the base portion 21 in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle 10, and the second base portion 22B is provided on the other end side in the vehicle width direction. The first base portion 22A and the second base portion 22B are provided on the base portion 21 in the center of the vehicle length direction of the rail transport vehicle 10, and are rectangular plate-shaped.

[0022] The rail loading / unloading device 20 includes a first support column 23A extending upward from the first base 22A, a second support column 23B extending upward from the second base 22B, and a girder column 24 supported by the support columns 23A and 23B. The girder column 24 extends in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle 10. The girder column 24 extends outward beyond the first and second support columns 23A and 23B on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and specifically, extends outward beyond the ends of the carriage 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] Two first support pillars 23A are provided on the first base 22A of the rail transporter 10, side by side in the vehicle length direction (traveling direction), and two second support pillars 23B are also provided side by side in the vehicle length direction, as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the girder 24 has first and second girder parts 25A and 25B extending in parallel, and a girder connecting part 26 connecting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first and second girder parts 25A and 25B. Of the two sets of first and second support pillars 23 and 23B provided at the same position in the vehicle width direction, the first girder part 25A is supported by one set, and the second girder part 25B is supported by the other set.

[0024] The rail loading / unloading device 20 includes a suspension device 30 provided on the girder 24 so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the girder 24. The suspension device 30 includes a chain block 31 and a moving body 33 on which the chain block 31 is mounted and which has wheels 32. The moving body 33 is provided on the upper part of the girder 25A, 25B in a state of straddling the girder 25A, 25B, and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the girder 25A, 25B by the wheels 32. The moving body 33 is movable on the girder 24 to a position outside the longitudinal direction of the girder 25A, 25B, beyond the connection parts with the support columns 23A, 23B. This allows a rail (e.g., a replacement rail) placed on the ground outside the vehicle width direction of the dolly 11 to be suspended.

[0025] The chain block 31 of this embodiment is an electric type, and includes a chain 34 hanging downward from a gap between the girders 25A, 25B, and a hook 35 provided at the lower end of the chain 34. Note that a wire may be used instead of the chain 34.

[0026] The rail loading / unloading device 20 includes a motor 36 as a power source for moving the moving body 33, a driving sprocket 37 (corresponding to a "driving rotor"), a driven sprocket 38 (corresponding to a "driven rotor"), and a transmission chain 39 (corresponding to a "transmission endless belt") as components for moving the moving body 33. The motor 36 is provided at the end of the girder 24 on the first support column 23A side among both ends in the longitudinal direction. The rotation shaft of the motor 36 extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder 24, and the driving sprocket 37 is attached to the motor 36. The driven sprocket 38 is provided at the end of the girder 24 on the second support column 23B side among both ends in the longitudinal direction of the girder 24. Each sprocket 37, 38 is configured to be rotatable about a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder 24. A transmission chain 39 is wound around each sprocket 37, 38.

[0027] When the rotating shaft of the motor 36 rotates in a first rotation direction (for example, clockwise in FIG. 2) by controlling the supply of electricity to the motor 36, the rotational power of the motor 36 is transmitted to the moving body 33 via the transmission chain 39. As a result, the moving body 33 moves in a first direction (for example, clockwise) on the girder 24. On the other hand, when the rotating shaft of the motor 36 rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction (for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 2), the moving body 33 moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction (for example, leftward) on the girder 24. The movement of the moving body 33 and the lifting and lowering operation of the hook 35 are controlled by an operator operating a controller (not shown) provided in the rail loading / unloading device 20.

[0028] The rail loading / unloading device 20 is provided with a first side support section 40A (corresponding to an "expanding section") as a first cantilever support section for maintaining a cantilevered state of the girder section 24 relative to the first support section 23A. The first side support section 40A is a member that connects the end section on the first support section 23A side of both longitudinal ends of the girder section 24 to the first base section 22A, and includes a first side turnbuckle 41A and a first side connecting section 42A.

[0029] The first side turnbuckle 41A includes a rod-shaped turnbuckle body and threaded portions provided at both ends of the turnbuckle body. When the turnbuckle body rotates by rotating the handle portion 43A provided on the turnbuckle body, the length of the first side turnbuckle 41A is adjusted. In the first side turnbuckle 41A of this embodiment, a trapezoidal thread is formed as the female thread of the turnbuckle body and the male thread of the threaded portion.

[0030] A first end of the first side turnbuckle 41A is rotatably connected to the end of the girder 24 on the first support portion 23A side in the longitudinal direction, with the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder 24 as the rotation center.

[0031] The second end of the first side turnbuckle 41A and the first end of the first side connector 42A are connected to each other via the first side pin member 44A so as to be rotatable about the first side pin member 44A as a rotation center. The second end of the first side connector 42A is connected to the first base portion 22A so as to be rotatable about the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder portion 24 as a rotation center.

[0032] The rail loading / unloading device 20 is provided with a second side support part 40B (corresponding to an "expandable part") as a second cantilever support part for maintaining the cantilever support state of the girder part 24 relative to the second support part 23B. The second side support part 40B is a member that connects the end part on the second support part 23B side of both longitudinal ends of the girder part 24 to the second base part 22B, and includes a second side turnbuckle 41B having a handle part 43B, a second side connecting part 42B, and a second side pin member 44B. The configuration of the second side support part 40B is the same as that of the first side support part 40A. For this reason, a detailed description of the second side support part 40B will be omitted.

[0033] The rail loading / unloading device 20 includes a first center turnbuckle 50A as a first center support part for supporting the cantilevered state of the girder 24 relative to the first support column 23A. The first center turnbuckle 50A is provided individually for each girder 25A, 25B. A first end of the first center turnbuckle 50A is connected to a first center connecting part 27A provided on the girder 24 closer to the first support column 23A than the longitudinal center part, so as to be rotatable about a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder 24 as a rotation center. A second end of the first center turnbuckle 50A is connected to a part of the first support column 23A above the longitudinal center part, so as to be rotatable about a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder 24 as a rotation center. The first center turnbuckle 50A is extended or retracted by an operator rotating a handle 51A provided on the turnbuckle body of the first center turnbuckle 50A. The first center turnbuckle 50A is configured to be detachable from the first center connecting part 27A and the first support part 23A.

[0034] The rail loading and unloading device 20 includes a second center turnbuckle 50B having a handle portion 51B as a second center support portion for supporting the cantilever support state of the girder portion 24 with respect to the second support portion 23B. The first end portion of the second center turnbuckle 50B is connected to a second center connecting portion 27B provided closer to the second support portion 23B than the longitudinal center portion of the girder portion 24. Note that the configuration of the second center turnbuckle 50B is the same as that of the first center turnbuckle 50A. For this reason, a detailed description of the second center turnbuckle 50B is omitted.

[0035] The rail loading and unloading device 20 includes a first characteristic configuration that enables the loading and unloading of rails from either side in the vehicle width direction of the rail carrier 10, and a second characteristic configuration that rotates each base portion 22A, 22B with respect to the base portion 21. Hereinafter, each characteristic configuration will be described in order.

[0036] <The first characteristic configuration> First, the first characteristic configuration will be described.

[0037] A first support column rotation mechanism 55A is provided at the lower end of each first support column portion 23A. The first support column rotation mechanism 55A is a mechanism that rotates the first support column portion 23A with respect to the first base portion 22A around the longitudinal direction of the girder portion 24 in a state where the girder portion 24 is separated from the upper end portion of each first support column portion 23A to a collapsed state or an upright state. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each first support column portion 23A is in a collapsed state with respect to the first base portion 22A so as to be spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction of the first support column portions 23A. Note that the first support column rotation mechanism 55A includes a stopper portion 56A that supports the upright state of each first support column portion 23A as a configuration for preventing the first support column portions 23A from contacting each other.

[0038] A second support pivot mechanism 55B is provided at the lower end of each second support portion 23B. The second support pivot mechanism 55B is a mechanism that pivots the second support portion 23B with respect to the second base portion 22B around the longitudinal direction of the girder portion 24 as the pivot center in a state in which the girder portion 24 is separated from the upper end portion of each second support portion 23B, to a tilted or upright state. The configuration of the second support pivot mechanism 55B is the same as that of the first support pivot mechanism 55A. Therefore, a detailed description of the second support pivot mechanism 55B will be omitted.

[0039] The upper end of the first support column 23A is connected to the girder 24 by a first connecting mechanism 60A, and the upper end of the second support column 23B is connected to the girder 24 by a second connecting mechanism 60B. Since the connecting mechanisms 60A and 60B have the same configuration, the first connecting mechanism 60A will be described as an example below.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 6 to 9, the first connecting mechanism 60A includes a girder-side joint portion 70 provided at the lower end of each girder portion 24 and a column-side joint portion 80 provided at the upper end of each first support portion 23A.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the girder-side joint part 70 has a girder-side through-hole 71 that penetrates in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder part 24. A girder-side arc surface 72 that is convex downward and has the center O1 of the girder-side through-hole 71 as the arc center is formed at the lower end of the girder-side joint part 70. In Fig. 6, the girder-side arc surface 72 is an arc surface from point A1 to point A2.

[0042] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the column-side joint part 80 has two connection parts 81 aligned in the penetration direction of the girder-side through-hole 71, and a recess 82 recessed downwardly in the portion between each connection part 81. A column-side through-hole 85 is formed in each connection part 81, penetrating in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder part 24. The centers of the column-side through-holes 85 of each connection part 81 are coaxial. The inner diameter dimension of each column-side through-hole 85 and the inner diameter dimension of the girder-side through-hole 71 are equivalent (specifically, the same).

[0043] As shown in Fig. 7, the recess 82 of the column-side joint part 80 has a column-side arc surface 83 that is concave downward and has the center O2 of the column-side through-hole 85 as the arc center. In Fig. 7, the column-side arc surface 83 is an arc surface from point B1 to point B2.

[0044] The first connecting mechanism 60A includes a pin member 90 that is inserted into the girder-side through hole 71 and the column-side through hole 85 with the girder-side arcuate surface 72 and the column-side arcuate surface 83 in contact with each other. The radius of curvature R1 of the girder-side arcuate surface 72 and the radius of curvature R1 of the column-side arcuate surface 83 are equivalent (specifically, the same). This makes it possible to easily and accurately determine the center positions of the girder-side through hole 71 and the column-side through hole 85 with the girder-side arcuate surface 72 and the column-side arcuate surface 83 in contact with each other.

[0045] Each joint 70, 80 is provided with a structure for limiting the inclination angle θ of the girder 24 with respect to the horizontal direction. In detail, as shown in Fig. 6, the girder-side joint 70 has girder-side inclined surfaces 73, which are flat surfaces extending in the tangential direction of the circumferential ends (A1, A2) of the girder-side arcuate surface 72, formed on both sides adjacent to the girder-side arcuate surface 72 in the circumferential direction of the girder-side arcuate surface 72.

[0046] 7, in the column-side joint part 80, on both side portions adjacent to the column-side arcuate surface 83 in the circumferential direction of the column-side arcuate surface 83, a column-side inclined surface 84 is formed, which is a flat surface extending in the tangential direction of the circumferential ends (B1, B2) of the column-side arcuate surface 83. The column-side inclined surface 84 is an inclined surface that abuts against the girder-side inclined surface 73.

[0047] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the girder 24 is rotated around the pin member 90 as a rotation center and the girder-side inclined surface 73 abuts against the column-side inclined surface 84, the inclination angle θ of the girder 24 with respect to the horizontal direction is limited to a predetermined angle. This makes it possible to prevent the girder 24 from tilting too much. The predetermined angle is, for example, 15 degrees or less, 12 degrees or less, 9 degrees or less, or 6 degrees or less. Setting the predetermined angle to a small value reduces the workload of the worker required to lift the girder 24.

[0048] Next, we will explain the case where the first support section 23A side (left side) in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle 10 is the loading and unloading side for the rail, and then we will explain the case where the loading and unloading side for the rail is switched from the first support section 23A side to the second support section 23B side (right side).

[0049] First, a method of operation by a worker when the first support portion 23A is the side on which the rail is unloaded will be described. The method of operation from the state shown in FIG.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11, the first side pin member 44A connecting the first side turnbuckle 41A and the first side connecting portion 42A is removed. This releases the connection between the first side turnbuckle 41A and the first side connecting portion 42A. The first side turnbuckle 41A may be housed, for example, between the girder portions 25A and 25B. The first side connecting portion 42A may be in a state of being laid down on the base portion 21. The first side turnbuckle 41A and the first side connecting portion 42A are not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 described below.

[0051] Next, the first center turnbuckle 50A is removed from the first center connecting portion 27A and the first support portion 23A, and the second end portion of the second center turnbuckle 50B is removed from the second support portion 23B. The pin member 90 of the first connecting mechanism 60A is removed from the girder side through hole 71 and the column side through hole 85. Then, the handle portion 43B of the second side turnbuckle 41B is rotated by the worker, so that the length of the second side turnbuckle 41B is shortened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the girder portion 24 is rotated around the pin member 90 of the second connecting mechanism 60B as the rotation center so that the girder side joint portion 70 of the girder portion 24 moves away from the column side joint portion 80 of the first support portion 23A. In detail, the girder portion 24 is tilted until the column side inclined surface 84 of the second connecting mechanism 60B abuts against the girder side inclined surface 73 and the inclination angle θ of the girder portion 24 becomes a predetermined angle.

[0052] A first end of the second side turnbuckle 41B is connected to a longitudinal end of the girder 24. Therefore, when the length of the second side turnbuckle 41B is shortened, the moment around the pin member 90 for lifting the girder 24 can be increased. As a result, the workload of the worker can be reduced.

[0053] The motors 36 and driven sprockets 38 for moving the suspension device 30 are disposed in a dispersed manner in the longitudinal direction of the girder 24. This reduces the moment around the pin members 90 required to lift the girder 24, thereby reducing the workload of the worker.

[0054] When tilting the girder 24 around the pin member 90 of the second connecting mechanism 60B as the center of rotation, the position of the suspension device 30 may be located closer to the second support column 23B than to the longitudinal center of the girder 24. This reduces the moment around the pin member 90 required to lift the girder 24, thereby reducing the workload of the worker.

[0055] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the first support portion 23A is brought into a tilted state by the first support rotation mechanism 55A. Then, the handle portion 43B of the second side turnbuckle 41B is rotated by the worker, so that the length of the second side turnbuckle 41B is increased. As a result, the girder portion 24 rotates around the pin member 90 of the second connecting mechanism 60B as the center of rotation, and the girder portion 24 becomes horizontal. Then, the second center connecting portion 27B of the girder portion 24 and the second support portion 23B are connected by the second center turnbuckle 50B.

[0056] This allows the rail RL to be loaded and unloaded by the suspension device 30 from the first support column 23A side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle 10. Fig. 13 shows an example in which a rail RL placed on the ground on the outer side of the vehicle width direction of the cart 11 is suspended by the suspension device 30. After that, the chain 34 is wound up by the chain block 31, and the suspension device 30 is moved by driving the motor 36, and the rail RL is loaded onto the base part 21.

[0057] Next, a case where the loading / unloading side of the rail is switched from the first support portion 23A side to the second support portion 23B side will be described.

[0058] 13, when the handle portion 43B of the second side turnbuckle 41B is rotated by an operator, the girder portion 24 is rotated around the pin member 90 of the second connecting mechanism 60B as the rotation center so as to lift the first support portion 23A side of the girder portion 24. Then, the first support portion 23A is brought into an upright state by the first support rotation mechanism 55A.

[0059] Thereafter, the handle portion 43B of the second side turnbuckle 41B is rotated by the worker, and the girder portion 24 is rotated around the pin member 90 of the second connecting mechanism 60B as the center of rotation until the girder side arc surface 72 and the column side arc surface 83 of the first connecting mechanism 60A come into contact with each other (see FIG. 14). Here, since the curvature radius R1 of the girder side arc surface 72 and the curvature radius R2 of the column side arc surface 83 are equal, when the girder side arc surface 72 and the column side arc surface 83 come into contact with each other, the girder side through hole 71 and the column side through hole 85 of the first connecting mechanism 60A are in a communicated state. This makes it easier to insert the pin member 90 into the girder side through hole 71 and the column side through hole 85 of the first connecting mechanism 60A. As a result, the workability can be improved when switching the loading and unloading side of the rail from the first support portion 23A side to the second support portion 23B side.

[0060] Thereafter, the second center turnbuckle 50B is removed from the second center connector 27B and the second support column 23B. In addition, the first end of the first center turnbuckle 50A is connected to the first center connector 27A.

[0061] In the second connecting mechanism 60B, the pin member 90 is removed from the girder side through hole 71 and the column side through hole 85. Also, the second side pin member 44B connecting the second side turnbuckle 41B and the second side connecting part 42B is removed. This releases the connection between the second side turnbuckle 41B and the second side connecting part 42B. The second side turnbuckle 41B may be housed, for example, between the girder parts 25A, 25B. The second side connecting part 42B may be in a state of being laid down on the base part 21, for example. In addition, in Figs. 15 and 16 described below, the second side turnbuckle 41B and the second side connecting part 42B are omitted from illustration.

[0062] The girder 24 and the first support column 23A are connected by the first side support portion 40A. Then, the handle portion 43A of the first side turnbuckle 41A is rotated by an operator, so that the length of the first side turnbuckle 41A is shortened. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the girder 24 is rotated around the pin member 90 of the first connecting mechanism 60A as a rotation center so that the girder side joint portion 70 of the girder 24 moves away from the column side joint portion 80 of the second support column 23B. In detail, the column side inclined surface 84 of the first connecting mechanism 60A abuts against the girder side inclined surface 73, and the girder 24 is inclined until the inclination angle θ of the girder 24 becomes a predetermined angle.

[0063] When tilting the girder 24 around the pin member 90 of the first connecting mechanism 60A as the center of rotation, the position of the suspension device 30 may be located closer to the first support column 23A than to the longitudinal center of the girder 24. This can reduce the workload of the worker.

[0064] Thereafter, the second support portion 23B is brought into a tilted state by the second support rotation mechanism 55B (see FIG. 16). Then, the handle portion 43A of the first side turnbuckle 41A is rotated by an operator, thereby lengthening the length of the first side turnbuckle 41A. As a result, the girder portion 24 rotates around the pin member 90 of the first connecting mechanism 60A as the center of rotation, and the girder portion 24 becomes horizontal. Thereafter, the first center connecting portion 27A of the girder portion 24 and the first support portion 23A are connected by the first center turnbuckle 50A.

[0065] This allows the rails to be loaded and unloaded by the suspending device 30 from the second support column 23B side in the vehicle width direction of the rail transport vehicle 10. Fig. 16 shows an example in which the rail RL placed on the base portion 21 is lowered to the ground from the second support column 23B side.

[0066] According to the first characteristic configuration described above, the workability of the rail loading / unloading operation can be improved. Also, the switching of the rail loading / unloading side can be performed only by the manual power of the worker.

[0067] <Second characteristic configuration> 17 and 18, a second characteristic configuration for rotating each of the base parts 22A, 22B relative to the base part 21 will be described. The rail loading / unloading device 20 is provided with a base rotation mechanism 100 corresponding to each of the base parts 22A, 22B. Since the base rotation mechanisms 100 corresponding to each of the base parts 22A, 22B have the same configuration, the base rotation mechanism 100 corresponding to the first base part 22A will be described below as an example.

[0068] The base rotation mechanism 100 is a mechanism for rotating the first base portion 22A with respect to the base portion 21 around an axis extending in the vertical direction as the rotation center. The first base portion 22A is shaped like a rectangular plate. A through hole 101 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the first base portion 22A. The first support pillar rotation mechanism 55A provided at the lower end portions of the two first support pillars 23A is fixed to the first base portion 22A with the through hole 101 sandwiched between them.

[0069] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes a mounting portion 102 provided on the base portion 21. The mounting portion 102 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and an upper portion of the mounting portion 102 is a flat mounting surface 103 extending horizontally. The back surface of the first base portion 22A is a flat surface, and the first base portion 22A is mounted on the mounting portion 102 with the back surface of the first base portion 22A abutting against the mounting surface 103. The mounting portion 102 may be a part of the base portion 21, or may be a separate member from the base portion 21.

[0070] The first base portion 22A is fixed to the mounting portion 102 by a bolt 107 serving as a fixing device. More specifically, a female screw hole is formed in an area of ​​the first base portion 22A and the mounting portion 102 where the first support pivot mechanism 55A is not provided in a plan view. The first base portion 22A is fixed to the mounting portion 102 by screwing the bolt 107 into the female screw hole. This allows the first support portion 23A to be firmly fixed to the base portion 21 during the operation of suspending the rail by the suspension device 30.

[0071] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes a bearing support portion 104. The bearing support portion 104 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and includes a cylindrical portion 105 and a bottom portion 106. The cylindrical portion 105 extends downward from the center of the mounting surface 103.

[0072] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes a tubular portion 110. The tubular portion 110 includes a cylindrical screw hole forming portion 111 and a flange portion 112 formed at the upper end portion of the screw hole forming portion 111. The outer diameter dimension of the screw hole forming portion 111 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 105. The screw hole forming portion 111 is inserted into the through hole 101, and the flange portion 112 is in contact with the periphery of the through hole 101 of the first base portion 22A, with the tubular portion 110 fixed to the first base portion 22A.

[0073] A female screw hole 113 penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in the screw hole forming portion 111. The female screw hole 113 may be formed over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the screw hole forming portion 111, or may be formed in a part of the longitudinal area of ​​the screw hole forming portion 111. For example, the female screw hole 113 may be formed on the upper end side of the longitudinal center of the screw hole forming portion 111.

[0074] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes an upper bearing 120 as a component for rotatably supporting the tubular portion 110 relative to the cylindrical portion 105 of the bearing support portion 104. The upper bearing 120 is a rolling bearing, and includes an upper inner ring 121 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the screw hole forming portion 111, an upper outer ring 122 abutting against the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 105, and an upper rolling element 123 (e.g., a ball or roller) provided between the upper inner ring 121 and the upper outer ring 122. In this embodiment, a plurality (two) of upper bearings 120 are provided aligned in the vertical direction.

[0075] In order to accurately support the cylindrical portion 110 while suppressing tilt of the cylindrical portion 110, the upper bearings 120 are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction. A cylindrical outer collar member 140 abuts against the upper outer rings 122 arranged vertically. A cylindrical inner collar member 141 abuts against the upper inner rings 121 arranged vertically. The outer diameter dimension of the inner collar member 141 is smaller than the inner diameter dimension of the outer collar member 140. The vertical dimension of the inner collar member 141 is equivalent (specifically, the same) as the vertical dimension of the outer collar member 140. By providing the collar members 140, 141, it is possible to suppress relative positional deviation of the upper bearings 120 arranged vertically.

[0076] A snap ring 108 that abuts against the lowermost upper bearing among the upper bearings 120 lined up in the vertical direction is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 105. This prevents the upper bearings 120 and the collar members 140, 141 from shifting in position.

[0077] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes a screw member 130. An upper end of the screw member 130 is provided with a bolt head 131 (e.g., a hexagonal bolt head) for rotating the screw member 130 with a tool. A lower end of the screw member 130 is a bearing attachment portion 132 on which no male thread is formed. A male thread is formed in an intermediate portion 133 between the upper end and the lower end of the screw member 130. In this embodiment, a trapezoidal thread is formed as the male thread of the screw member 130 and the female thread of the cylindrical portion 110. The screw member 130 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 110 with the male thread of the intermediate portion 133 meshing with the female thread of the screw hole forming portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 110. When the back surface of the first base portion 22A is in contact with the mounting surface 103, the bolt head 131 protrudes upward from the flange portion 112.

[0078] The base rotation mechanism 100 includes a lower bearing 150, a load receiving portion 160, a bearing ball 180 which is a steel ball, and a ball arrangement portion 170 in which the bearing ball 180 is arranged, as a lower end support portion for supporting the lower end of the screw member 130 so that the screw member 130 can rotate relative to the bottom 106 of the bearing support portion 104.

[0079] The lower bearing 150 is a rolling bearing including a lower inner ring 151, a lower outer ring 152, and a lower rolling element 153 (e.g., a ball or roller) provided between the lower inner ring 151 and the lower outer ring 152. The lower inner ring 151 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the bearing attachment portion 132.

[0080] The load receiving portion 160 is a member for supporting the lower outer ring 152 from below, and includes a peripheral wall portion 161 that abuts against the radially outer portion of the lower outer ring 152, and a disk-shaped ball abutment portion 162 that extends horizontally from the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion 161. A through hole 163 is formed in the center of the ball abutment portion 162, through which the lower end portion of the bearing attachment portion 132 is inserted.

[0081] A snap ring 109 is provided at the lower end of the bearing attachment portion 132 to prevent the lower bearing 150 and the load receiving portion 160 from shifting in the vertical direction.

[0082] The ball arrangement portion 170 is provided on the bottom portion 106, and as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, includes an outer peripheral wall portion 171, an inner peripheral wall portion 172, and an arrangement bottom portion 173 that connects the lower ends of the outer peripheral wall portion 171 and the inner peripheral wall portion 172 and extends in the horizontal direction. A large number of bearing balls 180 having the same diameter (specifically, the same) are arranged on the arrangement bottom portion 173. The lower surface of the ball abutment portion 162 is a flat surface that extends in the horizontal direction, and is supported by the large number of bearing balls 180. This makes it possible to rotatably support the screw member 130 while dispersing the support load of heavy objects such as the first support portion 23A and the girder portion 24.

[0083] The outer peripheral wall portion 171 and the inner peripheral wall portion 172 are annular. This allows the bearing balls 180 to move smoothly even if they move and hit each of the peripheral wall portions 171, 172. The inner peripheral wall portion 172 prevents the bearing balls 180 from rolling toward the bearing attachment portion 132.

[0084] Next, a method for an operator to rotate the first base portion 22A using the base rotation mechanism 100 will be described.

[0085] First, the bolt 107 is removed using a tool, whereby the connection between the first base portion 22A and the mounting portion 102 is released.

[0086] Next, the bolt head 131 of the screw member 130 is rotated in a first rotation direction (clockwise direction) using a tool. In this case, the screw member 130 and the lower inner ring 151 of the lower bearing 150 rotate integrally, but the lower outer ring 152 does not rotate. This allows the bolt head 131 to rotate easily without being affected by heavy objects such as the first support portion 23A.

[0087] Although the screw member 130 is screwed into the cylindrical portion 110 by the rotation of the screw member 130, the lower end of the screw member 130 is supported by a number of bearing balls 180 via the lower bearing 150 and the load receiving portion 160. As a result, the vertical position of the screw member 130 does not change, and the first base portion 22A, the cylindrical portion 110, the upper bearing 120, and the collar members 140 and 141 rise together as a unit with the rotation of the screw member 130 in the first rotation direction, as shown in FIG. 20. As a result, the first base portion 22A moves upward away from the mounting surface 103 of the mounting portion 102. The distance between the first base portion 22A and the mounting surface 103 may be, for example, 2 to 5 mm.

[0088] Thereafter, the first base portion 22A, the cylindrical portion 110, the upper bearing 120, and the collar members 140, 141 are rotated together with the girder portion 24 and the first support portion 23A by an operator. Fig. 21 shows an example in which the first base portion 22A is rotated so that the longitudinal direction of the girder portion 24 faces the vehicle length direction of the rail transport vehicle 10.

[0089] When the first base portion 22A is rotated, the first base portion 22A can be rotated stably because the cylindrical portion 110 is supported by the upper bearing 120. In addition, the lower end of the cylindrical portion 110 is supported by a large number of bearing balls 180 via the load receiving portion 160, so the first base portion 22A can be rotated stably while distributing the load of a heavy object.

[0090] Thereafter, the bolt head 131 of the screw member 130 is rotated using a tool in a second rotation direction (counterclockwise direction) opposite to the first rotation direction until the back surface of the first base portion 22A abuts against the mounting surface 103. Then, the bolt 107 is screwed into the female screw hole using a tool, thereby connecting the first base portion 22A and the mounting portion 102.

[0091] According to the second characteristic configuration described above, it is possible to easily perform the work of changing the orientation of the beam portion 24. Moreover, the above-mentioned changing work can be performed only by the human power of the worker.

[0092] In some cases, loading and unloading of rails onto and from the base portion 21 of the rail transport vehicle 10 is performed using a crane external to the rail transport vehicle 10, rather than the rail loading / unloading device 20. The rails to be unloaded are usually placed on the base portion 21 along the vehicle length direction of the rail transport vehicle 10. For this reason, if the girder portion 24 extends in the vehicle width direction, the girder portion 24 may become an obstacle to the loading and unloading operation. In this regard, the base rotation mechanism 100 of this embodiment makes it possible to change the orientation of the girder portion 24, thereby improving the workability of the loading and unloading operation.

[0093] In order to run the rail transport vehicle 10, a motor vehicle equipped with a power source for running (e.g., a motor or an internal combustion engine) may be coupled to the rail transport vehicle 10. In this case, if the girder 24 extends in the vehicle width direction, the driver of the motor vehicle may be unable to see in the direction of travel by the girder 24. In this regard, according to the base rotation mechanism 100 of this embodiment, the orientation of the girder 24 can be changed, thereby preventing the driver's view from being blocked.

[0094] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented, for example, as follows.

[0095] For example, a driving pulley and a driven pulley may be used instead of the driving sprocket 37 and the driven sprocket 38. In this case, for example, a transmission belt may be used instead of the transmission chain.

[0096] The number of center connectors provided on the girder 24 is not limited to two, and for example, one may be provided in the longitudinal center of the girder 24. In this case, the rail loading / unloading device 20 may be provided with only one center turnbuckle.

[0097] The upper bearing 120 is not limited to a rolling bearing, and may be, for example, a plain bearing.

[0098] The first and second side support portions 40A and 40B may be connected to the first and second support portions 23A and 23B, instead of to the first and second base portions 22A and 22B.

[0099] The suspension device 30 may be configured to be movable not only on the upper part of the beam portion 24 but also on the lower part of the beam portion 24 . [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10...rail transport vehicle, 20...rail loading / unloading device, 22A, 22B...first and second base portions, 23A, 23B...first and second support portions, 24...girder portion, 30...suspension device, 55A, 55B...first and second support pivoting mechanisms, 60A, 60B...first and second connecting mechanisms, 70...girder side joint portion, 71...girder side through hole, 72...girder side arc surface, 80...column side joint portion, 83...column side arc surface, 85...column side through hole, 90...pin member.

Claims

1. A rail loading / unloading device (20) provided on a rail transport vehicle (10) that travels on a rail (15), A base portion (22A, 22B) provided at each end of the rail transport vehicle in the vehicle width direction; A support portion (23A, 23B) extending upward from each of the base portions; A girder portion (24) supported by each of the support pillars and extending in the vehicle width direction; a suspension device (30) provided on the girder so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the girder and suspending the rail; a column rotation mechanism (55A, 55B) provided individually corresponding to each column portion and rotating the column portion to a tilted state; a connecting mechanism (60A, 60B) provided individually corresponding to each of the support columns and connecting an upper end portion of each of the support columns to the girder portion; Equipped with Each of the connecting mechanisms is A column-side joint portion (80) provided at an upper end of the support portion and having a column-side through hole (82) penetrating in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder portion; a girder-side joint portion (70) provided on the girder portion and having a girder-side through hole (71) penetrating in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder portion; having The girder-side joint portion has a girder-side arc surface (72) that is convex downward with the girder-side through hole as the arc center, The column-side joint portion is formed with a column-side arc surface (83) that is concave downward with the column-side through hole as the arc center, The radius of curvature of the girder-side arc surface is equal to the radius of curvature of the column-side arc surface, A rail loading / unloading device, wherein each connecting mechanism has a pin member (90) that is inserted into the girder side through hole and the column side through hole while the girder side arc surface and the column side arc surface are in contact with each other.

2. a column-side inclined surface (84) extending in a tangential direction of a circumferential end of the column-side arcuate surface is formed in a portion of the column-side joint portion adjacent to the column-side arcuate surface in a circumferential direction of the column-side arcuate surface, a girder-side inclined surface (73) is formed in a portion of the girder-side joint portion adjacent to the girder-side arcuate surface in the circumferential direction of the girder-side arcuate surface, the girder-side inclined surface being an inclined surface extending in a tangential direction of an end portion of the girder-side arcuate surface in the circumferential direction, and the column-side inclined surface abuts against the girder-side inclined surface; The rail loading / unloading device according to claim 1, wherein when the girder-side inclined surface abuts the column-side inclined surface, the inclination angle (θ) of the girder portion relative to the horizontal direction is limited to a predetermined angle.

3. The girder portion extends outward beyond the support portion on both sides in the vehicle width direction, The longitudinal end of the girder is connected to the base or the support, and an expandable section (40A, 40B) is provided that is adjustable in length. The end of the extension section on the side of the girder in the longitudinal direction is connected to the girder so as to be rotatable around a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder, 3. A rail loading / unloading device as described in claim 2, wherein the end of the extension section on the base side in the longitudinal direction is connected to the base so as to be rotatable around a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the girder section.

4. The rail loading / unloading device according to claim 3, wherein the extension section has turnbuckles (41A, 41B) whose length can be adjusted by an operator.

5. a motor (36) having a rotating shaft on which a driving rotor (37) is attached and provided at one end of the girder in the longitudinal direction; A driven rotor (38) provided at the other end of the girder in the longitudinal direction; a transmission endless belt (39) wound around the driving rotor and the driven rotor; Equipped with The driving rotor and the driven rotor are configured to be rotatable about a rotation center in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the beam portion, The rail loading / unloading device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the suspension device is configured to move in accordance with the movement of the transmission endless belt caused by the rotation of the driving rotor.

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