Track detection device

Abstract

It satisfies both the requirement to narrow the spacing between reference contacts and the requirement for high-speed train operation. [Solution] The track inspection device of the present invention comprises a reference beam, wheels running on the rail to be measured, two reference contacts, an arm, wheels running on the opposite rail, an opposite contact, an opposite spring, a guide roller, a stopper for the turnout section, a pressing roller, a guard spring, and a measuring unit. The two reference contacts are positioned at different locations on the reference beam and contact the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured. The opposite contact is positioned at the end of the arm on the opposite rail side and contacts the track gauge surface of the opposite rail. The guide roller is positioned at the end of the arm on the opposite rail side so as to face the track gauge surface of the opposite rail. The stopper for the turnout section limits the range of extension of the arm in the section where the track gauge is missing. The pressing roller is positioned between the two reference contacts on the reference beam and contacts the guard rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a track inspection device for measuring a track including a branch section.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known as the prior art. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, five items (derailment, elevation deviation, gauge deviation, level deviation, flatness deviation) are shown as rail irregularities of railway tracks. Note that "rail irregularity" is currently called "rail displacement", and the five items are called derailment displacement, elevation displacement, gauge displacement, level displacement, and flatness displacement. Patent Document 2 states that "for a railway train to run safely and comfortably, the track must have sufficient strength and be always maintained in good condition. However, each part of the track is displaced and deformed repeatedly under the load every time a train passes, resulting in rail irregularities. When this rail irregularity increases, the riding comfort of the train deteriorates, and if this irregularity becomes even larger, there is a risk of causing a train derailment accident. Therefore, it is necessary to always accurately grasp the state of the rail irregularity and repair or improve the defective parts without losing time." After specifically showing the rail irregularity, a method for detecting the rail irregularity in a track including a branch section and an apparatus for implementing this method are shown. FIG. 1 shows FIG. 8 of Patent Document 2 (a diagram showing a conventional example of a portable rail irregularity inspection device), and FIG. 2 shows FIG. 9 of Patent Document 2 (a diagram showing where the conventional example is installed on the rail).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Figure 3 shows the track layout including the turnout section. Figure 4 shows a diagram illustrating the relationship between the reference contact, guide roller, and the gap in the track gauge. There is a rail under measurement 201 that is continuous on both the reference line side and the branch line side. The distance between opposite rails 202 narrows from the front end 204 of the crossing, and widens from the gap in the track gauge to the rear end 205 of the crossing. There is a gap in the track gauge 206 between the front end 204 and the rear end 205 of the crossing. Furthermore, from the gap in the track gauge 206 to the rear end 205 of the crossing, the opposite rail 202 on the reference line side curves and extends towards the branch line side, and the opposite rail 202 on the branch line side curves and extends towards the reference line side. In addition, there is a guard rail 203 facing the rail under measurement 201 in the section where the gap in the track gauge 206 is located. The guard rail 203 has a guide section 203B and a guard section 203A. The purpose of guardrail 203 is to prevent derailment in sections where there are gaps in the track gauge 206.

[0005] The portable track irregularity detection device described in Patent Document 2 is equipped with an auxiliary beam 106, and guide rollers 112 are positioned at both ends of the auxiliary beam 106. Since the length of the auxiliary beam 106 was made longer than the gap in the track gauge, at least one of the guide rollers 112 could maintain contact with the opposite rail even when passing over the gap in the track gauge. In addition, the spacing between the reference contacts 102 is set wider than the spacing between the guide rollers 112.

[0006] However, advances in measurement technology have made it possible to collect track data with sufficient accuracy even when the distance between reference contacts 102 is shortened. At the time of filing Patent Document 2, the distance between reference contacts 102 was 2 to 2.5 m, but at the time of filing this application, a distance of 1 to 1.25 m is sufficient. Therefore, there is a growing demand to narrow the distance between reference contacts 102 in order to make the entire device smaller and lighter. On the other hand, the demand for high-speed train operation has led to the demand for high-speed passage through turnout sections, and the angle between the reference line side and the turnout line side in the turnout section is becoming smaller. As a result, the length of the gap section 206 in the gauge line tends to be longer.

[0007] Figure 4(A) shows the situation when the distance between the reference contacts is set wider than the distance between the guide rollers, and one of the guide rollers is in contact with the opposite rail. Figure 4(B) shows the situation when the distance between the reference contacts is set narrower than the distance between the guide rollers, and one of the guide rollers is in contact with the opposite rail. As shown in Figure 4(A), when the distance between the reference contact 102A and the reference contact 102B is wider than the distance between the guide rollers 112A and the guide roller 112B, the force X that pushes the reference contact 102A back against the rail 201 and the force Y that pushes the reference contact 102B back against the rail 201 are determined so as to balance the force Z that pushes the guide roller 112A back against the opposite rail 202, and the moment around the guide roller 112A is also balanced.

[0008] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4(B), if the distance between the reference contact 102A and the reference contact 102B is narrower than the distance between the guide roller 112A and the guide roller 112B, the force X that pushes the reference contact 102A back against the rail 201 and the force Y that pushes the reference contact 102B back against the rail 201 (Y is not shown in Figure 4(B)) are not determined as in Figure 4(A). Considering the balance of moments around the guide roller 112A, the force Y must be in the opposite direction to the force that pushes the reference contact 102B back against the rail 201. As a result, in the case of Figure 4(B), the reference contact 102B will move away from the rail 201. Therefore, the distance between the reference contacts cannot be set to be narrower than the distance between the guide rollers.

[0009] As described above, there is a problem in that the requirement to narrow the spacing between reference contacts in order to make the entire device smaller and lighter and the requirement for high-speed train operation are conflicting requirements. The present invention aims to provide a track inspection device that satisfies both the requirement to narrow the spacing between reference contacts and the requirement for high-speed train operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The track inspection device of the present invention comprises a reference beam, wheels running on the rail to be measured, two reference contacts, an arm, wheels running on the opposite rail, an opposite contact, an opposite spring, a guide roller, a stopper for the turnout section, a pressing roller, a guard spring, and a measuring unit. The reference beam is a rod-shaped body positioned on the rail to be measured side. The wheels running on the rail to be measured are positioned at different locations on the reference beam and roll along the top surface of the rail to be measured. The two reference contacts are positioned at different locations on the reference beam and contact the gauge surface of the rail to be measured. The arm is an extendable rod-shaped body extending in the direction of the opposite rail from between the two reference contacts on the reference beam. The wheels running on the opposite rail are positioned at the opposite rail end of the arm and roll along the top surface of the opposite rail. The opposite contact is positioned at the opposite rail end of the arm and contacts the gauge surface of the opposite rail. The opposing spring is positioned on the arm and presses the reference contact against the track gauge surface of the rail being measured, as well as the opposing contact against the track gauge surface of the opposing rail. The guide roller is positioned at the end of the arm on the opposing rail side, facing the track gauge surface of the opposing rail. The turnout section stopper limits the range of arm extension in the gap of the track gauge. The pressing roller is positioned between the two reference contacts on the reference beam and contacts the guard rail. The guard spring is positioned on the reference beam and presses the reference contact against the track gauge surface of the rail being measured, as well as the pressing roller against the track gauge surface of the guard rail. The measurement unit measures data related to the track. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the track inspection device of the present invention, since it has a pressing roller that contacts the guardrail and a guard spring, the two reference contacts can be pressed against the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured even when the opposite contact is in a gap in the track gauge. Therefore, it is possible to provide a track inspection device that satisfies both the requirement to narrow the distance between the reference contacts and the requirement for high-speed train operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows Figure 8 of Patent Document 2 (a diagram showing a conventional example of a portable track irregularity detection device). [Figure 2] This figure shows Figure 9 of Patent Document 2 (a diagram showing a conventional example installed on a rail). [Figure 3] A diagram showing the layout of the track, including the section with a turnout. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating the relationship between the reference contact, the guide roller, and the gap in the track gauge. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example configuration of the track inspection device of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the situation when the opposite contact element of the track inspection device of the present invention is in contact with the opposite rail, and when the opposite contact element is located in a gap in the track gauge and is not in contact with the opposite rail. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. Components having the same function will be given the same number, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Examples]

[0014] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the track inspection device of the present invention. Figure 5 is a plan view. The track inspection device 30 comprises a reference beam 300, a wheel running on the rail to be measured 305, two reference contacts 302, an arm 304, a wheel running on the opposite rail 307, an opposite contact 308, an opposite spring 309, a guide roller 316, a stopper for the turnout section 317, a pressing roller 310, a guard spring 313, and a measuring unit 303. The measuring unit 303 measures track-related data using existing technology. The track-related data to be measured is some or all of the data for evaluating the five items (alignment displacement, height displacement, gauge displacement, level displacement, and planarity displacement) required as track displacement (track misalignment) of the railway track. Since the measuring unit 303 can use existing technology, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0015] Figure 6 shows the opposite contact of the track inspection device of the present invention when it is in contact with the opposite rail, and when the opposite contact is located in a gap in the track gauge and is not in contact with the opposite rail. Figure 6 is a view from the direction of travel of Figure 5. Figure 6(A) shows the opposite contact when it is in contact with the opposite rail. Figure 6(B) shows the opposite contact when it is located in a gap in the track gauge and is not in contact with the opposite rail. The dashed line AA shown in Figures 6(A) and (B) indicates the position of the track surface of the rail being measured 201. The dashed line BB indicates the position of the track surface of the opposite rail 202 in a section that is not a gap in the track gauge 206. The dashed line CC indicates the position of the track surface of the guard section 203A of the guard rail 203. The dashed line DD indicates the position of the end of the guide section 203B of the guard rail 203 opposite to the guard section 203A. Note that "the position of the end of the guide section 203B of guardrail 203 that is opposite to the guard section 203A" is the position indicated by D in Figure 3.

[0016] The reference beam 300 is a rod-shaped body positioned on the side of the rail under measurement 201. The wheels 305 running on the rail under measurement are positioned at different locations on the reference beam 300 and roll along the top surface of the rail under measurement 201. In Figure 5, three wheels 305 running on the rail under measurement are shown. Depending on the method of measuring track displacement, it is not necessarily required to use three. Two reference contactors 302 are positioned at different locations on the reference beam 300 and contact the gauge surface of the rail under measurement 201. The two reference contactors 302 can be positioned at both ends of the reference beam 300. "Top surface" refers to the upper surface of the rail. "Gauge surface" refers to the inner surface of the rail, where the gauge surface of the rail under measurement 201 and the gauge surface of the opposite rail 202 face each other.

[0017] The arm 304 is an extendable rod-shaped body that extends in the direction of the opposite rail 202 from between the two reference contacts 302 of the reference beam 300. However, if the arm 304 is extended in the direction of the opposite rail 202 from the center of the two reference contacts 302 of the reference beam 300, the forces applied to the two reference contacts 302 can be equalized. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange it near the center of the two reference contacts 302. The arm 304 can be made extendable, for example, by combining two rod-shaped bodies. The opposite-rail running wheel 307 is arranged at the end of the arm 304 on the side of the opposite rail 202 and rolls on the top surface of the opposite rail 202 (see Fig. 6(A)). The opposite-rail running wheel 307 has a length that allows it to roll on the top surface of the opposite rail 202 that is bent toward the branch line side in the inter-rail line missing section 206 (see Fig. 6(B)). In the inter-rail line missing section 206, since the arm 304 extends, the length of the opposite-rail running wheel 307 should be such that it can roll on the top surface of the opposite rail 202 that is bent toward the branch line side, taking into account the extension of the arm 304. The range of extension of the arm 304 itself is limited by a general-section stopper 318 described later. However, when passing through the inter-rail line missing section 206, it is limited by a brancher-section stopper 317 described later. "End" means near the tip. In the example of Fig. 5, an opposite beam 306 is provided at the end of the arm 304 on the side of the opposite rail 202, and the opposite-rail running wheel 307, the opposite contact 308, and the guide roller 316 are provided on the opposite beam 306.

[0018] The opposite contact 308 is positioned at the end of the arm 304 on the opposite rail 202 side and contacts the track gauge surface of the opposite rail 202. The opposite spring 309 is positioned on the arm 304 and, by pushing the general section stopper 318, presses the reference contact 302 against the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured 201 and also presses the opposite contact 308 against the track gauge surface of the opposite rail 202 (see Figure 6(A)). The opposite spring 309 can be positioned inside the arm 304, for example, so as to push against the two rod-shaped bodies that make up the arm 304. In the example in Figure 5, the general section stopper 318 is being pushed by the opposite spring 309 and is set to extend and retract by a stroke S1. The track gauge in the general section (excluding the track gauge gap 206 in the turnout section) varies greatly from the reference gauge due to track displacement, slack in the curved section, etc. The stroke S1 should be set to be longer than the allowable track gauge in the general section. In this case, one can take measures such as passing the shaft through the opposing spring 309 to maintain the shape of the opposing spring 309. In this case, the shaft can be treated as part of the arm 304, and the opposing beam 306 may be placed at the end of the shaft.

[0019] The guide roller 316 is positioned at the end of the arm 304 on the opposite rail 202 side, facing the track gauge surface of the opposite rail 202 (see Figures 6(A) and (B)). At least one of the guide rollers 316 is positioned in the direction of travel relative to the opposite contact 308. In the example in Figure 5, two guide rollers 316 are provided on the opposite beam 306. The guide rollers 316 serve to guide the opposite contact 308 to the track gauge surface of the opposite rail 202 after passing the gap in the track gauge 206. To enable the guide rollers 316 to perform this function, the turnout section stopper 317 limits the range of extension (stroke S2) of the arm 304. In the example in Figure 5, the turnout section stopper 317 is equipped with a plunger 319. When passing through a general section (excluding the gap in the track gauge 206 of the turnout section), the plunger 319 does not extend its pin toward the opposite beam 306 side, as shown in Figure 5 (OFF state). In the OFF state, the arm 304 can extend and retract by a stroke S1. When passing through the gap in the track gauge 206, the plunger 319 extends its pin toward the opposite beam 306 side (ON state), limiting the range of movement of the opposite beam 306. In the ON state, the arm 304 can extend and retract by a stroke S2. The turnout section stopper 317 determines the maximum distance between the guide roller 316 and the rail under measurement 201 when passing through the gap in the track gauge 206. More specifically, the turnout section stopper 317 restricts the distance between the guide roller 316 and the rail under measurement 201 when passing through the gap in the gauge line 206, so that the guide roller 316 can guide the opposite contact 308 to the gauge surface of the opposite rail 202 after passing through the gap in the gauge line 206 (see Figure 6(B)). In other words, the turnout section stopper 317 prevents the opposite beam 306 from entering the branch line side (intervention of the wrong line) when passing through the gap in the gauge line 206. For this reason, the stroke S2 ​​is set to be shorter than the stroke S1. Alternatively, the turnout section stopper 317 may have a projection instead of a plunger 319, allowing the range of movement of the opposite beam 306 to be restricted by rotating the turnout section stopper 317. Alternatively, the turnout section stopper 317 may be operated manually to be turned ON / OFF while the train is running.In that case, after passing through the crossing front end 204 and before passing through the gauge line break portion 206, while traveling, manually operate to turn on the branch section stopper 317, and after passing through the gauge line break portion 206 and before passing through the crossing rear end 205, while traveling, manually operate to turn off the branch section stopper 317.

[0020] The pressing roller 310 is disposed between the two reference contacts 302 of the reference beam 300 and contacts the guard rail 203 (see FIG. 6(B)). In FIG. 5, two pressing rollers 310 are provided. If two or more are provided, it is desirable because the contact between the pressing roller 310 and the guard rail 203 becomes stable. However, even one may be sufficient if stable contact can be ensured by devising the position or shape of the pressing roller 310. The guard spring 313 is disposed on the reference beam 300, presses the reference contact 302 against the gauge surface of the measured rail 201, and presses the pressing roller 310 against the gauge surface of the guard rail 203 (see FIG. 6(B)). The pressing roller 310 is disposed so as to be present at the position of the guard rail 203 at least when the opposite contact 308 is present at the position of the gauge line break portion 206. The distance between the pressing roller 310 and the measured rail 201 is wider than the distance between the guard portion 203A of the guard rail 203 and the measured rail 201 when the guard rail 203 does not exist, and is the distance guided to the side surface of the measured rail 201 side of the guiding portion 203B of the guard rail 203 (see FIG. 6(A)). The distance between the pressing roller 310 and the measured rail 201 may be, for example, narrower than the distance between the end of the guiding portion 203B of the guard rail 203 opposite to the guard portion 203A and the measured rail 201. Therefore, it contacts the side surface of the measured rail 201 side of the guiding portion 203B, and the pressing roller can be guided to the side surface of the measured rail 201 side of the guard portion 203A. In the example of FIG. 5, the pressing roller 310 and the guard spring 313 are accommodated in the mounting portion 311. Also, the distance between the pressing roller 310 and the measured rail 201 is restricted by the fixed base 314 to the distance guided to the side surface of the measured rail 201 side of the guiding portion 203B of the guard rail 203.

[0021] According to the track inspection device of the present invention, since it has a pressing roller that contacts the guide rail and a guard spring, the two reference contacts can be pressed against the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured even when the opposite contact is in a gap in the track gauge. Therefore, it is possible to provide a track inspection device that satisfies both the requirement to narrow the distance between the reference contacts and the requirement for high-speed train operation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0022] 30 Track inspection device 102 Reference contactor 106 Auxiliary beam 112 Guide roller 201 Rail under measurement 202 Opposite rail 203 Guardrail 203A Guard section 203B Guide section 204 Crossing front end 205 Crossing rear end 206 Track gap section 300 Reference beam 302 Reference contactor 303 Measuring section 304 Arm 305 Rail running wheel under measurement 306 Opposite beam 307 Opposite rail running wheel 308 Opposite contact element 309 Opposite-side spring 310 Press roller 311 Mounting part 313 Guard spring 314 Fixing base 316 Guide roller 317 Stopper for turnout section 318 Stopper for general section 319 Plunger

Claims

1. A reference beam, which is a rod-shaped body placed on the rail being measured, Wheels for running on the rail to be measured are positioned at different locations on the reference beam and roll along the top surface of the rail to be measured, Two reference contactors are positioned at different locations on the reference beam and contact the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured, An arm, which is an extendable rod-shaped body, extends from between the two reference contacts of the reference beam in the direction of the opposite rail, The arm is positioned at the end on the opposite rail side, and the opposite rail running wheel rolls along the top surface of the opposite rail, A counterpart contact is positioned at the end of the arm on the opposite rail side and contacts the track gauge surface of the opposite rail, The arm is equipped with a spring for the opposite side which presses the reference contact against the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured, and the opposite contact against the track gauge surface of the opposite rail, A guide roller is provided at the end of the arm on the opposite rail side, positioned so as to face the track gauge surface of the opposite rail, A stopper for turnout sections that limits the range of extension of the arm in the gap of the track gauge, A pressing roller is positioned between the two reference contactors of the reference beam and contacts the guardrail, A guard spring is positioned on the reference beam and presses the reference contactor against the track gauge surface of the rail to be measured, and the pressing roller against the track gauge surface of the guard rail, A measurement unit that measures data related to the orbit, A track inspection device equipped with the following features.

2. A track inspection device according to claim 1, The system also includes a general-purpose stopper that determines the maximum distance between the guide roller and the rail being measured. A track inspection device characterized by the following features.

3. A track inspection device according to claim 2, The guide roller is positioned in the direction of travel relative to the opposite contactor. The guide roller guides the opposite contact to the gauge surface of the opposite rail after passing through the gap in the gauge line. A track inspection device characterized by the following features.

4. A track inspection device according to claim 1, The aforementioned wheels running on the opposite rail have a length that allows them to roll along the top surface of the opposite rail, which is curved towards the branch line side, in the section where the gauge line is missing. A track inspection device characterized by the following features.

5. A track inspection device according to claim 1, The pressing roller is positioned so that when the opposite contact is located at the location of the gap in the track gauge, it is located at the location of the guardrail. A track inspection device characterized by the following features.

6. A track inspection device according to claim 5, The distance between the pressing roller and the rail being measured is wider than the distance between the guard section of the guard rail and the rail being measured when no guard rail is present, and is the distance that guides the roller to the side of the guard rail's guide section that is on the rail being measured side. A track inspection device characterized by the following features.

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