Multiple Tie Tamper

Abstract

To provide a small multiple tie tamper which can be turned around at a track maintenance work site, thereby improving convenience. [Solution] The multiple tie tamper 1 is small enough to be loaded onto the bed 501 of a truck 500 with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons, and is mounted on the underside of the machine body 3. It is capable of raising and lowering the multiple tie tamper 1 between a resting state in which the wheels 2 are placed on the rails and a lifted state in which the wheels 2 are separated upward from the rails using hydraulic oil (medium) supplied from a hydraulic pump 47, and is equipped with a turning device 13 as a turning means that can turn the multiple tie tamper 1 in an approximately horizontal direction in the lifted state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small multiple tamper that is more convenient for track maintenance work. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a type of railway maintenance machine, there are known multiple tie tampers (e.g., Patent Document 1) and multi-head simple tie tampers (e.g., Patent Document 2), which correct distortions in rails caused by train movement by using a beater to compact the ballast on the track. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-266107 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-287904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the multiple tie tamper described in Patent Document 1 is large, and while it can compact a wide area of ​​ballast in one go, it is not very maneuverable, which can result in some areas remaining uncompacted. For the remaining areas, workers manually compact the ballast using portable tie tampers, but this is hard work and it is difficult to secure the manpower.

[0005] On the other hand, the multi-head simple tie tamper described in Patent Document 2 is small and lightweight enough to be transported by road using a truck with a crane, etc., and although it is possible to perform fine tamping work that comes with its small size, it cannot be turned around at the site of track maintenance work.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a small multiple tamper that can be turned around at the site of track maintenance work, thereby improving convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this object, the multiple tamper described in claim 1 is a small multiple tamper that can be loaded onto the bed of a truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons, and includes a body having wheels that can run on a rail, and a pair of left and right tamping units that are mounted on the body and spaced apart in the width direction of the rail, and is equipped with a power source, a pump that is driven by a pump motor that is driven by power supplied from the power source, and rolling means that is mounted on the underside of the body and can raise and lower the multiple tamper between a rest state in which the wheels are placed on the rail and a lifted state in which the wheels are separated above the rail by the medium supplied from the pump, and can roll the multiple tamper horizontally in the lifted state. The turning means includes a turning section that is grounded on the track between the rails and turns the machine body horizontally, and a turning section lifting means that is driven by the medium supplied from the pump and can raise and lower the turning section, and when the turning section is lowered by the turning section lifting means and placed on the track between the rails, the multiple tamper is transitioned from the placed state to the lifted state. .

[0008] The multiple tamper described in claim 2 is the multiple tamper described in claim 1, wherein the body has a loading platform for carrying cargo including at least the power source and a unit equipped with the pump motor and the pump, and the loading platform is configured with design dimensions that allow the cargo to be placed so that the balance of the multiple tamper in the lifted state can be adjusted.

[0009] The multiple tamper according to claim 3 is the multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2. ,before The rolling unit includes a metal dish-shaped receiving portion, a metal disk-shaped rolling plate that is connected to the machine body and housed in the receiving portion so as to be rotatable approximately horizontally relative to the receiving portion, and a resin spacer that is interposed between the rolling plate and the receiving portion.

[0010] The multiple tie tamper described in claim 4 is the multiple tie tamper described in claim 3, wherein the rolling plate has a circular convex portion in a top view in the center of the surface on the receiving portion side, and the receiving portion has a recess into which the convex portion is inserted so as to rotate the rolling plate.

[0011] The multiple tamper of claim 5 is a multiple tamper of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a locking means comprising a rod-shaped member attached to the body, a first insertion member attached to the body and having an insertion hole through which the rod-shaped member can be inserted, and a second insertion member attached to the rolling means and having an insertion hole through which the rod-shaped member can be inserted, wherein the locking means locks the rolling means in the storage position by passing the rod-shaped member through the insertion holes of the first insertion member and the second insertion member when the rolling means is in the predetermined storage position, and the second insertion member is attached to a portion of the rolling means that moves in accordance with the rotation of the rolling means when the rolling means rotates.

[0012] The multiple tamper of claim 6 is a multiple tamper of claim 1 or claim 2, which is equipped with a locking means for locking the rolling means at a predetermined storage position, a locking detection means for detecting that the rolling means has been locked at the storage position by the locking means, and a lock release notification means for notifying that fact when the locking is not detected by the locking detection means.

[0013] The multiple tamper of claim 7 is a multiple tamper of claim 1 or claim 2, which comprises a lateral movement means driven by the medium supplied from the pump and which moves the tamping unit in the width direction of the rail, a width direction detection means which can detect multiple locations within the range of movement of the tamping unit in the width direction of the rail, and a lateral movement control means which stops the movement of the tamping unit by the lateral movement means at a position detected by the width direction detection means while the tamping unit is being moved by the lateral movement means, and at least half of the multiple locations which can be detected by the width direction detection means are positions set so that the tamping unit can be stopped between the rails, and when the tamping unit is located outside a predetermined position set between the rails, the lateral movement means moves the tamping unit to the predetermined position or inside of it before turning the tamping unit.

[0014] The multiple tamper of claim 8 is the multiple tamper of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: up-and-down movement means driven by the medium supplied from the pump and moving the tamping unit in the up-and-down direction; fixing means for fixing the tamping unit at a predetermined storage position provided at the upper end of the up-and-down movement range of the tamping unit; fixation detection means capable of detecting that the tamping unit has been fixed by the fixing means; locking means for locking the rolling means at the predetermined storage position; locking detection means for detecting that the rolling means has been locked at the storage position by the locking means; and a traveling device for driving the wheels, comprising: travel drive means; and a driving mechanism for driving the wheels, the travel drive means driving the rolling means. and a power transmission device that transmits the power transmitted from the tamping unit to the wheels; a transmission release means that can release the transmission of the power to the wheels by the power transmission device; a release detection means that detects that the transmission by the power transmission device has been released by the transmission release means; and a forwarding possible notification means that notifies that the multiple tie tamper can be forwarded by towing when the fixation detection means detects that the tamping unit has been fixed by the fixation means, the locking detection means detects that the turning means has been locked at the storage position by the locking means, and the release detection means detects that the transmission by the power transmission device has been released by the transmission release means.

[0015] A multiple tie tamper according to claim 9 is the multiple tie tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pair of left and right tamping units each comprises a front tamping unit disposed on the front side and a rear tamping unit disposed on the rear side, The device is equipped with a tamping control means that can independently control the tamping operations of the front tamping unit and the rear tamping unit that constitute one of the pair of left and right tamping units, and the front tamping unit and the rear tamping unit that constitute the other tamping unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the multiple tamper described in claim 1, since it is equipped with a pump driven by a pump motor driven by electricity supplied from a power source, its size is smaller than that of conventional multiple tamper in which the pump is rotated by a drive shaft driven by an engine, and in particular, it has the effect of being small enough to be loaded onto the bed of a truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the multiple tie tamper described in claim 1, it is configured to be small enough to be loaded onto the back of a truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons, making it possible to transport it not only on rails but also by road by truck, and it has excellent transportability. Furthermore, because it is small, it is possible to perform fine tamping work (compacting work), so by having this multiple tie tamper work on parts that a larger multiple tie tamper has not tamped, it is possible to maintain the condition of the track in good condition.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the multiple tie tamper described in claim 1, since it is equipped with a turning means, it can be turned in a substantially horizontal direction at the site of track maintenance work. As a result, when it becomes necessary to move in the reverse direction for returning to the base, moving to a different site, or for emergency evacuation, the forward and backward directions of the machine body can be changed on the spot by turning it with the turning means, which has the effect of being highly convenient.

[0019] The multiple tamper of claim 2 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper of claim 1. That is, the loading platform section for carrying a load including at least a power source and a unit equipped with a pump motor and a pump is configured with design dimensions that allow the load to be positioned so that the balance of the multiple tamper in the raised state can be adjusted, so that the balance of the multiple tamper when turning can be appropriately adjusted by the relatively simple method of adjusting the position of the load.

[0020] The multiple tamper according to claim 3 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper according to claim 1 or 2. The rolling unit of the rolling means has a relatively simple configuration including a metal dish-shaped receiving part, a metal disk-shaped rolling plate that is connected to the machine body and housed in the receiving part so as to be rotatable horizontally relative to the receiving part, and a resin spacer interposed between the rolling plate and the receiving part, and no bearings or the like are required, which has the effect of reducing manufacturing costs.

[0021] The multiple tamper of claim 4 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper of claim 3. The rolling plate has a convex portion that is circular in top view in the center of the surface on the receiving part side, and the receiving part has a concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted so that the rolling plate can rotate. Therefore, when the rolling plate is accommodated in the receiving part, the convex portion of the rolling plate is loosely inserted into the concave portion of the receiving part, so that the rolling plate can be rotated stably relative to the receiving part. This has the effect of ensuring stability in the rotation of this multiple tamper by the rolling means.

[0022] The multiple tamper of claim 5 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper of claim 1 or 2. In a configuration including locking means for locking the turning wheel means in the stored position by passing a rod-shaped member through the insertion holes of the first insertion member and the second insertion member when the turning wheel means is in a predetermined stored position, the second insertion member is attached to a portion of the turning wheel means that moves in response to the turning of the turning wheel means when the turning wheel means turns, so that even when the turning wheel means turns, the positional relationship between the rod-shaped member and first insertion member attached to the vehicle body and the second insertion member attached to the turning wheel means does not change. This has the effect of allowing the turning wheel means to be locked in the stored position even after turning by the turning wheel means, in the same way as before the turning.

[0023] The multiple tamper according to claim 6 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper according to claim 1 or 2. If the lock detection means does not detect that the turntable means is locked in the stored position, the lock release notification means notifies the worker who is about to operate the turntable means, so that the notification allows the worker to check whether the turntable means is unlocked. This has the effect of preventing the turntable means from being operated in an locked state.

[0024] The multiple tamper of claim 7 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper of claim 1 or 2. When the tamping unit is positioned outside a predetermined position set between the rails, the lateral movement means moves the tamping unit to a predetermined position set between the rails or to the inside of the predetermined position before turning, which has the effect of preventing the tamping unit from losing balance during turning. Also, since at least half of all positions (plurality of positions) detectable by the width direction detection means within the movement range of the tamping unit in the width direction of the rails are positions set so that the tamping unit can be stopped between the rails, the movement of the tamping unit by the lateral movement means can be stopped at these positions by the lateral movement control means, which has the effect of making it easy to position the tamping unit at or inside the predetermined position, which is a position where balance during turning can be easily achieved.

[0025] The multiple tie tamper of claim 8 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tie tamper of claim 1 or 2. When the fixation detection means detects that the tamping unit has been fixed by the fixing means, the locking detection means detects that the rolling means has been locked in the storage position by the locking means, and the release detection means detects that the transmission of power from the power transmission device from the traveling drive means to the wheels has been released by the transmission release means, the forwarding possible notification means notifies that the multiple tie tamper can be towed and transported. This has the effect of preventing damage to the tamping unit, rolling means, etc. during transport.

[0026] The multiple tamper of claim 9 achieves the following effect in addition to the effect achieved by the multiple tamper of claim 1 or 2. The tamping operation of each tamping unit provided on the front, rear, left and right sides can be controlled independently by the tamping control means, which has the effect of preventing any pieces from being left unthreaded during the tamping operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the multiple tamper of the present embodiment loaded on a truck. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a top view of the multiple tie tamper, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the multiple tie tamper. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a top view of the tamping unit support frame attached to the traverse frame, and FIG. 3(b) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow IIIb in FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the tamping unit as seen from the direction IV in FIG. 2(a). [Figure 5] 5(a) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow Va in FIG. 2(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a side view of the rolling device seen from the direction Vb in FIG. 5(a). [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view of the wheel section. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multiple tamper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, some components of the multiple tie tamper 1, such as hydraulic piping, are omitted from illustration, and each component is illustrated in a schematic manner. Where necessary, the forward and rearward directions in the drawings are indicated by arrows F and B, respectively, the left and right directions are indicated by arrows L and R, respectively, and the up and down directions are indicated by arrows U and D, respectively.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a side view showing the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment loaded on a truck 500. As shown in Fig. 1, the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment is a small multiple tie tamper that can be loaded on the loading platform 501 of a truck 500 having a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons (6,500 kilograms), such as a so-called 4-ton truck. As a result, the multiple tie tamper 1 can be transported by road (land transport) by truck 500 to the track maintenance site, rather than being limited to traveling on rails to reach the site.

[0030] The size of truck 500 does not necessarily have to be determined by the maximum load capacity, and may be determined by the gross vehicle weight instead of or in addition to the maximum load capacity. For example, truck 500 may be a truck with a gross vehicle weight of less than 11 tons, or may be a truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons and a gross vehicle weight of less than 11 tons.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. Figure 2(a) is a top view of the multiple tie tamper 1, and Figure 2(b) is a side view of the multiple tie tamper 1. Note that in Figure 2(a), the roof 31 and the like are omitted so that the interior of the work operation room 26 can be easily seen. Also, in Figure 2(b), for reference, the upper surface of the rail when the multiple tie tamper 1 is placed on the rail is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0032] 2(a) and 2(b), the multiple tie tamper 1 comprises a body 3 having a pair of left and right wheels 2 (2a, 2b) at the front and rear, respectively, a generator 4, a hydraulic unit 5, a hydraulic control valve box 6, an electrical control box 7, tamping units 8, 9, 10, 11, a running device 12, and a turntable 13. As will be described in detail later, the multiple tie tamper 1 is equipped with the turntable 13, so it can be turned at the site of track maintenance work.

[0033] The wheels 2 include drive wheels 2a and driven wheels 2b that can be driven by the traveling device 12. The drive wheels 2a are the front wheels, and the driven wheels 2b are the rear wheels. The drive wheels 2a and driven wheels 2b are both a pair of left and right iron wheels arranged on the machine body 3 in accordance with the gauge (the distance between the rails). This allows the machine body 3 (multiple tie tamper 1) to run on the rail. For reference, in Figure 2(b), the top surface of the rail when the multiple tie tamper 1 is placed on the rail is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0034] The machine body 3 includes a front underframe 21, a rear underframe 22 arranged rearward of the front underframe 21, a connecting rafter 23 connecting the front underframe 21 and the rear underframe 22, and tamping unit support frames 24, 25. The front underframe 21 has a loading platform portion on which a generator 4, a hydraulic unit 5, a hydraulic control valve box 6, an electric control box 7, etc. are loaded.

[0035] The front frame 21 is configured with design dimensions that allow the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 when the loading platform portion is turned by the turntable 13 (hereinafter simply referred to as "balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 when turning") to be adjusted according to the arrangement (layout) of loads such as the generator 4. In this case, for example, the support members that support the loads at their installation positions may be sized to allow the position of the load to be adjusted, or the holes for the bolts that secure the loads may be shaped as elongated holes that allow the position of the load to be adjusted, thereby adjusting the arrangement of the loads and thereby adjusting the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 when turning.

[0036] Many of the loads on the front underframe 21 are heavy, such as the generator 4 and hydraulic unit 5, which tend to affect the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during a turn. In contrast, the front underframe 21 (more specifically, its loading platform) is configured with design dimensions that allow the balance to be adjusted depending on the arrangement of the load, so the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during a turn can be appropriately set (adjusted) by the relatively simple method of adjusting the arrangement of the load. It is also possible to customize the balance in advance depending on the conditions of the track maintenance work to be performed (for example, the terrain, etc.).

[0037] Furthermore, since various gauges are used depending on the country and railway company, it is necessary to appropriately set the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during turning depending on the gauge to which it is applied. In this regard, since the design dimensions of the front frame 21 are configured as described above, even if the gauge is different, the balance can be appropriately set depending on the gauge to which it is applied by adjusting the placement of the load.

[0038] Therefore, according to the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment, the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during turning can be appropriately set according to the situation, thereby suitably ensuring the effectiveness and safety of turning (turning) by the turntable device 13. Furthermore, since the machine body 3 having a common front frame 21 can be used for any gauge, the manufacturing costs of the multiple tie tamper 1 can be reduced.

[0039] A rectangular traverse frame 37 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) of the machine body 3 is provided on the rear end side of the front underframe 21. A mounting base protruding forward is provided approximately in the center of the upper frame of the traverse frame 37, and a forwarding possible indicator light 33 is provided above the mounting base. The forwarding possible indicator light 33 is a rotating light that lights up when a forwarding possible condition, which will be described later, is met.

[0040] The rear underframe 22 has a loading platform portion serving as a loading platform, and a work control room 26 is provided in the loading platform portion. A driver's seat 27, a control panel 28, a foot switch 29, a parking brake 30, etc. are provided in the work control room 26. The control panel 28 is provided with various switches such as a left movement switch 161 (see FIG. 7) that can be operated by an operator, and various light-emitting devices such as a travel ready lamp 166 (see FIG. 7). A roof 31 is provided above the work control room 26, and a rotating warning light 32 is provided on the upper side of the roof 31.

[0041] Couplers 34, 35 to which a towing vehicle can be connected are provided at the front end side of the front underframe 21 and the rear end side of the rear underframe 22, respectively. As a result, the machine body 3 (multiple tie tamper 1) can be towed by a towing vehicle connected to the coupler 34 or the coupler 35, allowing it to travel forward or backward as a deadhead.

[0042] The tamping unit support frame 24 is a frame for supporting two tamping units 8, 9 arranged on the left side in the width direction of the rail, and the tamping unit support frame 25 is a frame for supporting two tamping units 10, 11 arranged on the right side in the width direction of the rail. The tamping unit support frame 24 is movable between the center side and the left side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the machine body 3, and the tamping unit support frame 25 is movable between the center side and the right side in the width direction of the machine body 3. Note that Figure 2(a) illustrates a case where the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 are positioned at the outermost positions in their respective movement ranges.

[0043] The generator 4 is a power source (power supply source) for each electrically driven component in the multiple tamper 1. The generator 4 is, for example, an engine generator that uses fuel such as diesel oil or gasoline. Note that instead of the generator 4, a storage battery may be installed in the multiple tamper 1, and the storage battery may be used as the power source for each electrically driven device.

[0044] The hydraulic unit 5 includes a hydraulic tank 45 that stores hydraulic oil (hereinafter also referred to as "hydraulic oil"), a pump motor 46 that is driven by power supplied from the generator 4, and a hydraulic pump 47. The hydraulic pump 47 is driven to rotate by the pump motor 46, and draws up hydraulic oil from the hydraulic tank 45. This makes the size of the multiple tie tamper 1 smaller than conventional multiple tie tamper devices in which the hydraulic pump is driven to rotate by a drive shaft driven by the engine, and allows the multiple tie tamper 1 to be miniaturized to the point that it can be loaded onto the bed 501 of a truck 500 with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons.

[0045] The hydraulic control valve box 6 is a box with an openable door, and contains a control valve (solenoid valve) 180 (see FIG. 7) and the like for selectively supplying hydraulic oil pumped up by the hydraulic pump 47 to hydraulic actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors, etc.) provided in the multiple tie tamper 1. The electric control box 7 is a box with an openable door, and contains a controller 150 (see FIG. 7) and the like for electrically controlling each part of the multiple tie tamper 1.

[0046] Each of the tamping units 8 to 11 includes a spatula-shaped beater 51 and a vibration motor 52 that vibrates the beater 51. The tamping units 8 to 11 insert the beater 51 into the ballast while vibrating it with the vibration motor 52, and compact the ballast by scraping it under the sleepers with the beater 51.

[0047] The tamping units 8 and 9 are attached to a mounting base 61 fixed to the left tamping unit support frame 24 so as to be movable up and down. Note that Fig. 2(b) illustrates a case in which the front tamping unit 8 is located at the lower end of its range of movement, and the rear tamping unit 9 is located at the upper end of its range of movement. The tamping units 10 and 11 are attached to a mounting base 62 fixed to the right tamping unit support frame 25 so as to be movable up and down.

[0048] The traveling device 12 is a device for driving the drive wheels 2a, and is provided below the front frame 21 of the machine body 3. The traveling device 12 includes a hydraulic motor 185 (see FIG. 7) that is driven by hydraulic oil (pressurized oil) supplied from the hydraulic unit 5, and a clutch 186 (see FIG. 7) that serves as a power transmission device that transmits the rotational power of the hydraulic motor 185 to the drive wheels 2a.

[0049] In this embodiment, the clutch 186 is configured as a manual clutch having a lever 187 (see FIG. 7) that functions as a transmission disconnecting means for disconnecting the transmission of power to the drive wheels 2 a. The clutch 186 may be an electromagnetic clutch in which the transmission disconnecting means is electrically controlled by a controller 150 (see FIG. 7) described later.

[0050] The turning device 13 is a device that can raise and lower the multiple tie tamper 1 between a resting state in which the wheels 2 are placed on the rails and a lifted state in which the wheels 2 are separated from the rails, and can manually turn (turn) the multiple tie tamper 1 in a substantially horizontal direction in the lifted state. The turning device 13 is provided on the underside (bottom side) of the machine body 3 in a position that can balance the center of gravity of the multiple tie tamper 1. The multiple tie tamper 1 has a heavy object such as a generator 4 placed on the front underframe 21, and the center of gravity is biased forward, so the turning device 13 is located below the front underframe 21.

[0051] Fig. 3(a) is a top view of the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 attached to the traverse frame 37, and Fig. 3(b) is a view seen from the direction of arrow IIIb in Fig. 3(a). Note that in Fig. 3, for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the drawing, the mounting bases 61, 62 and the tamping units 8 to 11 attached to the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 are omitted or indicated by two-dot chain lines as necessary.

[0052] The tamping unit support frames 24, 25 include a rectangular frame 71 that is parallel to the traverse frame 37, and a rectangular frame 72 that stands upright on the rear side of the frame 71. Mounting bases 61, 62 are fixedly mounted on the outer side (left or right side) of the rear frame of the frame 72. Tamping units 8, 9 are mounted to the front and rear of the mounting base 61, respectively, and tamping units 10, 11 are mounted to the front and rear of the mounting base 62, respectively.

[0053] The tamping unit support frames 24, 25 are attached to the body 3 by slidably engaging the shift tables 40, 41 fixed to the front side of each of the upper and lower frames of the frame 71 with the upper and lower guide rails 38, 39 extending in the left-right direction and attached to the rear side of the traverse frame 37.

[0054] Hydraulic cylinders 76, 77 are attached to the rear side of the traverse frame 37. The hydraulic cylinder 76 is provided so that its rod protrudes from the center side in the width direction of the machine body 3 to the left (outside), and the tip of the rod is fixed to the tamping unit support frame 24. The hydraulic cylinder 77 is provided so that its rod protrudes from the center side in the width direction of the machine body 3 to the right (outside), and the tip of the rod is fixed to the tamping unit support frame 25. As a result, the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 move laterally in the left-right direction along the guide rails 38, 39 due to the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 76, 77.

[0055] A detector 89 is installed on the upper side of each frame 71 that constitutes the tamping unit support frames 24, 25. The detector 89 is, for example, a limit switch. The detector 89 detects dogs 81 to 88 attached to a pipe 90 that is provided on the rear side of the traverse frame 37 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0056] The dogs 81 to 88 are installed according to the stopping positions of the tamping unit support frames 24, 25. The dogs 81 to 84 installed on the left side of the center in the width direction of the machine body 3 are detected by a detection unit 89 attached to the tamping unit support frame 24. The dogs 85 to 88 installed on the right side of the center in the width direction of the machine body 3 are detected by a detection unit 89 attached to the tamping unit support frame 25.

[0057] Dogs 81 and 85 are provided corresponding to the respective storage positions of the tamping unit support frame 24 (tamping units 8 and 9) and the tamping unit support frame 25 (tamping units 10 and 11). Dogs 84 and 88 are provided corresponding to the outermost stop positions of the tamping unit support frame 24 and the tamping unit support frame 25. Dogs 83 and 86 are provided corresponding to predetermined positions where each beater 51 of tamping units 8 to 11 can compact the inside of the left or right rail. Dogs 83 and 87 are provided corresponding to predetermined positions where each beater 51 of tamping units 8 to 11 can compact the outside of the left or right rail.

[0058] Figure 4 is a side view of the tamping units 8 and 9 as seen from the direction IV in Figure 2(a). Below, we will explain the tamping units 8 and 9 provided on the left side of the machine body 3, but we will not repeat the explanation of the tamping units 10 and 11 provided on the right side of the machine body 3, as they are configured in the same way except that the mounting base 61 is replaced by the mounting base 62. The tamping units 8, 9 have a link mechanism 53 that swings the beaters 51 inserted into the ballast toward each other by the force of hydraulic cylinders 67, 68, and one end of the link mechanism 53 is fixed to the outside of the carrier 63. Two shift tables 64, one above the other, are fixed to the inside of the carrier 63. The shift tables 64 are slidably engaged with guide rails 65, 66 that are attached to the front or rear side of the mounting base 61 and extend in the vertical direction.

[0059] Hydraulic cylinders 67, 68 are provided at the front and rear of the upper side of the mounting base 61 for moving the tamping units 8, 9 up and down along the guide rails 65, 66. The rods of the hydraulic cylinders 67, 68 protrude downward, and the tips of the rods are fixed to mounting portions (not shown) provided on the front and rear carriers 63, respectively. As a result, the tamping units 8, 9 move up and down along the guide rails 65, 66 due to the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders 67, 68.

[0060] Detectors 91-94 capable of detecting the position of tamping unit 8 and detectors 95-98 capable of detecting the position of tamping unit 9 are provided on the outer surface (front surface in FIG. 4) of mounting base 61 in the width direction of the rail. Detectors 91-98 are, for example, limit switches. Detectors 91-98 detect dog 69 attached to the underside of carrier 63.

[0061] The detectors 91, 95 are provided at positions corresponding to the upper limit positions of the tamping units 8, 9. The detectors 92, 96 are provided at positions below the upper limit positions of the tamping units 8, 9, where the tip of the beater 51 corresponds to the upper surface of the sleeper (hereinafter also referred to as the "middle stop position"). The detectors 93, 97 are provided at positions below the middle stop position, where the tip of the beater 51 corresponds to the lower surface of the sleeper (hereinafter also referred to as the "pressure position"). The detectors 94, 98 are provided at positions corresponding to the lower limit positions of the tamping units 8, 9. The lower limit position of the tamping units 8, 9 is, for example, a position where the tip of the beater 51 is located several centimeters (e.g., about 10 centimeters) below the lower surface of the sleeper.

[0062] A lock plate 99 having two engagement holes 99a is provided on the outer surface of the mounting base 61 in the width direction of the rail. The base side of the lock plate 99 is attached so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body 3, and is normally biased by an elastic body (not shown) such as a spring to be in the released position shown by the solid line. When an operator rotates the lock plate 99 about the rotation shaft by pushing it down, the lock plate moves from the released position to the locked position shown by the two-dot chain line.

[0063] A claw-shaped engagement portion 100 is provided on the outer surface (left surface) of each carrier 63 in the width direction of the rail. When the tamping units 8, 9 are located in the upper end position, the lock plate 99 can be moved to the lock position, and the engagement hole 93a can be engaged with the engagement portion 95. This allows the tamping units 8, 9 that have been moved to the upper limit position (storage position) to be fixed (locked) by the lock plate 99.

[0064] A detection unit 101 capable of detecting the lock plate 99 in the locked position is provided on the outer surface of the mounting base 61 in the width direction of the rail. The detection unit 101 is, for example, a proximity sensor, but it may also be configured to use switches capable of contact detection, such as microswitches, instead of sensors capable of non-contact detection.

[0065] Fig. 5(a) is a view seen from the direction of the arrow Va in Fig. 2(a), and Fig. 5(b) is a side view of the rolling device 13 seen from the direction Vb in Fig. 5(a). Note that in Fig. 5(b), in order to make the drawing easier to understand, some components such as brackets 136 and 137, which will be described later, are not shown.

[0066] The rolling device 13 includes a rod 121, a rod holder 122, a hydraulic cylinder 123, and a rolling unit 124. The rod 121 is a cylindrical body, and one end thereof is fixed to the center of a rolling plate 131 (see FIG. 6) of the rolling unit 124. The rod 121 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the rod holder 122. The rod holder 122 is inserted into and fixed in an opening (not shown) of a mounting plate 115 that is fixed to the underside of the machine body 3 (front underframe 21) and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0067] The hydraulic cylinders 123 are fixed to the mounting plate 115 by fixing members 125 in a direction such that their rods (hereinafter also referred to as "cylinder rods") protrude downward through openings (not shown) in the mounting plate 115. In this embodiment, two hydraulic cylinders 123 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the rod 121. The tip of the cylinder rod of each hydraulic cylinder 123 is fixed to a rolling plate 131 via a block 126 arranged below the mounting plate 115.

[0068] When the cylinder rod of the hydraulic cylinder 123 is retracted, the rolling element 124 is located in a storage position (initial position) where it does not contact the track G, and as the cylinder rod of the hydraulic cylinder 123 extends downward, it gradually descends and eventually comes into contact with the track G (double-dashed line in FIG. 5(a)). Note that, for stability reasons, it is preferable that the rolling element 124 be placed in contact with the track G via a plate-shaped base.

[0069] After the rolling element 124 is brought into contact with the track G, the cylinder rod is further extended, causing the entire multiple tie tamper 1 to be lifted upward by the hydraulic cylinder 123, and the wheels 2 that had been in contact with the rail are separated upward from the rail. This causes the multiple tie tamper 1 to transition from a resting state to a lifted state, enabling it to be turned by the rolling element 124.

[0070] When the multiple tie tamper 1 is rotated by the turning device 13, the tamping units 8, 9 and tamping units 10, 11 are positioned at a predetermined position set between the rails (hereinafter also referred to as the "balance position") or inside thereof, and then the rotation is performed. Therefore, if the tamping units 8, 9 or the tamping units 10, 11 are positioned outside the balance position, the tamping units are moved to the balance position or inside thereof before the multiple tie tamper 1 is rotated. This makes it possible to prevent the tamping units 8 to 11 from losing balance during rotation.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rolling unit 124. The rolling unit 124 includes a rolling plate 131, a plate support 132, a spacer 133, and a plate holder 134. The rolling plate 131 is a disk-shaped member with a concentric convex portion on its lower side (bottom side). The plate support 132 is a dish-shaped member that can accommodate the rolling plate 131. The plate support 132 has a concave portion into which the convex portion of the rolling plate 131 can be inserted, allowing the accommodated rolling plate 131 to rotate. The rolling plate 131 and the plate support 132 are made of metal (for example, general structural rolled steel (SS steel)).

[0072] When the rolling plate 131 is housed in the plate receiver 132, the convex portion of the rolling plate 131 is loosely inserted into the concave portion of the plate receiver 132. This allows the rolling plate 131 to rotate stably relative to the plate receiver 132, thereby ensuring stability in the rotation of the multiple tamper element 1 by the rolling device 13. Note that the rolling plate 131 may not have a convex portion (i.e., the bottom side is flat), and the plate receiver 132 may not have a corresponding concave portion.

[0073] The spacer 133 is a plate interposed between the rolling plate 131 and the plate support 132. The spacer 133 is annular in shape with an outer diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the rolling plate 131, and its inner diameter is large enough to pass through the convex portion of the rolling plate 131. The spacer 133 is made of a wear-resistant resin (for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene such as Newlite (registered trademark)). It is preferable that the resin that makes up the spacer 133 has self-lubricating properties (low friction coefficient) in addition to wear resistance.

[0074] By interposing a spacer 133 and lubricating oil between the rolling plate 131 and the plate support 132, the rolling plate 131 can be rotated relative to the plate support 132 that is grounded on the track G; in other words, the rolling plate 131 can be rotated approximately horizontally relative to the track G. As described above, the rolling plate 131 is connected to the machine body 3 via the block 126 fixed to the rolling plate 131 and the hydraulic cylinder 123 attached to the mounting part 115. Therefore, when an operator holds the machine body 3 of the multiple tie tamper 1 in the lifted state and manually turns it in an approximately horizontal direction, the rolling plate 131 can be rotated approximately horizontally relative to the track G, and as a result, the multiple tie tamper 1 can be turned.

[0075] The turning section 124 enables the multiple tamper 1 to be turned by a relatively simple configuration in which a spacer 133 is interposed between the turning plate 131 and the plate support 132, eliminating the need for bearings and the like, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the multiple tamper 1. The turning section 124 is configured to enable the multiple tamper 1 to be turned by human power, eliminating the need for a drive device such as a motor to turn the multiple tamper 1, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the multiple tamper 1.

[0076] The plate holder 134 has a circular ring shape with an outer diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the plate support 132. The plate holder 134 is fixed to the edge of the opening side of the plate support 132. The inner diameter of the plate holder 134 is smaller than the diameter of the rolling plate 131 and larger than the distance from the center of the rolling plate 131 to the farthest part of the block 126. This allows the rolling plate 131 to rotate relative to the plate support 132, while preventing the rolling plate 131 from coming off the plate support 132.

[0077] Returning to Figure 5(a), the configuration for preventing the rollover part 124 from falling will be described. The multiple tie tamper 1 is equipped with a rod-shaped stopper 141. The stopper 141 has its axial direction facing left and right and is located rearward (toward the viewer in the drawing) of the rod 121 and hydraulic cylinder 123. The stopper 141 is supported by being inserted into insertion holes (not shown) of brackets 144, 145 erected on the rear surface of a mounting plate 143 fixed to the machine body 3.

[0078] A bracket 136 having an insertion hole (not shown) through which the stopper 141 can be inserted is erected on the underside of the mounting plate 115. A bracket 137 having an insertion hole (not shown) through which the stopper 141 can be inserted is erected on the rear side of the rearmost of the two blocks 126. The brackets 136 and 137 are positioned so that the stopper 141 can pass through the insertion hole provided in these brackets when the wheel unit 124 is in the storage position.

[0079] A rod-shaped lever 142 that is approximately perpendicular to the stopper 141 is provided at one end of the stopper 141. The stopper 141 is installed so that the lever 142 faces outward in the width direction of the rail on the machine body 3 (the left side in FIG. 5(a)). An operator can move the stopper 141 between the release position indicated by the two-dot chain line and the lock position indicated by the solid line by pushing the lever 142 toward the inside or pulling it toward the outside in the width direction of the rail on the machine body 3.

[0080] 5(a), when the stopper 141 is in the locked position, the end opposite the lever 142 protrudes from the insertion hole of the bracket 136 that is located farthest from the lever 142. In this case, the stopper 141 penetrates all of the insertion holes of the brackets 136 and 137, locking the wheel part 124, which prevents the heavy wheel part 124 from suddenly descending or falling from the stored position.

[0081] When the stopper 141 is in the release position, the end opposite the lever 142 is in a position where it does not reach the insertion hole of the bracket 137 closer to the lever 142, that is, the stopper 141 is in a position where it is not inserted into the insertion hole of either of the two brackets 137. Therefore, in this case, the stopper 141 is disengaged from the bracket 137, and the rolling wheel part 124 can be raised and lowered by operating the hydraulic cylinder 123.

[0082] Stopper 141 is attached to the machine body 3 via brackets 144 and 145, and bracket 136 is attached to the machine body 3 via a mounting plate 143. Bracket 137 is attached to block 126, which is a part that moves in response to the rotation of multiple tamper 1 when the multiple tamper 1 is rotated by the rotating device 13 (more specifically, rotates around the rotation axis). Therefore, even when multiple tamper 1 is rotated, the positional relationship between stopper 141 and brackets 136 and 137 does not change. Therefore, even when rotating part 124 is returned to the storage position after rotating multiple tamper 1 with rotating device 13, rotating part 124 can be locked by stopper 141 in the same way as before the rotation.

[0083] A thin, long plate portion 146 extending in the left-right direction is provided on the mounting plate 143 at a position overlapping the upper end of the lever 142 when viewed from the rear. A recess is provided in the long plate portion 146 at a position corresponding to the lever 142 of the stopper 141 in the unlocked or locked position. When the stopper 141 is in the unlocked or locked position, twisting the lever 142 so that its upper end approaches the long plate portion 146 allows the upper end of the lever 142 to be locked in the recess in the long plate portion 146. This allows the stopper 141 to be fixed in the unlocked or locked position, thereby preventing adverse effects caused by the stopper 141 moving unexpectedly, such as the stopper 141 moving from the locked position to the unlocked position and disengaging the wheel portion 124.

[0084] A detection unit 147 is provided on the rear surface of the mounting plate 143. The detection unit 147 is, for example, a limit switch. The detection unit 147 detects a dog 148 attached to the stopper 141. The dog 148 is provided at a position where it is not detected by the detection unit 147 when the stopper 141 is in a position other than the locked position, such as the released position, but is detected by the detection unit 147 when the stopper 141 reaches the locked position.

[0085] 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multiple tamper 1. The multiple tamper 1 includes a controller (control device) 150. The controller 150 includes, as hardware components not shown, an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM, RAM, or hard drive disk, and an input / output device, and outputs the results of calculations obtained by executing a control program (software) stored in advance in the storage device in the arithmetic processing device as a signal from the input / output device.

[0086] Connected to the controller 150 as input devices (input sections) are various switches 161 to 165, foot switch 29 (see FIG. 2), lift switch 167, and other switches provided on operation panel 28, as well as detectors 89, 91 to 94, 95 to 98, 101, 147, 171, and 172. Signals corresponding to the operation of these switches and detection signals from these detectors are input to the controller 150 via the input / output device.

[0087] The left movement switch 161 is a switch that instructs the movement and direction of the tamping unit support frame 24 on the left side of the machine body 3. The right movement switch 162 is a switch that instructs the movement of the tamping unit support frame 25 on the right side of the machine body 3.

[0088] The target selection switch 163 is a switch that selects one of the tamping units 8 to 11 to be moved up and down. The up and down movement switch 164 is a switch that indicates the movement and direction of the unit selected by the target selection switch 163 among the tamping units 8 to 11. The travel direction switch 165 is a switch that selects the travel direction (self-propelled direction) of the multiple tamper 1.

[0089] The foot switch 29 is a switch that commands the travel (self-propelled) and braking of the multiple tamper 1. The lift switch 167 is a switch that commands the raising or lowering of the rolling unit 124 of the rolling device 13. The lift switch 167 is, for example, a toggle switch. The lift switch 167 is arranged so as to be operable through an opening provided in the side wall of the hydraulic control valve box 6.

[0090] The detection unit 89 outputs a detection signal when it detects dogs 81 to 84, 85 to 88 (see FIG. 3). The detection units 91 to 94, 95 to 98 output a detection signal when it detects dog 69 (see FIG. 4) moving in the vertical direction. The detection unit 101 outputs a detection signal when it detects lock plate 99 (see FIG. 4). The detection unit 147 outputs a detection signal when it detects dog 148 (see FIG. 5).

[0091] 7, in order to clarify the installation positions of the detection units, for example, detection unit 89 provided on tamping unit support frame 24 on the left side is represented as 89L, and detection unit 89 provided on tamping unit support frame 25 on the right side is represented as 89R. Similarly, for detection units 91-94 provided on tamping units 8 and 10 located on the front side, detection units 95-98 provided on tamping units 9 and 11 located on the rear side, and detection unit 101 provided on mounting bases 61 and 62, the detection unit on the left side has the letter L added after the number, and the detection unit on the right side has the letter R added after the number.

[0092] The detection unit 171 is a detection unit, and is, for example, a limit switch, for detecting that the manual clutch 186 has been switched to a release position where the transmission of power from the hydraulic motor 185 to the drive wheels 2a is released by the operation of the lever 187. A member (not shown) that is linked to the movement of the lever 187 is provided with a dog (not shown) at a position that is detected by the detection unit 171 when the clutch 186 has been switched to the release position by the lever 187. The detection unit 171 outputs a detection signal when it detects the dog.

[0093] The detection unit 172 is a detection unit, for example a limit switch, for detecting that the manual parking brake 30 (see FIG. 2) has been switched to a braking position that brakes the multiple tamper-evident brake 1 by operating a lever. A member (not shown) that is linked to the movement of the lever of the parking brake 30 is provided with a dog (not shown) at a position that is detected by the detection unit 172 when the parking brake 30 has been switched to the braking position by the lever. The detection unit 172 outputs a detection signal when it detects the dog.

[0094] In addition, detection unit 171 and detection unit 172, as well as the above-mentioned detection units 89, 91 to 89, and 147, do not necessarily have to be switches capable of contact detection such as limit switches, and may be configured to use sensors capable of non-contact detection such as proximity sensors.

[0095] A control valve 180 is connected to the controller 150 as an output device (output section) to which a signal is output. The controller 150 calculates the operating conditions of the hydraulic actuator based on input signals from various switches such as the left movement switch 161 or various detectors such as the detector 89, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operating conditions to the control valve 180 via the input / output device. Based on the signal received from the controller 150, the control valve 180 controls the pressure, flow rate, and direction of the hydraulic oil pumped up by the hydraulic pump 47 so that the hydraulic oil operates under the operating conditions, and supplies the hydraulic oil to the target hydraulic actuator.

[0096] The control valve 180 is connected to hydraulic actuators such as a hydraulic cylinder 76 that moves the tamping unit support frame 24 laterally (left and right), a hydraulic cylinder 77 that moves the tamping unit support frame 25 laterally, a hydraulic cylinder 67 that moves the tamping units 8 and 10 up and down, a hydraulic cylinder 68 that moves the tamping units 9 and 11 up and down, a hydraulic cylinder 123 that raises and lowers (moves up and down) the roll section 124, and a hydraulic motor 185 of the traveling device 12.

[0097] In Figure 7, in order to clarify the installation positions of the hydraulic cylinders 67, 68, the hydraulic cylinder 67 corresponding to the tamping unit 8 located on the front left side is represented as hydraulic cylinder 67FL, the hydraulic cylinder 67 corresponding to the tamping unit 10 located on the front right side is represented as hydraulic cylinder 67FR, the hydraulic cylinder 68 corresponding to the tamping unit 9 located on the rear left side is represented as hydraulic cylinder 68BL, and the hydraulic cylinder 68 corresponding to the tamping unit 11 located on the rear right side is represented as hydraulic cylinder 68BR.

[0098] Other output devices connected to the controller 150 include a travel-ready lamp 166 provided on the operation panel 28, an unlock lamp 168 provided near the lift switch 167, and a forwarding-ready indicator lamp 33 (see FIG. 2). The notification means is not limited to light-emitting elements such as the travel-ready lamp 166, but may also include a display screen capable of displaying text, a sound output unit such as a speaker, and the like.

[0099] The controller 150 has a hardware configuration and functional units realized by software, including a traveling control unit 191, a lateral movement control unit 192, a tamping control unit 193, a rolling stock lock state notification unit 194, a forwarding possible notification unit 195, and a traveling possible notification unit 196.

[0100] The travel control unit 191 causes the multiple tamper element 1 to self-propel (travel) in accordance with the operation status of the travel direction switch 165 and the foot switch 29. Specifically, when an operator operates the travel direction switch 165 to specify a travel direction (forward or reverse) and steps on the foot switch 29, the travel control unit 191 controls the control valve 180 to operate the hydraulic motor 185 so that the multiple tamper element 1 travels in the specified travel direction. As a result, the rotational power of the hydraulic motor 185 is transmitted to the drive wheels 2a via the clutch 186, and the multiple tamper element 1 travels in the specified travel direction.

[0101] The travel control unit 191 allows the multiple tamper 1 to travel when the foot switch 29 is operated, provided that a predetermined travel-enabling condition is met. The travel-enabling condition is met, for example, when the detection units 91 (91L, 91R), 95 (95L, 95R) detect that the tamping units 8 to 11 are in the upper limit position, and the detection unit 147 detects that the stopper 141 is in the locked position (i.e., the wheel unit 124 is locked in the stored position).

[0102] By allowing the multiple tamper 1 to travel only when the travelling conditions are met, it is possible to prevent the beaters 51 of the tamping units 8 to 11 from coming into contact with ballast or the like and being damaged while traveling, and it is also possible to prevent the wheel section 124 from falling and being damaged.

[0103] The lateral movement control unit 192 moves the left tamping unit support frame 24 (tamping units 8, 9) or the right tamping unit support frame 25 (tamping units 10, 11) of the machine body 3 laterally in the left-right direction depending on the operation status of the left movement switch 161 and the right movement switch 162, and the detection status of the dogs 81 to 88 by the detection unit 89 (89L, 89R).

[0104] Specifically, when an operator operates at least one of the left movement switch 161 or the right movement switch 162, the lateral movement control unit 192 controls the control valve 180 and operates the hydraulic cylinder 76 so that the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 move in the movement direction (left or right) specified by the operation while the operation continues (for example, while the switches 161, 162 are lever switches and are tilted left or right). This causes the hydraulic cylinders 76, 77 to extend or contract so as to move in the specified movement direction, and the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 move in the specified movement direction.

[0105] When the operator finishes operating the left movement switch 161 or the right movement switch 162 (for example, when the lever switch returns to its initial position by releasing the hand), the lateral movement control unit 192 controls the control valve 180 to stop the operation of the hydraulic cylinders 76, 77. This stops the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 that were moving.

[0106] If the detection unit 89 (89L) detects dogs 81 to 84 while the tamping unit support frame 24 is moving, the lateral movement control unit 192 controls the control valve 180 to stop the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 76. If the detection unit 89 (89R) detects dogs 85 to 88 while the tamping unit support frame 25 is moving, the lateral movement control unit 192 controls the control valve 180 to stop the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 77. As a result, the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 (tamping units 8 to 11) stop at positions corresponding to the installation positions of the dogs 81 to 88.

[0107] Of the dogs 81-88 detected by the detection unit 89, two dogs 81, 82, which are half of the dogs corresponding to the tamping unit support frame 24, and two dogs 85, 86, which are half of the dogs corresponding to the tamping unit support frame 25, are provided at positions between the rails (inside the rails) where the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 can be stopped, and since the tamping units 8, 9 and the tamping units 10, 11 are stopped at these positions, it is easy to arrange the tamping units 8-11 in positions where balance during turning is easy (i.e., the above-mentioned balance position or inside thereof). A configuration may be adopted in which the positions corresponding to the dogs 81, 85 (i.e., the storage position of the tamping unit support frames 24, 25) or the positions corresponding to the dogs 82, 86 are the balance positions.

[0108] The lateral movement control unit 192 allows the lateral movement of the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 when the left movement switch 161 or the right movement switch 162 is operated, provided that a predetermined lateral movement enabling condition is met. The lateral movement enabling condition is, for example, when the detection units 91 (91L, 91R), 95 (95L, 95R) detect that the tamping units 8 to 11 are at their upper limit positions.

[0109] By allowing the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 to move laterally only when the lateral movement enabling conditions are met, it is possible to prevent the beaters 51 of the tamping units 8 to 11 from coming into contact with ballast or the like and being damaged during lateral movement.

[0110] In addition, instead of detecting the upper limit position by the detection units 91, 95, the detection by the detection unit 101 (101L, 101R) that the tamping units 8 to 10 are fixed by the lock plate 99 may be added to at least one of the conditions for lateral movement or the above-mentioned conditions for travelling.

[0111] The tamping control unit 193 moves the four tamping units 8 to 11 up and down depending on the operation status of the target selection switch 163 and the up and down movement switch 164, and the detection status of the dog 69 by the detection units 91 to 94 (91L to 94L, 91R to 94R) and the detection units 95 to 98 (95L to 98L, 95R to 98R), and performs tamping work (compacting work) using the beater 51 inserted into the ballast.

[0112] Specifically, when an operator operates the up / down movement switch 164 to move it downward (for example, if the up / down movement switch 164 is a lever switch, the operator pushes the switch forward to tilt it), the tamping control unit 193 controls the control valve 180, and while the operation continues (for example, while the lever switch is tilted), extends the hydraulic cylinder among the hydraulic cylinders 67 (67FL, 67FR) and hydraulic cylinders 68 (68BL, 68BR) that corresponds to the tamping unit (hereinafter also referred to as the "target tamping unit") selected as the target for operation by operating the target selection switch 163, and lowers the target tamping unit.

[0113] On the other hand, when the worker operates the up / down movement switch 164 to move upward (for example, by pulling the lever switch toward the front (rearward) and tilting it), the tamping control unit 193 controls the control valve 180, and while the operation continues, contracts the hydraulic cylinder of the four hydraulic cylinders 67, 68 corresponding to the target tamping unit selected by operating the target selection switch 163, thereby raising the target tamping unit.

[0114] When the detection unit 94 or detection unit 98 of the target tamping unit descends to a position where it detects the dog 69 (i.e., the lower limit position of the target tamping unit), and the operator stops operating the up / down movement switch 164 (for example, when the lever switch returns to its initial position by releasing the hand), the tamping control unit 193 starts automatic tamping work by the target tamping unit.

[0115] The automatic tamping operation is an operation in which, for example, the tip of the beater 51 vibrated by the vibration motor 52 moves the target tamping device up and down several times (e.g., three times) between the pressurizing position and the lowest position, and then the target tamping device is raised to the middle stop position, a series of operations that are automatically performed a predetermined number of times (e.g., three times). The tamping control unit 193 controls the control valve 180 based on the detection status of the detection units 92-94 or 96-98 of the target tamping unit, and causes the target tamping unit to perform the automatic tamping operation.

[0116] When the automatic tamping operation is completed, the tamping control unit 193 contracts the hydraulic cylinder corresponding to the target tamping unit and raises the target tamping unit to a position where the detection unit 91 or the detection unit 95 detects the dog 69 (i.e., the upper limit position of the target tamping unit). Note that if the worker operates the up / down movement switch 164 to move upward before the automatic tamping operation is completed, the tamping control unit 193 ends the automatic tamping operation and raises the target tamping unit.

[0117] The tamping control unit 193 can cause the target tamping unit selected by the target selection switch 163 from among the tamping units 8 to 11 to perform the tamping work. In other words, the tamping control unit 193 independently controls the tamping operations of the tamping units 8 to 11 provided on the front, rear, left and right sides, making it possible to perform work in a detailed manner and preventing any items from being left unthrust during the tamping work.

[0118] The wheel lock state notification unit 194 turns on the lock release lamp 168 when the detection unit 147 does not detect that the stopper 141 is in the locked position. The lock release lamp 168 is provided near the lift switch 167. Therefore, an operator who is about to operate the lift switch 167 can confirm that the lock release lamp 168 is on. This prevents the wheel part 124 from being lowered while locked by the stopper 141, which could result in damage to the stopper 141, etc.

[0119] The forwarding possibility notification unit 195 turns on the forwarding possibility indicator light 33 when a predetermined forwarding possibility condition is met. The forwarding possibility condition is, for example, when the detection unit 147 detects that the stopper 141 is in the locked position (i.e., the turning unit 124 is locked in the storage position), the detection unit 101 (101L, 101R) detects that the tamping units 8 to 10 are fixed by the lock plate 99, and the detection unit 171 detects that the lever 187 of the clutch 186 has been switched to the released position.

[0120] An operator can recognize that the forwarding possible conditions are met by visually checking the forwarding possible indicator light 33. This prevents the beaters 51 of the tamping units 8 to 11 from coming into contact with ballast or the like and being damaged during forwarding (towing), and also prevents the rolling stock 124 from falling and being damaged. It also prevents damage to the clutch 186, hydraulic motor 185, etc., caused by forcibly towing the vehicle even though the clutch 186 is engaged.

[0121] The forwarding possible condition may be configured to include a case where a braking force is applied to the drive wheels 2a by an operator switching the lever of the parking brake 30 to the braking position. In other words, the forwarding possible condition may be configured to include a case where the detection unit 172 detects that the manual parking brake 30 has been switched to the braking position, in addition to the above-mentioned conditions.

[0122] The travel-enabled notification unit 196 turns on the travel-enabled lamp 166 when the above-mentioned travel-enabled conditions are met. This allows the worker to determine whether or not the multiple tamper-evident 1 is travel-enabled based on the lighting state of the travel-enabled lamp 166. Note that the travel control unit 191 may be configured to cause the multiple tamper-evident 1 to travel even when the travel-enabled conditions are not met, and providing the travel-enabled notification unit 196 in such a configuration can prevent the worker from traveling the multiple tamper-evident 1 in a situation where the travel-enabled conditions are not met.

[0123] As explained above, the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment is configured to be small enough to be loaded onto the bed 501 of a truck 500 with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons, and therefore has excellent transportability, allowing it to be used not only for rail travel but also for road transport by the truck 500. Furthermore, because it is small, it is possible to perform fine tamping work (compacting work), so by having the multiple tie tamper 1 work on parts that a larger multiple tie tamper has not tamped, it is possible to maintain the condition of the track in good condition.

[0124] Furthermore, the multiple tie tamper 1 of this embodiment is equipped with the turntable 13, which allows it to be turned around at the site of track maintenance work. As a result, when it becomes necessary to move in the reverse direction due to returning to the base, moving to a different site, or emergency evacuation, the multiple tie tamper 1 (machine body 3) can be turned around by the turntable 13, allowing the front-to-rear orientation of the multiple tie tamper 1 to be changed on the spot, providing excellent convenience.

[0125] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which the design dimensions of the front underframe 21 are set so that the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during a turn can be adjusted depending on the arrangement of the load, but instead of or in addition to the front underframe 21, the design dimensions of other parts constituting the vehicle body 3, such as the rear underframe 22, may be set so that the balance of the multiple tie tamper 1 during a turn can be adjusted depending on the arrangement of the load. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the design dimensions of the loading platform portion, such as the front underframe 21, can be set so that a weight for balancing can be loaded as a load. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which positions for loading the balancing weights are provided in multiple locations.

[0126] <Variation 2> In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the multiple tamper 1 is turned by manually moving the turning device 13 has been exemplified. However, a configuration in which the turning plate 131 is rotated using a drive device such as a motor to turn the multiple tamper 1 may also be used. In this case, the controller 150 may be configured to control the drive device so that the multiple tamper 1 turns in the direction and amount of turning (turning angle) specified by the operator. When the controller 150 controls the drive device, the multiple tamper 1 may be allowed to turn if predetermined turning enabling conditions are met. The turning enabling conditions may include, for example, each of the conditions exemplified above as the travel enabling conditions, as well as a case in which the tamping units 8 to 11 are positioned at or inside the balanced position.

[0127] <Variation 3> In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the spacer 133 is interposed between the rolling plate 131 and the plate support 132 has been exemplified, but a configuration in which the rolling plate 131 is rotated approximately horizontally relative to the plate support 132 using a bearing may also be used.

[0128] <Variation 4> In the above embodiment, the bracket 137 is attached to the block 126, but the attachment position of the bracket 137 does not necessarily have to be the block 126, but may be a part that constitutes the turning device 13 and that moves in response to the turning of the multiple tamper 1 when the turning device 13 turns. Therefore, for example, the bracket 137 may be attached to an attachment portion provided on the surface of the turning plate 131. Also, instead of the bracket 137, a through-hole penetrating in the lateral direction may be provided in the rod 121, and a stopper 141 may be inserted into the through-hole to lock the turning part 124.

[0129] <Variation 5> In the above embodiment, the case where the unlock lamp 168 is turned on by the wheel lock state notification unit 194 when the detection unit 147 does not detect that the stopper 141 is in the locked position has been exemplified, but the wheel lock state notification unit 194 may be configured to turn on a lock confirmation lamp that notifies the detection unit 147 that the stopper 141 is in the locked position when the detection unit 147 detects that the stopper 141 is in the locked position, instead of or in addition to turning on the unlock lamp 168. Even with such a configuration, the wheel part 124 can be prevented from being lowered when it is locked by the stopper 141.

[0130] <Variation 6> In the above embodiment, two dogs (dogs 81, 82 or dogs 85, 86) are provided within the movement range of each tamping unit support frame 24, 25 as dogs provided at positions that allow the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 to stop inside the rail. However, in addition to these two, at least one more dog may be provided that allows the tamping unit support frames 24, 25 to stop inside the rail. This allows more than half of the stopping positions of the tamping unit support frame 24 (tamping units 8, 9) and the tamping unit support frame 25 (tamping units 10, 11) to be inside the rail, making it easier to position the tamping units 8 to 11 in positions that make it easier to balance them during rotation. In this case, an additional dog may be provided at a position corresponding to the balance position.

[0131] <Variation 7> In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case in which a hydraulic actuator such as the hydraulic cylinder 123 is used as an actuator to operate each part of the multiple tamper 1, such as the rolling device 13, but instead of some or all of the hydraulic actuators, it is also possible to use an actuator that is operated by a medium other than hydraulic oil, such as a hydraulic actuator that is operated by a liquid other than hydraulic oil (for example, water or glycerin), or a gas pressure actuator that is operated by a gas such as air.

[0132] <Variation 8> In the above embodiment, the multiple tamper 1 is illustrated as traveling by the rotational power of the hydraulic motor 185, but the multiple tamper 1 may be configured to travel by the power of an electric motor instead of the hydraulic motor 185. Also, the multiple tamper 1 may be configured to travel by using an engine as power.

[0133] The present invention has been described above based on the above-described embodiments and modifications. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is readily apparent that various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments or modifications may be modified by adding or replacing a part or parts of the configuration of the embodiment or modification with the embodiment or modification. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​given in the above-described embodiments or modifications are merely examples, and other numerical values ​​may of course be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1 Multiple Tie Tamper 4. Generator (power source) 8~11 Tamping unit 12 Running gear 13 Turntable (Means for turning) 21 Front frame (cargo area) 46 Pump motor 47 Hydraulic Pump 67, 68 Hydraulic cylinder (up and down movement means) 76,77 Hydraulic cylinder (lateral movement means) 89 Detecting unit (width direction detecting means) 99 Lock plate (fixing means) 101 Detection unit (fixed detection means) 123 Hydraulic Cylinder (Means for lifting and lowering the turntable section) 124 Turntable 131 Turntable Plate 132 Plate holder (Receiving department) 133 Spacer 136 Bracket (first inserting member, locking means) 137 Bracket (second insertion member, locking means) 141 Stopper (rod-shaped member, locking means) 147 Detection unit (lock detection means) 171 Detection unit (release detection means) 185 Hydraulic motor (travel drive means) 186 Clutch (power transmission means) 187 Lever (transmission release means) 192 Lateral movement control unit (lateral movement control means) 193 Tamping control unit (tamping control means) 194 Rolling stock lock status notification unit (lock release notification means) 195 Forwardable notification unit (forwardable notification means)

Claims

1. A small-sized multiple tamper includes a body having wheels that can run on a rail, and a pair of left and right tamping units that are provided on the body and spaced apart in the width direction of the rail, and can be loaded onto the bed of a truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 6.5 tons, Power supply and a pump driven by a pump motor driven by power supplied from the power source; a turning means provided on the underside of the machine body, capable of raising and lowering the multiple tamper between a resting state in which the wheels are resting on the rails and a lifted state in which the wheels are separated upward from the rails by the medium supplied from the pump, and capable of turning the multiple tamper in a horizontal direction in the lifted state; The turning means is a turning unit that is grounded on a track between the rails and turns the airframe in a horizontal direction; a wheel unit lifting / lowering means driven by the medium supplied from the pump to lift / lower the wheel unit, the rolling stock is lowered by the rolling stock lifting means and placed on the track between the rails, and the multiple tie tamper is then shifted from the placed state to the lifted state. A multiple tie tamper characterized by:

2. the vehicle body includes a loading platform for loading a load including at least the power source and a unit including the pump motor and the pump; The loading platform is configured to have a design dimension that allows the load to be placed thereon so that the balance of the multiple tamper in the lifted state can be adjusted.

2. The multiple tamper according to claim 1.

3. The turning section is a metal dish-shaped receiving portion; a metal, disk-shaped rolling plate that is connected to the machine body, accommodated in the receiving portion, and rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the receiving portion; a resin spacer interposed between the rolling plate and the receiving portion, 3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The rolling plate has a circular convex portion in a top view at the center of the surface on the receiving portion side, The receiving portion has a recess into which the protrusion is inserted so as to rotate the rolling plate.

4. The multiple tamper according to claim 3.

5. a rod-shaped member attached to the airframe; a first insertion member attached to the airframe and having an insertion hole through which the rod-shaped member can be inserted; a second insertion member attached to the rolling means and having an insertion hole through which the rod-shaped member can be inserted; the locking means locks the rolling means at a predetermined storage position by passing the rod-shaped member through the insertion holes of the first insertion member and the second insertion member when the rolling means is at the storage position, The second insertion member is attached to a portion of the rotating means that moves in accordance with the rotation of the rotating means when the rotating means rotates.

3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. a locking means for locking the rolling means at a predetermined storage position; a lock detection means for detecting that the rolling means is locked at the storage position by the locking means; and a lock release notification means for notifying the user when the lock is not detected by the lock detection means.

3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. a lateral movement means driven by the medium supplied from the pump and moving the tamping unit in the width direction of the rail; a width direction detecting means capable of detecting a plurality of points within a width direction movement range of the rail in the tamping unit; a lateral movement control means for stopping the movement of the tamping unit by the lateral movement means at a position detected by the width direction detection means while the tamping unit is being moved by the lateral movement means, At least half of the plurality of positions detectable by the width direction detection means are positions set so that the tamping unit can be stopped between rails, When the tamping unit is located outside a predetermined position set between the rails, the turning by the turning means is performed after the tamping unit is moved to the predetermined position or inside thereof by the lateral movement means.

3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. a vertical movement means driven by the medium supplied from the pump and moving the tamping unit in a vertical direction; a fixing means for fixing the tamping unit at a predetermined storage position provided at the upper end side of the vertical movement range of the tamping unit; a fixation detection means for detecting that the tamping unit has been fixed by the fixing means; a locking means for locking the rolling means at a predetermined storage position; a lock detection means for detecting that the rolling means is locked at the storage position by the locking means; a traveling device that drives the wheels, the traveling device including a traveling drive means and a power transmission device that transmits power from the traveling drive means to the wheels; a transmission disconnecting means capable of disconnecting the transmission of the power from the power transmission device to the wheels; a release detection means for detecting that the transmission by the power transmission device has been released by the transmission release means; and a forwarding possible notification means for notifying that the multiple tie tamper can be forwarded by towing when the fixing detection means detects that the tamping unit has been fixed by the fixing means, the locking detection means detects that the turning means has been locked at the storage position by the locking means, and the release detection means detects that the transmission by the power transmission device has been released by the transmission release means.

3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. each of the pair of left and right tamping units includes a front tamping unit disposed on a front side and a rear tamping unit disposed on a rear side; a tamping control means capable of independently controlling the tamping operations of the front tamping unit and the rear tamping unit constituting one of the pair of left and right tamping units, and the front tamping unit and the rear tamping unit constituting the other tamping unit, 3. The multiple tamper according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images