Track maintenance cart

Abstract

To provide a rail maintenance cart that travels on a railway rail in a simple structure.SOLUTION: A rail maintenance cart comprises: a cart body which is provided with a front wheel 11b2 and a rear wheel 11c2 and seats 11c3, 11c3, travels on a rail while allowing passengers to ride, and is provided with two handle post attachment portions; a handle post portion 12 which is detachably attached to one handle post attachment portion and rotates the front wheel 11b2, which is a driving wheel, via a post rotation transmission shaft in a hollow post portion by an electric motor 13; a handle post section 12' which is detachably attached to the other handle post attachment portion and rotates the front wheel 11b2, which is the driving wheel, via the post rotation transmission shaft in the hollow post portion by an engine 13'; a brake portion 17 which has an anti-runaway brake function and a normal brake function; and other components. The rail maintenance cart is equipped with the electric motor 13 and the engine 13' and travels by using them alternately, or travels by using only one of the electric motor 13 and the engine 13'.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a maintenance cart that travels on railway tracks.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to perform maintenance work on railway tracks, a manual maintenance cart that travels on railway tracks by pedaling like a bicycle (for example, see Patent Document 1) has been adopted. In recent years, in order to reduce the burden on maintenance workers, an electric maintenance cart that is equipped with a battery and drives a motor by the current from the battery to travel on railway tracks (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3) has been increasingly adopted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the maintenance cart of Patent Document 1 described above has a problem in that the burden on the operator is large because it travels on railway tracks by pedaling like a bicycle.

[0005] In addition, in the maintenance carts of Patent Documents 2 and 3 described above, since the battery and the motor are provided separately, wiring for supplying current from the battery to the motor is required, and there are problems such as a complicated structure and easy failure.

[0006] Furthermore, in the case of track maintenance carts powered by a motor supplied from a battery, charging the battery takes time, and depending on the battery capacity, the driving range tends to be shorter compared to track maintenance carts powered by engines using gasoline or other fuels, which may hinder smooth track maintenance work.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a track maintenance cart that, firstly, can run on railway tracks with a simple structure, and secondly, has no limitations on the distance it can travel, does not hinder smooth track maintenance work, and improves work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, the track maintenance cart according to the present invention comprises a cart body that travels on rails by rotating drive wheels via a rotation transmission mechanism, and a handle post section provided on the cart body and equipped with a handle section for the rider to grasp, wherein the handle post section further comprises a drive source which is an electric motor or engine that rotates the post rotation transmission shaft, and the on / off control of the drive source. Post-rotational transmission shaft The system also includes a running control unit that controls the rotation of the drive wheels via a rotation transmission mechanism to control the movement of the track maintenance cart. The upper end of the handle post is mounted such that the drive source shaft faces downward, and the handle post is hollow and is provided with the post rotation transmission shaft connected to the shaft, and the drive wheel is rotated via the post rotation transmission shaft and the rotation transmission mechanism. It is characterized by the following: Furthermore, the track maintenance cart according to the present invention comprises a cart body that travels on rails by rotating drive wheels via a rotation transmission mechanism, and a handle post provided on the cart body and equipped with a handle for the occupant to grasp, wherein the handle post is further provided with a drive source, which is an electric motor or engine that rotates the post rotation transmission shaft, and a running control unit that controls the rotation of the drive wheels via the post rotation transmission shaft and rotation transmission mechanism by controlling the on / off state of the drive source, thereby controlling the running of the track maintenance cart, and the cart body is provided with the drive wheels on a drive wheel shaft that rotates via the rotation transmission mechanism, and the drive wheel shaft is provided with a handle post mounting portion. A handle post connecting portion is provided at the lower end of the handle post portion, and the handle post connecting portion is detachably attached to the handle post mounting portion. The handle post rotation transmission shaft of the handle post portion rotates the drive wheel via the rotation transmission mechanism and the drive wheel shaft. Furthermore, the electric cart according to the present invention is also characterized in that the drive wheel is provided with two handle post mounting portions, and the handle post connecting portion of the handle post is detachably connected to each of the two handle post mounting portions. Furthermore, the electric cart according to the present invention is also characterized in that the drive source is a battery-powered electric motor that rotates the shaft by supplying current from a rechargeable battery attached to the electric motor body. Furthermore, the electric cart according to the present invention is characterized in that the battery-powered electric motor is a battery-powered electric motor for a stirrer, and is configured so that the shaft rotates due to inertia even when the power is turned off. Furthermore, the electric cart according to the present invention is also characterized in that the drive wheel, which is rotated by the drive source, is equipped with a one-way clutch type freewheel that permits rotation only in the forward direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the track maintenance cart according to the present invention, the cart body on which the occupant sits is provided with a handle post section having a handle section for the occupant to grasp, and the handle post section is further provided with a drive source, which is an electric motor or engine that rotates the post rotation transmission shaft, and the post rotation is controlled by turning the drive source on and off. Communication The system includes a drive control unit that controls the rotation of the drive wheels via the shaft and rotation transmission mechanism to control the movement of the track maintenance cart. Therefore, it can run on railway tracks with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a driver riding in a track maintenance cart according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of a track maintenance cart according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view of a track maintenance cart according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 3. [Figure 5]The side view which shows the state where two handle post parts, to which an electric motor and an engine are respectively attached, are removed from the cart body of the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] The plan view which shows the state where two handle post parts, to which an electric motor and an engine are respectively attached, are removed from the cart body of the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] The front view which shows the state where two handle post parts, to which an electric motor and an engine are respectively attached, are removed from the cart body of the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8] The side view which shows the side view of the handle post part which constitutes the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the running control part, the runaway prevention brake wire, etc. omitted. [Figure 9] The front view of the handle post part in the state shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] The plan view of the handle post part in the state shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] The side view which shows the side view of the handle post part which constitutes the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the running control part, the runaway prevention brake wire, etc. illustrated. [Figure 12] The enlarged side view of the main part which shows the state of the running control part, the switch on / off operation mechanism part for the drive source, etc. when the operation lever is not operated and the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is in the stopped state. [Figure 13] The enlarged plan view of the main part which shows the state of the brake part when the operation lever is not operated and the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is in the stopped state. [Figure 14] The enlarged side view of the main part which shows the state of the running control part, the switch on / off operation mechanism part for the drive source, etc. when the operation lever is operated and the brake part is released in the cart for wire protection according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 15]It is an enlarged front view of the main part showing the state of the brake part when the operation lever is operated in the cart for line protection of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention and the anti-runaway brake is in the released state where the brake part is released. [Figure 16] It is an enlarged side view of the main part showing the state of the travel control part and the drive source on / off operation mechanism part when the operation lever is further operated in the cart for line protection of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, the brake part is released, and then the drive source switch of the battery-powered electric motor is switched from off to on and the cart for line protection is running. [Figure 17] It is an enlarged front view of the main part showing the state of the brake part when the operation lever is further operated in the cart for line protection of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, the brake part is released, and then the drive source switch of the battery-powered electric motor is switched from off to on and the cart for line protection is running. [Figure 18] It is an enlarged front view of the main part showing the state of the brake part when the foot brake part is stepped on and the normal brake is activated while the anti-runaway brake of the cart for line protection of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention is released and running. [Figure 19] It is a front view of the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a plan view of the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 21] It is a right side view of the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a side view of the handle post equipped with an engine as a drive source used in the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a front view of the handle post part equipped with an engine as a drive source used in the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 24] It is a front view showing a state where two handle post parts, on which an electric motor and an engine are respectively mounted, are removed from the cart body of the cart for line protection of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. [Figure 25]This is a plan view showing the state in which the two handle post sections, each equipped with an electric motor and an engine, have been removed from the cart body of the track maintenance cart according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 26] This is a right side view showing the state in which the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link on the handle post side, where the engine is mounted as the drive source, is stepped on in a track maintenance cart according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, thereby releasing the runaway prevention brake. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, the track maintenance carts 1 and 1' of Embodiments 1 and 2 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that Embodiments 1 and 2 described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 and 2 below, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0012] Embodiment 1. <Configuration of the track maintenance cart 1 in Embodiment 1> The track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 is an electric cart that uses an electric motor 13 equipped with a detachable battery as a drive source, and as shown in Figures 1 to 7, it is configured to include a cart body 11, a handle post 12, a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, a running control unit 14, a drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15, a rotation transmission mechanism 16, a brake unit 17, and the like.

[0013] (Cart body 11) The cart body 11 is constructed by joining steel materials such as square timbers and square pipes by welding or bolts, and includes front wheels 11b2, 11b2 connected to the front and rear of the cart body frame 11a by front axle 11b1, rear wheels 11c2, 11c2 connected by rear axle 11c1, and left and right seats 11c3, 11c3 for two passengers, including the driver.

[0014] The front wheels 11b2, 11b2 are drive wheels that are rotated by a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 via a rotation transmission mechanism 16, and are equipped with free wheels 11b21, 11b21 that have a one-way clutch mechanism that allows rotation only in the forward direction.

[0015] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1, the handle post portion 12, which has a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 mounted on the upper part of the handle post portion 12, is detachably attached to the cart body 11, and therefore the cart body 11 is provided with a handle post mounting portion 11c4.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the handle post mounting section 11c4 is provided on the cart body frame 11a of the cart body 11 by welding or the like to the handle post mounting plates 11c41, 11c41, and consists of connecting holes provided in the handle post mounting plates 11c41, 11c41 and connecting pins 11c32 that pass through connecting holes 12c1, 12c1 (see Figure 8) provided in the handle post connecting plates 12c, 12c at the lower end of the handle post 12.

[0017] Therefore, the handle post section 12 and the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 attached to the upper part of the handle post section 12 can be detached from the cart body 11, thereby improving maintainability.

[0018] The cart body 11 is equipped with headlights, a horn, a taillight, etc., although these are not shown in the diagram. The headlights and horn may, of course, be mounted on the handle post 12.

[0019] (Handle post section 12) As shown in Figures 1, 8, 11, and 12, the handle post section 12 rises from the cart body 11 and includes a hollow post section 12a at its upper part, which houses a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 and a driving control unit 14, the latter of which are mounted on a detachable battery 13b that rotates a shaft 13a2 using current supplied by the detachable battery 13b; a post rotation transmission shaft 12b located within the hollow post section 12a and connected to the shaft 13a of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, which transmits the rotation of the shaft 13a2 to the rotation transmission mechanism 16; a handle post connecting plate 12c located at the lower end of the hollow post section 12a and connected to the handle post mounting plates 11c41, 11c41 of the handle post mounting section 11c4 by connecting pins 11c42 (see Figure 4); and a handle section 12d for the driver to grasp.

[0020] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a chuck portion 12b1 is provided at the upper end of the post rotary transmission shaft 12b, which is connected to the tip of the shaft 13a of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13. Meanwhile, a drive bevel gear connecting portion 12b2 is provided at the lower end of the post rotary transmission shaft 12b, which fits into a hexagonal recess provided on the drive bevel gear 16c of the rotary transmission mechanism 16, thus transmitting the rotation of the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 to the drive bevel gear 16c of the rotary transmission mechanism 16 via the post rotary transmission shaft 12b.

[0021] (Detachable battery-powered electric motor 13) The detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 consists of an electric motor body 13a that rotates the shaft 13a2 by turning the drive source switch 13a1 on or off, and a detachable battery 13b that is detachably attached to the electric motor body 13a and supplies drive current to the electric motor body 13a. In this embodiment 1, a commercially available electric motor is used for stirring, that is, an electric motor that continues to rotate the shaft 13a2 even after the power is turned off.

[0022] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of this embodiment 1, the driver does not directly operate the drive source switch 13a1 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 in order to move the cart body 11. Instead, as described later, the driver operates the operation lever 14b1 of the running control unit 14 to turn the drive source switch 13a1 on or off via the drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15.

[0023] (Driving control unit 14) As shown in Figures 1, 11, and 12, the driving control unit 14 is located on the upper part of the handle post 12 and controls the on / off switching of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 and the release of the brakes of the brake unit 17. It includes a driving control base 14a attached to the upper part of the hollow post 12a of the handle post 12 by welding or the like, a brake / drive source control cam plate 14b, a runaway prevention brake release link 14c, a drive source switch on / off link 14d, a drive source switch on / off wire 14e, and the like.

[0024] The driving control base section 14a is a base plate attached to the upper part of the hollow post section 12a of the handle post section 12 by welding or the like.

[0025] As shown in Figure 12, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b is rotatably mounted on the travel control base portion 14a via a pivot shaft portion 14b1 and is equipped with an operating lever 14b2 that the driver grips. Furthermore, when the cam plate 14b rotates clockwise around the pivot shaft portion 14b1, it contacts the force point end 14c2 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, causing the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to rotate and pull the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i connected to the working end 14c3 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, thereby releasing the runaway prevention brake state by the brake portion 17 first.

[0026] Furthermore, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b rotates clockwise via the pivot shaft portion 14b1, causing the runaway prevention brake release link contact portion 14b3 to contact the force application end 14c2 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, rotating the runaway prevention brake release link 14c counterclockwise and feeding the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i upwards and downwards in Figure 11. The runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j (see Figures 1 and 11, etc.), which is rotatably mounted on the cart body frame 11a, rotates clockwise, pulling the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k upwards and to the left in Figure 11, thereby releasing the runaway prevention brake state by the brake unit 17 first, followed by the drive source switch on / off link. The drive source switch on / off link contact part 14b4 contacts the force application end 14d2 of 14d, rotating the drive source switch on / off link 14d clockwise around its pivot axis 14d1, pulling the drive source switch on / off wire 14e connected to the working end 14d3 of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, and operating the drive source switch on / off mechanism 15 to turn on the drive source switch 13a1 of the electric motor body 13a of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13. A rotation prevention stopper 14b5 is provided that contacts the travel control base 14a to stop the rotation of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b after the brake is released by the brake unit 17 and the drive source switch 13a1 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is turned on.

[0027] As shown in Figure 12, the runaway prevention brake release link 14c is attached to the travel control base portion 14a by a pivot shaft portion 14c1 so as to be rotatable in the same plane as the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b and the drive source switch on / off link 14d. The force application end 14c2 is configured to contact the runaway prevention brake release link contact portion 14b3 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b, while the working end 14c3 is connected to the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i.

[0028] The drive source switch on / off link 14d is mounted to the travel control base 14a by a pivot shaft 14d1 so as to be rotatable in the same plane as the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b and the runaway prevention brake release link 14c. The force application end 14d2 is configured such that, as described later, the drive source switch on / off link contact portion 14b4 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b contacts it from below and rotates, and then the upper part of the force application end 14c2 of the interlocking runaway prevention brake release link 14c contacts it from below and rotates. Meanwhile, the operating end 14d3 is configured to pull the drive source switch on / off wire 14e by the counterclockwise rotation of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, thereby operating the drive source switch on / off mechanism 15 to control the on / off of the drive source switch 13a1 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13.

[0029] (Power source switch on / off operation mechanism 15) The drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15 is a mechanism for turning the drive source switch of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 on and off. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, it comprises operation plates 15a, 15a attached to both the left and right sides of the motor body 13a of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 so as to surround the drive source switch 13a1 from both sides, and an eccentric rotor 15b rotatably mounted between the operation plates 15a, 15a by an eccentric pivot shaft 15b1. The eccentric rotor 15b is provided with an eccentric rotor lever 15b2 which is connected to the working end 14d3 of the drive source switch on / off link 14d via a drive source switch on / off wire 14e. The eccentric rotor 15b is configured to push and pull the drive source switch 13a1 to turn it on and off by rotating around the eccentric pivot shaft 15b1.

[0030] (Rotation transmission mechanism 16) As shown in Figure 4, the rotation transmission mechanism 16 is configured to have a recess provided at the lower end of the post rotation transmission shaft 12b that fits onto the post rotation transmission shaft 12b, a connecting part 16b that is rotatably supported on the cart body frame 11a via a bearing part 16a, a rotating drive bevel gear 16c fixed to the lower end of the connecting part 16b, and a driven bevel gear 16d provided on the front wheel axle 11b1 that meshes with the drive bevel gear 16c. The operation of the driving control unit 14 rotates the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, which in turn rotates the front wheel axle 11b1 via the post rotation transmission shaft 12b and the rotation transmission mechanism 16 in the handle shaft 12, thereby rotating the drive wheels, the front wheels 11b2, 11b2.

[0031] (Brake section 17) The brake unit 17 is a mechanism that, even when the brake pedal 17g (see Figures 1 and 2, etc.) is not pressed, uses the tensile force of the first tension spring 14g, which is an elastic body, to pull the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i, causing the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j (see Figures 1 and 11, etc.), which is rotatably attached to the cart body frame 11a, to rotate counterclockwise, thereby feeding out the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k, creating the runaway prevention brake state shown in Figure 13, which will be described later. The brake shoes 17f, 17f then clamp the brake disc 17e provided on the rear axle 11c1, thereby braking the rear wheels 11c2, 11c2 provided at both ends of the rear axle 11c1. As shown in Figures 13 and 15, etc., the brake base unit 17 is fixed to the cart body frame 11a of the cart body 11 by welding or the like. The vehicle is equipped with a, a runaway prevention brake lever 17b rotatably mounted on the brake base portion 17a via a pivot shaft 17b1, a second tension spring 17c provided between the force application end 17b2 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b and the spring retaining portion 17a1 of the base portion 17a, which constantly pulls the force application end 17b2 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b clockwise, and a normal brake lever 17d rotatably mounted on the brake base portion 17a via a pivot shaft 17d1, to which the core wire 17h1 of the normal brake wire 17h is connected at the force application end 17d2, and which opens and closes the brake shoes 17f, 17f at the working end 17d3. In the runaway prevention brake state, as shown in Figure 13, the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b presses the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d to close the brake shoes 17f, 17f and apply the brakes. Therefore, the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b has a part of the disc missing to provide a straight brake lever contact portion 17b31. In the state shown in Figure 13, the corner of the brake lever contact portion 17b31 presses against the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b, putting the runaway prevention brake in place. In Figure 15, the surface of the brake lever contact portion 17b31 contacts the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b, releasing the runaway prevention brake.

[0032] In other words, the state shown in Figure 13 is one in which, as will be described later, the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b is not operated, the force application end 17b2 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b is pulled by the tensile force of the second tension spring 17c, and the corner of the brake lever contact portion 17b31 of the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b3 presses against the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b, closing the brake shoes 17f, 17f and clamping the brake disc 17e, thereby applying the brakes.

[0033] In response to this, as will be described later, when the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b is pulled, the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i is fed out, and when the runaway prevention brake lever 17b rotates counterclockwise in the β direction as shown in Figure 15 from the state shown in Figure 13, the surface of the brake lever contact portion 17b31 of the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b comes into contact with the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d. By pulling the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d to the left in Figure 15, the normal brake lever 17d rotates counterclockwise, opening the brake shoes 17f, 17f and releasing the brake disc 17e, thereby releasing the runaway prevention brake state by the brake unit 17.

[0034] Furthermore, even when the runaway prevention brake state is released, the brake unit 17 can be braked by pressing the brake pedal 17g, which is rotatably mounted on the cart body 11. This is done by closing the brake shoes 17f, 17f of the brake unit 17 via the normal brake wire 17h connected to the brake pedal 17g, as shown in Figure 18, which will be described later, and clamping the brake disc 17e provided on the rear axle 11c1.

[0035] <Operation of the track maintenance cart 1 in Embodiment 1> Next, the operation of the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1, configured as described above, will be explained.

[0036] (No occupants on board (runaway prevention brakes engaged)) When there are no occupants on board, as shown in Figure 12, the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b in the driving control unit 14 is not operated and remains in the upright position, and the runaway prevention brake release link 14c and the drive source switch on / off link 14d are not rotated by the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b.

[0037] Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, the tensile force of the first tension spring 14g pulls the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i upward in Figure 12, causing the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j (see Figures 1 and 11, etc.), which is rotatably attached to the cart body frame 11a, to rotate counterclockwise, and the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k is fed out to the right in Figure 1.

[0038] As a result, in the brake section 17, as shown in Figure 13, the runaway prevention brake lever 17b, to which the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k is connected, rotates in the α direction at the point of force 17b2 side due to the tensile force of the second tension spring 17c, maintaining a closed state. The corner of the brake lever contact portion 17b31 at the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b presses against the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d, pushing the piston rod 17m upwards and to the right in Figure 13, thereby closing the brake shoes 17f, 17f and clamping the brake disc 17e to apply the brake.

[0039] As a result, in the state shown in Figures 12 and 13, the maintenance cart 1 of this embodiment 1 has its brake unit 17 functioning, the runaway prevention brake is applied, and it is in a runaway prevention brake state where it does not move on its own.

[0040] Furthermore, in this state, as shown in Figure 12, the drive source switch on / off link 14d is not rotated by the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b, and therefore the eccentric rotor lever 15b2 is not pulled via the drive source switch on / off wire 14e connected to the working end 14d3 of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, and the drive source switch 13a1 is kept in the off state without the eccentric rotor 15b rotating around the eccentric rotation axis 15b1.

[0041] Therefore, in the states shown in Figures 12 and 13, not only is the brake unit 17 functioning, but the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is also in the off state, so the track maintenance cart 1 does not move.

[0042] (With the crew member in the vehicle and the control lever 14b2 pulled partway (runaway prevention disengaged)) When a crew member boards the track maintenance cart 1 of this embodiment 1 and pulls the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b partway, the running control unit 14, as shown in Figure 14, causes the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b to rotate partway clockwise around the pivot axis 14b1, the runaway prevention brake release link contact portion 14b3 rises, lifting the force point end 14c2 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, causing the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to rotate counterclockwise, and the working end 14c3 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to move downward against the first tension spring 14g, sending the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i downward.

[0043] As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j, which is rotatably supported on the cart body 11a, rotates clockwise, pulling the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k to the left in the upper left direction of Figure 1.

[0044] Therefore, in the brake section 17, as shown in Figure 15, the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k is pulled upward and downward in Figure 15, and the runaway prevention brake lever 17b rotates counterclockwise in direction β while resisting the tensile force of the second tension spring 17c, so that the linear brake lever contact portion 17b31 of the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b comes into contact with the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d, and the normal brake lever 17d begins to be pulled upward and to the left in Figure 15.

[0045] As shown in Figure 15, when the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b is pulled without pressing the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d, the normal brake lever 17d rotates counterclockwise, pulling the piston rod 17m to the left in Figure 15, causing the brake shoes 17f, 17f to open. As a result, the brake disc 17e is released, and the runaway prevention brake state by the brake unit 17 is released, as shown in Figure 15.

[0046] Therefore, since this state is one in which the runaway prevention brake is released, if the rail R being traveled on is laid in a steep gradient section, the maintenance cart 1 may run off on its own due to the gradient (inclination) of the rail R, and if the drive source switch 13a1 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is in the ON state, there is a possibility that the maintenance cart 1 will run off.

[0047] However, when the operating lever 14b2 shown in Figure 14 is pulled partway, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b causes the drive source switch on / off link 14d to rotate slightly counterclockwise, pulling the drive source switch on / off wire 14e connected to the working end 14d3 of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, which raises the eccentric rotor lever 15b2. As a result, the eccentric rotor 15b rotates slightly around the eccentric rotation axis 15b1, but the drive source switch 13a1 is not pressed and remains in the off state.

[0048] Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 14, although the brake of the brake unit 17 is released, the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is in the off state, so the track maintenance cart 1 does not move electrically.

[0049] (With the occupant seated and the control lever 14b2 pulled back until it stops (driving state)) When the driver further tilts the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b from the state shown in Figure 14 to bring it closer to horizontal, as shown in Figure 16, the rotation prevention stopper 14b5 provided on the opposite side of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b comes into contact with the lower end surface of the travel control base portion 14a, stopping the rotation of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b relative to the travel control base portion 14a.

[0050] Then, as shown in Figure 16, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b rotates even more clockwise than in the case shown in Figure 14, causing the runaway prevention brake release link contact portion 14b3 to rise, further lifting the force point end 14c2 side of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, causing the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to rotate counterclockwise, and the working end 14c3 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to move further against the first tension spring 14g, feeding out the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i.

[0051] As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j, which is rotatably supported on the cart body 11a, rotates further clockwise, pulling the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k further to the left in Figure 1.

[0052] As a result, in the brake section 17, as shown in Figure 17, the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k is pulled upwards and downwards in Figure 17, and the runaway prevention brake lever 17b rotates further counterclockwise in the β direction while resisting the tensile force of the second tension spring 17c, causing the working end 17b3 of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b to begin pressing against the working end 17d3 of the normal brake lever 17d, which rotates the normal brake lever 17d clockwise, pushing the piston rod 17m upwards and to the right in Figure 17, causing the brake shoes 17f, 17f to begin closing.

[0053] However, in this state, as described above, the rotation prevention stopper 14b5 provided on the opposite side of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b contacts the lower end surface of the travel control base portion 14a, stopping the rotation of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b relative to the travel control base portion 14a. As a result, the rotation of the runaway prevention brake lever 17b and the normal brake lever 17d also stops. Therefore, although the brake shoes 17f, 17f close more than in the state shown in Figure 15, they do not reach the point of applying the brakes by clamping the brake disc 17e, and the runaway prevention brake remains in a released state.

[0054] Incidentally, further counterclockwise rotation of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c causes the point of force 14c2 of the runaway prevention brake release link 14c to lift the point of force 14d2 side of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, as shown in Figure 16, causing the drive source switch on / off link 14d to rotate further counterclockwise.

[0055] As a result, the drive source switch on / off wire 14e, which is connected to the working end 14d3 of the drive source switch on / off link 14d, is pulled further, and the eccentric rotor lever 15b2 is also pulled further via the drive source switch on / off wire 14e, causing the eccentric rotor 15b to rotate further around the eccentric rotation axis 15b1, switching the drive source switch 13a1 from the off state to the on state.

[0056] Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 16, the brake of the brake unit 17 is released as shown in Figure 17, and the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is switched to the ON state, so the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 rotates the shaft 13a2 by the current supplied from the detachable battery 13b.

[0057] As a result, the post rotation transmission shaft 12b of the handle post section 12, which is connected to the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 by the chuck section 12b1, also rotates, and the drive bevel gear 16c at the lower end of the post rotation transmission shaft 12b also rotates, which in turn rotates the front wheel axle 11b1 via the driven bevel gear 16d of the rotation transmission mechanism section 16, causing the front wheels 11b2, 11b2 to rotate, and thus enabling the track maintenance cart 1 of this embodiment 1 to move.

[0058] Therefore, according to the track maintenance cart 1 of this embodiment 1, when there is no occupant, the brake unit 17 is functioning and the cart is in a runaway prevention brake state, preventing it from moving on its own. However, when an occupant gets on and pulls the operating lever 14b2 of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b, the brake unit 17 is released first, and then the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 switches to the ON state and the track maintenance cart 1 starts moving. As a result, the driver does not have to perform any complicated operations, and can easily and reliably release the runaway prevention brake state and start moving simply by operating the operating lever 14b2, without placing any extra load on the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13.

[0059] Furthermore, if the maintenance cart 1 needs to be stopped suddenly while in motion due to the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 being turned on, the driver will press the brake pedal 17g of the brake unit 17 with their foot and pull the core wire 17h1 that passes through the normal brake cover 17h2 of the normal brake wire 17h connected to the brake pedal 17g.

[0060] Then, from the release state of the runaway prevention brake and the normal brake shown in Figure 17, when the core wire 17h1 of the normal brake wire 17h, which passes through the normal brake cover 17h2, pulls the force application end 17d2 of the normal brake lever 17d, the normal brake lever 17d rotates clockwise around the pivot axis 17d1, as shown in Figure 18, closing the brake shoes 17f, 17f and clamping the brake disc 17e, thereby applying the brakes to the rear wheels 11c2, 11c2.

[0061] Furthermore, if the operating lever 14b2 is raised without pressing the brake pedal 17g of the brake unit 17 with the foot, that is, if the operating lever 14b2 is turned counterclockwise, the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 switches from the ON state to the OFF state, as shown in Figure 14.

[0062] However, since the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 uses the electric motor for the agitator, even if the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 switches from the ON state to the OFF state, the maintenance cart 1 can continue to move due to inertia. Furthermore, by raising the operating lever 14b2 and returning to the state shown in Figure 12, the runaway prevention brake state is returned as shown in Figure 13, thereby activating the brake unit 17 and applying the brakes.

[0063] <Summary of the track maintenance cart 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention> As described above, the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a cart body 11 equipped with front wheels 11b2, 11b2 and rear wheels 11c2, 11c2, which carries a passenger and runs on rails R; a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 mounted on the cart body 11, which rotates a shaft 13a2 with current supplied from a detachable battery 13b attached to an electric motor body 13a; a running control unit 14 that controls the on / off state of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13; and a rotation transmission mechanism 16 that transmits the rotation to the front wheels 11b2, 11b2 when the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 rotates under the control of the running control unit 14, causing the cart body 11 to run on rails.

[0064] Therefore, because the battery-powered electric motor 13 rotates the shaft 13a2 by the current supplied from the rechargeable battery 13b attached to the electric motor body 13a, and rotates the front wheels 11b2, 11b2 to move the track maintenance cart 1, there is no need for wiring to supply current from the rechargeable battery 13b to the motor, and it is possible to run on railway tracks with a simple electric structure.

[0065] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, a brake unit 14 is provided that maintains a runaway prevention brake state by applying brakes to the rear wheels 11c2, 11c2 by a first tension spring 14g even when the brake pedal 17g, which is operated when applying normal brakes, is not operated. The running control unit 14 is configured to control the brake unit 17 to release the runaway prevention brake state first when switching the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 from the off state to the on state, and then switch the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 to the on state after the runaway prevention brake state has been released.

[0066] Therefore, when switching the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 from the off state to the on state, the runaway prevention brake state by the brake unit 17 is released first, and after the runaway prevention brake state is released, the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is switched to the on state. As a result, the driver can easily and reliably release the runaway prevention brake state and drive without having to perform complicated operations or placing an extra load on the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13.

[0067] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, the cart body 11a is provided with seats 11c3, 11c3 on which the occupants sit, and a handle post section 12 provided in front of the seats 11c3, 11c3, which is equipped with a battery-powered electric motor 13 and a driving control unit 14.

[0068] Therefore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, the important battery-powered electric motor 13 and the driving control unit 14 are concentrated in the handle post section 12 located in front of the seats 11c3, 11c3, thereby improving operability and maintainability.

[0069] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the battery-powered electric motor 12 is provided with a drive source switch 13a1 for turning the battery-powered electric motor 13 on or off, and a drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15 for operating the drive source switch 13a1. The running control unit 14 is provided with a running control base 14a provided on the handle post 12, a brake / drive source control cam plate 14b rotatably attached to the running control base 14a and to which an operation lever 14b2 operated by the occupant is attached, and a drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15 is rotatably attached to the running control base 14a and connected to the point of action side to turn the drive source switch 13a1 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 on or off. The system includes a switch on / off link 14d and a runaway brake release link 14c which is rotatably mounted on the travel control base 14a and connected to a runaway brake release lever that releases the runaway brake state of the brake unit 17 via a runaway brake vertical wire 17i connected to the point of action. When the occupant operates the operating lever 14b2 and the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b rotates relative to the travel control base 14a, the runaway brake state of the brake unit 17 is first released via the runaway brake release link 14c and the runaway brake vertical wire 17i, and then the drive source switch on / off operating mechanism 15 is operated via the drive source switch on / off link 14d and the drive source switch on / off wire 14e to turn on the drive source switch 13a1.

[0070] Therefore, the running control unit 14 can first release the runaway prevention brake state using physical structures such as the running control base unit 14a, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b, the runaway prevention brake release link 14c, and the drive source switch on / off link 14d, and then switch to the ON state of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 to run. Thus, a track maintenance cart 1 equipped with a runaway prevention brake function and a normal brake function can be provided with a simple structure, and costs can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b is provided with a rotation prevention stopper 14b5 that, after the occupant operates the operating lever 14b1 to rotate it relative to the travel control base 14a and turns on the drive source switch 13a1, contacts the travel control base 14a to stop the rotation of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b.

[0072] Therefore, by preventing excessive rotation of the brake / drive source control cam plate 14b with the rotation prevention stopper 14b5, it is possible to prevent excessive opening of the brake shoes 17f, 17f in the brake section 17 and excessive rotation of the eccentric rotor 15b in the drive source switch on / off operation mechanism section 15. This ensures reliable braking by the brake pedal 17g when the track maintenance cart 1 is running, and also ensures that the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is in the ON state, thereby ensuring smooth and stable running of the track maintenance cart 1. In particular, in this track maintenance cart 1, since the on / off switching of the drive source switch 13a1 uses an eccentric rotor 15b that rotates around an eccentric rotation axis 15b1, it is also possible to reliably prevent erroneous operation from switching from the OFF state to the ON state due to excessive rotation of the eccentric rotor 15b.

[0073] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is mounted facing downward at the upper end of the handle post 12, and the handle post 12 is hollow and has a post rotation transmission shaft 12b connected to the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, and is configured to transmit the rotation of the shaft 13a2 of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 to the front wheels 11b2, 11b2 via the post rotation transmission shaft 12b to cause them to rotate.

[0074] Therefore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the mounting position of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is at the upper end of the handle post 12, which is at a high position. This makes it easy to replace the detachable battery 13b and to maintain the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, thereby improving work efficiency and maintenance efficiency.

[0075] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, a handle portion 12d for the driver to grasp is attached to female screw holes provided on both sides of a commercially available detachable battery-powered electric motor 13.

[0076] Therefore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, it is possible to replace the handle part of a commercially available detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 and attach a new, longer handle part 12d for operating the track maintenance cart 1, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and the like.

[0077] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention, handle post connecting plates 12c, 12c, which are handle post connecting parts, are provided at the lower end of the handle post portion 12, and these handle post connecting plates 12c, 12c are configured to be detachably attached to handle post mounting plates 11c41, 11c41 provided on the cart body 11a using connecting pins 11c42.

[0078] Therefore, the handle section 12, which is equipped with important mechanical parts such as the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 and the driving control section 14, can be attached to and detached from the cart body 11a using connecting pins 11c42. In this respect as well, the replacement of the detachable battery 13b and the maintenance of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 are made easier, improving work efficiency and maintenance efficiency.

[0079] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a rechargeable battery 13b is detachably provided on the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13. Therefore, charging and replacing the rechargeable battery 13b is easy, which improves the usability of the track maintenance cart 1.

[0080] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 uses a battery-powered electric motor intended for a stirrer.

[0081] Therefore, even when the drive source switch 13a1 is turned off, the shaft 3a2 rotates due to inertia, and the brake unit 17 functions to stop the cart, allowing the track maintenance cart 1 to be stopped smoothly.

[0082] Furthermore, in the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the front wheels 11b2, 11b2, which are rotated by a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, are provided with free wheels 11b21, 11b21 of a one-way clutch mechanism that allows rotation only in the forward direction.

[0083] Therefore, even if the driver is unfamiliar with the operation and cannot properly control the rotation of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, the maintenance cart 1 can be driven smoothly. Furthermore, even when the power to the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is turned off, the maintenance cart 1 continues to move due to inertia, and the front axle 11b1, which is the wheelset, continues to rotate, generating regenerative current. When the power is turned off, the regenerative current has nowhere to go, and the load on the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 increases, making it prone to failure. However, because a one-way clutch mechanism with free wheels 11b21, 11b21 is provided, even when the power to the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 is turned off, the maintenance cart 1 continues to move due to inertia, preventing failures such as burnout of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13. Furthermore, even if the maintenance cart 1 is traveling on a rail R in an uphill section or similar and is about to back up, the free wheels 11b21, 11b21 of the one-way clutch mechanism prevent the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 from rotating in reverse, thus preventing malfunction of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13.

[0084] In the description of Embodiment 1 above, a two-seater track maintenance cart 1 was described with two seats 11c3, 11c3 on the cart body 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single seat 11c3 may be used for a single-seater track maintenance cart 1, or of course, three or more seats 11c3 may constitute a track maintenance cart 1.

[0085] Furthermore, in the description of Embodiment 1 above, a commercially available detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 was attached to the upper end of the handle post 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated detachable battery-powered electric motor may be provided on the handle post 12 instead of using a commercially available detachable battery-powered electric motor 13. Alternatively, instead of the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13, an engine driven by fuel such as gasoline or diesel, as described in Embodiment 2 below, may be provided at the upper end.

[0086] Furthermore, although it was explained that a commercially available detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 was used and an external drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15 was attached to the detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 to turn the drive source switch 13a1 on / off by operating the operation lever 14b2 of the driving control unit 14, the present invention is not limited to this, and if a dedicated detachable battery-powered electric motor with an on / off operation function for the drive source switch 13a1 is prepared, the drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15 may be omitted.

[0087] Furthermore, in the description of Embodiment 1 above, a detachable battery-powered electric motor 13 equipped with a detachable battery 13b was described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any battery-powered electric motor using a rechargeable battery is acceptable, even if the battery is not detachable.

[0088] Embodiment 2. In the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 described above, a handle post section 12 equipped with an electric motor 13 with a detachable battery 13b was used. However, the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 is a track maintenance cart that uses the handle post section 12 of Embodiment 1 equipped with the electric motor 13 described above, but is further configured to use a handle post section 12' equipped with an engine 13' that uses gasoline or diesel fuel as a drive source, thereby enabling the use of both the electric motor 13 and the engine 13'.

[0089] Figures 19 to 21 are a front view, top view, and right side view, respectively, of the track maintenance cart 1' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figures 22 and 23 are a side view and a front view, respectively, of the handle post section 12' on which the engine 13' used in the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 is mounted. Furthermore, Figures 24 and 25 are a front view and a top view, respectively, showing the state in which the two handle post sections 12, 12', on which the electric motor 13 and engine 13' are attached, respectively, have been removed from the cart body 11' of the track maintenance cart 1' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0090] In the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 19 to 21, not only is the handle post section 12 equipped with an electric motor 13 with a detachable battery 13b mounted on it, but the handle post section 12' equipped with an engine 13' that uses gasoline or diesel fuel also mounted on it, and in order to enable simultaneous mounting of these two components, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, identical handle post mounting sections 11c4, 11c4 are provided in front of the left and right seats 11c3, 11c3 of the cart body 11, respectively, so that the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 and the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' can be used in combination. The other configurations are the same as those of the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 described above.

[0091] Here, the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' of the track maintenance cart 1' in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in Figures 21 to 23, basically uses an engine 13' that has an engine body 13a' that rotates a shaft 13a2' using gasoline supplied from a fuel tank 13b' instead of an electric motor 13 equipped with a removable battery 13b in the handle post section 12. Because the handle post section 12' uses an engine 13', it is configured to transmit rotational force to the post rotation transmission shaft 12b via a well-known reduction gear 12e, a one-way clutch section 12f, and a chuck section 12b1, etc., and the other configurations are the same as the handle post section 12 of the track maintenance cart 1 in Embodiment 1 described above, and in Embodiment 2, the handle post section 12 has the same configuration as the handle post section 12 of Embodiment 1.

[0092] Therefore, in the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, two handle post mounting parts 11c4 of Embodiment 1 are provided on the front axle 11b of the cart body 11, and the two handle post parts 12 and 12' are configured to be mounted simultaneously. Additionally, runaway prevention brake wire direction changing links 17j and 17j' for releasing the runaway prevention brake state are rotatably provided on the cart body 11a near the two handle post parts 12 and 12'.

[0093] Furthermore, when driving using the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13, and when driving using the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13', the runaway prevention brake is normally in a state of operation. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 has the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i connected to the upper end of the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j, which is rotatably supported on the cart body 11a as shown in Figure 1, and the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k connected to the runaway prevention brake lever 17bb (see Figure 13, etc.) of the brake section 17, thus providing a runaway prevention brake function similar to the track maintenance cart 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0094] In contrast, the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' does not have a driving control unit 14 or a drive source switch on / off operation mechanism 15, etc., and drives the vehicle by directly driving the engine 13', so it does not have a runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i. Therefore, the core wire 17i1 of the runaway prevention brake vertical wire 17i is not connected to the upper end of the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j'.

[0095] However, as shown in Figure 21, the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k, which is connected to the runaway prevention brake lever 17b (see Figure 13, etc.) of the brake unit 17, is connected to the lower end of the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j', thereby providing a runaway prevention brake release function similar to the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 described above.

[0096] Therefore, for example, as shown in Figure 26, when a passenger riding in the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention steps on the upper end of the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j' with their foot, the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j' rotates clockwise, pulling the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k, which is connected to the lower end of the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j', to the left in Figure 26. As shown in Figure 20, the runaway prevention brake lever 17b, to which the core wire 17k1 of the runaway prevention brake horizontal wire 17k is connected, can be pulled to release the runaway prevention brake state. At the same time, the passenger can return to the runaway prevention brake state by taking their foot off the runaway prevention brake wire direction changing link 17j'.

[0097] Therefore, in the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention, for example, when traveling long distances to a work site, the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' can be used, and even after arriving at the work site, when performing track maintenance work, especially work inside tunnels, inspection and measurement work, or work in urban areas at night where vibration and noise are undesirable, the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 can be used.

[0098] As explained in Embodiment 1, the handle post mounting section 11c4 is configured to allow the handle post section 12 to be attached and detached. Therefore, in Embodiment 2, the two handle post mounting sections 11c4 and 11c4' also allow the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 and the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' to be attached and detached, respectively. The handle post section 12 and the handle post section 12' can be swapped between the left and right sides, and furthermore, only one of the handle post section 12 or the handle post section 12' can be connected to either the left or right handle post mounting section 11c4.

[0099] Therefore, depending on the track maintenance site and the nature of the track maintenance work, it is certainly possible to remove the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' and attach only the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13, or conversely, remove the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 and attach only the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13' to use the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2.

[0100] Therefore, according to the track maintenance cart 1' of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, since the handle post section 12 equipped with an electric motor 13 and the handle post section 12' equipped with an engine 13' are detachably provided, the same effects as the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1 can be obtained, at least when the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 is used.

[0101] Furthermore, by selectively using both the handle post section 12 equipped with the electric motor 13 and the handle post section 12' equipped with the engine 13', it becomes possible to select and use the electric motor 13 and the engine 13' depending on the distance traveled, the location of the track maintenance work, and even the time of day. This further improves usability and work efficiency compared to the track maintenance cart 1 of Embodiment 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1.1' Track maintenance cart 11 Cart body 11a Cart main frame 11b1 Front axle (drive axle) 11b2, 11b2 Front wheels (drive wheels) 11b21, 11b21 Freewheel 11c1 rear wheel axle 11c2,11c2 rear wheel 11c3, 11c3 sheet 11c4, 11c4' Handle post mounting section 11c41, 11c41 Handlebar post mounting plate 11c42 Connecting pin 12,12' Handle post section 12a Hollow post section 12b Post-rotation transmission shaft 12b1 Chuck part 12b2 Drive bevel gear coupling section 12c Handle Post Connecting Plate 12d Handle section 12e reducer 12f One-way clutch section 13 Detachable battery-powered electric motor 13a Electric motor body 13a1 Power source switch 13a2 shaft 13b Removable Battery 13' engine 13a' Engine body 13b' Fuel tank 13a2' shaft 14. Driving Control Unit 14a Driving control base unit 14b Cam plate for brake / drive source control 14b1 Rotary shaft section 14b2 Operating lever 14b3 Link contact part for releasing runaway prevention brake 14b4 Link contact section for on / off switch of drive source 14b5 Rotation prevention stopper 14c Link for releasing runaway prevention brake 14d Link for switching on / off the power source 14e Power source switch on / off wire 14g No. 1 tension spring 15. On / Off operation mechanism for the power source switch 15a Operation board 15b Eccentric rotor 15b1 Eccentric pivot shaft 15b2 Eccentric Rotor Lever 16 Rotation transmission mechanism 16a Bearing section 16b Connection part 16c drive bevel gear 16d Driven bevel gear 17 Brake section 17a Brake base section 17b Runaway prevention brake lever 17c Second tension spring 17d Standard brake lever 17e Brake Disc 17f Brake shoes 17g brake pedal 17h Standard brake wire 17h1 core wire 17h2 Standard Brake Cover 17i Runaway prevention brake vertical wire (runaway prevention brake wire) 17i1 core wire 17i2 Runaway Prevention Brake Cover 17j, 17j' Runaway prevention brake wire direction change link 17k Runaway prevention brake horizontal wire (runaway prevention brake wire) 17k1 core wire 17k2 Runaway Prevention Brake Cover 17m Piston Rod

Claims

1. The cart body, which rotates the drive wheels via a rotation transmission mechanism and runs on rails, A track maintenance cart having a handle post section provided on the cart body, which is equipped with a handle section for the occupant to grasp, The aforementioned handle post section further includes, A drive source which is an electric motor or engine that rotates the post-rotation transmission shaft, A running control unit is provided that controls the rotation of the drive wheels via the post rotary transmission shaft and rotary transmission mechanism by controlling the on / off state of the drive source, thereby controlling the running of the track maintenance cart. A track maintenance cart characterized in that the shaft of the drive source is mounted at the upper end of the handle post so as to face downward, the handle post is hollow and has a post rotation transmission shaft connected to the shaft, and the drive wheel is rotated via the post rotation transmission shaft and the rotation transmission mechanism.

2. A cart body that travels on rails by rotating the drive wheels via a rotation transmission mechanism, A track maintenance cart having a handle post section provided on the cart body, which is equipped with a handle section for the occupant to grasp, The aforementioned handle post section further includes, A drive source which is an electric motor or engine that rotates the post-rotation transmission shaft, A running control unit is provided that controls the rotation of the drive wheels via the post rotary transmission shaft and rotary transmission mechanism by controlling the on / off state of the drive source, thereby controlling the running of the track maintenance cart. The cart body is provided with a drive wheel on a drive wheel axle that rotates via the rotation transmission mechanism, and the drive wheel axle is provided with a handle post mounting portion. An electric cart characterized in that a handle post connecting portion is provided at the lower end of the handle post portion, the handle post connecting portion is detachably attached to the handle post mounting portion, and the post rotation transmission shaft of the handle post portion rotates the drive wheel via the rotation transmission mechanism portion and the drive wheel shaft.

3. In the electric cart according to claim 2, A track maintenance cart characterized in that the drive wheel is provided with two handle post mounting points, and the handle post connecting points of the handle post are detachably connected to each of the two handle post mounting points.

4. In the track maintenance cart according to claim 1, The aforementioned drive source is a battery-powered electric motor that rotates the shaft by supplying current from a rechargeable battery attached to the electric motor body, making it a track maintenance cart.

5. In the track maintenance cart according to claim 4, The aforementioned battery-powered electric motor is a battery-powered electric motor for a stirrer, and is characterized in that the shaft rotates due to inertia even when the power is turned off, in a track maintenance cart.

6. In an electric cart according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A track maintenance cart characterized in that the drive wheel, which is rotated by the aforementioned drive source, is provided with a one-way clutch type free wheel that permits rotation only in the forward direction.

Images