Tamping assembly for tamping sleepers of a track

Abstract

The invention relates to a tamping assembly (7) for tamping sleepers (3) of a track (2), in particular a switch, having a height-adjustable tool carrier (14), on which tamping tools (18) which can be set to vibrate by means of drives (22, 23) and can be brought together and have tamping tines (28, 29) are mounted, wherein at least one tamping tool (18) for laterally pivoting up the tamping tines (28, 29) comprises two tamping tine holders (25, 26) that can be pivoted about a common axis of rotation (27) by means of a rotary joint (24). At least one joint section (32) of the one tamping tine holder (25, 26) is mounted on a rotationally symmetrical joint section (32) of the other tamping tine holder (26, 25). In this way, the joint sections (32) of the two tamping tine holders (25, 26) engage in one another such that a streamlined design is achieved.

Description

[0001] 1

[0002] Tamping unit for tamping under the sleepers of a track

[0003] The invention relates to a tamping unit for tamping under the sleepers of a track, in particular a turnout, with a height-adjustable tool carrier on which tamping tools with tamping picks are mounted, which can be set into vibration by drives and adjusted relative to one another, wherein at least one tamping tool comprises two tamping pick holders pivotable about a common axis of rotation by means of a pivot joint for laterally pivoting the tamping picks. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a tamping tool for a corresponding tamping unit.

[0004] To correct track alignment, track sections and turnouts with ballast are regularly tamped using a tamping machine. A track grid consisting of rails and sleepers is brought into a predetermined track position by a lifting and aligning unit and fixed in this new position by a tamping unit. The tamping unit comprises tamping tools with tamping picks, which, during the tamping process, are vibrated and plunge into the ballast bed, aligning themselves against each other. This process shifts and compacts ballast beneath the respective sleeper.

[0005] In a single-sleeper tamping unit with a so-called split-head design, two tamping unit segments are assigned to each rail of the track. This ensures that a sleeper is tamped on both sides of each rail during a single tamping operation. Each tamping unit segment comprises two opposing tamping tools. Typically, two tamping picks are arranged side by side on each tamping tool. Specifically, there is an inner tamping pick that enters the track next to the rail and an outer tamping pick that enters at a greater distance from the rail. With both tamping picks entering the ballast side by side, a wide working area is achieved. However, obstacles in the track, and especially in the area of ​​a turnout, often leave insufficient space for both tamping picks to enter the ballast simultaneously.

[0006] For example, the AT 379 178 B features a tamping unit with laterally pivoting tamping picks. Each tamping tool comprises two tamping pick holders mounted on a common pivot pin of a swivel joint. This allows the outer tamping pick to be pivoted upwards separately if there is only enough space between the rails, sleepers, and track components for the insertion of one tamping pick. If there is no insertion point free on one side of the sleeper, the inner tamping pick is also pivoted upwards. The tamping unit can then only be lowered using the tamping picks of the opposite tamping tool. A disadvantage of this arrangement is the space required for the swivel joint and its pivoting drives.

[0007] A tamping unit with pivoting tamping picks and a slim design is known from AT 522 456 A4. The slim design is achieved through the arrangement of two swivel joints. This allows the tamping pick holders to pivot about two offset axes. A disadvantage here is the necessary arrangement of additional coupling elements for connecting the tamping pick holders to their respective swivel drives.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of improving a tamping unit of the type mentioned above in such a way that a slim and robust design with a common swivel joint is enabled for three tamping pick holders. Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide an assembly method for a corresponding tamping tool.

[0009] These problems are solved by the features of independent claims 1 and 10. Dependent claims specify advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0010] In this design, at least one joint section of one tamping pick holder is mounted on a rotationally symmetrical joint section of the other tamping pick holder. In this way, the joint sections of the two separately pivotable tamping pick holders interlock, resulting in a slim design. The diameters and widths of the rotationally symmetrical joint section of one tamping pick holder and the joint section of the other mounted on it are precisely matched. This arrangement increases the respective contact area of ​​the joint sections compared to the previously common method of mounting the joint sections on a common pivot pin. As a result, the pivot joint can transmit higher forces under otherwise identical conditions.

[0011] Advantageously, the pivot joint comprises two outer support arms and at least one central support arm. A pivot pin is guided through bores in the support arms and fixed to the outer support arms. The joint sections of the tamping pick holders are arranged between the support arms. This results in a particularly stable pivot joint for transmitting high forces. For improved wear characteristics, a sliding bushing is arranged between an inner surface of the rotationally symmetrical joint section and a pivot pin. This increases the service life of the sliding pin and the rotationally symmetrical joint section directly mounted on it under high radial forces. In particular, the sliding bushing is fixed with a fit in the inner surface of the joint section of the tamping pick holder and arranged with a sliding layer on the pivot pin.The material of the sliding layer is matched to the material of the pivot pin, thus minimizing potential wear. For example, the sliding layer is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) with lubrication pockets for lubricated applications. Galvanized steel, for instance, is used as the carrier material.

[0012] A further improvement involves the pivot bolt having a thread at one end and being secured with a threaded nut. This detachable connection makes the swivel joint easy to assemble. If necessary, the plug-type holders can be removed without damage and worn parts replaced.

[0013] Preferably, each darning pick holder includes a joint fork with at least two fork arms. Distributing the transmission forces across multiple fork arms reduces the stress on the individual joint elements, thereby increasing their service life.

[0014] For advantageous uniform loading, each joint fork comprises its own rotationally symmetric joint section, on the outer surface of which a corresponding inner surface of the other joint fork is supported. In particular, the rotationally symmetric 5

[0015] The joint sections and the joint sections mounted on them are each of the same width, resulting in an overall symmetrical structure of the revolute joint.

[0016] This arrangement is improved by the addition of a sliding bushing between the outer surface of each rotationally symmetric joint section and its corresponding inner surface. The materials of the sliding bushing are matched to the materials of the other joint elements. Preferably, a steel bushing with a polyoxymethylene (POM) sliding layer and lubrication pockets is used.

[0017] An improved arrangement of the pivot forks provides that one fork arm of one pivot fork and one fork arm of the other pivot fork are jointly arranged between two support arms of the pivot joint. In this way, two fork arm groups are arranged along the pivot pin. Each fork arm group is supported on a section of the pivot pin that is braced between two support arms. For each fork arm group, one fork arm is directly mounted on the pivot pin via the associated rotationally symmetric joint section, in particular by means of a sliding bushing. The other fork arm is indirectly mounted on the pivot pin via the associated rotationally symmetric joint section, preferably also using a sliding bushing.

[0018] Advantageously, sliding rings are arranged between the fork arms of the pivot forks and the support arms of the swivel joint. This reduces any wear caused by axial forces acting on the swivel joint. Preferably, sliding rings are also provided between the fork arms arranged side by side. In particular, the sliding rings are made of bronze. 24020

[0019] The inventive method for assembling a stuffing tool for the described stuffing unit is characterized by the following steps:

[0020] - Sliding the rotationally symmetrical joint section of one darning pick holder into the joint section of the other darning pick holder;

[0021] - Positioning the two tamping pick holders on the tamping tool so that the holes of the swivel joint align and

[0022] - Inserting a hinge pin into the holes and fixing the hinge pin.

[0023] These assembly steps allow the respective tamping tool to be assembled before it is attached to the tool carrier of the tamping unit. It is also possible to assemble a tamping tool already mounted on the tool carrier using these steps. Reversing the sequence of steps allows for easy disassembly of the tamping pick holders so that wear parts can be replaced or components can be exchanged.

[0024] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show, in schematic representation:

[0025] Fig. 1 Tamping machine on a track in a side view;

[0026] Fig. 2 Stuffing unit segment in a side view;

[0027] Fig. 3 Stuffing unit segment in a front view;

[0028] Fig. 4 Exploded view of a swivel joint used to mount tamping pick holders on a tamping tool;

[0029] Fig. 5 Assembled swivel joint according to Fig. 4; 24020

[0030] 7

[0031] Fig. 6 Sectional drawing of the swivel joint according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 Oblique view of the swivel joint according to Fig. 5.

[0032] The tamping machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is optimized for both a section of track 2 and a turnout area. The track 2, on which the tamping machine 1 can travel, comprises sleepers 3 with rails 4 attached to them. The track grid, consisting of sleepers 3 and rails 4, is supported in a ballast bed 5. During a working cycle of the tamping machine 1, the track grid is cyclically brought into a desired track position by a lifting and aligning unit 6 and fixed in the new position by a tamping unit 7.

[0033] The illustrated tamping machine 1 is designed for continuous operation. A machine frame 8, on which the units 6 and 7 are arranged, forms part of a tamping satellite 9. This tamping satellite 9 is supported on a rail chassis 10 and is longitudinally displaceable from a main machine 11. During operation, the tamping satellite 9 is moved from sleeper 3 to sleeper 3, while the main machine 11 moves continuously forward in a working direction 12. In this way, the entire machine 1 does not need to be cyclically braked and accelerated, thus enabling particularly efficient and high-performance processing, especially in a single track section.

[0034] For efficient processing in a track section, the tamping unit 7 is also designed as a three-sleeper tamping unit. In one working direction 12, it comprises three tamping unit segments 13 arranged one behind the other on each side of the rail. This allows three sleepers 3 to be tamped simultaneously in one tamping operation. In 24020

[0035] In another embodiment, two or four stuffing aggregate segments 13 are arranged one behind the other. The geometry and kinematics of the respective stuffing aggregate segment

[0036] The 13 are designed for a minimum threshold spacing t, so that every type of multi-seam tamping unit can be assembled with the same tamping unit segments 13. This advantage is achieved through the narrow design of the tamping unit segment 13.

[0037] Each tamping unit segment 13 comprises its own tool carrier 14, which is mounted on vertical guides 15 of a unit frame 16 and is height-adjustable independently of the other tamping unit segments 13 by means of an associated height adjustment drive 17. On the tool carrier

[0038] 14 opposing tamping tools 18 are rotatably mounted about a respective bearing axis 19. These bearing axes 19 are aligned transversely to a track longitudinal direction 20.

[0039] In the symmetrically constructed stuffing aggregate segment 13, the bearing axes 19 are also arranged at the same distance from a plane of symmetry 21.

[0040] The respective tamping tool 18 is designed in a lever-like manner, with an upper lever arm relative to the associated bearing axis 19, which is connected at its end to an auxiliary drive 22. For example, the respective auxiliary drive 22 is a hydraulic cylinder whose piston rod is connected to the associated tamping tool 18 and whose cylinder body is mounted on an eccentric shaft of a vibratory drive 23. A rotation of the eccentric shaft is transmitted by means of the hydraulic cylinder into an oscillating vibratory movement of the tamping tool 18. By extending the piston rod, an auxiliary movement is superimposed on this vibratory movement. In another embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder is equipped with a 24020

[0041] 9

[0042] Proportional or servo valve controlled and set up to generate the vibration and assisting movement.

[0043] A pivot joint 24 for laterally pivoting an inner tamping pick holder 25 and an outer tamping pick holder 26 is arranged on the lower lever arm of each tamping tool 18. A common axis of rotation 27 is aligned orthogonally to the bearing axis 19 of the tamping tool 18. An inner tamping pick 28 is attached to the inner tamping pick holder 25, and an outer tamping pick 29 is attached to the outer tamping pick holder 26. When tamping a sleeper 3 next to a rail 4, the inner tamping pick 28 penetrates the ballast bed 5 closer to the rail 4 than the outer tamping pick 29.

[0044] The optimization for a turnout section results from the pivoting tamping picks 28, 29. In the beginning and end sections of a turnout, the tamping of a sleeper 3 is usually carried out with all tamping picks 28, 29. In the area between, diverging track sections, guide rails, switch blades, the frog, and various other turnout elements and fixtures must be taken into account. Often, the necessary clearance for the insertion of all tamping picks 28, 29 is not available during a tamping operation. If a free insertion point for a single tamping pick 28 is available, the outer tamping pick holder 26 is pivoted upwards with the outer tamping pick 29 before insertion. In the central section of the turnout, there are continuous sleepers 3 which, in some places, can only be tamped on one side. With a pair of opposing tamping tools 18 of the corresponding tamping unit segment 13, only one of the 24020 then occurs.

[0045] 10

[0046] Tamping tools 18 are used. With the other tamping tool 18, before lowering the tool carrier 14, both tamping pick holders 25, 26 with the tamping picks 28, 29 are swung upwards.

[0047] When the tamping picks 28, 29, which are not swung upwards, are plunged into the ground and during a repositioning movement, reaction forces from the ballast bed 5 act on the tamping picks 28, 29 and subsequently on the pivot joint 24. Particularly high reaction forces and moments act on the pivot joint 24 in the case of an encrusted ballast bed. For the design of the pivot joint 24, a vertical force F is preferably assumed as a reaction force during plunge and a torque M as a reaction moment during repositioning. For example, 50 kN to 70 kN, particularly 57 kN, is assumed for the vertical force F. For example, 20 kNm to 30 kNm, particularly 25 kNm, is assumed for the torque M.

[0048] Each pivot joint 24 comprises a pivot pin 30, which is attached to support arms 31 of the lower lever arm of the associated tamping tool 18, wherein an axis of symmetry of the pivot pin 30 corresponds to the axis of rotation 27 of the pivot joint 24. As further elements of the pivot joint 24, joint sections 32 are arranged on the tamping pick holders 25, 26, which are mounted directly or indirectly on the pivot pin 30. According to the invention, at least one joint section 32 of one tamping pick holder 25 or 26 is mounted on a rotationally symmetrical joint section 32 of the other tamping pick holder 25 or 26. The joint sections 32 of the two tamping pick holders 25, 26 are thus slid into one another along the axis of rotation 27. In this way, with a limited width b of the pivot joint 24, a sufficiently large bearing surface of the 24020 is ensured.

[0049] 11 j respective joint section 32 is reached so that the reaction forces N and reaction moments M acting on the pivot joint 24 can be safely absorbed.

[0050] Preferably, the respective rotationally symmetric joint section 32 is cylindrical, with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface extending over the entire circumference. Alternatively, the rotationally symmetric surfaces can be conical sections or curved surfaces. Taking into account a pivot angle α of the respective tamping pick holder 25, 26, the rotationally symmetric surfaces can also extend only over a circumferential section.

[0051] An advantageous embodiment of the pivot joint 24 is explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Three parallel support arms 31 are formed at equal intervals on the lower lever arm of the tamping tool 18. The joint sections 32 of the tamping pick holders 25, 26 are arranged in the two spaces between the outer support arms 31 and the middle support arm 31. A joint fork with two substantially parallel fork arms 33 is formed on each tamping pick holder 25, 26. Each of the two tamping pick holders 25, 26 has a fork arm 33 with a rotationally symmetric joint section 32. The joint section 32 of the other fork arm 33 of the other tamping pick holder 25 or 26 is mounted on the respective rotationally symmetric joint section 32 of one tamping pick holder 25 or 26.

[0052] During the assembly of the respective tamping tool 18, the joint sections 32 are first pushed into one another (Fig. 4). The width dimensions of the fork arms 33 and the joint sections 32 are matched to each other. Between the 24020

[0053] 12

[0054] Sliding rings 34 and sliding bushings 35 are preferably arranged on the joint sections 32. In particular, the joint section 32 pushed onto the rotationally symmetric joint section 32, together with any sliding ring 34, is exactly the same width as the associated rotationally symmetric joint section 32. In addition, the pivot joint 24 is essentially symmetrical with respect to a median plane (Fig. 6).

[0055] In their nested state, the two tamping pick holders 25, 26 form a unit with two fork arm assemblies 37, whose joint sections 32 are pushed together into the spaces between the support arms 31 until the bores in the support arms 31 and fork arms 33 align. The widths of the spaces and the fork arm assemblies 37, with sliding rings 34 arranged between them, are matched to each other. Sliding bushings 35 are arranged in the bores of the joint sections 32. In the final assembly step, the joint bolt 30 is pushed into the bores and secured with a threaded nut 38 (Fig. 5).

[0056] To connect a respective rotary actuator 39, a preferably fork-shaped lever extension 40 is formed on each tamping pick holder 25, 26. Bores through the lever extensions 40 run parallel to the axis of rotation 27. The rotary actuator 39 articulated to the respective lever extension 40 is, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder that is pivotally attached to the upper lever arm of the corresponding tamping tool 18. Preferably, a bracket 41 is arranged on the upper lever arm, to which both rotary actuators 39 of a tamping tool 18 are articulated. When the respective rotary actuator 39 is actuated, a lever force acts which rotates the associated tamping pick holder 25 or 26 by 240°.

[0057] 13 the pivot axis 27 is pivoted. The respective outer tamping pick holder 26 can be pivoted separately by the associated pivot drive 39. The inner and outer tamping pick holders 25, 26 can be pivoted upwards simultaneously by actuating only the other pivot drive 39, whereby the inner tamping pick holder 25 pivots the outer tamping pick holder 26 upwards, and the pivot drive 39 of the outer tamping pick holder 26 remains unpressured. For this purpose, corresponding contact surfaces are provided on both tamping pick holders 25, 26.

[0058] In a simplified embodiment, each tamping pick holder 24, 26 of the respective tamping tool 18 has only one articulated eye as an articulated section 32. One of these articulated eyes comprises the rotationally symmetrical articulated section 32 on which the articulated section 32 of the other articulated eye is mounted.

Claims

14 Patent claims 1. Tamping unit (7) for tamping under sleepers (3) of a track (2), in particular a turnout, with a height-adjustable tool carrier (14) on which tamping tools (18) with tamping picks (28, 29) are mounted which can be set into oscillation and adjusted to each other by means of drives (22, 23), wherein at least one tamping tool (18) for pivoting the tamping picks (28, 29) laterally comprises two tamping pick holders (25, 26) which can be pivoted about a common axis of rotation (27) by means of a pivot joint (24), characterized in that at least one joint section (32) of one tamping pick holder (25, 26) is mounted on a rotationally symmetrical joint section (32) of the other tamping pick holder (26, 25).

2. Stuffing unit (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot joint (24) comprises two outer support arms (31) and at least one middle support arm (31).

3. Stuffing assembly (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a sliding bushing (35) is arranged between an inner surface of the rotationally symmetric joint section (32) and a joint bolt (30).

4. Stuffing unit (7) according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivot bolt (30) has a thread at one end and is fixed with a secured threaded nut (38).

5. Tamping unit (7) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each tamping pick holder (25, 26) comprises a hinged fork with at least two fork arms (33) .

6. Stuffing assembly (7) according to claim 5, characterized in that each joint fork comprises a rotationally symmetrical joint section (32) on the outer surface of which an associated inner surface of the other joint fork is mounted.

7. Plugging assembly (7) according to claim 6, characterized in that a sliding bushing (35) is arranged between the outer surface of the respective rotationally symmetric joint section (32) and the associated inner surface of the other joint fork.

8. Stuffing unit (7) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a fork arm (33) of one joint fork and a fork arm (33) of the other joint fork are arranged together between two support arms (31) of the pivot joint (24).

9. Stuffing unit (7) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that sliding rings (34) are arranged between the fork arms (33) of the joint forks and the support arms (31) of the swivel joint (24).

10. Method for assembling a stuffing tool (18) for a stuffing unit (7) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the following steps: Sliding the rotationally symmetrical joint section (32) of one darning pick holder (25, 26) into the joint section (32) of the other darning pick holder (26, 25) ; 16 Positioning the two tamping pick holders (25, 26) on the tamping tool (18) so that the bores of the swivel joint (20) align, and Inserting a hinge pin (30) into the bores and fixing the hinge pin (30) .

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