Hand Packer Vibration Decoupling via Segmented Dampers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual tampers for tamping ballast on tracks do not adequately reduce vibrations transmitted to the operator's handle, leading to increased operator stress and fatigue.

Innovation Solution

The manual tamper employs multiple vibration dampers spaced apart from the axis of rotation to decouple vibrations between the drive motor, tamping tool tube, and handle, using tube and motor fixing elements connected by vibration dampers, and additional dampers between the handle and motor fixing elements, in conjunction with an imbalance positioned away from the drive motor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a vibration decoupling is arranged between the drive motor and the tamping tool tube, then vibration transmission to the handle is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple vibration dampers and fixing elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmission to handleVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration decoupling system is segmented into multiple independent vibration dampers positioned at different locations (between drive motor and tamping tool tube, and between handle and motor fixing elements). This segmentation allows each damper to independently attenuate vibrations along different transmission paths, effectively reducing overall vibration transmission to the handle while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vibration dampers serve as intermediary elements positioned between the drive motor, tamping tool tube, and handle. These intermediaries absorb and dissipate vibrational energy, acting as mediators that decouple the vibration source from the handle without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire tamper system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the imbalance is positioned away from the drive motor to reduce handle vibration, then operator stress and fatigue are reduced, but the transmission of vibrations required for compacting ballast becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator stress and fatigueVSAvoidtamping efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration transmission path is segmented into distinct zones: the imbalance and drive motor generate vibrations, the vibration dampers create intermediate zones for vibration attenuation, and the tamping tool tube transmits remaining vibrations to the ballast. This segmentation allows the imbalance to be positioned away from the handle (reducing operator fatigue) while ensuring sufficient vibration transmission to the ballast through the controlled vibration paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration dampers, which initially seem to reduce all vibrations, actually convert harmful vibrations at the handle into beneficial controlled vibrations at the tamping point. By strategically positioning dampers, the system allows vibrations needed for ballast compaction to pass through while converting and absorbing excess vibrations that would otherwise reach the operator, thus converting a potential harm (excessive vibration) into a benefit (effective tamping with reduced operator exposure)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly reduces vibration transmission to the handle, minimizing operator stress and fatigue while maintaining tamping quality.

Implementation Method 1

the tube fixing elements 11 and the drive motor 3 having motor fixing elements 12 which are connected to the tube fixing elements 11 exclusively by several vibration dampers 13 spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction to the axis of rotation 7 and that the handle 2 is connected via further vibration dampers 15 spaced apart from one another to the motor fixing elements 12

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a vibration decoupling 14 is provided between the drive motor 3 and an upper end 10 of the tamping pick tube 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration decoupling: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3056606B1Hand packer
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 ROBEL BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3056606B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3056606B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand tamper (1) for tamping ballast under a track, consisting of a drive motor (3) having a handle (2) and a tamping pick tube (4) connected thereto, in which an unbalance shaft (8) is mounted which is rotatable about a rotation axis (7) by the drive motor (3) and is connected to an unbalance (9), wherein a vibration decoupling device (14) is arranged between the drive motor (3) and the tamping pick tube (4). To form the vibration decoupling (14), the stuffing tube (4) has tube fixing elements (11) at an upper end (10) and the drive motor (3) has motor fixing elements (12) which are connected to the tube fixing elements (11) exclusively by several vibration dampers (13) spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction to the axis of rotation (7), wherein the handle (2) is connected to the motor fixing elements (12) via further vibration dampers (15) spaced apart from each other.With such vibration decoupling (14) the transmission of the vibrations required for the compaction of the gravel to the handle (2) is significantly reduced.