Sealed Oil-Bath Tamping Assembly for Replaceable Feed Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tamping units for track maintenance face high operational loads and stress due to constant vibration, leading to wear and maintenance challenges, particularly when compacting ballast under sleepers.

Innovation Solution

The tamping unit features an eccentric drive housed in a sealed oil-bath lubricated enclosure with modular vibration transmission elements, allowing for easy replacement and adjustment of auxiliary drives, enabling adaptable vibration amplitudes and reduced noise, and a compact design with adjustable housing for varying work conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the eccentric drive is housed in a sealed enclosure with oil bath lubrication, then the reliability and durability of the tamping unit is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of eccentric driveVSAvoidcomplexity of housing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eccentric drive assembly is segmented into a sealed housing containing the eccentric shaft and oil bath lubrication system, separate from the auxiliary drives. This segmentation protects the eccentric drive components while allowing independent maintenance of auxiliary drives, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vibration transmission elements serve as intermediaries that connect the eccentric drive to the auxiliary drives. These elements transmit vibrations while allowing the auxiliary drives to be exchanged without opening the sealed housing, maintaining reliability while simplifying maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the vibration transmission elements protrude from the housing, then the auxiliary drives can be exchanged without opening the housing, but the structural integrity and protection of the eccentric drive may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of auxiliary drive replacementVSAvoidprotection of eccentric drive
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration transmission elements are extracted from the sealed housing and allowed to protrude outward. This extraction enables the auxiliary drives to be replaced without opening the housing, as the vibration transmission elements serve as external connection points, maintaining both protection and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the housing is designed as a modular assembly with detachable connecting elements, then the ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness is improved, but the structural strength and rigidity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of modular assemblyVSAvoidstructural strength of housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into modular components with detachable connecting elements, allowing the eccentric drive assembly to be manufactured separately and assembled onto the tamping unit. This modular segmentation improves ease of manufacture and enables retrofitting while maintaining structural strength through proper connection design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the housing is arranged above the auxiliary drives, then the oscillation amplitude can be varied by vertical displacement, but the overall height and compactness of the tamping unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of oscillation amplitudeVSAvoidoverall height of tamping unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed to be vertically displaceable relative to the tool carrier through an adjusting drive, creating a dynamic structure that can vary oscillation amplitude. This dynamic arrangement allows adaptation to different work situations while managing the overall height through controlled displacement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enhances maintenance efficiency, reduces noise, and adapts to different work requirements, providing cost-effective solutions and improved durability by allowing for quick repairs and retrofitting of existing units.

Implementation Method 1

an eccentric drive being provided for generating a vibration movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric: Excentric

Implementation Method 2

the eccentric drive is arranged in a sealed housing with oil bath lubrication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3583265B1Tamping assembly for tamping sleepers of a track
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 PLASSER & THEURER EXPORT VON BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3583265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3583265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3583265B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a tamping assembly (1) for tamping sleepers (3) of a track (4), comprising a tamping unit (2) having tamping tools (6), which are located opposite one another, supported on a tool carrier (5) and/or each connected to a feed drive (7) for producing a feed motion, wherein an eccentric drive (8) for generating a vibratory movement is provided. The eccentric drive (8) is arranged in a sealed housing (9) having oil bath lubrication (10), wherein at least one vibration transmission element (13), which is connected to one feed drive (7) or both feed drives (7), projects out of the housing (9). As a result, the lubrication of the eccentric drive (8) is improved, and the feed drives (7) can be replaced easily.