Tamping Machine Telescopic Support Arm for Turnout Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tamping machines cause twisting of switches during lifting due to the separate positioning of additional lifting devices, leading to uncontrolled lifting and inaccurate leveling of branching track lines.
Innovation Solution
The additional lifting device is mechanically connected to the main lifting device as a pivotable, telescoping lever, ensuring controlled and torsion-free lifting, with the support arm parallel to the track plane and guide rollers engaging optimally to prevent slipping, and displacement drives for synchronized movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the additional lifting device is positioned separately from the main lifting device, then the branching track can be lifted independently, but the switch twists during lifting and the level position becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The additional lifting device is merged with the main lifting device by mounting the support arm on the main lifting device's frame, creating a mechanically connected system. This integration ensures that both lifting devices work together as a unified system, preventing the switch from twisting while maintaining the ability to lift the branching track independently.
2Length of moving object
If the additional lifting device is attached to the machine frame at a distance from the main lifting device, then the support span is increased, but the lifting becomes uncontrolled and causes twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tamping machine, adding a rotational degree of freedom. This allows the support arm to adjust its angle dynamically during operation, maintaining proper geometric relationships and preventing twisting while providing adequate support span.
3Ease of operation
If the support arm is not parallel to the track plane, then the guide roller does not engage optimally, but the lifting force application is suboptimal causing slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during operation. This dynamic capability ensures that the support arm can maintain optimal parallel alignment with the track plane during lifting, ensuring proper guide roller engagement and effective force application without slipping.
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 prevents twisting and ensures accurate leveling of both main and branching tracks, maintaining optimal force application and reducing wear, allowing for precise alignment and compacting of ballast under sleepers.
Implementation Method 1
guide roller and roller tongs at one end
Implementation Method 2
guide rollers engaging optimally to prevent slipping
Implementation Method 3
main lifting device with lifting cylinders
Implementation Method 4
hydraulic lifting and straightening cylinders
Implementation Method 5
compacting the ballast under the sleepers with the help of a tamping unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A tamping machine (2) for compacting the ballast bed of a track (13) is proposed, with tamping units (11) for under-tamping the track (13), with a main lifting device (4) arranged between running gear (12), in the working direction (6) preferably in front of the tamping units (11) for leveling and aligning the track (13) and with an additional lifting device (3) for leveling and aligning a track (31) branching off from the track (13) in the area of a turnout.In order to achieve improved track alignment results, it is proposed that the additional lifting device (3) comprises a telescopic support arm (10, 20) which has at one end a rail holder, in particular with guide roller (21) and roller clamp (22) and which is rotatably mounted at the other end about an axis (28) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tamping machine on the main lifting device (4), wherein a lifting drive (16) is provided for adjusting the pivot angle of the support arm (10, 20) relative to the main lifting device (4).