Tamping Tine Sensor Integration for Track Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamping tines for tamping machines lack durability and require complex, expensive setups for force measurement, which complicates their application and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a sensitive sensor element into the tine shaft of the tamping tine, coupled with electronics for signal transmission and storage, allowing for precise measurement of mechanical stress and temperature, and enabling condition monitoring and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force measuring sensors are arranged at tine mounts or strain gauges are glued to the exterior surface of the tamping tine, then force measurement capability is achieved, but the durability is insufficient and the application becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor integration with the tamping tine structure by embedding the sensitive element directly into the tine shaft. The sensor housing is integrated with the tine shaft, and the sensitive element is positioned within a recess in the tine shaft, creating a unified structure that eliminates separate sensor mounting components and improves durability through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitive element is nested within a recess in the tine shaft, which is itself part of the integrated sensor housing. This nested arrangement protects the sensitive element while maintaining structural integrity, allowing the sensor to be embedded within the tamping tine rather than attached to its exterior.
2Measurement precision
If force measuring sensors are arranged at tine mounts or strain gauges are glued to the exterior surface of the tamping tine, then force measurement capability is achieved, but the application becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor integration with the tamping tine structure by embedding the sensitive element directly into the tine shaft. The sensor housing is integrated with the tine shaft, and the sensitive element is positioned within a recess in the tine shaft, creating a unified structure that eliminates separate sensor mounting components and improves durability through integration.
3Measurement precision
If force measuring sensors are arranged at tine mounts or strain gauges are glued to the exterior surface of the tamping tine, then force measurement capability is achieved, but the application becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor integration with the tamping tine structure by embedding the sensitive element directly into the tine shaft. The sensor housing is integrated with the tine shaft, and the sensitive element is positioned within a recess in the tine shaft, creating a unified structure that eliminates separate sensor mounting components and improves durability through integration.
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
The solution enhances the precision and durability of tamping operations by accurately recording mechanical stress and temperature, facilitating optimized tamping procedures, and enabling proactive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the sensitive element is a strain element glued into the recess
Implementation Method 2
the sensitive element is a fibre optic cable with a fibre Bragg grating
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tamping tine for a tamping machine for tamping a track, including a tine shaft which has at its upper end a retaining portion for fastening in a tine mount and which merges at its lower end into a tine plate. In this, a sensitive element of a sensor is arranged in a recess of the tine shaft, and the tamping tine includes a coupling element for transmission of a sensor signal. In this manner, the tamping tine fulfils a sensor function for recording measuring values occurring in the tamping tine.