Tamping Tool Rotation via Squeezing Drive Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track maintenance machines require complex and weight-intensive mechanical rotation devices to adjust tamping units for obliquely lying sleepers, leading to increased costs, reduced axle loads, and limited adaptability, especially in switch and crossing areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize hydraulic squeezing drives with adjustable paths, controlled by geometry data and sensors, to rotate tamping tools around a common vertical axis, eliminating the need for separate mechanical rotation devices, allowing for flexible adaptation to oblique sleeper positions without additional sensors, and enabling precise positioning and automatic recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical rotation device is used to adjust tamping units for obliquely lying sleepers, then the adaptability to different sleeper positions is improved, but the machine weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from a separate mechanical rotation device and integrates it into the existing squeezing drive mechanism. The squeezing drive, which already exists for tamping operation, is repurposed to also perform rotation by adjusting its path, thereby eliminating the need for an additional rotation device and reducing machine weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The squeezing drive is designed to perform multiple functions: both the traditional tamping squeezing motion and the new rotation function. By controlling the squeezing drive to follow different paths (straight for tamping, curved for rotation), a single component achieves what previously required separate dedicated devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical rotation device is used to adjust tamping units, then the adaptability to oblique sleepers is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotation function with the existing squeezing drive mechanism. Instead of having separate systems for squeezing and rotation, the control system integrates both functions into a single coordinated operation, where the squeezing drive's path control simultaneously achieves both tamping and rotation objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing squeezing drive and control system are made multi-functional to handle both linear tamping motion and rotational adjustment, eliminating the need for additional dedicated rotation mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mechanical rotation device is used, then the positioning accuracy for oblique sleepers is improved, but the machine dimensions and axle loads are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic path control for the squeezing drive, allowing it to transition between different motion patterns (linear for tamping, curved for rotation) based on real-time requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables precise positioning without requiring additional mechanical structures that would increase machine dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the motion parameters of the squeezing drive (path, speed, acceleration) to achieve rotation and precise positioning. By varying these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high positioning accuracy without adding physical components that would increase machine size.
4Extent of automation
If separate sensors are added for automatic recognition of sleeper position, then the automation level is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors and geometry data to automatically determine sleeper position and adjust tamping tool paths accordingly. The control system processes available information (sleeper geometry, machine position) to self-adjust the squeezing drive path, eliminating the need for additional dedicated sensors while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing sensors and control systems are made multi-functional, serving both their original purposes and the new automatic sleeper position recognition function. The geometry data and sensor information already collected for tamping operations are repurposed to determine rotation requirements, avoiding additional sensor hardware.
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 solution reduces machine weight and dimensions, lowers production and operational costs, enhances adaptability, and improves process reliability by simplifying the system and eliminating the need for separate sensors, while maintaining precise positioning and adaptability in challenging track conditions.
Implementation Method 1
tamping tools (tamping tines) actuated with vibration penetrate into the ballast bed between the sleepers and consolidate the ballast underneath the respective sleeper
Implementation Method 2
the tamping tools in a raised position are moved via a control by means of the squeezing drives in the squeezing direction with different adjustment paths
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tamping sleepers of a track by means of a tamping assembly comprising at least two tamping units which have tamping tools lying opposite one another in each case and supported on a lowerable tool carrier, wherein the tamping tools—actuated with a vibration—are lowered into a ballast bed during a tamping operation and squeezed towards one another via squeezing drives. In this, for tamping an obliquely-lying sleeper, the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs in a raised position are moved via a control by means of the squeezing drives in the squeezing direction with different adjustment paths in such a manner that the free ends of the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs rotate approximately about a common vertical rotation axis in order to adapt themselves to the oblique position of the sleeper. With this method according to the invention, the necessity of a separate mechanical rotation device is eliminated.