EP1233108B1 - Lifting and lowering mechanism for a ballast tamping unit - Google Patents

Lifting and lowering mechanism for a ballast tamping unit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1233108B1
EP1233108B1 EP02356027A EP02356027A EP1233108B1 EP 1233108 B1 EP1233108 B1 EP 1233108B1 EP 02356027 A EP02356027 A EP 02356027A EP 02356027 A EP02356027 A EP 02356027A EP 1233108 B1 EP1233108 B1 EP 1233108B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tamping
connecting rod
tamping unit
crank
jointed
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EP02356027A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1233108A1 (en
Inventor
Sandri M. Sartori
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Societe des Anciens Etablissements Lucien Geismar SAS
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Societe des Anciens Etablissements Lucien Geismar SAS
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
    • E01B27/00—Placing, renewing, working, cleaning, or taking-up the ballast, with or without concurrent work on the track; Devices therefor; Packing sleepers
    • E01B27/12—Packing sleepers, with or without concurrent work on the track; Compacting track-carrying ballast
    • E01B27/13—Packing sleepers, with or without concurrent work on the track
    • E01B27/16—Sleeper-tamping machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to the railway track ballast stuffing. More specifically, this invention relates to a mechanism ensuring the movements of up / down of the tamping head, between a high position and a low position.
  • tamping In the railway sector, it is necessary to consolidate tracks by stalling the sleepers by a process called tamping. This one consists in making the ballast penetrate under the sleepers, by means of devices called tamping units, which are actually vibrating grippers. These are forced into the ballast, on either side of a sleeper, making them vibrate at a determined frequency close to the natural frequency of the ballast, and imposing a closing movement on the pliers which forces the nesting of the ballast under the sleeper.
  • the tamping head that is to say the part fitted with vibrating tools driven into the ballast, is mounted mobile vertically, between a high position and a low position.
  • the high position of the tamping head allows the tools to clear the lower parts of the railway clearance gauge for the tamping machine.
  • the low position allows the tamping head to compact the ballast, under the sleepers.
  • This lower position is adjustable, depending on the type of railway sleeper stuff; the lower position is adjusted so as to position the free bottom end of the tamping unit tools about 15 mm in below the sleepers.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 of the accompanying schematic drawing show a tamping unit with design up / down mechanism current, as disclosed in principle by the documents GB 968697 A and US 2926617 A, Figure 1 being a front view and the figure 2 a side view.
  • the tamping unit comprises a vertical frame 1, provided a vertical linear guide 2, on which is mounted a head support stuffing 3, which carries the stuffing head 4 proper.
  • On this head 4 are articulated symmetrically, around respective axes 5 and 6 parallel and horizontal, two tool holders 7 and 8 respectively equipped with stuffing 9 and 10, in their lower parts.
  • a motorized device with eccentric 11, carried by the central part of the tamping head 4, ensures the vibration of tools 9 and 10.
  • the respective upper ends of the two tool holders 7 and 8 are joined by a hydraulic clamping cylinder 12, arranged horizontally.
  • Another hydraulic cylinder 13, arranged vertically, ensures the up / down movements of the tamping head 4.
  • the end lower of the jack 13 is linked to the lower cross member of the chassis 1, while its upper end is linked to the stuffing head support 3, to vertically move this support 3 along the linear guide 2.
  • the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder 13 is here indicated in C, and it corresponds to the difference between the high position and low position of tamping tools 9 and 10 (see in particular at the bottom of figure 1).
  • the maximum size in tamping unit height is dependent on the extended length of the cylinder hydraulic 13. This space is currently large, which poses including security concerns.
  • the machine has a platform located above the tamping unit chassis, platform on which to stand the operator to hydraulically and mechanically connect the tamping with a lifting device, such as a hydraulic shovel, used on the construction site.
  • the platform being located about 2 meters above the ground, it there is a greater or less risk of the operator falling and being injured serious.
  • a mechanism for up / down which includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged so substantially vertical, one end of the jack being articulated on the chassis of the tamping unit, and the other end of the jack being articulated at a point intermediate of a connecting rod, which has a first end articulated on a horizontal axis to a crank.
  • the second end of the connecting rod is articulated on the frame of the tamping unit.
  • the crank is mounted swivel on the tamping head support, this crank extending towards the bottom, from its hinge axis at the first end of the connecting rod, direction of the top of the tamping head support on which it is articulated.
  • the present invention aims to eliminate all of the drawbacks previously exposed, and it therefore aims to significantly reduce the overall height of the up / down mechanism, therefore the size of the tamping unit itself, so as to eliminate the risks of accidents incurred by the operator, while maintaining the race vertical currently performed by the tamping head.
  • the invention also aims to significantly increase the yield of such machine, by doubling the up / down speeds of the tamping unit, while maintaining the hydraulic flow currently supplied to the cylinder down up.
  • the invention aims to reduce mechanical stresses especially the crank, when the stuffing head enters the ballast, while reducing noise pollution during operation.
  • the invention as the subject of the appended claim 1, essentially relates to a mechanism up / down for ballast tamping unit, of the kind specified in introduction, mechanism which comprises a hydraulic cylinder so arranged substantially vertical, one end of which is hinged to the chassis of the unit tamping, and the other end of which is articulated at an intermediate point a connecting rod, which has a first hinged end, on an axis horizontal, with a crank, this mechanism being characterized in that the second end of the connecting rod is articulated, on a horizontal axis, to the support of tamping head, while the crank is pivotally mounted on the chassis the tamping unit, around a horizontal axis located on a vertical side of this frame.
  • the up / down mechanism for the tamping unit of ballast, object of! invention uses a hydraulic cylinder whose stroke is mechanically amplified by a connecting rod and crank device, combining with the vertical linear guide of the tamping head support.
  • the crank provides rotary guidance of the connecting rod at one of its ends.
  • the other extremity of the connecting rod, being articulated to the tamping head support, ensures the maintenance and the vertical displacement of said head, this other end being guided vertically by the vertical guide of the tamping head support.
  • the stroke of the head padding is approximately equal to twice the cylinder stroke.
  • the invention makes it possible to reduce considerably the stroke, therefore the deployed length, of the cylinder actuation of the up / down movement, which makes it possible to modify radically the configuration of the tamping unit, reducing considerably its size, especially in height, and with for consequence of a significant increase in ascent / descent speeds, thanks to the amplification of the cylinder stroke.
  • the solution of this invention also makes it possible to reduce the total height of the entire mechanism (compared to the production of document CH 285054 A) by the choice of a lateral positioning of the crank, vis-à-vis the chassis the tamping unit.
  • the invention practically makes it possible to double the speeds of ascent and descent of the tamping head and, therefore, significantly increase the tamping machine performance.
  • the solution provided by the present invention is also simple and economic.
  • the mechanism itself is particularly simple, since it only requires the addition of a connecting rod and a crank, while that the length of the cylinder is reduced.
  • the exterior size and weight of the stuffing equipment are reduced, while the platform is removed upper, its guardrails and its access ladder.
  • the increase in machine efficiency, obtained by the mechanism amplifier of the cylinder stroke, also represents an economic gain important.
  • the solution of the present invention provides during operation a reduction in mechanical stress, and a reduction in emissions sound.
  • the crank is subjected to a tensile force (and no more than compression), which eliminates buckling of the crank in this phase where the mechanical stresses are the strongest.
  • the crank has a single movable joint, this crank being mounted between a fixed frame and the connecting rod, which makes it perfectly stable and keeps it away vibrating elements, resulting in a significant reduction in shock and noise.
  • the object of the invention solution thus provides a significant improvement, by a judicious arrangement of the crank and its joints.
  • FIGS. 3 to 6 a tamping unit is shown, of which generally known elements are designated by the same references numerical than those of Figures 1 and 2.
  • this tamping unit always includes a vertical frame 1, provided with a vertical linear guide 2 on which a head support is mounted tamping 3, which carries the tamping head 4.
  • the ascent / descent mechanism generally designated by the item 14, consists of a hydraulic cylinder 15, a connecting rod 16 and a crank 17.
  • the hydraulic cylinder 15 arranged substantially vertically, has a cylinder body articulated by its lower end, around an axis horizontal 18, on the lower part of the chassis 1 of the tamping unit, in particularly on a yoke 19 fixed to the lower cross member of the chassis.
  • the stem of the cylinder 15 is articulated by its upper end, around another axis horizontal 20, at a point located substantially mid-length of the connecting rod 16.
  • the connecting rod 16 is articulated by one end, around an axis horizontal 21, on the stuffing head support 3.
  • the other end of the connecting rod 16 is articulated around a horizontal axis 22 at one end of the crank 17.
  • the crank 17 is itself pivotally mounted, about an axis horizontal 23 fixed located on a vertical side of the chassis 1 of the tamping unit.
  • the various horizontal axes 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23, previously mentioned, are all parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the plane of the chassis 1.
  • the actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 15 moves the connecting rod 16, in its vertical plane.
  • the connecting rod 16 is guided, at a end, by the corresponding end of the crank 17 which describes an arc of circle centered on the axis 23.
  • the other end of the connecting rod 16 is guided according to a vertical trajectory, since it is linked to the stuffing head support 3, itself guided by the vertical guide 2, constituted for example by a single central guide column.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show the tamping unit with its stuffing 4 in the high position, the jack 15 being deployed so that the connecting rod 16 is raised.
  • FIG. 3 which thus shows the vertical stroke C of the head of jam 4.
  • the stroke C1 of the jack 15 is substantially equal to half of the stroke C of the tamping head 4.
  • the up / down mechanism 14 ensures the amplification of the movements of the cylinder 15, while providing a compact embodiment of the tamping unit, in particular a reduction in its overall height.
  • Figure 7 shows a tamping machine 24 according to the state of the technical, i.e. with ascent / descent mechanism in accordance with Figures 1 and 2, the machine 24 being used in combination with a hydraulic shovel 25, partially represented by its arm 26.
  • a platform 28 with safety railing 29; the machine 24 also includes, laterally, a ladder 30 for access to the platform 28.
  • the Figure 8 shows a tamping machine 31 with up / down mechanism 14 according to the invention.
  • the total height h of this machine 31 being considerably reduced, a simple side step 32, located at a low height, is sufficient to allow the operator to access the upper part of the machine 31, in order to carry out the mechanical and hydraulic connection operations on the arm 26 of the hydraulic shovel 25. Risk of injury from falling the operator, or electrocution, are thus eliminated.
  • the yield of the machine is optimized by the present invention because by retaining the flow hydraulics of the pump (not illustrated) which here supplies the jack 15, the speeds up and down of the tamping unit are substantially doubled, in comparison with the stuffing machine 24 according to the state of the art,

Abstract

The mechanism (14) ensures the rise/fall movement of the packing head (4) in a rail track packing unit. The mechanism comprises a vertical hydraulic actuator (15) with one end articulated (18) to the unit chassis (1) and the other end articulated to an intermediate point (20) of a connecting rod (16). One end of the connecting rod is articulated (22) to a crank (17) and the other end is articulated (21) to the packing head support (3) which is itself mounted on a linear vertical guide (2). There is also an activator travel amplifier (C1).

Description

La présente invention concerne, de façon générale, les unités de bourrage de ballast de voies de chemin de fer. Plus particulièrement, cette invention se rapporte à un mécanisme assurant les mouvements de montée/descente de la tête de bourrage, entre une position haute et une position basse.The present invention relates, in general, to the railway track ballast stuffing. More specifically, this invention relates to a mechanism ensuring the movements of up / down of the tamping head, between a high position and a low position.

Dans le domaine des chemins de fer, il est nécessaire de consolider les voies en calant les traverses par un procédé appelé bourrage. Celui-ci consiste à faire pénétrer le ballast sous les traverses, au moyen de dispositifs appelés unités de bourrage, qui sont en fait des pinces vibrantes. Celles-ci sont forcées dans le ballast, de part et d'autre d'une traverse, en les faisant vibrer à une fréquence déterminée voisine de la fréquence propre du ballast, et en imprimant à la pince un mouvement de fermeture qui force l'imbrication du ballast sous la traverse.In the railway sector, it is necessary to consolidate tracks by stalling the sleepers by a process called tamping. This one consists in making the ballast penetrate under the sleepers, by means of devices called tamping units, which are actually vibrating grippers. These are forced into the ballast, on either side of a sleeper, making them vibrate at a determined frequency close to the natural frequency of the ballast, and imposing a closing movement on the pliers which forces the nesting of the ballast under the sleeper.

Dans une telle unité de bourrage, la tête de bourrage, c'est-à-dire la partie équipée d'outils vibrants enfoncés dans le ballast, est montée mobile verticalement, entre une position haute et une position basse. La position haute de la tête de bourrage permet aux outils de dégager les parties basses du gabarit ferroviaire de circulation de l'engin de bourrage. La position basse permet à la tête de bourrage de compacter le ballast, sous les traverses. Cette position basse est réglable, en fonction du type de traverse de voie ferrée à bourrer ; le réglage de la position basse est effectué de manière à positionner l'extrémité inférieure libre des outils de l'unité de bourrage à environ 15 mm en dessous des traverses.In such a tamping unit, the tamping head, that is to say the part fitted with vibrating tools driven into the ballast, is mounted mobile vertically, between a high position and a low position. The high position of the tamping head allows the tools to clear the lower parts of the railway clearance gauge for the tamping machine. The low position allows the tamping head to compact the ballast, under the sleepers. This lower position is adjustable, depending on the type of railway sleeper stuff; the lower position is adjusted so as to position the free bottom end of the tamping unit tools about 15 mm in below the sleepers.

Les figures 1 et 2 du dessin schématique annexé montrent une unité de bourrage pourvue d'un mécanisme de montée/descente de conception actuelle, telle que divulguée dans son principe par les documents GB 968697 A et US 2926617 A, la figure 1 en étant une vue de face et la figure 2 une vue de côté. L'unité de bourrage comprend un châssis vertical 1, muni d'un guidage linéaire vertical 2, sur lequel est monté un support de tête de bourrage 3, qui porte la tête de bourrage 4 proprement dite. Sur cette tête 4 sont articulés symétriquement, autour d'axes respectifs 5 et 6 parallèles et horizontaux, deux porte-outils 7 et 8 équipés respectivement d'outils de bourrage 9 et 10, dans leurs parties inférieures. Un dispositif motorisé à excentrique 11, porté par la partie centrale de la tête de bourrage 4, assure la mise en vibration des outils 9 et 10. Les extrémités supérieures respectives des deux porte-outils 7 et 8 sont réunies par un vérin hydraulique de serrage 12, disposé horizontalement. Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying schematic drawing show a tamping unit with design up / down mechanism current, as disclosed in principle by the documents GB 968697 A and US 2926617 A, Figure 1 being a front view and the figure 2 a side view. The tamping unit comprises a vertical frame 1, provided a vertical linear guide 2, on which is mounted a head support stuffing 3, which carries the stuffing head 4 proper. On this head 4 are articulated symmetrically, around respective axes 5 and 6 parallel and horizontal, two tool holders 7 and 8 respectively equipped with stuffing 9 and 10, in their lower parts. A motorized device with eccentric 11, carried by the central part of the tamping head 4, ensures the vibration of tools 9 and 10. The respective upper ends of the two tool holders 7 and 8 are joined by a hydraulic clamping cylinder 12, arranged horizontally.

Un autre vérin hydraulique 13, disposé verticalement, assure les mouvements de montée/descente de la tête de bourrage 4. L'extrémité inférieure du vérin 13 est liée à la traverse inférieure du châssis 1, tandis que son extrémité supérieure est liée au support de tête de bourrage 3, pour déplacer verticalement ce support 3 le long du guidage linéaire 2. La course du vérin hydraulique 13 est ici indiquée en C, et elle correspond à l'écart entre la position haute et la position basse des outils de bourrage 9 et 10 (voir en particulier au bas de la figure 1).Another hydraulic cylinder 13, arranged vertically, ensures the up / down movements of the tamping head 4. The end lower of the jack 13 is linked to the lower cross member of the chassis 1, while its upper end is linked to the stuffing head support 3, to vertically move this support 3 along the linear guide 2. The stroke of the hydraulic cylinder 13 is here indicated in C, and it corresponds to the difference between the high position and low position of tamping tools 9 and 10 (see in particular at the bottom of figure 1).

Dans une telle réalisation connue, l'encombrement maximum en hauteur de l'unité de bourrage est tributaire de la longueur déployée du vérin hydraulique 13. Cet encombrement est actuellement important, ce qui pose notamment des problèmes de sécurité.In such a known embodiment, the maximum size in tamping unit height is dependent on the extended length of the cylinder hydraulic 13. This space is currently large, which poses including security concerns.

En effet, l'engin comporte une plate-forme située au-dessus du châssis de l'unité de bourrage, plate-forme sur laquelle doit se poster l'opérateur pour connecter hydrauliquement et mécaniquement l'unité de bourrage à un appareil de levage, tel que pelle hydraulique, utilisé sur le chantier. La plate-forme étant située à environ 2 mètres au-dessus du sol, il existe pour l'opérateur un risque de chute et de blessures plus ou moins graves. De plus, il existe un risque d'électrocution de l'opérateur, en cas de positionnement de l'engin sous une caténaire en tension.Indeed, the machine has a platform located above the tamping unit chassis, platform on which to stand the operator to hydraulically and mechanically connect the tamping with a lifting device, such as a hydraulic shovel, used on the construction site. The platform being located about 2 meters above the ground, it there is a greater or less risk of the operator falling and being injured serious. In addition, there is a risk of electric shock to the operator, in the event of positioning of the machine under a catenary in tension.

On connaít aussi dans ce domaine, par le document CH 285054 A (qui sert de base au préambule de la revendication 1), un mécanisme de montée/descente qui comprend un vérin hydraulique disposé de façon sensiblement verticale, une extrémité du vérin étant articulée sur le châssis de l'unité de bourrage, et l'autre extrémité du vérin étant articulée en un point intermédiaire d'une bielle, laquelle possède une première extrémité articulée sur un axe horizontal à une manivelle. La seconde extrémité de la bielle est articulée sur le châssis de l'unité de bourrage. La manivelle est montée pivotante sur le support de tête de bourrage, cette manivelle s'étendant vers le bas, à partir de son axe d'articulation à la première extrémité de la bielle, en direction du sommet du support de tête de bourrage sur lequel elle est articulée.We also know in this area, from document CH 285054 A (which forms the basis of the preamble of claim 1), a mechanism for up / down which includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged so substantially vertical, one end of the jack being articulated on the chassis of the tamping unit, and the other end of the jack being articulated at a point intermediate of a connecting rod, which has a first end articulated on a horizontal axis to a crank. The second end of the connecting rod is articulated on the frame of the tamping unit. The crank is mounted swivel on the tamping head support, this crank extending towards the bottom, from its hinge axis at the first end of the connecting rod, direction of the top of the tamping head support on which it is articulated.

En raison de cette configuration, la hauteur totale de l'ensemble du mécanisme, tenant compte de la longueur de la manivelle, reste importante. De plus, lors de la pénétration de la tête de bourrage dans le ballast, la manivelle subit un effort de compression, donc un flambage. De plus, les deux articulations de la manivelle étant situées respectivement sur la bielle et sur le support de tête de bourrage, donc sur deux pièces mobiles, la manivelle est montée de façon instable, et ceci à proximité des éléments vibrants, ce qui est la cause de chocs se répétant à la fréquence des vibrations, et d'émissions sonores gênantes. Une telle réalisation n'est donc pas encore satisfaisante.Due to this configuration, the total height of the entire mechanism, taking into account the length of the crank, remains important. Of more, when the stuffing head penetrates the ballast, the crank undergoes a compressive force, therefore a buckling. In addition, the two joints of the crank being located respectively on the connecting rod and on the stuffing head support, so on two moving parts, the crank is unstable rise, and this near the vibrating elements, which is the cause of shocks repeating at the frequency of vibrations, and emissions annoying sound. Such an embodiment is therefore not yet satisfactory.

La présente invention vise à éliminer l'ensemble des inconvénients précédemment exposés, et elle a ainsi pour but de réduire de façon significative l'encombrement en hauteur du mécanisme de montée/descente, donc l'encombrement de l'unité de bourrage elle-même, de manière à supprimer les risques d'accidents encourus par l'opérateur, tout en conservant la course verticale actuellement effectuée par la tête de bourrage. L'invention a aussi pour objectif d'augmenter de façon significative le rendement d'une telle machine, en doublant les vitesses de montée/descente de l'unité de bourrage, tout en conservant le débit hydraulique fourni actuellement au vérin de montée/descente. Enfin, l'invention vise à réduire les sollicitations mécaniques notamment de la manivelle, lors de la pénétration de la tête de bourrage dans le ballast, tout en diminuant les nuisances sonores en cours de fonctionnement.The present invention aims to eliminate all of the drawbacks previously exposed, and it therefore aims to significantly reduce the overall height of the up / down mechanism, therefore the size of the tamping unit itself, so as to eliminate the risks of accidents incurred by the operator, while maintaining the race vertical currently performed by the tamping head. The invention also aims to significantly increase the yield of such machine, by doubling the up / down speeds of the tamping unit, while maintaining the hydraulic flow currently supplied to the cylinder down up. Finally, the invention aims to reduce mechanical stresses especially the crank, when the stuffing head enters the ballast, while reducing noise pollution during operation.

A cet effet, l'invention telle que faisant l'objet de la revendication 1 annexée, a essentiellement pour objet un mécanisme de montée/descente pour unité de bourrage de ballast, du genre précisé en introduction, mécanisme qui comprend un vérin hydraulique disposé de façon sensiblement verticale, dont une extrémité est articulée sur le châssis de l'unité de bourrage, et dont l'autre extrémité est articulée en un point intermédiaire d'une bielle, laquelle possède une première extrémité articulée, sur un axe horizontal, à une manivelle, ce mécanisme étant caractérisé en ce que la seconde extrémité de la bielle est articulée, sur un axe horizontal, au support de tête de bourrage, tandis que la manivelle est montée pivotante sur le châssis de l'unité de bourrage, autour d'un axe horizontal situé sur un côté vertical de ce châssis.To this end, the invention as the subject of the appended claim 1, essentially relates to a mechanism up / down for ballast tamping unit, of the kind specified in introduction, mechanism which comprises a hydraulic cylinder so arranged substantially vertical, one end of which is hinged to the chassis of the unit tamping, and the other end of which is articulated at an intermediate point a connecting rod, which has a first hinged end, on an axis horizontal, with a crank, this mechanism being characterized in that the second end of the connecting rod is articulated, on a horizontal axis, to the support of tamping head, while the crank is pivotally mounted on the chassis the tamping unit, around a horizontal axis located on a vertical side of this frame.

Ainsi, le mécanisme de montée/descente pour unité de bourrage de ballast, objet de !'invention, utilise un vérin hydraulique dont la course est amplifiée mécaniquement par un dispositif à bielle et manivelle, se combinant avec le guidage linéaire vertical du support de tête de bourrage. La manivelle assure le guidage rotatif de la bielle, à l'une de ses extrémités. L'autre extrémité de la bielle, étant articulée au support de tête de bourrage, assure le maintien et le déplacement vertical de ladite tête, cette autre extrémité étant guidée verticalement par le guidage vertical du support de tête de bourrage.Thus, the up / down mechanism for the tamping unit of ballast, object of! invention, uses a hydraulic cylinder whose stroke is mechanically amplified by a connecting rod and crank device, combining with the vertical linear guide of the tamping head support. The crank provides rotary guidance of the connecting rod at one of its ends. The other extremity of the connecting rod, being articulated to the tamping head support, ensures the maintenance and the vertical displacement of said head, this other end being guided vertically by the vertical guide of the tamping head support.

Dans la mesure où une extrémité du vérin est articulée sensiblement au milieu de la longueur de la bielle, la course de la tête de bourrage, entre sa position haute et sa position basse, est approximativement égale au double de la course du vérin.Insofar as one end of the jack is articulated substantially in the middle of the length of the connecting rod, the stroke of the head padding, between its high position and its low position, is approximately equal to twice the cylinder stroke.

Ainsi, tout en conservant l'amplitude habituelle de la course de montée/descente de la tête de bourrage, l'invention permet de réduire considérablement la course, donc la longueur déployée, du vérin d'actionnement du mouvement de montée/descente, ce qui permet de modifier radicalement la configuration de l'unité de bourrage, en réduisant considérablement son encombrement, notamment en hauteur, et avec pour conséquence une augmentation sensible des vitesses de montée/descente, grâce à l'amplification de la course du vérin. La solution de la présente invention permet aussi de réduire la hauteur totale de l'ensemble du mécanisme (comparativement à la réalisation du document CH 285054 A) par le choix d'un positionnement latéral de la manivelle, vis-à-vis du châssis de l'unité de bourrage.Thus, while maintaining the usual amplitude of the stroke of raising / lowering of the tamping head, the invention makes it possible to reduce considerably the stroke, therefore the deployed length, of the cylinder actuation of the up / down movement, which makes it possible to modify radically the configuration of the tamping unit, reducing considerably its size, especially in height, and with for consequence of a significant increase in ascent / descent speeds, thanks to the amplification of the cylinder stroke. The solution of this invention also makes it possible to reduce the total height of the entire mechanism (compared to the production of document CH 285054 A) by the choice of a lateral positioning of the crank, vis-à-vis the chassis the tamping unit.

En conséquence, pour connecter hydrauliquement et mécaniquement l'unité de bourrage à une pelle hydraulique, l'opérateur peut désormais se placer sur un marchepied situé au bas du châssis de base de l'unité de bourrage, ce qui permet de supprimer toute plate-forme située en hauteur, en éliminant les risques d'accidents associés (chute, électrocution) et en résolvant ainsi les problèmes actuels de sécurité.As a result, to hydraulically connect and mechanically the tamping unit to a hydraulic shovel, the operator can now place yourself on a step located at the bottom of the base frame of the tamping unit, which eliminates any platform located in height, eliminating the risk of associated accidents (fall, electrocution) and thereby solving current security issues.

De plus, en divisant sensiblement par deux la course du vérin de montée/descente de la tête de bourrage, par un mécanisme d'amplification, l'invention permet pratiquement de doubler les vitesses de montée et descente de la tête de bourrage et, par conséquent, d'augmenter sensiblement le rendement de l'engin de bourrage.In addition, by dividing the stroke of the actuator substantially by two raising / lowering of the stuffing head, by an amplification mechanism, the invention practically makes it possible to double the speeds of ascent and descent of the tamping head and, therefore, significantly increase the tamping machine performance.

La solution fournie par la présente invention est aussi simple et économique. D'une part, le mécanisme lui-même est particulièrement simple, puisqu'il nécessite seulement l'adjonction d'une bielle et d'une manivelle, tandis que la longueur du vérin est réduite. D'autre part, la taille extérieure et le poids de l'engin de bourrage sont réduits, tandis que sont supprimées la plate-forme supérieure, ses rambardes de protection et son échelle d'accès. L'augmentation du rendement de la machine, obtenue par le mécanisme amplificateur de la course du vérin, représente elle aussi un gain économique important.The solution provided by the present invention is also simple and economic. On the one hand, the mechanism itself is particularly simple, since it only requires the addition of a connecting rod and a crank, while that the length of the cylinder is reduced. On the other hand, the exterior size and weight of the stuffing equipment are reduced, while the platform is removed upper, its guardrails and its access ladder. The increase in machine efficiency, obtained by the mechanism amplifier of the cylinder stroke, also represents an economic gain important.

Enfin, comparativement au document précité CH 285054 A, la solution de la présente invention procure en cours de fonctionnement une diminution des sollicitations mécaniques, et une réduction des émissions sonores. En particulier, pendant la phase de pénétration de la tête de bourrage dans le ballast, la manivelle est soumise à un effort de traction (et non plus de compression), ce qui permet de supprimer le flambage de la manivelle dans cette phase où les sollicitations mécaniques sont les plus fortes. De plus, la manivelle possède une seule articulation mobile, cette manivelle étant montée entre un châssis fixe et la bielle, ce qui la rend parfaitement stable et l'éloigne des éléments vibrants, d'où une réduction importante des chocs et des nuisances sonores. La solution objet de l'invention apporte ainsi une amélioration sensible, par une disposition judicieuse de la manivelle et de ses articulations.Finally, compared to the aforementioned document CH 285054 A, the solution of the present invention provides during operation a reduction in mechanical stress, and a reduction in emissions sound. In particular, during the penetration phase of the tamping head in the ballast, the crank is subjected to a tensile force (and no more than compression), which eliminates buckling of the crank in this phase where the mechanical stresses are the strongest. In addition, the crank has a single movable joint, this crank being mounted between a fixed frame and the connecting rod, which makes it perfectly stable and keeps it away vibrating elements, resulting in a significant reduction in shock and noise. The object of the invention solution thus provides a significant improvement, by a judicious arrangement of the crank and its joints.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution de ce mécanisme de montée/descente pour unité de bourrage de ballast :

  • Figure 1 (déjà mentionnée) est une vue de face d'une unité de bourrage avec mécanisme de montée/descente selon l'état de la technique ;
  • Figure 2 (déjà mentionnée) est une vue de côté, correspondant à la figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 est une vue de face d'une unité de bourrage avec mécanisme de montée/descente conforme à la présente invention, en position haute ;
  • Figure 4 est une vue de côté, correspondant à la figure 3 ;
  • Figure 5 est une autre vue de face de l'unité de bourrage avec mécanisme de montée/descente selon l'invention, en position basse ;
  • Figure 6 est une vue de côté, correspondant à figure 5 ;
  • Figure 7 montre un engin de bourrage selon l'état de la technique, utilisé en association avec une pelle hydraulique (partiellement représentée) ;
  • Figure 8 est une vue similaire à figure 7, illustrant l'utilisation d'un engin de bourrage selon l'invention, en association avec une pelle hydraulique (partiellement représentée).
    • The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this raising / lowering mechanism for ballast tamping unit:
  • Figure 1 (already mentioned) is a front view of a tamping unit with up / down mechanism according to the prior art;
  • Figure 2 (already mentioned) is a side view, corresponding to Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a front view of a tamping unit with up / down mechanism according to the present invention, in the high position;
  • Figure 4 is a side view, corresponding to Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is another front view of the tamping unit with up / down mechanism according to the invention, in the low position;
  • Figure 6 is a side view, corresponding to Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 shows a tamping machine according to the state of the art, used in combination with a hydraulic shovel (partially shown);
  • Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, illustrating the use of a tamping machine according to the invention, in combination with a hydraulic shovel (partially shown).

    • Sur les figures 3 à 6, est représentée une unité de bourrage, dont les éléments généralement connus sont désignés par les mêmes repères numériques que ceux des figures 1 et 2.In FIGS. 3 to 6, a tamping unit is shown, of which generally known elements are designated by the same references numerical than those of Figures 1 and 2.

    Ainsi, cette unité de bourrage comprend toujours un châssis vertical 1, muni d'un guidage linéaire vertical 2 sur lequel est monté un support de tête de bourrage 3, qui porte la tête de bourrage 4. Deux porte-outils 7 et 8, articulés sur la tête 4 autour d'axes horizontaux respectifs 5 et 6, portent des outils de bourrage respectifs 9 et 10, mis en vibration par un dispositif à excentrique 11.Thus, this tamping unit always includes a vertical frame 1, provided with a vertical linear guide 2 on which a head support is mounted tamping 3, which carries the tamping head 4. Two tool holders 7 and 8, articulated on the head 4 around respective horizontal axes 5 and 6, carry tools for respective tamping 9 and 10, vibrated by an eccentric device 11.

    Le mécanisme de montée/descente, désigné globalement par le repère 14, se compose d'un vérin hydraulique 15, d'une bielle 16 et d'une manivelle 17.The ascent / descent mechanism, generally designated by the item 14, consists of a hydraulic cylinder 15, a connecting rod 16 and a crank 17.

    Le vérin hydraulique 15, disposé de façon sensiblement verticale, possède un corps de vérin articulé par son extrémité inférieure, autour d'un axe horizontal 18, sur la partie inférieure du châssis 1 de l'unité de bourrage, en particulier sur une chape 19 fixée à la traverse inférieure du châssis. La tige du vérin 15 est articulée par son extrémité supérieure, autour d'un autre axe horizontal 20, en un point situé sensiblement à mi-longueur de la bielle 16.The hydraulic cylinder 15, arranged substantially vertically, has a cylinder body articulated by its lower end, around an axis horizontal 18, on the lower part of the chassis 1 of the tamping unit, in particularly on a yoke 19 fixed to the lower cross member of the chassis. The stem of the cylinder 15 is articulated by its upper end, around another axis horizontal 20, at a point located substantially mid-length of the connecting rod 16.

    La bielle 16 est articulée par une extrémité, autour d'un axe horizontal 21, sur le support de tête de bourrage 3. L'autre extrémité de la bielle 16 est articulée, autour d'un axe horizontal 22, à une extrémité de la manivelle 17.The connecting rod 16 is articulated by one end, around an axis horizontal 21, on the stuffing head support 3. The other end of the connecting rod 16 is articulated around a horizontal axis 22 at one end of the crank 17.

    La manivelle 17 est elle-même montée pivotante, autour d'un axe horizontal 23 fixe situé sur un côté vertical du châssis 1 de l'unité de bourrage. Les divers axes horizontaux 18, 20, 21, 22 et 23, précédemment mentionnés, sont tous parallèles entre eux, et perpendiculaires au plan du châssis 1.The crank 17 is itself pivotally mounted, about an axis horizontal 23 fixed located on a vertical side of the chassis 1 of the tamping unit. The various horizontal axes 18, 20, 21, 22 and 23, previously mentioned, are all parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the plane of the chassis 1.

    L'actionnement du vérin hydraulique 15 déplace la bielle 16, dans son plan vertical. Dans ses déplacements, la bielle 16 est guidée, à une extrémité, par l'extrémité correspondante de la manivelle 17 qui décrit un arc de cercle centré sur l'axe 23. L'autre extrémité de la bielle 16 est guidée selon une trajectoire verticale, puisqu'elle est liée au support de tête de bourrage 3, lui-même guidé par le guidage vertical 2, constitué par exemple par une unique colonne de guidage centrale.The actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 15 moves the connecting rod 16, in its vertical plane. In its movements, the connecting rod 16 is guided, at a end, by the corresponding end of the crank 17 which describes an arc of circle centered on the axis 23. The other end of the connecting rod 16 is guided according to a vertical trajectory, since it is linked to the stuffing head support 3, itself guided by the vertical guide 2, constituted for example by a single central guide column.

    Les figures 3 et 4 montrent l'unité de bourrage avec sa tête de bourrage 4 en position haute, le vérin 15 étant déployé de sorte que la bielle 16 se trouve relevée.Figures 3 and 4 show the tamping unit with its stuffing 4 in the high position, the jack 15 being deployed so that the connecting rod 16 is raised.

    En rétractant le vérin 15, on fait pivoter la bielle 16 dans le sens de son abaissement, la manivelle 17 assurant la « compensation » de la variation de longueur (en projection horizontale) de la bielle 16. Lorsque le vérin 15 est entièrement rétracté, la bielle 16 se trouve abaissée au maximum et la tête de bourrage 4 occupe sa position basse - voir figures 5 et 6.By retracting the jack 15, the connecting rod 16 is pivoted in the direction of its lowering, the crank 17 ensuring the "compensation" for the variation in length (in horizontal projection) of the connecting rod 16. When the jack 15 is fully retracted, the connecting rod 16 is lowered to the maximum and the head tamping 4 occupies its low position - see Figures 5 and 6.

    La position basse est aussi suggérée, pour les outils de bourrage 9 et 10, sur la figure 3 qui fait ainsi apparaítre la course verticale C de la tête de bourrage 4. Comme le montre cette figure 3, la course C1 du vérin 15 est sensiblement égale à la moitié de la course C de la tête de bourrage 4. Ainsi, le mécanisme de montée/descente 14 assure l'amplification des mouvements du vérin 15, tout en procurant une réalisation compacte de l'unité de bourrage, notamment une réduction de son encombrement en hauteur.The lower position is also suggested, for tamping tools 9 and 10, in FIG. 3 which thus shows the vertical stroke C of the head of jam 4. As shown in this figure 3, the stroke C1 of the jack 15 is substantially equal to half of the stroke C of the tamping head 4. Thus, the up / down mechanism 14 ensures the amplification of the movements of the cylinder 15, while providing a compact embodiment of the tamping unit, in particular a reduction in its overall height.

    Ceci est plus particulièrement illustré par la confrontation des figures 7 et 8. La figure 7 montre un engin de bourrage 24 selon l'état de la technique, c'est-à-dire avec mécanisme de montée/descente conforme aux figures 1 et 2, l'engin 24 étant utilisé en association avec une pelle hydraulique 25, partiellement représentée par son bras 26. Pour permettre à l'opérateur de connecter mécaniquement et hydrauliquement l'engin 24 à la pelle 25, il est prévu, dans la partie supérieure du châssis de base 27 de cet engin 24, une plate-forme 28 avec rambarde de sécurité 29 ; l'engin 24 comporte aussi, latéralement, une échelle 30 d'accès à la plate-forme 28. Compte tenu de la hauteur H importante de l'engin 24, il existe, pour l'opérateur posté sur la plate-forme 28, des risques de chute d'une part, et d'électrocution d'autre part, si l'engin 24 est positionné sous une caténaire en tension. En comparaison, la figure 8 montre un engin de bourrage 31 avec mécanisme de montée/descente 14 selon l'invention. La hauteur totale h de cet engin 31 étant considérablement réduite, un simple marchepied latéral 32, situé à faible hauteur, suffit pour permettre à l'opérateur d'accéder à la partie supérieure de l'engin 31, afin de procéder aux opérations de raccordement mécanique et hydraulique au bras 26 de la pelle hydraulique 25. Les risques de blessure par suite d'une chute de l'opérateur, ou d'électrocution, sont ainsi supprimés. De plus, le rendement de la machine est optimisé par la présente invention car en conservant le débit hydraulique de la pompe (non illustrée) qui alimente ici le vérin 15, les vitesses de montée et de descente de l'unité de bourrage sont sensiblement doublées, en comparaison avec l'engin de bourrage 24 selon l'état de la technique,This is more particularly illustrated by the confrontation of Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows a tamping machine 24 according to the state of the technical, i.e. with ascent / descent mechanism in accordance with Figures 1 and 2, the machine 24 being used in combination with a hydraulic shovel 25, partially represented by its arm 26. To allow the operator to mechanically and hydraulically connect the machine 24 to the shovel 25, it is provided in the upper part of the base frame 27 of this machine 24, a platform 28 with safety railing 29; the machine 24 also includes, laterally, a ladder 30 for access to the platform 28. Given the significant height H of the machine 24, there is, for the operator posted on the platform 28, risk of falling on the one hand, and electrocution on the other hand, if the machine 24 is positioned under a tensioned catenary. In comparison, the Figure 8 shows a tamping machine 31 with up / down mechanism 14 according to the invention. The total height h of this machine 31 being considerably reduced, a simple side step 32, located at a low height, is sufficient to allow the operator to access the upper part of the machine 31, in order to carry out the mechanical and hydraulic connection operations on the arm 26 of the hydraulic shovel 25. Risk of injury from falling the operator, or electrocution, are thus eliminated. In addition, the yield of the machine is optimized by the present invention because by retaining the flow hydraulics of the pump (not illustrated) which here supplies the jack 15, the speeds up and down of the tamping unit are substantially doubled, in comparison with the stuffing machine 24 according to the state of the art,

    L'on ne s'éloignerait pas du cadre de l'invention, telle que définie dans les revendications annexées, en modifiant des détails constructifs, ou en multipliant les outils de bourrage.One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, by modifying constructive details, or in multiplying the stuffing tools.

    Claims (3)

    1. A mechanism which produces raising/lowering movements of the tamping head between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, in a ballast tamping unit for railway tracks, particularly a tamping unit which comprises a vertical frame (1) provided with a vertical linear guide system (2) on which is mounted a tamping head support (3) which bears the tamping head (4) which is equipped with vibrating tamping tools (9, 10), said raising/lowering mechanism (14) comprising a hydraulic actuator (15) which is disposed substantially vertically, one end of which is jointed (18, 19 - Figure 3) to the frame (1) of the tamping unit, and the other end of which is jointed to an intermediate point (20) of a connecting rod (16) which has a first end which is jointed about a horizontal axis (22) to a crank (17), characterised in that the second end of the connecting rod (16) is jointed, about a horizontal axis (21), to the tamping head support (3), whilst the crank (17) is mounted on the frame (1) of the tamping unit so that it can pivot about a horizontal axis (23) situated on a vertical side of said frame (1).
    2. A raising/lowering mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that one end of the actuator (15) is jointed to said intermediate point (20) substantially in the middle of the length of the connecting rod (16), so that the travel (C) of the tamping head (4) between its uppermost position and its lowermost position is approximately equal to twice the travel (C1) of the actuator (15).
    3. A raising/lowering mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the actuator (15) is jointed at its top end to the connecting rod (16), the bottom end of the actuator (15) being jointed (at 18) to the bottom part (19) of the frame (1) of the tamping unit.
    EP02356027A 2001-02-14 2002-02-13 Lifting and lowering mechanism for a ballast tamping unit Expired - Lifetime EP1233108B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    FR0102009 2001-02-14
    FR0102009A FR2820764B1 (en) 2001-02-14 2001-02-14 MOUNTING / DESCENT MECHANISM FOR BALLAST DUMP UNIT

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1233108A1 EP1233108A1 (en) 2002-08-21
    EP1233108B1 true EP1233108B1 (en) 2003-09-24

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    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP02356027A Expired - Lifetime EP1233108B1 (en) 2001-02-14 2002-02-13 Lifting and lowering mechanism for a ballast tamping unit

    Country Status (4)

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    EP (1) EP1233108B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE250691T1 (en)
    DE (1) DE60200039T2 (en)
    FR (1) FR2820764B1 (en)

    Cited By (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN102031734A (en) * 2010-12-15 2011-04-27 山东申普交通科技有限公司 Small-size hydraulic automatic tamping machine and intelligent control method

    Families Citing this family (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    AT521850A1 (en) 2018-10-24 2020-05-15 Plasser & Theurer Export Von Bahnbaumaschinen Gmbh Track construction machine and method for stuffing sleepers of a track
    CN112962365A (en) * 2021-02-07 2021-06-15 伯恩重工机械(苏州)有限公司 Portable internal combustion tamping pickaxe

    Family Cites Families (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CH285054A (en) * 1950-04-06 1952-08-31 Const Mecaniques Sa Renens Railroad ballast stuffing machine.
    US2926617A (en) * 1955-05-31 1960-03-01 Kershaw Mfg Company Inc Ballast tamping apparatus
    AT247898B (en) * 1960-03-07 1966-06-27 Plasser Bahnbaumasch Franz Track tamping machine
    IT213739Z2 (en) * 1987-07-01 1990-01-22 Bozzurra Fernando LIGHT TAPER GROUP FOR SOLID RAILWAY SETTLING

    Cited By (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN102031734A (en) * 2010-12-15 2011-04-27 山东申普交通科技有限公司 Small-size hydraulic automatic tamping machine and intelligent control method

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ATE250691T1 (en) 2003-10-15
    DE60200039D1 (en) 2003-10-30
    DE60200039T2 (en) 2004-07-08
    FR2820764B1 (en) 2004-06-18
    FR2820764A1 (en) 2002-08-16
    EP1233108A1 (en) 2002-08-21

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