PROCESSING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR TRACK PROCESSING

Abstract

A processing machine for track processing includes a carrier which is connected to a chassis through a joint unit. A processing assembly and an energy supply unit are disposed at the carrier. The energy supply unit acts as a counterweight in a working state of the processing machine. The processing machine includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between a center of gravity of the processing assembly and a center of gravity of the counterweight. A method for track processing is also provided. This enables simple, operator-friendly and flexible track processing.

Claims

1. A processing machine for track processing, the processing machine comprising: a carrier; a chassis disposed on said carrier for manually sliding the processing machine on a rail of a track; a joint unit for swiveling said carrier relative to said chassis; a processing assembly disposed on said carrier for processing the track; a counterweight to said processing assembly, said counterweight disposed at said carrier; and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between a center of gravity of said processing assembly and a center of gravity of said counterweight.

2. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said joint unit defines a horizontal swivel axis for a height adjustment of said processing assembly.

3. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said joint unit defines a vertical swivel axis for positioning said processing assembly on two sides of a rail.

4. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said processing assembly and said counterweight are disposed on different sides of a plane defined by said joint unit.

5. The processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one hand grip for manually actuating said joint unit.

6. The processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one first hand grip and at least one second hand grip disposed on different sides of a plane defined by said joint unit.

7. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said carrier includes a first carrier component and a second carrier component being displaceable relative to one another for adjusting the distance.

8. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes at least one guide.

9. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes at least one locking element.

10. The processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises an energy supply unit for supplying energy to said processing assembly.

11. The processing machine according to claim 10, wherein said energy supply unit at least partially provides said counterweight.

12. The processing machine according to claim 10, wherein said energy supply unit includes at least one accumulator.

13. The processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said chassis includes at least two guiding rollers for sliding on the rail.

14. The processing machine according to claim 1, which further comprises a transverse boom for supporting the processing machine on a rail adjacent the rail of the track.

15. A method for track processing, the method comprising: providing a processing machine for track processing, the processing machine including: a carrier, a chassis disposed on the carrier for manually sliding the processing machine on a rail of a track, a joint unit for swiveling the carrier relative to the chassis, a processing assembly disposed on the carrier for processing the track, a counterweight to the processing assembly, the counterweight disposed at the carrier, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between a center of gravity of the processing assembly and a center of gravity of the counterweight; using the adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance between the center of gravity of the processing assembly and the center of gravity of the counterweight; and using the processing assembly to perform track processing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a processing machine for track processing in a working state;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the processing machine in FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a front-elevational view of the processing machine in FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the processing machine in a transport state; and

[0036] FIG. 5 is a top-perspective view onto the processing machine in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Referring now in detail to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings as a whole, there is seen a processing machine 1 which serves to process a track 2. The track 2 includes sleepers 3, which are disposed in a ballast bed that is not shown. Rails 4, 5 are fastened on the sleepers 3. The rails 4, 5 are fastened by using clamping clips 6 and sleeper screws 7. The sleeper screws 7 are screwed into the sleepers 3. The processing machine 1 is configured as a screwing machine for mounting or tightening the sleeper screws 7 and/or for dismounting or loosening the sleeper screws 7.

[0038] The processing machine 1 can be displaced or slid manually on the rail 4. For this purpose, the processing machine 1 includes a chassis 8. The chassis 8 has a chassis frame 9 to which two guiding rollers 10, 11 are mounted to rotate about associated axes of rotation 12, 13. The axes of rotation 12, 13 run in parallel with one another and are mounted on the chassis frame 9 at a distance from one another in a longitudinal rail direction 14. The axes of rotation 12, 13 define a horizontal plane E.sub.H.

[0039] The guiding rollers 10, 11 are configured for self-centering on the rail 4. For this purpose, the guiding rollers 10, 11 each have a roller base body 15 on which two flanges 16 are configured at the end.

[0040] The processing machine 1 includes a transverse boom 17 for support on the adjacent rail 5. The transverse boom 17 includes a transverse rod 18 on which a supporting roller 19 is rotatably mounted at the end. The transverse rod 18 is detachably fastened to the chassis frame 9 opposite to the supporting roller 19 by using a quick-release fastener 20.

[0041] The chassis 8 is fastened to a carrier 22 by using a joint unit 21. The carrier 22 includes a first carrier component 23 and a second carrier component 24. The joint unit 21 is disposed at the chassis frame 9 and the first carrier component 23. A processing assembly 25 is fastened to the first carrier component 23. An energy supply unit 26 is fastened to the second carrier component 24.

[0042] The joint unit 21 defines a horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H for height adjustment of the processing assembly 25. The horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H runs in parallel with the horizontal plane E.sub.H. The horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H defines a vertical plane E.sub.V which runs perpendicularly to the horizontal plane E.sub.H.

[0043] The joint unit 21 further defines a vertical swivel axis S.sub.V. The vertical swivel axis S.sub.V runs perpendicularly to the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H. In the swivel position of the carrier 22 about the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H shown in FIG. 2, the vertical swivel axis S.sub.V runs in the vertical plane E.sub.V. The vertical swivel axis S.sub.V can be swiveled relative to the vertical plane E.sub.V by swiveling the carrier 22 about the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H.

[0044] The carrier 22 can be swiveled relative to the chassis 8 about the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H and/or about the vertical swivel axis S.sub.V by using the joint unit 21. The horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H serves to adjust the height of the processing assembly 25. The vertical swivel axis S.sub.V serves to position the processing assembly 25 on two sides of the rail 4. This allows the sleeper screws 7 to be mounted or dismounted on both sides of the rail 4 on which the processing machine 1 is disposed by using the chassis 8.

[0045] The processing assembly 25 includes an electric drive motor 27, which drives a drive shaft 28 in rotation about an axis of rotation D. A processing tool 29 is fastened to the drive shaft 28 in an interchangeable manner. The processing tool 29, for example, is a screw nut for actuating the sleeper screws 7.

[0046] The processing assembly 25 is supplied with electrical energy by the energy supply unit 26. For this purpose, the processing assembly 25 is connected to the energy supply unit 26 through a line connection 30. The energy supply unit 26 includes an accumulator arrangement 31 with a plurality of accumulators 32 which are connected in series and/or in parallel. Furthermore, the energy supply unit 26 includes a housing 33 in which a capacitor arrangement 50 and a motor controller 51 for controlling and supplying power to the drive motor 27 are disposed. The capacitor arrangement 50 includes a plurality of capacitors 52 connected in series and/or in parallel. The capacitor arrangement 50 is connected in parallel to the accumulator arrangement 31 and serves to buffer power peaks during operation and to prevent an overload of the accumulator arrangement 31.

[0047] The accumulator arrangement 31 is interchangeably fastened to the second carrier component 24. The accumulator arrangement 31 includes a hand grip 34 for replacement.

[0048] In order to control the processing assembly 25, the processing machine 1 includes a control unit 35. The control unit 35 is fastened to a protective element 36. The protective element 36 is connected to the first carrier component 23 on both sides of the processing assembly 25. The protective element 36 is supported on and connected to the first carrier component 23 in the region of the joint unit 21 through a supporting element 37. The supporting element 37 includes a fastening eye 38. In order to control the processing assembly 25, the control unit 35 is in signal connection with the energy supply unit 26 and in particular with the motor control 51.

[0049] The processing machine 1 includes two first hand grips 39, 39′ for the manual actuation of the joint unit 21. The hand grips 39, 39′ are connected to the first carrier component 23 through a respective rod assembly 40, 40′. For the height adjustment of the hand grips 39, 39′, the respective rod assembly 40, 40′ includes a swivel joint 41, 41′. The hand grips 39, 39′ have a minimum distance A.sub.H from the vertical plane E.sub.V, parallel to the horizontal plane E.sub.H, wherein the following applies to the distance A.sub.H: 60 cm≤A.sub.H≤140 cm, in particular 70 cm≤A.sub.H≤130 cm, and in particular 80 cm≤A.sub.H≤120 cm.

[0050] Two second hand grips 42, 42′ are fastened to the second carrier component 24. The second hand grips 42, 42′ are disposed at the second carrier component 24 through a respective swivel joint 43, 43′. The first hand grips 39, 39′ and the second hand grips 42, 42′ are disposed on different sides of the vertical plane E.sub.V. This allows the processing machine 1 to be lifted in a simple manner by two operators.

[0051] The processing assembly 25 has a first center of gravity P.sub.B and a first mass m.sub.B. The first center of gravity P.sub.B has a first distance A.sub.B from the vertical plane E.sub.V, when viewed in parallel with the horizontal plane E.sub.H and perpendicularly to the vertical plane E.sub.V. Further, the energy supply unit 26 has a second center of gravity P.sub.E and a second mass m.sub.E. The second center of gravity P.sub.E has a second distance A.sub.E from the vertical plane E.sub.V, when viewed in parallel with the horizontal plane E.sub.H and perpendicularly to the vertical plane E.sub.V.

[0052] The processing assembly 25 and the energy supply unit 26 are disposed on different sides of the vertical plane E.sub.V in the working state shown in FIG. 2. The energy supply unit 26 forms a counterweight to the processing assembly 25 relative to the joint unit 21, in particular relative to the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H. For balancing the processing machine 1 relative to the joint unit 21, in particular relative to the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H, the processing machine 1 includes an adjustment mechanism 44. The adjustment mechanism 44 serves to adjust a distance A of the centers of gravity P.sub.B and P.sub.E to one another. By adjusting the distance A, an overall center of gravity P of the processing machine 1 is positioned relative to the joint unit 21, in particular relative to the vertical plane E.sub.V. Depending on the position, the overall center of gravity P—viewed in parallel with the horizontal plane E.sub.H and perpendicularly to the vertical plane E.sub.V—has a distance A.sub.P from the vertical plane E.sub.V which can be adjusted. In the working state shown in FIG. 2, the overall center of gravity P is positioned in the vertical plane E.sub.V so that A.sub.P=0 cm. In contrast, the overall center of gravity P is positioned outside the vertical plane E.sub.V in the transport state shown in FIG. 4 so that A.sub.P>0 cm.

[0053] The adjustment mechanism 44 includes a first linear guide 45, a second linear guide 46, and a locking element 47. The first linear guide 45 is configured between the first carrier component 23 and the second carrier component 24. The second carrier component 24 is telescopically displaceable in a linear manner within the first carrier component 23. The second linear guide 46 is configured as a telescoping rod and includes a first telescoping tube 48 and a second telescoping tube 49, which is linearly guided within the first telescoping tube 48. The first telescoping tube 48 is fastened to the first carrier component 23, whereas the second telescoping tube 49 is detachably fastened to the inverter 33 of the energy supply unit 26. The telescoping rod is part of the carrier 22. Through the use of the locking element 47, the telescoping tubes 48, 49 can be locked relative to one another. Through the use of the adjustment mechanism 44, the second distance A.sub.E is adjustable, whereas the first distance A.sub.B is not adjustable. The following applies: A=A.sub.B+A.sub.E so that the distance A can be adjusted by adjusting the distance A.sub.E.

[0054] The mode of operation of the processing machine 1 is described hereinafter:

[0055] In the transport state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the energy supply unit 26 is displaced by using the adjustment mechanism 44 in such a way that the centers of gravity P.sub.B and P.sub.E are located on a mutual side of the vertical plane E.sub.V. The distance A.sub.E is thus negative so that the distance A between the centers of gravity P.sub.B and P.sub.E is minimal. The overall center of gravity P of the processing machine 1 in the transport state—viewed in parallel with the vertical plane E.sub.V—is positioned below the fastening eye 38. Thus, for the distance A.sub.P from the vertical plane E.sub.V: A.sub.P>0 cm. The distance A.sub.P is in particular at a maximum. In the transport state, the processing machine 1 is compact and can be easily transported by two operators by using the hand grips 39, 39′ and 42, 42′. Furthermore, the processing machine 1 can be lifted by a lifting device not shown in more detail by fastening the lifting device in the fastening eye 38. Due to the fact that the overall center of gravity P is located below the fastening eye 38, the processing machine 1 is balanced in the transport state. In the transport state, the transverse boom 17 is dismounted by using the quick-release fastener 20.

[0056] When the processing machine 1 with the chassis 8 is on the rail 4, the processing machine 1 is transferred from the transport state to the working state. For this purpose, the transverse boom 17 is mounted on the chassis 8 by using the quick-release fastener 20 so that the processing machine 1 is supported on the adjacent rail 5.

[0057] The locking element 47 is loosened and the energy supply unit 26 is displaced by using the linear guides 45, 46 in such a way that the centers of gravity P.sub.B and P.sub.E are located on different sides of the vertical plane E.sub.V. The energy supply unit 26 thus acts relative to the joint unit 21 as a counterweight to the processing assembly 25. The distance A between the centers of gravity P.sub.B and P.sub.E is adjusted by using the linear guides 45, 46 in such a way that the overall center of gravity P is located as close as possible to the vertical plane E.sub.V, preferably positioned in the vertical plane E.sub.V. This balances the processing machine 1 relative to the joint unit 21, in particular to the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H. Subsequently, the adjusted distance A in which the telescoping tubes 48, 49 are fixed to each other is fixed by using the locking element 47. The working state is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0058] Due to the fact that the processing machine 1 is balanced relative to the joint unit 21, the processing of the track 2, i.e. the mounting and/or dismounting of the sleeper screws 7, is possible in a simple and operator-friendly manner by using the processing assembly 25. The processing tool 29 can be adjusted in height and/or positioned on different sides of the rail 4 in a simple manner by an operator by manually swiveling the processing assembly 25 about the horizontal swivel axis S.sub.H and/or about the vertical swivel axis S.sub.V. Only a minimum amount of force is required from the operator for swiveling.