CUTTING GRINDER AND METHOD FOR CUTTING THROUGH A RAIL OF A TRACK

Abstract

A cutting grinder for cutting through a rail of a track includes a detection device for detecting a proposed cutting position. The cutting grinder guarantees simple, user-friendly and efficient through-cutting of the rail.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A cutting grinder for cutting through a rail of a track, the cutting grinder comprising: a base body; a drive for driving a cutting disc in rotation about a rotational axis; at least one handle for manually guiding the cutting grinder; a detection device for detecting cutting positions of the cutting grinder; and a control unit for setting a rotational direction of said drive in dependence on a respective cutting position detected by said detection device.

16. The cutting grinder according to claim 15, further comprising an adjustment device for adjusting said at least one handle depending on the cutting positions of the cutting grinder.

17. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment device is arranged so as to be displaceable on said base body.

18. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment device has a carrier frame which is pivotable about a pivot axis relative to said base body.

19. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said at least one handle includes a first handle for manually guiding the cutting grinder in a first cutting position and a second handle for manually guiding the cutting grinder in a second cutting position, and wherein said first and second handles are attached to said adjustment device.

20. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment device is constructed symmetrically relative to a symmetry plane.

21. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said at least one handle includes a first handle and a second handle arranged on said adjustment device on mutually different sides of said base body.

22. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, comprising a locking unit for locking said adjustment device in a first adjustment position and in a second adjustment position.

23. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment device forms a first stop in a first adjustment position and a second stop in a second adjustment position.

24. The cutting grinder according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment device is mounted on opposite sides of said base body.

25. The cutting grinder according to claim 15, wherein said detection device comprises at least one first contact switch for detecting a first cutting position and at least one second contact switch for detecting a second cutting position.

26. The cutting grinder according to claim 15, wherein said detection device comprises at least one sensor for detecting a first cutting position and for detecting a second cutting position.

27. A method of cutting through a rail of a track, the method comprising the following steps: providing a cutting grinder with a base body, a drive for driving a cutting disc in rotation about a rotational axis, at least one handle for manually guiding the cutting grinder, a detection device for detecting cutting positions of the cutting grinder, and a control unit for setting a rotational direction of the drive depending on a respective cutting position; partially cutting through the rail with the cutting grinder, and thereby manually guiding the cutting grinder in a first cutting position on a first side of a symmetry plane of the rail; transferring the cutting grinder from the first cutting position to a second cutting position on a second side of the symmetry plane of the rail; detecting the cutting position by the detection device; and completely cutting through the rail with the cutting grinder, and thereby manually guiding the cutting grinder in the second cutting position on the second side of the symmetry plane of the rail, and reversing a rotational direction of the drive between the first and second cutting positions.

28. The method according to claim 27, which comprises adjusting the at least one handle by way of the adjustment device.

Description

[0024] Further features, advantages and details of the invention arise from the following description of an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show:

[0025] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a cutting grinder in a first cutting position when cutting through a rail of a track, wherein a guide device of the cutting grinder is attached to the rail,

[0026] FIG. 2 a first side view of the cutting grinder from FIG. 1,

[0027] FIG. 3 a second side view of the cutting grinder from FIG. 1 without the rail and the guide device,

[0028] FIG. 4 a top view of the cutting grinder from FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 5 a side view of the cutting grinder in a second cutting position when cutting through the rail, and

[0030] FIG. 6 a perspective view of the cutting grinder from FIG. 5 without the rail and the guide device.

[0031] The cutting grinder 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 serves for cutting through a rail 2 of a track. The rail 2 is attached to sleepers (not shown in detail) which are arranged on a ballast bed 3. The rail 2 has a rail head 4 and rail foot 5. The rail 2 is formed substantially symmetrically in cross-section relative to a rail symmetry plane S. The rail symmetry plane S divides a working space for cutting through the rail 2 into a first side S.sub.1 and a second side S.sub.2.

[0032] FIGS. 1 to 4 show the cutting grinder 1 in a first cutting position P.sub.1 in which the cutting grinder 1 is arranged on the first side S.sub.1 of the rail symmetry plane S. In contrast, FIGS. 5 and 6 show the cutting grinder 1 in a second cutting position P.sub.2 in which the cutting grinder 1 is arranged on the second side S.sub.2 of the rail symmetry plane S.

[0033] The cutting grinder 1 comprises a base body 6 on which a drive 7 is arranged for driving a cutting disc 8 in rotation about a rotational axis 9. The drive 7 is formed as an electric drive motor. The cutting disc 8 is attached to the cutting grinder 1 in the usual fashion. The drive 7 drives the cutting disc 8 via a transmission mechanism (not shown in detail). The transmission mechanism comprises for example a transmission chain or a transmission belt. In order to control the spark emission and protect an operator, a spark protection 10 is arranged on the base body 6.

[0034] For manual guidance, the cutting grinder 1 has a first handle 11 and a second handle 12. The handles 11, 12 are attached to an adjustment device 13 which is arranged displaceably on the base body 6 for adjustment of the handles 11, 12 depending on the cutting positions P.sub.1, P.sub.2. FIGS. 1 to 4 show the adjustment device 13 and the handles 11, 12 in an adjustment position V.sub.1, whereas FIGS. 5 and 6 show the adjustment device 13 and handles 11, 12 in a second adjustment position V.sub.2. For manual guidance, the cutting grinder 1 has a third handle 14 which is arranged on the end of the base body 6. The first handle 11 and the third handle 14 serve for manual guidance of the cutting grinder 1 in the first cutting position P.sub.1. Correspondingly, the second handle 12 and the third handle 14 serve for manual guidance of the cutting grinder 1 in the second cutting position P.sub.2.

[0035] The base body 6 defines a base body plane E which runs through the base body 6 and the rotational axis 9. The handles 11, 12 are arranged on different sides of the base body plane E. The first handle 11 faces a side G.sub.1 of the base body 6, while the second handle 12 faces a side G.sub.2 which lies opposite side G.sub.1 on the base body 6.

[0036] The adjustment device 13 comprises a carrier frame 15 with a first carrier frame part 16 and a second carrier frame part 17. The first carrier frame part 16 is mounted on the base body 6 by means of a pivot bearing 18 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 19. The pivot axis 19 runs substantially parallel to the rotational axis 9 in the base body plane E. The pivot bearing 18 is attached to a side G.sub.3 of the base body 6. Side G.sub.3 is arranged between sides G.sub.1 and G.sub.2.

[0037] The second carrier frame part 17 is connected to the first carrier frame part 16 by means of the handles 11, 12 so that the base body 6 is arranged between the carrier frame parts 16, 17. The carrier frame parts 16, 17 and the handles 11, 12 can thus be pivoted jointly about the pivot axis 19. The second carrier frame part 17 is mounted pivotably on a side G.sub.4 of the base body 6 by means of guide bolts 20, 21 and associated guide grooves 22, 23 and a locking unit 24. Side G.sub.4 is arranged between sides G.sub.1 and G.sub.2 and opposite side G.sub.3. The guide bolts 20, 21 are arranged spaced apart from each other on side G.sub.4 of the base body 6 and adjacent to side G.sub.1 or G.sub.2 respectively. The guide grooves 22, 23 are formed in the second carrier frame part 17. The guide bolt 20 is guided in the guide groove 22, while the guide bolt 21 is guided in the guide groove 23. The adjustment device 13 or the carrier frame 15 is thus mounted on the base body 6 on the opposite sides G.sub.3, G.sub.4.

[0038] The guide bolts 20, 21 in the first adjustment position V.sub.1 form first stops A.sub.1 for the carrier frame 15, while the guide bolts 20, 21 in the second adjustment position V.sub.2 form second stops A.sub.2. The carrier frame 15 is thus pivotable about the pivot axis 19 between the stops A.sub.1 and A.sub.2.

[0039] The locking unit 24 comprises a clamping element 25 which is guided in a groove 26. The clamping element 25 is arranged on side G.sub.4 of the base body 6. The groove 26 is formed in the second carrier frame part 17. By means of the clamping element 25, the adjustment device 13 or the carrier frame 15 can be locked or fixed in the adjustment positions V.sub.1 and V.sub.2 and in any arbitrary intermediate position.

[0040] The adjustment device 13 is constructed substantially symmetrically relative to a symmetry plane S.sub.V. The symmetry plane S.sub.V runs through the pivot axis 19 and between the handles 11, 12. The handles 11, 12 are arranged parallel to the symmetry plane S.sub.V.

[0041] For automatic detection of the cutting positions P.sub.1, P.sub.2, the cutting grinder 1 has a detection device 27. The detection device 27 comprises a first contact switch 28 and a second contact switch 29. The first contact switch 28 is arranged on the side G.sub.2 of the base body 6 and faces the second handle 12. In contrast, the second contact switch 29 is arranged on side G.sub.1 of the base body 6 and faces the first handle 11. The detection device 27 serves for detecting the first cutting position P.sub.1 when the second handle 12 in the first adjustment position V.sub.1 actuates the first contact switch 28, and for detecting the second cutting position P.sub.2 when the first handle 11 in the second adjustment position V.sub.2 actuates the second contact switch 29. This is illustrated for example in FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0042] The detection device 27 furthermore comprises a sensor 30 for detecting the cutting positions P.sub.1, P.sub.2. The sensor 30 is arranged on the base body 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor 30 is integrated in the third handle 14. The sensor 30 is configured for example as an acceleration sensor, an optical sensor or gravity sensor.

[0043] The detection device 27 comprises a control unit 31. The control unit 31 is integrated in the base body 6. The control unit 31 is in signalling connection with the contact switches 28, 29 and the sensor 30. The control unit 31 serves for detecting the cutting positions P.sub.1, P.sub.2 for actuation of the drive 7, and for setting a rotational direction D.sub.1 or D.sub.2 depending on the detected cutting position P.sub.1 or P.sub.2.

[0044] For precise through-cutting of the rail 2, the cutting grinder 1 has a guide device 32. The guide device 32 comprises a clamping unit 33 and an articulated arm 34 pivotably attached thereto. The articulated arm 34 is itself pivotably arranged on the base body 6.

[0045] The function of the cutting grinder 1 is as follows:

[0046] The cutting grinder 1 is attached to the rail 2 to be cut by means of the clamping unit 33. The adjustment device 13 is in the first adjustment position V.sub.1 so that the second handle 12 actuates the first contact switch 28. The control unit 31 evaluates a first signal of the first contact switch 28 and a second signal of the sensor 30. By means of the control unit 31, from the provided signals, the detection device 27 detects that the cutting grinder 1 is in the first cutting position P.sub.1. When the cutting grinder 1 is switched on by an operator in the first cutting position P.sub.1, the control unit 31 actuates the drive 7 such that the cutting disc 8 is driven in rotation about the rotational axis 9 in the rotational direction D.sub.1. This is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0047] By means of the handles 11 and 14, an operator guides the cutting grinder 1 to the rail 2 and cuts through the rail head 4 and partially through the rail foot 5. The guide device 32 here guarantees a precise through-cutting of the rail 2. The rail foot 5 cannot be cut through completely in the first cutting position P.sub.1 because of its dimensions and the dimensions of the cutting disc 8.

[0048] To cut through the rail 2 completely, the cutting grinder 1 is pivoted manually by means of the guide device 32 over the rail head 4 and through the rail symmetry plane S into the second cutting position P.sub.2, in which the cutting grinder 1 is arranged on the second side S.sub.2 of the rail symmetry plane S.

[0049] To pivot the adjustment device 13, the operator first releases the locking unit 24. Then the adjustment device 13 is pivoted by the operator about the pivot axis 19 so that the first handle 11 in a second adjustment position V.sub.2 actuates the second contact switch 29. The locking unit 24 is relocked in the second adjustment position V.sub.2. The second contact switch 29 supplies a first signal to the control unit 31, and the sensor 30 supplies a second signal. From the signals, the detection device 27 recognizes, by means of the control unit 31, that the cutting grinder 1 is now in the second cutting position P.sub.2. When the cutting grinder 1 is switched on by an operator in the second cutting position P.sub.2, the control unit 31 actuates the drive 7 such that the cutting disc 8 is driven in rotation about the rotational axis 9 in the rotational direction D.sub.2. The rotational direction D.sub.2 is reversed relative to the rotational direction D.sub.1. This is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the second cutting position P.sub.2, the cutting grinder 1 is manually guided by means of the handles 12 and 14. The rail 2 is completely cut through by the operator in the second cutting position P.sub.2. The guide device 32 here guarantees a precise cutting of the rail 2.

[0050] The adjustment device 13 and/or the detection device 27 guarantee a simple, user-friendly and efficient through-cutting of the rail 2. The adjustment device 13 allows optimum ground clearance between the cutting grinder 1 and the ballast bed 3. Alternatively or additionally to the contact switches 28, 29 and/or the sensor 30, the cutting grinder 1 may have further contact switches which must be operated manually by an operator in order to confirm a detected cutting position P.sub.1, P.sub.2. If a cutting position P.sub.1, P.sub.2 detected by the sensor 30 is not correctly confirmed by the contact switches 28, 29 or further contact switches, the control unit 31 prevents actuation of the drive 7. The drive 7 is therefore not started. The handles 11, 12 function in opposite fashion, so that in each of the cutting positions P.sub.1, P.sub.2 the handles 11, 12 guarantee an ergonomic working position of the operator and optimum ground clearance from the ballast bed 3. The locking unit 24 can easily be released and relocked after the handles 11, 12 have been adjusted. The adjustment may be stepless or stepped. The locking unit 24 may be configured to function by form fit and/or force fit.