JP7493907B2 - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric point machine.

An electric point machine is an electrically powered device that moves the tongue rail of a switch on a track on which trains run between the normal position and the reverse position. A typical electric point machine is equipped with a motor, a reduction gear and a switching gear that transmit the power of the motor to a switching roller, a switching roller that rotates due to the power of the motor transmitted through these gears, and an operating rod that moves linearly with the rotational motion of the switching roller. The tongue rail connected to the operating rod is moved between the normal position and the reverse position with the linear motion of the operating rod.

The electric point machine also has a pair of lock pieces that move linearly in different directions with the rotational movement of the switching roller, and a locking can that is connected to the tongue rail and moves linearly with the movement of the tongue rail. When the tongue rail is moved correctly to the correct position or in the opposite direction, the end of the lock piece that corresponds to the position of the tongue rail fits into the notch of the locking can, locking the position of the tongue rail.

One example of a patent document that discloses an invention related to an electric point machine is Patent Document 1.

JP 2003-146213 A

The reciprocating parts of an electric point machine (operating bar, locking bar, lock piece, etc.) slide on the receiving part while being guided by the receiving part attached to the case as the tongue rail moves. As a result of this sliding, the reciprocating parts and the receiving part of the case wear out. When wear on the parts or case exceeds a standard value, the worn parts or case must be replaced or repaired.

Conventionally, in order to replace or repair worn parts or cases of an electric point machine, the electric point machine must be disassembled, which is time-consuming. Therefore, it is difficult to replace or repair parts or cases at the installation site of the electric point machine. Therefore, an electric point machine with wear exceeding the standard value must be transported to a maintenance factory, but since electric points are heavy and difficult to move by hand, the transportation is also time-consuming. Furthermore, while an electric point machine with wear exceeding the standard value is being maintained, a replacement electric point machine that can operate on-site must be prepared and installed.

In view of the above background, the present invention provides an electric point machine that allows easy maintenance work.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, an electric point machine having a case having an opening, a receiving member removably attached from the outside to the outer surface of the case, and a part that performs reciprocating motion, wherein the part slides on the receiving member, the receiving member is attached so as to block part of the opening, receives the part, guides the movement of the part, and wears with the reciprocating motion of the part, and the receiving member is replaceable.

In the electric point machine of the first aspect, wear occurs on the removable support member, so if the wear exceeds a standard value, only the support member needs to be replaced, making maintenance work easy.

In the electric point machine of the first aspect, a configuration in which the receiving member has an opening smaller than the opening of the case , and the part is received in the opening of the receiving member that communicates with the opening of the case and is arranged to pass through the case may be adopted as a second aspect .
In the electric point machine of the first or second aspect, a configuration in which the receiving member has a plurality of members each arranged to surround a portion of the component and each individually attached to the outer surface of the case in a removably manner from the outside may be adopted as a third aspect.

According to the electric point machine of the third aspect, since the receiving member is made up of a plurality of members, the receiving member can be easily attached and detached.

In the electric point machine of the first to third aspects, a configuration may be adopted as a fourth aspect in which the part is an operating can, and the operating can is capable of being pulled out of the case through an opening of the case with the receiving member removed from the case.

According to the electric point machine of the fourth aspect, if wear of the operating can exceeds a standard value, the operating can can be pulled out of the case by removing the receiving member, thereby making it easy to replace the operating can.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electric point machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of an electric point machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for locking an electric point machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement and shape of a receiving member of an electric point machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a receiving member of an electric point machine according to one modified example.

[Embodiment]
An electric point machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic overall configuration of the electric point machine 1 with a case lid removed. Fig. 2 is a side view of the electric point machine 1. Fig. 2(a) is a side view seen from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2(b) is a side view seen from the direction of arrow B in Fig. 1.

The electric point machine 1 first comprises a case 11 and a motor 12 attached to the case 11. The case 11 is composed of a case main body 111 and a case lid 112. Figure 1 shows the electric point machine 1 with the case 112 removed from the case main body 111. Figure 2 shows the case lid 112 attached to the top of the case main body 111.

In the following explanation, the left-right direction in Fig. 1 is the X direction, the right direction is the X positive direction, and the left direction is the X negative direction. The up-down direction in Fig. 1 is the Y direction, the up direction is the Y positive direction, and the down direction is the Y negative direction. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 1 is the Z direction, the direction from the paper surface toward you is the Z positive direction, and the direction from the paper surface toward you is the Z negative direction.

The components arranged inside the case 11 (including components with parts protruding outside the case 11) are described below. The reduction mechanism 13 has a reduction gear and the like, and transmits the power of the motor 12 to the conversion gear 14. The conversion gear 14 rotates within a predetermined range around the axis O by the power of the motor 12 transmitted via the reduction mechanism 13.

The switching roller 15 is a roller that is provided on the underside of the switching gear 14 so as to protrude in the negative Z direction. As the switching gear 14 rotates, it moves along an arcuate path, and during this movement, it pushes the cam side of the operating rod 16, causing it to move back and forth in the Y direction, and also pushes the cam bars 18L and 18R, causing it to move back and forth in the X direction.

The operating rod 16 and the locking rod 17 are arranged to pass through the case 11 in the Y direction.

The operating rod 16 is a part for moving the position of the tongue rail (not shown) between the normal and reverse positions. One end of the operating rod 16 (for example, the end on the negative Y direction side) is connected to the tongue rail, and when the operating rod 16 is pushed by the switching roller 15 and moves in the Y direction, the position of the tongue rail is switched between the normal and reverse positions.

The locking rod 17 is a part for locking the tongue rail in position when it is switched to the normal or reverse position. One end of the locking rod 17 (for example, the end on the negative Y side) is connected to the tongue rail, and when the tongue rail is switched between normal and reverse positions as the operating rod 16 moves in the Y direction, the locking rod 17 also moves in the Y direction (the same direction as the operating rod 16).

As mentioned above, cam bar 18L and cam bar 18R are pushed by the diverter roller 15 and perform linear reciprocating motion in the X direction. Lock piece 19L is attached to cam bar 18L and performs linear reciprocating motion in the X direction together with cam bar 18L. Lock piece 19R is attached to cam bar 18R and performs linear reciprocating motion in the X direction together with cam bar 18R.

Figure 3 is a diagram to explain how the position of the locking pin 17 is locked by the lock piece 19L or the lock piece 19R as the diverter roller 15 moves along an arcuate path.

Figure 3(a) shows the state of the operating rod 16, locking rod 17, etc. when the switching roller 15 is located at the counterclockwise end point of the arc path. In the state shown in Figure 3(a), the cam bar 18L and lock piece 19L have moved in the negative X direction from their home positions, and the operating rod 16 and locking rod 17 have moved in the positive Y direction.

The locking bar 17 is composed of bars 172 and 171 stacked with a gap in the Z direction. The tip of lock piece 19L and the tip of lock piece 19R are inserted into the gap between bars 172 and 171.

The tip of lock piece 19L is thicker than the rest of the piece so that it protrudes upward. The tip of lock piece 19R is thicker than the rest of the piece so that it protrudes downward.

Bar 172 has a notch 174 recessed downward from the top surface of bar 172 to receive the tip (thick portion) of lock piece 19R. Bar 171 has a notch 173 recessed upward from the bottom surface of bar 172 to receive the tip (thick portion) of lock piece 19L. In the state shown in FIG. 3(a), the tip of lock piece 19L fits into notch 173. When the tip of lock piece 19L fits into notch 173 in this way, the locking pin 17 cannot move in the Y direction. Therefore, for example, even if an external force is applied to the tongue rail, the position of the tongue rail will not shift.

Figure 3(b) shows the state of the operating rod 16, locking rod 17, etc. when the diverter roller 15 rotates slightly less than 180 degrees clockwise from the position in Figure 3(a) and reaches the end point of the arc path on the positive X side. In the process from the state in Figure 3(a) to the state in Figure 3(b), the diverter roller 15 first moves the cam bar 18L in the positive X direction to a fixed position. As the cam bar 18L moves, the lock piece 19L moves in the positive X direction, and the tip of the lock piece 19L comes out of the notch 173. This allows the locking rod 17 to move in the Y direction.

Then, the switching roller 15 moves the operating rod 16 in the negative Y direction. As the operating rod 16 moves, the locking rod 17 also moves in the negative Y direction.

Figure 3(c) is a diagram showing the state of the operating rod 16, locking rod 17, etc. when the diverter roller 15 rotates slightly less than 180 degrees clockwise from the position in Figure 3(b) and reaches the clockwise end point of the arc path. From the state in Figure 3(b) to the state in Figure 3(c), the diverter roller 15 first moves the operating rod 16 in the negative Y direction. As the operating rod 16 moves, the locking rod 17 also moves in the negative Y direction.

Then, the diverter roller 15 moves the cam bar 18R from its fixed position in the negative X direction. As the cam bar 18R moves, the lock piece 19R moves in the negative X direction, and the tip of the lock piece 19R fits into the notch 174. In this state, the locking pin 17 cannot move in the Y direction. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the tongue rail, the position of the tongue rail will not shift.

When the switching roller 15 moves counterclockwise on the arc path, the state of the operating lever 16, lock lever 17, etc. changes from Figure 3(c) to Figure 3(b) and then to Figure 3(a).

As described above, when the switching roller 15 moves clockwise and counterclockwise on the arcuate path to switch the tongue rail between the normal and reverse positions, the operating rod 16 and the locking rod 17 perform linear reciprocating motion in the Y direction, and the cam bar 18R and the lock piece 19R, and the cam bar 18L and the lock piece 19L perform linear reciprocating motion in the X direction. For these linearly reciprocating parts, receiving members for guiding their reciprocating linear motion are removably attached to the case 11. These receiving members are explained below (see Figures 1 and 2).

The electric point machine 1 is equipped with receiving members 21R and 21L that guide the movement of the operating rod 16.

The receiving member 21R is removably attached to the case 11 so as to cover from the outside a part of the opening 113R provided on the side surface on the negative Y direction side of the case 11. The receiving member 21R is composed of receiving members 212R and 211R. The receiving members 212R and 211R are removably attached to the case 11 by a number of bolts 25.

One or both of the receiving members 212R and 211R are provided with a notch for forming an opening for receiving the operating can 16. Note that the receiving members 212R and 211R are an example of multiple members arranged to surround the operating can 16.

The receiving member 21L is removably attached to the case 11 so as to cover from the outside a part of the opening 113L provided on the side surface on the Y positive side of the case 11. The receiving member 21L is composed of receiving members 212L and 211L. The receiving members 212L and 211L are removably attached to the case 11 by a number of bolts 25.

One or both of the receiving members 212L and 211L are provided with a notch for forming an opening for receiving the operating can 16. Note that the receiving members 212L and 211L are an example of multiple members arranged to surround the operating can 16.

The openings 113R and 113L in the case 11 are shaped to surround the outside of the shape of the operating rod 16 when viewed in the Y direction. Therefore, when the receiving member 21R and the receiving member 21L are removed from the case 11, the operating rod 16 can be pulled out of the case 11 through the openings 113R and 113L.

The electric point machine 1 is equipped with receiving members 22R and 22L that guide the movement of the locking pin 17.

The receiving member 22R is removably attached to the case 11 so as to cover from the outside a part of the opening 114R provided on the side surface on the negative Y direction side of the case 11. The receiving member 22R is composed of receiving members 221R and 222R. The receiving members 221R and 222R are removably attached to the case 11 by a number of bolts 25.

One or both of receiving members 221R and 222R have a notch to form an opening for receiving locking bar 17 (bar 172 and bar 171). Note that receiving members 221R and 222R are an example of multiple members arranged to surround locking bar 17.

The receiving member 22L is removably attached to the case 11 so as to cover from the outside a part of the opening 114L provided on the side surface on the Y positive side of the case 11. The receiving member 22L is composed of receiving members 222L and 221L. The receiving members 222L and 221L are removably attached to the case 11 by a number of bolts 25.

One or both of receiving members 222L and 22L have a notch to form an opening for receiving locking bar 17 (bar 172 and bar 171). Note that receiving members 222L and 221L are an example of multiple members arranged to surround locking bar 17.

The openings 114R and 114L in the case 11 are shaped to surround the outside of the locking rod 17 when viewed in the Y direction. Therefore, when the receiving member 22R and the receiving member 22L are removed from the case 11, the locking rod 17 can be pulled out of the case 11 through the openings 114R and 114L.

The electric point machine 1 is equipped with a receiving member 23 that guides the movement of the cam bar 18L and the cam bar 18R. Note that the number of receiving members that guide the movement of the cam bar 18L and the cam bar 18R is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

The electric point machine 1 also includes receiving members 24T and 24H that guide the movement of the lock pieces 19L and 19R. The number of receiving members that guide the movement of the lock pieces 19L and 19R is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

Figure 4 shows the arrangement and shape of receiving member 23, receiving member 24T, and receiving member 24H. Figure 4(a) is a plan view of cam bar 18L, cam bar 18R, lock piece 19L, lock piece 19R, receiving member 23, receiving member 24T, and receiving member 24H, and Figure 4(b) is a side view of these parts viewed in the Y positive direction.

Receiving member 23, receiving member 24T, and receiving member 24H are all U-shaped members and are removably attached to the inside bottom surface of case body 111 with the U-shaped opening facing the Z positive direction by multiple bolts 25.

As the electric point machine 1 operates, the operating rod 16, which makes a linear reciprocating motion, and the receiving members 21R and 21L, which guide the movement of the operating rod 16, rub against each other and wear out. If the results of measurement using a gauge or sensor show that the wear of the receiving members 21R and 21L has reached a standard value, the maintenance worker can remove these receiving members from the case 11 and attach a new receiving member to the case 11, thereby completing the maintenance work at the installation site. Also, if the results of measurement using a gauge or sensor show that the wear of the operating rod 16 has reached a standard value, the maintenance worker can remove the receiving members 21R and 21L from the case 11, pull out the old operating rod 16 from the case 11, insert the new operating rod 16 into the case 11 and place it in the specified position, and attach the receiving members 21R and 21L to the case 11, thereby completing the maintenance work at the installation site.

As the electric point machine 1 operates, the locking can 17, which moves back and forth in a straight line, and the receiving members 22R and 22L, which guide the movement of the locking can 17, rub against each other and wear out. If the wear of the receiving members 22R and 22L reaches a standard value as a result of measurement with a gauge or sensor, the maintenance worker can remove these receiving members from the case 11 and attach a new receiving member to the case 11, thereby completing the maintenance work at the installation site. Also, if the wear of the locking can 17 reaches a standard value as a result of measurement with a gauge or sensor, the maintenance worker can remove the receiving members 22R and 22L from the case 11, pull out the old locking can 17 from the case 11, insert the new locking can 17 into the case 11 and place it in the specified position, and attach the receiving members 22R and 22L to the case 11, thereby completing the maintenance work at the installation site.

As the electric point machine 1 operates, the cam bar 18R, lock piece 19R, cam bar 18L, and lock piece 19L, which perform linear reciprocating motion, and the receiving member 23, receiving member 24T, and receiving member 24H, which guide their movement, rub against each other and wear out. If the wear of the receiving member 23, receiving member 24T, or receiving member 24H is found to have reached a standard value as a result of measurement with a gauge or sensor, or if the wear of the cam bar 18R, lock piece 19R, cam bar 18L, or lock piece 19L is found to have reached a standard value, the maintenance worker can temporarily remove the operating rod 16 and locking rod 17 from the case 11, remove the parts whose wear has reached the standard value from the case 11, attach new parts to the case 11, and then reattach the operating rod 16 and locking rod 17 to the case 11, thereby completing the maintenance work at the installation site.

All of the above-mentioned maintenance work can be completed manually in a short time at the installation site of the electric point machine 1, so there is no need to transport the electric point machine 1 or procure a replacement part.

[Modification]
The above-described embodiment may be modified in various ways. Examples of such modifications are shown below. Note that two or more of the modifications shown below may be combined as appropriate.

The shapes of the receiving members illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and other shapes may be used.

For example, instead of the configuration of receiving member 21R and receiving member 21L illustrated in the above embodiment, the configuration of receiving member 21R (a one-piece part shaped like a square) shown in FIG. 5 may be adopted.

1...electric switch, 11...case, 12...motor, 13...reduction mechanism, 14...switch gear, 15...switch roller, 16...operating rod, 17...locking rod, 18R, 18L...cam bars, 19R, 19L...lock pieces, 21R, 21L, 22R, 22L, 23, 24T, 24H...receiving members, 25...bolt, 111...case main body, 112...case lid, 113R, 113L, 114R, 114L...openings.

Claims (4)

An electric point machine having a case having an opening, a receiving member removably attached from the outside to the outer surface of the case, and a part that reciprocates, the part sliding on the receiving member, the receiving member being attached so as to cover part of the opening, receiving the part and guiding the movement of the part, and wearing away as the part reciprocates, the receiving member being replaceable. The receiving member has an opening smaller than the opening of the case , and the component is received in the opening of the receiving member that communicates with the opening of the case and is disposed so as to pass through the case.
2. An electric point machine according to claim 1 . 3. The electric point machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving member includes a plurality of members, each of which is arranged to surround a part of the component and each of which is individually attached to an outer surface of the case in a detachable manner from the outside . 4. The electric point machine according to claim 1, wherein the part is an operating can, and the operating can is removable from the case through an opening of the case in a state where the receiving member is removed from the case.

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