A bridge health monitoring device

Abstract

This invention solves the problem of inconvenient inspection and maintenance of monitoring devices installed within bridge expansion joints, relating to the field of bridge monitoring technology, and particularly to a bridge health monitoring device. The device includes a supporting column, two bridge panels, and a bridge expansion joint connecting the two panels. Rubber supports are provided between the supporting column and the bridge panels. A monitoring mechanism is installed between the supporting column and the two bridge panels. The monitoring mechanism includes a detachable support plate mounted on the center of the top surface of the supporting column. Receiving sensor plates are detachably connected to the bottom of each of the two bridge panels. Two movable frames are rotatably connected to the outer side of the support plate, and a telescopic structure is slidably connected to the two movable frames. The length of the telescopic structure varies with the fluctuation of the distance between the two bridge panels. A motor is installed on the support plate. The monitoring mechanism of this invention is easy to maintain and avoids unnecessary measurements, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of bridge health monitoring data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bridge monitoring technology, specifically a bridge health monitoring device. Background Technology

[0002] The amount of displacement between bridge slabs can reflect the structural stability of the bridge. Excessive displacement may be an indication of structural damage or foundation settlement, which is related to the safe use of the bridge.

[0003] In conventional bridges, corresponding sensors are usually installed in the bridge expansion joints to monitor the expansion and contraction between two adjacent bridge sections. However, this only tells us the change in the distance between the two adjacent bridge sections, but not the lateral offset of the two bridge sections relative to the supporting columns. Furthermore, the sensors installed in the bridge expansion joints are inconvenient to inspect and maintain. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a bridge health monitoring device to solve the problem of inconvenient inspection and maintenance of monitoring devices installed in bridge expansion joints as mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a bridge health monitoring device, comprising a support column, two bridge panels, and a bridge expansion joint connecting the two bridge panels, wherein a rubber bearing is provided between the support column and the bridge panels, and a monitoring mechanism is installed between the support column and the two bridge panels.

[0006] The monitoring mechanism includes a detachable support plate installed in the middle of the top surface of the support column. The bottom of each of the two bridge plates is detachably connected to a receiving sensor plate. Two movable frames are rotatably connected to the outside of the support plate. Telescopic structures are slidably connected to the two movable frames, and one end of each telescopic structure is connected to the two receiving sensor plates. The length of the telescopic structure varies with the fluctuation of the distance between the two bridge plates. A motor is installed on the support plate, and the output end of the motor is connected to a transmitting component. An elastic limiting structure is installed on the movable frame.

[0007] The transmitting assembly includes a pressure block sleeved on the output end of the motor. A distance sensor is installed on the surface of the pressure block. A pressure sensor and a processing module are embedded in the pressure block. When the motor drives the pressure block to contact the elastic limiting structure, the pressure sensor senses the pressure information and feeds it back to the distance sensor and the motor. The distance sensor and the receiving sensing plate are on the same horizontal axis.

[0008] Preferably, the elastic limiting structure includes a bottom support plate, a telescopic spring, and a limiting block arranged sequentially from bottom to top, with the bottom support plate fixedly installed on the surface of the movable frame.

[0009] Preferably, both the limiting block and the pressure block have one side that is inclined, and the inclination angle of both inclined surfaces is no greater than 45°. When the motor drives the pressure block to rotate, the pressure sensor is triggered when the inclined surface of the pressure block comes into contact with the inclined surface of the limiting block.

[0010] Preferably, the outer side of the bearing plate is provided with an annular groove, and the cross-section of the annular groove is T-shaped, and the top surface of the bearing plate is provided with a groove.

[0011] Preferably, the movable frame includes a pad that is rotatably connected to the bearing plate along the annular groove, a pulley that is rotatably connected to the bottom of the pad, and a limit frame installed on the top of the pad.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the pressure block is higher than the top of the limiting frame, and the top of the pressure block is lower than the top of the receiving sensor plate.

[0013] Preferably, the telescopic structure includes a T-shaped block fitted inside the limiting frame, a flat plate fixedly installed on one side of the T-shaped block, and an extension plate fixedly installed on the side of the receiving sensor plate near the limiting frame, with the extension plate and the flat plate being slidably connected.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the flat plate is equipped with an elastic support, and the bottom of the elastic support is in contact with the top surface of the support column.

[0015] By employing the above technical solution, the present invention provides a bridge health monitoring device, which has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The present invention places the monitoring mechanism for detecting the health of the bridge between two adjacent bridge panels and supporting columns, which is more convenient for maintenance than placing it in the bridge expansion joint.

[0017] 2. The combined application of various parts in the monitoring mechanism of the present invention can effectively avoid the dispersion of structural components and further improve the accuracy of the installation position.

[0018] 3. The present invention uses the contact between the pressure block and the elastic limiting structure to make the pressure sensor detect the pressure signal as a prerequisite for triggering the distance sensor to start. This can avoid unnecessary measurements, improve the accuracy and effectiveness of bridge health monitoring data, and at the same time improve the service life of the distance sensor.

[0019] 4. This invention can not only monitor the spacing between two adjacent bridge sections, but also the lateral offset of two adjacent bridge sections relative to the middle of the supporting columns, thus providing a more intuitive understanding of which side the bridge is shifting to.

[0020] 5. When the pad in this invention is subjected to external force, it can rotate along the path of the annular groove on the outside of the bearing plate. At the same time, combined with the adjustability of the overall length of the telescopic structure itself, the monitoring mechanism can adapt to the changes in the front and rear misalignment between two adjacent bridge panels. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the movable frame and telescopic structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the docking of the pressure block and the limiting block of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the launching component of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the limiting block of the present invention.

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 1. Support columns; 2. Bridge panels; 3. Bridge expansion joints; 4. Rubber bearings;

[0030] 5. Monitoring mechanism; 501. Support plate; 5011. Annular groove; 5012. Groove; 502. Receiving sensor plate; 503. Moving frame; 5031. Pad; 5032. Pulley; 5033. Limiting frame; 504. Telescopic structure; 5041. T-block; 5042. Flat plate; 5043. Extension plate; 5044. Elastic support; 505. Motor; 506. Transmitting assembly; 5061. Pressure block; 5062. Distance sensor; 5063. Pressure sensor; 507. Elastic limiting structure; 5071. Base plate; 5072. Telescopic spring; 5073. Limiting block. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] Please see Figures 1-6 This embodiment proposes a bridge health monitoring device, which facilitates maintenance and repair during subsequent use. The bridge mainly consists of supporting columns 1, bridge panels 2, and bridge expansion joints 3 connecting two bridge panels 2. Four rubber bearings 4 arranged in a grid pattern are added between the supporting columns 1 and adjacent bridge panels 2. This effectively transfers various loads borne by the bridge panels 2 to the supporting columns 1 below, ensuring that the load is stably and evenly distributed on the foundation, guaranteeing the reasonable stress distribution of the overall bridge structure. Furthermore, the rubber bearings 4 can reduce the damage to the bridge structure and supporting columns 1 caused by vehicle impacts, playing a buffering and vibration isolation role. The flexibility of the rubber bearings 4 allows them to adapt to uneven settlement, maintaining the relatively stable planar position and linearity of the bridge panels 2, reducing the adverse effects of foundation settlement differences on the bridge.

[0034] Furthermore, a monitoring mechanism 5 is installed between the supporting column 1 and the two bridge panels 2 to intermittently monitor the lateral offset of the two adjacent bridge panels 2 relative to the middle of the supporting column 1.

[0035] like Figures 2-6 As shown, the monitoring mechanism 5 in this embodiment includes a support plate 501 detachably installed in the middle of the top surface of the support column 1. Two movable frames 503 are rotatably connected to the outer side of the support plate 501. Telescopic structures 504 are slidably connected to the two movable frames 503, and one end of each telescopic structure 504 is connected to a receiving sensor plate 502. The length of the telescopic structure 504 varies with the fluctuation of the distance between the two bridge plates 2. In addition, the receiving sensor plate 502 forms a combined structure with the support plate 501 through the telescopic structure 504, the movable frames 503, and avoids structural dispersion.

[0036] It is worth mentioning that, in this embodiment, a motor 505 is installed on the support plate 501. The motor 505 starts running at low speed for one revolution at set intervals according to a set program. The output end of the motor 505 is connected to a transmitting component 506. The bottom of both bridge plates 2 are detachably connected to receiving sensor plates 502, which serve as the target surfaces of the transmitting component 506. An elastic limiting structure 507 is installed on the moving frame 503. The transmitting component 506 includes a pressure block 5061 sleeved on the output end of the motor 505. A distance sensor 5062 is installed on the surface of the pressure block 5061. The pressure block 5061 embeds a pressure sensor 5063 and a processing module. The processing module is electrically connected to the distance sensor 5062. This processing module is prior art and is intended to process data information and provide warnings when thresholds are exceeded, so it will not be described in detail here. When the motor 505 drives the pressure block 5061 to contact the elastic limiting structure 507, the pressure sensor 5063 senses the pressure information and feeds it back to the distance sensor 5062 and the motor 505. The distance sensor 5062 and the receiving sensing plate 502 are on the same horizontal axis.

[0037] In practical applications, the motor 505 drives the transmitting component 506 to rotate at a low speed. When the pressure block 5061 in the transmitting component 506 comes into contact with the elastic limiting structure 507, the pressure sensor 5063 embedded in the pressure block 5061 detects the pressure signal from the feedback reaction force of the elastic limiting structure 507. At this time, the motor 505, which is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 5063, stops running, and the distance sensor 5062, which is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 5063, starts to monitor the distance value between itself and the receiving sensor plate 502 in the corresponding direction. After the distance value monitoring is completed, the motor 505 continues to run, driving the transmitting component 506 to rotate continuously. At this time, the elastic limiting structure 507 will contract downward under the squeezing action of the pressure block 5061 to avoid hindering the continuous rotation of the transmitting component 506.

[0038] Therefore, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the combined application of various parts of the monitoring mechanism 5 can effectively avoid the dispersion of structural components and further improve the accuracy of the installation position.

[0039] Furthermore, by having the pressure block 5061 contact the elastic limiting structure 507, the pressure sensor 5063 detects a pressure signal as a prerequisite for triggering the distance sensor 5062 to start. This avoids unnecessary measurements, improves the accuracy and effectiveness of bridge health monitoring data, and extends the service life of the distance sensor 5062.

[0040] In addition, by placing the monitoring device 5 between two adjacent bridge panels 2 and supporting columns 1, it is easier to maintain compared to placing it in the bridge expansion joint.

[0041] Following the above, in this monitoring mechanism 5, both receiving sensor plates 502 are equipped with elastic limiting structures 507. When the motor 505 drives the pressure block 5061 to contact the elastic limiting structure 507, the distance sensor 5062 and the receiving sensor plate 502 are on the same horizontal axis. Therefore, when the pressure block 5061 rotates one revolution with the output shaft of the motor 505, it can make contact with both elastic limiting structures 507. Thus, the distance sensor 5062 can detect the distance between itself and the receiving sensor plates 502 installed at the bottom of the two adjacent bridge slabs 2, thereby ensuring a more accurate reflection of the displacement between the two adjacent bridge slabs 2 and the vertical centerline of the supporting column 1. When the displacement exceeds the design allowable range, an early warning can be issued in time to remind the maintenance department to inspect and repair, preventing structural damage or accidents.

[0042] Therefore, compared with the traditional method of using various sensing devices in the bridge expansion joint 3 to monitor the spacing between two adjacent bridge sections 2, the method in this embodiment can not only monitor the spacing between two adjacent bridge sections 2, but also monitor the lateral offset of two adjacent bridge sections 2 relative to the middle of the supporting column 1. Therefore, it is more intuitive to know which side the bridge is shifting to.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] In this type of bridge health monitoring device, the steps for assembling the monitoring mechanism 5 with the bridge are as follows:

[0045] S1. First, use fixing nails to install the bearing plate 501 in the middle of the top surface of the support column 1, and the center of the bearing plate 501 is coaxial with the vertical center axis of the support column 1. In addition, the center point of the distance between two adjacent bridge plates 2 is also coaxial with the center of the bearing plate 501.

[0046] S2. Adjust the two movable frames 503 along the outside of the bearing plate 501 so that they are arranged opposite each other. Then pull the telescopic structure 504 to expand its overall length by 1 / 3 to 1 / 2. The lengths of the two telescopic structures 504 after being pulled are consistent.

[0047] S3. Using fixing nails, install two receiving sensor plates 502 at the bottom of two adjacent bridge plates 2, and the receiving sensor plates 502 are located in the middle between two rubber supports 4 in the front and rear axial directions.

[0048] Based on the above steps, it can be seen that the entire monitoring mechanism 5 can be assembled with the bridge by simply finding a few positioning points and using fixing nails. Furthermore, the bridge panel 2 and the supporting column 1 are connected by four rubber bearings 4 arranged in a grid pattern, which provides sufficient space for disassembly and assembly of the monitoring mechanism 5. Therefore, it is relatively convenient to replace and maintain the monitoring mechanism 5 as a whole.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] The elastic limiting structure 507 includes a base plate 5071, a telescopic spring 5072, and a limiting block 5073 arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The base plate 5071 is fixedly mounted on the surface of the movable frame 503. The telescopic spring 5072 provides an adjustable height for the limiting block 5073. This embodiment includes, but is not limited to, this method, which aims to allow the limiting block 5073 to move downwards when subjected to a pressing force exceeding a set amount, so as not to obstruct the rotation of the pressure block 5061.

[0051] Example 4

[0052] Both the limiting block 5073 and the pressure block 5061 have one side that is inclined, and the inclination angle of both surfaces is no greater than 45°. When the motor 505 drives the pressure block 5061 to rotate, the pressure sensor 5063 is triggered when the inclined surface of the pressure block 5061 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the limiting block 5073. The inclined surfaces of the limiting block 5073 and the pressure block 5061 are designed so that when they come into contact, the high-precision pressure sensor 5063 embedded in the pressure block 5061 can immediately sense the pressure signal. At the same time, when the motor 505 restarts and drives the pressure block 5061 to rotate, the inclined surface of the limiting block 5073 is subjected to a compressive force, which is converted into a compressive force that compresses the telescopic spring 5072 downward, so as to ensure that the pressure block 5061 continues to rotate along the set trajectory.

[0053] Example 5

[0054] Due to prolonged use of the bridge, misalignment may occur between adjacent bridge panels 2. Consequently, misalignment may also occur between the sensing plate located at a predetermined position on the bottom of the bridge panel 2 and the distance sensor 5062, which rotates 180° to reach the predetermined position. This misalignment could lead to distance detection errors and affect the accuracy of single detections. Based on this situation, if... Figures 2-4 As shown, in this embodiment, an annular groove 5011 is provided on the outer side of the support plate 501, and the cross-section of the annular groove 5011 is L-shaped. A groove 5012 is provided on the top surface of the support plate 501. The movable frame 503 includes a pad 5031 rotatably connected to the support plate 501 along the annular groove 5011. A pulley 5032 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the pad 5031, and a limiting frame 5033 is installed on the top of the pad 5031. Under the action of external force, the pad 5031 can rotate along the path of the annular groove 5011 on the outer side of the support plate 501. At the same time, in conjunction with the adjustable overall length of the telescopic structure 504, the monitoring mechanism 5 can adapt to the changes in the front and rear misalignment between two adjacent bridge panels 2. Furthermore, the elastic limiting structure 507 can move with the movable frame 503 to ensure that the transmission direction of the subsequent distance sensor 5062 is consistent with the receiving sensor plate 502 in the monitored direction.

[0055] Example 6

[0056] The bottom of the pressure block 5061 is higher than the top of the limiting frame 5033, and the top of the pressure block 5061 is lower than the top of the receiving sensor plate 502. This allows the bridge plate 2 to move downward relative to the supporting column 1 with a certain height. Within this reserved height range, the direction of the distance sensor 5062 intersects with the receiving sensor plate 502 in the monitored direction.

[0057] Example 7

[0058] The telescopic structure 504 includes a T-shaped block 5041 fitted inside the limiting frame 5033. A flat plate 5042 is fixedly installed on one side of the T-shaped block 5041. An extension plate 5043 is fixedly installed on the side of the receiving sensor plate 502 near the limiting frame 5033, and the extension plate 5043 and the flat plate 5042 are slidably connected. Figure 3 As shown, the extension plate 5043 is provided with scale lines, which are intended to make it easy to understand the value of the extension plate 5043 being pulled outward relative to the flat plate 5042, and also to make it easy to check whether the lengths of the two telescopic structures 504 are consistent.

[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, an elastic support 5044 is installed at the bottom of the flat plate 5042, and the bottom of the elastic support 5044 is in contact with the top surface of the support column 1. The application of the elastic support 5044 provides a certain supporting force to the flat plate 5042, the extension plate 5043, and the T-block 5041, so that when the monitoring mechanism 5 is installed between the support column 1 and the bridge plate 2, the top of the receiving sensor plate 502 can be close to the bottom surface of the bridge plate 2 without applying an additional upward lifting force to it.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bridge health monitoring device, comprising a supporting column (1), two bridge panels (2), and a bridge expansion joint (3) connecting the two bridge panels (2), characterized in that: A rubber bearing (4) is provided between the support column (1) and the bridge plate (2), and a monitoring mechanism (5) is installed between the support column (1) and the two bridge plates (2). The monitoring mechanism (5) includes a bearing plate (501) that can be detachably installed in the middle of the top surface of the support column (1). The bottom of the two bridge plates (2) are detachably connected to receiving sensor plates (502). Two movable frames (503) are rotatably connected to the outside of the bearing plate (501). Telescopic structures (504) are slidably connected to the two movable frames (503). One end of the two telescopic structures (504) is connected to the two receiving sensor plates (502) respectively. The length of the telescopic structure (504) varies with the fluctuation of the distance between the two bridge plates (2). A motor (505) is installed on the bearing plate (501). The output end of the motor (505) is connected to a transmitting component (506). An elastic limiting structure (507) is installed on the movable frame (503). The transmitting assembly (506) includes a pressure block (5061) sleeved on the output end of the motor (505). A distance sensor (5062) is installed on the surface of the pressure block (5061). The pressure block (5061) is embedded with a pressure sensor (5063) and a processing module. When the motor (505) drives the pressure block (5061) to contact the elastic limiting structure (507), the pressure sensor (5063) senses the pressure information and feeds it back to the distance sensor (5062) and the motor (505). The distance sensor (5062) and the receiving sensor plate (502) are on the same horizontal axis. The elastic limiting structure (507) includes a bottom support plate (5071), a telescopic spring (5072), and a limiting block (5073) arranged sequentially from bottom to top. Both the limiting block (5073) and the pressure block (5061) have one side that is inclined, and the inclination angle of the inclined surfaces of both is no greater than 45°. When the motor (505) drives the pressure block (5061) to rotate, the pressure sensor (5063) is triggered when the inclined surface of the pressure block (5061) comes into contact with the inclined surface of the limiting block (5073).

2. The bridge health monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate (5071) is fixedly installed on the surface of the movable frame (503).

3. The bridge health monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the bearing plate (501) is provided with an annular groove (5011), and the cross-section of the annular groove (5011) is in the shape of a T-shape. The top surface of the bearing plate (501) is provided with a groove (5012).

4. The bridge health monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable frame (503) includes a pad (5031) rotatably connected to the bearing plate (501) along the annular groove (5011), a pulley (5032) rotatably connected to the bottom of the pad (5031), and a limit frame (5033) installed on the top of the pad (5031).

5. A bridge health monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the pressure block (5061) is higher than the top of the limiting frame (5033), and the top of the pressure block (5061) is lower than the top of the receiving sensor plate (502).

6. A bridge health monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic structure (504) includes a T-shaped block (5041) fitted inside the limiting frame (5033), a flat plate (5042) fixedly installed on one side of the T-shaped block (5041), and an extension plate (5043) fixedly installed on the side of the receiving sensor plate (502) near the limiting frame (5033), and the extension plate (5043) and the flat plate (5042) are slidably connected.

7. A bridge health monitoring device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom of the flat plate (5042) is fitted with an elastic support (5044), and the bottom of the elastic support (5044) is in contact with the top surface of the support column (1).

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