Railway foreign matter detection device and detection system
By combining visible light sources, infrared imaging modules, and lidar, the railway foreign object detection device has solved the problem of insufficient detection accuracy in adverse weather conditions, enabling all-weather railway foreign object detection and improving traffic safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423024858.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing railway inspection systems cannot accurately detect foreign objects on railways in severe weather conditions such as dense fog, blizzards, or heavy rain, and single-sensor solutions suffer from insufficient detection accuracy.
By combining visible light sources, infrared imaging modules, and lidar, the system provides illumination through visible light sources, improves image quality through infrared imaging modules, and expands the detection range through lidar, enabling all-weather detection.
It improves the accuracy and adaptability of foreign object detection on railways, enabling accurate detection of foreign objects in special environments such as night, fog, rain, snow, and sandstorms, thus ensuring railway traffic safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN223501184U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of railway safety technology, and in particular to a railway foreign object detection device and detection system. Background Technology
[0002] Safety is paramount in railway transportation. Safe railway operation not only concerns the lives of passengers and train crew but also the safety of transported goods and property. It is also the foundation for the efficient operation of the railway system. Within railway stations and along railway lines, moving objects such as cars, pedestrians, and animals may intrude into the railway clearance. There are also risks of falling rocks due to natural disasters or workers forgetting their equipment within the clearance. Especially in important areas with heavy traffic or operations, continuous detection and sensing of foreign object intrusion is necessary. Currently, single sensors used for object detection include lidar and infrared thermal imagers. However, single sensors cannot accurately detect foreign object intrusions on railways year-round and in all weather conditions. For example, lidar detection is limited in dense fog, blizzards, or heavy rain, and infrared thermal imagers are significantly affected by ambient temperature.
[0003] Some methods combine single sensors with image acquisition units. For example, a lidar sensor is used to scan the detection area in real time. When a foreign object is detected, an image acquisition unit captures an image of the object. Then, a data processing module acquires and stores the information collected by the lidar and image acquisition unit to determine whether a foreign object exists. However, this approach still suffers from the limitations of single sensors. In conditions such as dense fog, heavy snow, or heavy rain, the lidar sensor cannot accurately scan for foreign objects, thus failing to trigger the image acquisition unit and making accurate detection of foreign objects on railways impossible. Utility Model Content
[0004] This disclosure provides a railway foreign object detection device and detection system to solve one of the aforementioned technical defects.
[0005] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a railway foreign object detection device, comprising:
[0006] The shell has an internal receiving space and multiple openings.
[0007] A visible light source for emitting visible light is disposed within the receiving space, with the light-emitting end of the visible light source extending from the corresponding opening;
[0008] An infrared imaging module is disposed within the accommodating space, with the detection end of the infrared imaging module extending out from the corresponding opening;
[0009] A lidar is installed within the accommodating space, with the lidar's detection end extending from a corresponding opening.
[0010] In some embodiments, it further includes: a supplementary lighting module disposed on the housing and adjacent to the visible light source.
[0011] In some embodiments, the supplementary lighting module includes multiple LEDs arranged in an array.
[0012] In some embodiments, the supplementary lighting module includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a ring around the visible light source.
[0013] In some embodiments, the system further includes an alarm module disposed within the receiving space, wherein the alarm transmitter of the alarm module extends from a corresponding opening.
[0014] In some embodiments, the alarm module is at least one of an audio alarm module and a light alarm module.
[0015] In some embodiments, the device further includes a communication module disposed within the accommodating space.
[0016] In some embodiments, the housing is rectangular, with an opening on one side serving as a mounting surface.
[0017] In some embodiments, the housing includes: an upper housing and a lower housing; an alarm module and an infrared imaging module are spaced apart in the upper housing; and a visible light source, a supplementary lighting module, and a lidar are spaced apart in the lower housing.
[0018] Secondly, this disclosure provides a railway foreign object detection system, including:
[0019] The railway foreign object detection device as described above; there are multiple railway foreign object detection devices, which are arranged at intervals along the railway line;
[0020] The indoor detection terminal is connected to the railway foreign object detection device.
[0021] The technical solution provided in this disclosure arranges a visible light source, an infrared imaging module, and a lidar within the housing's accommodating space. The emitting end of the visible light source, the detection end of the infrared imaging module, and the detection end of the lidar extend from corresponding openings in the housing. The visible light source emits visible light to provide illumination at night or in low-light conditions, improving the imaging quality of the image acquisition device. The infrared imaging module emits infrared light to further improve the imaging quality of the image acquisition device at night, and it can also determine whether an object is an object or an animal based on its temperature. The lidar can detect objects at long distances, expanding the foreign object detection range. The combination of these three devices significantly improves the accuracy of foreign object detection on railways, better meeting the requirements of all-weather detection and adapting to special environments such as night, fog, rain, snow, and sandstorms, thereby improving railway traffic safety. Attached Figure Description
[0022] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below based on embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a railway foreign object detection device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another railway foreign object detection device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another railway foreign object detection device provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a railway foreign object detection system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.
[0027] Figure label:
[0028] 1-Housing; 11-Upper housing; 12-Lower housing; 2-Visible light source; 3-Infrared imaging module; 4-LiDAR; 5-Supplemental lighting module; 51-LED bead; 6-Alarm module.
[0029] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts are referred to by the same reference numerals, and the drawings are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this disclosure, and to fully understand and implement the process of how this disclosure applies technical means to solve technical problems and achieve corresponding technical effects, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, not all embodiments. The embodiments of this disclosure and the various features within them can be combined with each other without conflict, and the resulting technical solutions are all within the protection scope of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.
[0031] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this disclosure described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a railway foreign object detection device, including: a housing 1, a visible light source 2, an infrared imaging module 3, and a lidar 4. A power supply is also provided inside the housing 1 to power the visible light source 2, the infrared imaging module 3, and the lidar 4. The railway foreign object detection device can be placed near an image acquisition unit, or the railway foreign object detection device itself can include an image acquisition unit.
[0033] The housing 1 can be made of metal, plastic, or other rigid materials. It may have connecting lugs, connecting holes, and other structures, and can be fixed to the ground, contact wire support columns, or track slabs using fasteners. The housing 1 has an internal receiving space and multiple openings that communicate with the receiving space.
[0034] The visible light source 2 is housed within the housing 1, and its light-emitting end extends from one of the openings. The visible light emitted by the light source 2 provides high brightness, illuminating its detection environment. The visible light source 2 can emit visible light, which can be white light, yellow light, etc., preferably a color light with strong penetrating power through dense fog, thereby providing illumination at night or in low-light conditions and solving the imaging quality problem of image acquisition devices on railway lines. One embodiment is as follows: the light source 2 may include multiple LED beads, a driver, and a lampshade. The multiple LED beads are disposed inside the lampshade, and the lampshade and LED beads extend from the opening as the light-emitting end of the visible light source 2. A sealing strip may be provided between the lampshade and the opening to seal the gap between the lampshade and the opening, preventing external sand, gravel, and other debris from entering the housing 1.
[0035] The infrared imaging module 3 is housed within the housing 1, with its detection end extending from a corresponding opening. The infrared imaging module 3 emits infrared light to detect foreign objects on the railway. An existing module can be used and fixed within the housing. A sealing strip can also be installed between the detection end of the infrared imaging module 3 and the opening. The infrared imaging module 3 can detect foreign objects at greater distances under low light conditions, further meeting the requirements for image acquisition at night or in low-light conditions.
[0036] The lidar 4 is housed within the enclosure of the housing 1, with its detection end extending from a corresponding opening. The lidar 4 can utilize existing modules, emitting a laser beam and receiving its reflected signal to detect the position, velocity, and other characteristics of objects, thereby determining the presence of foreign objects on the railway line. A sealing strip can also be installed between the lidar's detection end and the opening. Using the lidar 4 allows for the detection of objects at long distances, thus expanding the foreign object detection range.
[0037] The technical solution provided in this embodiment sets up a visible light source, an infrared imaging module, and a lidar within the housing's accommodating space. The emitting end of the visible light source, the detection end of the infrared imaging module, and the detection end of the lidar extend from corresponding openings in the housing. The visible light source emits visible light to provide illumination at night or in low-light conditions, improving the imaging quality of the image acquisition device. The infrared imaging module emits infrared light to further improve the imaging quality of the image acquisition device at night, and it can also determine whether an object is an object or an animal based on its temperature. The lidar can detect objects at long distances, expanding the foreign object detection range. The combination of these three devices significantly improves the accuracy of foreign object detection on railways, better meeting the requirements of all-weather detection and adapting to special environments such as night, fog, rain, snow, and sandstorms, thereby improving railway traffic safety.
[0038] Based on the above technical solution, the railway foreign object detection device further includes: a supplementary lighting module 5, which is disposed on the housing 1 and adjacent to the visible light source 2. Specifically, the supplementary lighting module 5 can be directly disposed on the outer surface of the housing 1, or it can be disposed within the accommodating space of the housing 1 with its light-emitting end protruding through an opening. The supplementary lighting module 5 is used to emit visible light. When the ambient light is dim, the supplementary lighting module 5 is activated to emit light, thereby enhancing the brightness of the light source 2 and supplementing its brightness.
[0039] The supplementary lighting module 5 can also use LED beads 51, such as LED beads. Multiple LED beads 51 are arranged next to the visible light source 2. One implementation is that multiple LED beads 51 are arranged in an M×N array, for example... Figure 1 There are 51 LEDs arranged in five rows and three columns. Of course, M and N can also be other positive integers.
[0040] Another implementation involves arranging multiple LED beads 51 in a ring around the visible light source 1, for example... Figure 2 Multiple LED beads 51 are arranged in a ring around the visible light source 1 so that the light emitted by the supplementary light module 5 and the light emitted by the visible light source 2 are diffused outward from the same central position, making the light more concentrated and the brightness higher.
[0041] Another implementation is as follows: multiple LED beads 51 are arranged on the left and right sides of the visible light source 1, with each LED bead 51 on the left side arranged in a row and each LED bead 51 on the right side arranged in a row. This also makes the light emitted by the supplementary lighting module 5 and the light emitted by the visible light source 2 more concentrated, thereby improving the brightness.
[0042] In addition to the above methods, the LEDs 51 in the supplementary lighting module 5 can also be arranged in other forms, which are not limited in this embodiment.
[0043] Based on the above technical solution, the railway foreign object detection device further includes: an alarm module 6, disposed within the housing 1, with the alarm transmitter of the alarm module 6 extending from a corresponding opening. The alarm module 6 is used to emit alarm signals, and it is at least one of an audio alarm module and a light alarm module. When the alarm module 6 is an audio alarm module, it emits an audio signal when the railway foreign object detection device detects a foreign object on the railway line. When the alarm module 6 is a light alarm module, it emits light, such as a continuously lit light or a flashing light at a preset frequency, when the railway foreign object detection device detects a foreign object on the railway line, to prompt the operator to handle the situation promptly.
[0044] Alternatively, the railway foreign object detection device may also include a communication module (not shown in the figure), housed within the enclosure of the housing 1. The communication module can be a wired or wireless communication module, connected to the station control center, depot control center, or vehicle dispatching center, etc., and sends an alarm signal to the corresponding control center when a foreign object is detected on the railway line.
[0045] The communication module can be a standalone module or a shared module with the data communication module within the railway foreign object detection device. When the communication module is a standalone module, it can serve as a redundant module, allowing both modules to simultaneously send alarm signals to the control center, thus improving the accuracy of the alarm signals.
[0046] Based on the above technical solution, this embodiment also provides an implementation method: the housing 1 can be cuboid in shape, having six surfaces, and openings can be provided on the corresponding surfaces as needed. The accompanying drawings of this embodiment show that one side of the housing 1 serves as a mounting surface, with multiple openings. Each module extends from the openings on this surface.
[0047] One embodiment is as follows: the housing 1 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12, which can be connected by bolts, plugs, snaps, riveting, etc. The alarm module 6 and the infrared imaging module 3 are spaced apart on the upper housing 11, and the visible light source 1, the supplementary lighting module 5 and the lidar 4 are spaced apart on the lower housing 12.
[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, based on the above technical solutions, this embodiment also provides a railway foreign object detection system, including the railway foreign object detection device provided in any of the above contents; the number of railway foreign object detection devices is multiple, and they are arranged at intervals along the railway line.
[0049] The railway foreign object detection system also includes an indoor detection terminal, which communicates with the railway foreign object detection device. The indoor detection terminal can be a host computer installed in the station control center, depot control center, or vehicle dispatching center. The station control center, depot control center, or vehicle dispatching center is also equipped with a large indoor display screen to show the vehicle operation and dispatching status. When the railway foreign object detection device detects a foreign object, the large indoor screen can display its specific location so that operators can be dispatched to the site as quickly as possible for handling.
[0050] Furthermore, the railway foreign object detection system also includes a mobile user terminal, which is an electronic terminal held by railway inspectors. The mobile user terminal communicates with the railway foreign object detection device. When the railway foreign object detection device detects a foreign object, it can send the information to the mobile user terminals of railway inspectors in the section where the detection device is located, so that the railway inspectors can handle it in a timely manner.
[0051] Furthermore, the railway foreign object detection system also includes: a core node dispatch center, regional node stations or lines, and Class I detection access points detection areas, connected hierarchically through network equipment. The network equipment includes local wired LANs and Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks. Intrusion detection equipment is divided into three levels from low to high: Class I detection access points, regional nodes, and core nodes. Each level can access sensor resources from lower-level foreign object intrusion detection systems and has independent multi-sensor information processing capabilities. Storage devices are installed at each node level.
[0052] A railway foreign object detection device employing multiple detection modules constitutes the front-end data acquisition layer, collecting foreign object intrusion data and monitoring the railway's foreign object intrusion situation within its detection and monitoring range around the clock. Class I detection access points synchronize video, radar, and infrared thermal imaging data collected by the front-end in real time. Signals collected by the front-end device layer are encoded and processed for transmission and storage; Class I detection access points also have a certain capacity for temporary storage of multi-sensor data. Regional nodes set up at stations or lines are responsible for processing, storing, and analyzing multi-sensor data from all Class I detection access points within the station and line monitoring range. They manage foreign object intrusions within the station and line range. Regional node operators manually identify intrusions, canceling normal intrusions and confirming abnormal intrusions. Abnormal intrusions are reported to the corresponding front-end device with the corresponding IP address, and the front-end device triggers an alarm for abnormal intrusions. The core node of the dispatch center manages the foreign object intrusion detection situation of multiple railway stations or lines, integrates and manages the signals collected by the multi-sensor intrusion detection devices of the regional nodes within its jurisdiction, stores historical multi-sensor foreign object intrusion detection data, and allows for historical data retrieval. The indoor monitoring terminal can query all foreign object intrusion events within the dispatch center's area and display the results on a large indoor screen, clearly showing all such events. Mobile users can query the intrusion time and receive intrusion alerts from the dispatch center.
[0053] The solution provided in this embodiment integrates a front-end railway foreign object intrusion detection device that combines multiple sensors, including visible light sources, lidar, and infrared imaging modules. This leverages the advantages of different sensors, allowing for complementary strengths. It can detect both dynamic and static railway foreign objects with good intrusion detection accuracy.
[0054] Furthermore, an automatic supplemental lighting function is adopted to supplement the visible light module, thereby improving the performance and quality of the visible light module's capture and detection.
[0055] The three-tiered structure of the foreign object intrusion detection system not only enhances the data storage capacity of the foreign object detection system, but also makes the multi-sensor data easier to transmit after encoding and processing. The functions of each tier are clearly defined, allowing each tier to play its role better and facilitating the transmission, storage, analysis, and management of foreign object intrusion events on lines, stations, and important areas within the jurisdiction of the dispatch center.
[0056] It should be noted that, in this disclosure, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element limited by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.
[0057] While the embodiments disclosed herein are as described above, the foregoing content is merely for the purpose of facilitating understanding of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any person skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains may make any modifications and changes in form and detail of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure; however, the scope of patent protection of this disclosure shall still be determined by the scope defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A railway foreign object detection device, characterized in that, include: The shell has an internal receiving space and multiple openings. A visible light source for emitting visible light is disposed within the receiving space, with the light-emitting end of the visible light source extending from the corresponding opening; An infrared imaging module is disposed within the accommodating space, with the detection end of the infrared imaging module extending out from the corresponding opening; A lidar is installed within the accommodating space, with the lidar's detection end extending from a corresponding opening.
2. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The supplementary lighting module is mounted on the housing and is positioned adjacent to the visible light source.
3. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The supplementary lighting module includes multiple LEDs arranged in an array.
4. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The supplementary lighting module includes multiple LEDs arranged in a ring around the visible light source.
5. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: An alarm module is installed within the accommodating space, with the alarm transmitter of the alarm module extending from the corresponding opening.
6. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The alarm module is at least one of an audio alarm module and a light alarm module.
7. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A communication module is disposed within the accommodating space.
8. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The housing is rectangular, with an opening on one side serving as the mounting surface.
9. The railway foreign object detection device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing; the alarm module and the infrared imaging module are spaced apart in the upper housing; the visible light source, the supplementary lighting module and the lidar are spaced apart in the lower housing.
10. A railway foreign object detection system, characterized in that, include: The railway foreign object detection device as described in any one of claims 1-9; There are multiple foreign object detection devices on the railway, which are installed at intervals along the railway line. The indoor detection terminal is connected to the railway foreign object detection device.