A railway wagon inspection trolley

Abstract

The utility model relates to a railway wagon inspection trolley, including chassis and upper cover, the middle part of chassis is provided with two groups of wheel hub motor before and after symmetry, wheel hub motor is connected with chassis rotation, wheel hub motor bottom and track contact, be provided with four guide wheels on the chassis, the lower end of guide wheel is provided with mounting panel, guide wheel and mounting panel rotation is connected, four guide wheels are rectangular distribution, four guide wheels all with the outside surface of track is pasted together, the upper end of chassis is provided with controller, power module, picture acquisition module, communication module and position detection module, picture acquisition module is close to the upper cover setting, the upper cover is provided with the window in picture acquisition module, the periphery of window is provided with a plurality of LED lamp, the car body still is provided with photosensitive resistance, controller and wheel hub motor electric connection, the upper cover and chassis are detachable connection, the utility model moves along the track in the wagon bottom, replaces manual work and completes the wagon bottom detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of freight car undercarriage inspection technology, specifically to a railway freight car inspection trolley. Background Technology

[0002] In the railway freight car maintenance system, undercarriage inspection is a core component ensuring the safe operation of freight cars. Freight cars carry heavy loads and travel at high speeds; the condition of critical components such as the brake cylinders directly affects braking performance, and any hidden dangers could lead to serious safety accidents. However, traditional undercarriage inspection has long relied on manual methods, which have significant shortcomings: maintenance personnel must rely on visual inspection of components such as brake cylinders, which is susceptible to subjective judgment bias, insufficient lighting under the car, and obstructed vision due to confined space, making it difficult to accurately identify component abnormalities; furthermore, inspection results must be manually recorded, which is not only inefficient but also carries the risk of omissions and errors, severely limiting the accuracy of inspections.

[0003] To improve this situation, some existing maintenance scenarios have introduced handheld inspection devices, requiring workers to move to a designated inspection position and extend the device under the vehicle to take photos and collect information. However, this method has some problems: on the one hand, workers need to move frequently between tracks and bend over to operate, which is physically demanding and poses a risk of equipment damage;

[0004] On the other hand, the complex undercarriage structure limits the shooting angle of handheld devices, making it easy for incomplete shots and missed shots of critical parts. In addition, the large number of tracks and the sheer volume of cars awaiting inspection at marshalling yards require workers to work continuously at high intensity, making it difficult to ensure consistent inspection quality for each car and further increasing the workload of personnel, thus failing to meet the efficient and safe maintenance requirements of railway freight.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic inspection device for the undercarriage of railway freight cars. Utility Model Content

[0006] This utility model addresses the difficulty of inspecting the underside of railway freight cars by proposing a railway freight car inspection trolley. The trolley moves along the track under the freight car, taking pictures of the underside of the car through an image acquisition module while moving, with LED lights providing supplementary lighting, and the controller transmitting the pictures outwards, thus replacing manual inspection of the freight car underside.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, a railway freight car inspection trolley is provided, comprising a car body and a track. The car body moves along the track, which is located between two rails of the railway track and is fixed to sleepers. The car body comprises a chassis and a top cover. Two sets of hub motors are symmetrically arranged at the front and rear of the center of the chassis. The hub motors are rotatably connected to the chassis, and the bottom of the hub motors contacts the track. Four guide wheels are provided on the chassis, and mounting plates are provided at the lower ends of the guide wheels. The guide wheels and mounting plates are rotatably connected. The four guide wheels are rectangularly distributed, and all four guide wheels are in contact with the outer surface of the track.

[0008] The upper part of the chassis is equipped with a controller, power module, image acquisition module, communication module and position detection module;

[0009] The image acquisition module is located near the top cover, and the top cover has a window corresponding to the image acquisition module. Multiple LED lights are arranged around the window. The vehicle body is also equipped with a photoresistor, which is electrically connected to the controller. The image acquisition module is communicatively connected to the controller.

[0010] The controller is electrically connected to the hub motor;

[0011] The top cover is detachably connected to the chassis.

[0012] Furthermore, the cross-section of the upper cover is an isosceles trapezoid, and image acquisition modules and LED lights are provided on the top surface and two sides of the upper cover. The LED lights include primary LED lights and secondary LED lights.

[0013] The LED lights are connected to the output of the controller, and the image acquisition module includes an industrial camera.

[0014] To further optimize the shooting effect and make the shooting image more complete, a primary LED light and a secondary LED light are set. The secondary LED light is brighter than the primary LED light to cope with different lighting environments.

[0015] Furthermore, an RFID module is provided on the lower side of the upper cover, and the position detection module includes an RFID tag, a ranging module, and a speed detection module;

[0016] An RFID tag is affixed to the side of the railway track closest to the RFID module. The RFID tag is used to record location information. The ranging module is set at the front and rear ends of the top cover to detect the distance between the vehicle body and external objects.

[0017] The speed detection module includes a quadrature encoder, the input end of which is connected to the hub motor, and the output end of which is connected to the controller.

[0018] The RFID module is also used to read truck tags.

[0019] The RFID module, in conjunction with RFID tags on the railway track, can quickly read location information. The ranging module detects the distance between the vehicle and external objects. When the vehicle is near the starting and ending points, it works with the quadrature encoder, and the controller controls the wheel hub motors to decelerate until the vehicle comes to a stable stop to avoid a collision.

[0020] The RFID module can not only read the location information of the track RFID tags, but also read the truck tags to obtain key information such as truck number and load. It can associate the truck's identity information with the detection data, making it easier to trace the maintenance records of each truck in the future.

[0021] Furthermore, the communication module includes a combination of a CAN module, a USB module, and a DEBU module. The CAN module, USB module, and DEBU module are all connected to the controller. The controller is connected to a driver chip, and the controller is connected to the hub motor through the driver chip. The controller is also connected to a WiFi module, and the controller is connected to a host computer through the WiFi module.

[0022] The controller offers a wide range of communication configurations, making it easy to connect to other devices.

[0023] Furthermore, the power module includes a lithium battery, a DC12V power conversion circuit, a DC5V power conversion circuit, and a DC3.3V power conversion circuit;

[0024] The lithium battery is connected to a DC12V power conversion circuit, a DC5V power conversion circuit, and a DC3.3V power conversion circuit. The DC12V power conversion circuit, the DC5V power conversion circuit, and the DC3.3V power conversion circuit provide power to the controller, the image acquisition module, the communication module, and the position detection module, respectively.

[0025] The circuitry includes a variety of voltage conversion circuits to meet the power requirements of electrical components.

[0026] Furthermore, a display screen is embedded in the front end of the top cover, and the display screen is communicatively connected to the controller. The controller is also equipped with a button module, and a button hole is opened at the front end of the top cover corresponding to the button module.

[0027] The front end of the top cover has an embedded display screen that can display the vehicle's working status (such as power level, current location, and testing progress) and fault information (such as a module malfunction) in real time. Maintenance personnel can quickly understand the equipment status on-site without connecting to a host computer. The button module, along with the button holes, facilitates manual operation of the equipment on-site (such as starting / stopping testing and switching testing modes), improving the convenience of human-machine interaction. It is especially suitable for emergency operation when the host computer remote connection fails.

[0028] Furthermore, the two sets of hub motors include four hub motors.

[0029] A side plate is provided on the chassis corresponding to the hub motor, and a bearing is provided on the side plate. The hub motor is rotatably connected to the chassis through the bearing.

[0030] The two sets of hub motors, totaling four, provide a more balanced power distribution, preventing the vehicle from deviating due to insufficient power on one side. This is especially beneficial when the vehicle is turning or traveling on bumpy roads, as it improves the vehicle's stability.

[0031] Furthermore, the mounting plate is an inverted T-shaped structure, with its horizontal end fixed to the chassis. The vertical section of the mounting plate is a stepped cylindrical structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. The guide wheel is a ring-shaped structure made of rubber, with an annular groove inside. The guide wheel is fitted onto the large-diameter end of the vertical section of the mounting plate.

[0032] The mounting plate is an inverted T-shape, with the horizontal end fixed to the chassis. The vertical section is a stepped cylinder, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The guide wheel is fitted onto the larger diameter end of the vertical section. The stepped structure restricts the vertical movement of the guide wheel, preventing it from falling off during operation and ensuring stable guidance. The rubber material increases friction with the side of the track, improving guidance accuracy and preventing the vehicle from slipping due to guide wheel slippage during high-speed movement.

[0033] Furthermore, anti-collision strips are provided at both the front and rear ends of the vehicle body. The anti-collision strips have an arc-shaped structure and are fixedly connected to the upper cover.

[0034] The curved anti-collision strips at the front and rear ends of the vehicle body can increase the contact area with the object of collision, disperse the impact force of the collision, and protect the vehicle body.

[0035] The beneficial effects of this utility model through the above technical solution are as follows:

[0036] 1. This utility model improves the efficiency and safety of railway freight car undercarriage inspection. The car body moves automatically along a fixed track. Through a multi-directional image acquisition module combined with graded LED supplementary lighting, the condition of key components under the car body can be comprehensively and clearly captured, replacing manual handheld equipment inspection. This avoids the safety risks of frequent personnel movement between tracks and reduces the problem of missed inspections due to limited shooting angles. The multi-hub motor and guide wheel design ensure stable movement, and the rich communication and positioning modules enable real-time data transmission and accurate positioning, greatly improving inspection efficiency and automation level.

[0037] 2. This utility model has good applicability and is easy to maintain. The power module adapts to the power requirements of each component through a multi-voltage conversion circuit, and the lithium battery power supply meets the needs of long-term operation. The detachable design of the top cover and chassis, and the configuration of the display screen and button module facilitate daily maintenance and on-site operation of the equipment; the rubber guide wheels and arc-shaped anti-collision strips enhance the equipment's adaptability to complex track environments, reduce collision damage, and extend the service life of the equipment. The overall structure combines functionality and practicality, and can effectively meet the diverse needs of railway freight car maintenance scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams (front view) of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to this utility model.

[0039] Figure 2 This is the second structural schematic diagram (reverse side) of the railway freight car inspection trolley of this utility model.

[0040] Figure 3 This is the third structural schematic diagram of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is one of the circuit diagrams for a railway freight car inspection trolley according to this utility model;

[0042] Figure 5 This is the second circuit diagram of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is the third circuit diagram of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 This is the fourth circuit diagram of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 This is the fifth circuit diagram of a railway freight car inspection trolley according to this utility model.

[0046] Reference numerals: 1 for track, 2 for chassis, 3 for top cover, 4 for hub motor, 5 for guide wheel, 6 for mounting plate, 7 for controller, 8 for power module, 9 for image acquisition module, 10 for communication module, 11 for position detection module, 12 for LED light, 13 for photoresistor, 14 for RFID module, 15 for display screen, 16 for button module, 17 for side plate, 18 for anti-collision strip, 1101 for ranging module, 1102 for speed detection module. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Example 1

[0048] like Figures 1-8As shown, a railway freight car inspection trolley includes a car body and a track 1. The car body moves along the track 1, which is located between two rails of the railway track and is fixed to sleepers. The car body includes a chassis 2 and a top cover 3. Two sets of hub motors 4 are symmetrically arranged in the middle of the chassis 2. The hub motors 4 are rotatably connected to the chassis 2, and the bottom of the hub motors 4 contacts the track 1. Four guide wheels 5 are arranged on the chassis 2, and mounting plates 6 are arranged at the lower end of the guide wheels 5. The guide wheels 5 and the mounting plates 6 are rotatably connected. The four guide wheels 5 are arranged in a rectangular shape, and all four guide wheels 5 are in contact with the outer side of the track 1.

[0049] The upper part of the chassis 2 is equipped with a controller 7, a power module 8, an image acquisition module 9, a communication module 10, and a position detection module 11;

[0050] The image acquisition module 9 is located near the upper cover 3. The upper cover 3 has a window corresponding to the image acquisition module 9. Multiple LED lights 12 are arranged around the window. The vehicle body is also equipped with a photoresistor 13. The photoresistor 13 is electrically connected to the controller 7. The image acquisition module 9 is communicatively connected to the controller 7.

[0051] The controller 7 is electrically connected to the hub motor 4;

[0052] The top cover 3 is detachably connected to the chassis 2.

[0053] In this embodiment, the controller uses an STM32G0B1RCT6 microcontroller.

[0054] The cross-section of the upper cover 3 is an isosceles trapezoid. Image acquisition modules 9 and LED lights 12 are provided on the top surface and two sides of the upper cover 3. The LED lights 12 include primary LED lights and secondary LED lights.

[0055] LED light 12 is connected to the output terminal of controller 7, and the image acquisition module 9 includes an industrial camera.

[0056] In this embodiment, there are three industrial cameras, which are controlled by a controller to enable all three cameras to trigger the photo-taking function simultaneously.

[0057] Photoresistor 13 is connected to the LMV358CDRG module for signal amplification.

[0058] An RFID module 14 is provided on the lower side of the upper cover 3. The position detection module 11 includes an RFID tag, a ranging module 1101 and a speed detection module 1102.

[0059] An RFID tag is affixed to the side of the railway track closest to the RFID module 14. The RFID tag is used to record location information. The ranging module 1101 is set at the front and rear ends of the upper cover 3 to detect the distance between the vehicle body and external objects.

[0060] The speed detection module 1102 includes a quadrature encoder, the input end of which is connected to the hub motor 4, and the output end of which is connected to the controller 7;

[0061] The RFID module 14 is also used to read truck tags.

[0062] A CA-IS3730LN three-channel digital isolator is installed between the quadrature encoder and the controller to ensure the correct transmission of digital signals.

[0063] The ranging module 1101 enables communication between the radar module and the controller via a UART serial port.

[0064] The communication module 10 includes a combination of a CAN module, a USB module, and a DEBU module. The CAN module, USB module, and DEBU module are all connected to the controller 7. The controller 7 is connected to a driver chip and is connected to the hub motor 4 through the driver chip. The controller 7 is also connected to a WiFi module and is connected to a host computer through the WiFi module.

[0065] The CAN module selected is the TJA1050T / CM, 118 module. The USB module selected is the TYPE-C16PIN2MD(073) module.

[0066] The power module 8 includes a lithium battery, a DC 12V power conversion circuit, a DC 5V power conversion circuit, and a DC 3.3V power conversion circuit.

[0067] The lithium battery is connected to a DC12V power conversion circuit, a DC5V power conversion circuit, and a DC3.3V power conversion circuit. The DC12V power conversion circuit, the DC5V power conversion circuit, and the DC3.3V power conversion circuit provide power to the controller 7, the image acquisition module 9, the communication module 10, and the position detection module 11, respectively.

[0068] The lithium battery outputs a DC 24V current. It is charged via wireless charging, and is equipped with a wireless charging receiver module and a charging management module.

[0069] Two DC12V power conversion circuits are set up, using TPS5450DDAR modules combined with LC filter circuits to convert DC24V output to DC12V.

[0070] Set up a DC5V power conversion circuit, using a TPS5450DDAR module combined with an LC filter circuit to convert DC24V output to DC5V;

[0071] The DC3.3V power conversion circuit uses AMS1117-3.3 to convert DC5V to DC3.3V.

[0072] The front end of the upper cover 3 is embedded with a display screen 15, which is communicatively connected to the controller 7. The controller 7 is also provided with a button module 16, and the front end of the upper cover 3 has a button hole corresponding to the button module 16.

[0073] The two sets of hub motors 4 include four hub motors 4.

[0074] A side plate 17 is provided on the chassis 2 corresponding to the hub motor 4. A bearing is provided on the side plate 17, and the hub motor 4 is rotatably connected to the chassis 2 through the bearing.

[0075] The mounting plate 6 is an inverted T-shaped structure. The horizontal end of the mounting plate 6 is fixed to the chassis 2. The vertical section of the mounting plate 6 is a stepped cylindrical structure with a larger top and a smaller bottom. The guide wheel 5 is a ring-shaped structure made of rubber. The guide wheel 5 has an annular groove inside and is fitted onto the large-diameter end of the vertical section of the mounting plate 6.

[0076] The vehicle body is provided with anti-collision strips 18 at both the front and rear ends. The anti-collision strips 18 have an arc-shaped structure and are fixedly connected to the upper cover 3.

[0077] Upon receiving the work instruction, the inspection vehicle first performs an initialization operation. Controller 7 (STM32G0B1RCT6 microcontroller) performs self-tests on each module, including power module 8, image acquisition module 9, communication module 10, and position detection module 11. The lithium battery provides stable voltage to each component through DC12V, DC5V, and DC3.3V power conversion circuits to ensure normal system operation.

[0078] During initialization, display screen 15 lights up, showing device status information. Operators can set parameters and start the device via button module 16. The WiFi module establishes a communication connection with the host computer, or prepares for data transmission via the CAN module.

[0079] The inspection trolley is driven by four hub motors 4 symmetrically arranged at the front and rear of the chassis 2, moving along the track 1 laid between the two rails of the railway. The four guide wheels 5 are rectangularly distributed and fit against the outer side of the track 1 to ensure that the trolley travels in a straight line and prevents it from deviating from the track.

[0080] The quadrature encoder in the speed detection module 1102 is connected to the hub motor 4 to detect the vehicle's speed in real time, and transmits the signal to the controller 7 through the CA-IS3730LN three-channel digital isolator to achieve precise control of the driving speed.

[0081] During operation, the RFID module 14 on the lower side of the top cover 3 continuously reads the RFID tags affixed to the railway tracks to obtain the current location information. Simultaneously, the RFID module 14 also reads the tag information on the bottom of the freight car, enabling accurate identification of the detected object.

[0082] The controller 7 combines location information and speed data to calculate the vehicle's specific position on the inspection route in real time, providing a position reference for subsequent photography and inspection work.

[0083] Controller 7 controls three industrial cameras (image acquisition module 9) to take pictures simultaneously. The three cameras correspond to the top surface and two sides of the cover 3, respectively, and can comprehensively collect image information of the bottom and sides of the truck.

[0084] Because the work is being done under the vehicle, supplemental lighting is required for the industrial camera. During the shooting process, controller 7 detects the surrounding lighting environment through photoresistor 13;

[0085] When the environment is dim, turn on the first-level LED light to provide basic lighting;

[0086] In dark environments, switch to the secondary LED light for stronger illumination to ensure clear images.

[0087] The captured image data is uploaded to the host computer in real time via the WiFi module, facilitating remote monitoring and analysis. Meanwhile, the CAN module (TJA1050T / CM,118) and USB module (TYPE-C16PIN2MD(073)) serve as backup communication methods for local data storage and device debugging.

[0088] The ranging modules 1101 (radar modules) at the front and rear ends of the top cover 3 continuously detect the distance between the vehicle body and obstacles in front, and transmit the data to the controller 7 via the UART serial port.

[0089] When an obstacle is detected ahead or the inspection end point is approaching, the controller 7 controls the hub motor 4 to decelerate in advance based on distance information and data from the speed detection module 1102, and stops moving forward if necessary to achieve safe obstacle avoidance.

[0090] Once all inspection tasks are completed or a stop command is received, the vehicle will return to the starting point along a preset route. Throughout the process, the anti-collision strip 18 protects the vehicle from damage caused by accidental collisions. After returning to the starting point, the system automatically enters standby mode, and the lithium battery can be charged via wireless charging to prepare for the next inspection.

[0091] Through the above-described workflow, the railway freight car inspection trolley has achieved automated inspection of railway freight cars, improving inspection efficiency and accuracy, and reducing the labor intensity and safety risks of manual inspection.

[0092] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features and principles described in the patent claims of this utility model should be included within the scope of the patent application of this utility model.

Claims

1. A railway freight car inspection trolley, comprising a car body and a track (1), wherein the car body moves along the track (1), the track (1) is disposed between two rails of a railway track, and the track (1) is fixed to sleepers, characterized in that, The vehicle body includes a chassis (2) and a top cover (3). Two sets of hub motors (4) are symmetrically arranged in the middle of the chassis (2). The hub motors (4) are rotatably connected to the chassis (2). The bottom of the hub motors (4) is in contact with the track (1). Four guide wheels (5) are provided on the chassis (2). The lower end of the guide wheels (5) is provided with a mounting plate (6). The guide wheels (5) and the mounting plate (6) are rotatably connected. The four guide wheels (5) are arranged in a rectangular shape. All four guide wheels (5) are in contact with the outer side of the track (1). The upper part of the chassis (2) is equipped with a controller (7), a power module (8), an image acquisition module (9), a communication module (10) and a position detection module (11). The image acquisition module (9) is located near the top cover (3). The top cover (3) has a window corresponding to the image acquisition module (9). Multiple LED lights (12) are arranged around the window. The vehicle body is also equipped with a photoresistor (13). The photoresistor (13) is electrically connected to the controller (7). The image acquisition module (9) is communicatively connected to the controller (7). The controller (7) is electrically connected to the hub motor (4); The top cover (3) is detachably connected to the chassis (2).

2. The railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the upper cover (3) is an isosceles trapezoid. Image acquisition modules (9) and LED lights (12) are provided on the top surface and two sides of the upper cover (3). The LED lights (12) include primary LED lights and secondary LED lights. The LED light (12) is connected to the output of the controller (7), and the image acquisition module (9) includes an industrial camera.

3. The railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, An RFID module (14) is provided on the lower side of the upper cover (3). The position detection module (11) includes an RFID tag, a ranging module (1101) and a speed detection module (1102). An RFID tag is affixed to the side of the railway track that is close to the RFID module (14). The RFID tag is used to record location information. The ranging module (1101) is set at the front and rear ends of the cover (3) to detect the distance between the vehicle body and external objects. The speed detection module (1102) includes a quadrature encoder, the input end of which is connected to the hub motor (4), and the output end is connected to the controller (7). The RFID module (14) is also used to read truck tags.

4. The railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication module (10) includes a combination of a CAN module, a USB module and a DEBU module. The CAN module, USB module and DEBU module are all connected to the controller (7). The controller (7) is connected to a driver chip. The controller (7) is connected to the hub motor (4) through the driver chip. The controller (7) is connected to a WiFi module. The controller (7) is connected to a host computer through the WiFi module.

5. A railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power module (8) includes a lithium battery, a DC12V power conversion circuit, a DC5V power conversion circuit and a DC3.3V power conversion circuit. The lithium battery is connected to a DC12V power conversion circuit, a DC5V power conversion circuit and a DC3.3V power conversion circuit. The DC12V power conversion circuit, the DC5V power conversion circuit and the DC3.3V power conversion circuit provide power to the controller (7), the image acquisition module (9), the communication module (10) and the position detection module (11) respectively.

6. A railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end of the top cover (3) is embedded with a display screen (15), which is connected to the controller (7). The controller (7) is also provided with a button module (16), and the front end of the top cover (3) has a button hole corresponding to the button module (16).

7. A railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two sets of hub motors (4) include four hub motors (4). A side plate (17) is provided on the chassis (2) corresponding to the hub motor (4), and a bearing is provided on the side plate (17). The hub motor (4) is rotatably connected to the chassis (2) through the bearing.

8. A railway freight car inspection trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting plate (6) is an inverted T-shaped structure. The horizontal end of the mounting plate (6) is fixed to the chassis (2). The vertical section of the mounting plate (6) is a stepped cylindrical structure with a larger top and a smaller bottom. The guide wheel (5) is a ring-shaped structure made of rubber. The guide wheel (5) has an annular groove inside. The guide wheel (5) is fitted onto the large-diameter end of the vertical section of the mounting plate (6).

Images