Rail flaw detector, rail flaw detector and rail flaw detector vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to a rail flaw detection device, a rail flaw detector and a rail flaw detection vehicle. The rail flaw detection device comprises a slide shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit and an edge computing box unit; wherein the slide shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit comprises a rail flaw detection assembly and a signal acquisition and processing module; the rail flaw detection assembly is in contact with the rail surface and is used for detecting the rail to obtain a flaw detection signal; the signal acquisition and processing module is connected with the rail flaw detection assembly and is used for amplifying, filtering and digital-analog conversion processing the flaw detection signal and outputting digital signal data; the edge computing box unit comprises a data receiving module and a calculation processing module; the data receiving module is connected with the slide shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit and receives the digital signal data; and the calculation processing module is used for performing edge calculation on the received digital signal data and outputting a damage analysis result. The device can improve the timeliness of rail damage disease identification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of rail transit inspection technology, and in particular to a rail flaw detection device, a rail flaw detector and a rail flaw detection vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In railway infrastructure maintenance, the quality of rails directly affects the safety and stability of railway operations. Currently, the most common method for rail flaw detection is to use small rail flaw detection instruments. The flaw detection worker pushes the small instrument along the rail, and then manually identifies the collected patterns to determine whether there is any damage inside the rail.

[0003] However, traditional rail flaw detection instruments and equipment cannot transmit and analyze rail flaw detection data signals in real time, often resulting in delays in the identification of rail damage and defects. This makes it impossible to promptly alert authorities to damaged rails, hindering timely and accurate monitoring and response to track safety conditions, and ultimately preventing the timely detection of potential safety hazards. Therefore, traditional technologies suffer from poor timeliness in identifying rail damage and defects. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a rail flaw detection device, rail flaw detector, and rail flaw detection vehicle that can improve the timeliness of rail damage and defect identification, in order to address the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a rail flaw detection device, which includes a slip-on type rail flaw detection instrument unit and an edge computing box unit; wherein:

[0006] The slipper-type rail flaw detection miniature instrument unit includes a rail flaw detection component and a signal acquisition and processing module; the rail flaw detection component contacts the rail surface to detect flaws and obtain flaw detection signals; the signal acquisition and processing module is connected to the rail flaw detection component and is used to amplify, filter, and perform digital-to-analog conversion on the flaw detection signals to output digital signal data.

[0007] The edge computing box unit includes a data receiving module and a computing processing module; the data receiving module is connected to the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit to receive digital signal data; the computing processing module is used to perform edge computing on the received digital signal data and output the damage analysis results.

[0008] In one embodiment, the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit also includes an instrument body shell, which has an ergonomic shape and is made of engineering plastic.

[0009] In one embodiment, the signal acquisition and processing module is located inside the main body of the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit;

[0010] The rail flaw detection assembly includes a flaw detection probe installed on the bottom of the slipper and connected to a signal acquisition and processing module, used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the rail and receive ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the rail.

[0011] In one embodiment, the edge computing box unit further includes a housing and a heat dissipation structure disposed on the housing;

[0012] The outer casing is made of metal; the heat dissipation structure includes either heat dissipation fins or a cooling fan.

[0013] In one embodiment, the edge computing box unit further includes a control module;

[0014] The control module is connected to the computing and processing module. It is used to output the damage analysis results via wired or wireless means, and to send a control signal to the alarm device to trigger the alarm operation when damage or defects are detected in the rail.

[0015] In one embodiment, the rail flaw detection device further includes a wireless communication module for establishing a wireless data transmission channel between the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit and the edge computing box unit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the rail flaw detection device further includes an alarm device; the alarm device includes an audible and visual alarm unit and a vibration alarm unit;

[0017] The audible and visual alarm unit includes LED indicator lights and a buzzer, which are used to emit audible and visual signals;

[0018] The vibration alarm unit is used to send vibration signals.

[0019] In one embodiment, the rail flaw detection device further includes an auxiliary device; the auxiliary device includes:

[0020] The mobile auxiliary wheels are installed on both sides of the bottom of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit, and the mobile auxiliary wheels are made of rubber.

[0021] The display screen and operation buttons are located on the outer shell of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit or on the outer shell of the edge computing box unit.

[0022] Secondly, this application provides a rail flaw detector, which includes a rail flaw detection device as described in any of the above claims.

[0023] Thirdly, this application provides a rail flaw detection vehicle, which includes a running frame and a rail flaw detection device as described above.

[0024] The aforementioned rail flaw detection device, rail flaw detector, and rail flaw detection vehicle, based on a slipper-type rail flaw detection small instrument unit, can acquire rail flaw detection signals in real time through the rail flaw detection components. The signal acquisition and processing module can output digital signal data promptly. Furthermore, based on an edge computing box unit, the data receiving module receives the digital signal data, and the computing processing module performs edge computing on the received digital signal data, outputting damage analysis results online. This improves the timeliness of rail damage and defect identification, enabling faster and more timely detection of potential rail safety hazards. This application, through the coordinated operation of the slipper-type rail flaw detection small instrument unit and the edge computing box unit, can identify rail defects and take corresponding measures at the first moment, improving the timeliness of railway maintenance work and ensuring railway operation safety. It also solves the problem of poor timeliness in identifying rail damage and defects in traditional rail flaw detection technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a rail flaw detection device in one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the edge calculation box unit of a rail flaw detection device in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wireless communication module of a rail flaw detection device in one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the alarm device of a rail flaw detection device in one embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an auxiliary device for a rail flaw detection device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application will be thorough and complete.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0033] Spatial relation terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “under,” “above,” “above,” etc., are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element or feature described as “below,” “under,” or “below” will be oriented “above” the other element or feature. Therefore, the exemplary terms “below” and “under” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0034] It should be noted that when one element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through an intermediary element. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, "connection" should be understood as "electrical connection," "communication connection," etc., if there is transmission of electrical signals or data between the connected objects.

[0035] When used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that terms such as “comprising / including” or “having” specify the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Meanwhile, the term “and / or” as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0036] In railway infrastructure maintenance, the quality of rails directly affects the safety and stability of railway operations. Currently, the most common method for rail flaw detection is to use small rail flaw detection instruments. The flaw detection worker pushes the small instrument along the rail, and then manually identifies the collected ultrasound images to determine whether there is any damage inside the rail.

[0037] However, this method of relying on manual identification of damage has significant drawbacks. Due to differences in the professional skills, work experience, and concentration of different flaw detectors, the interpretation of ultrasound images is subject to limitations such as strong subjectivity and cumbersome playback procedures, easily leading to missed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and low data utilization. Some minor damage or more complex disease features may be overlooked or misidentified as normal. These unidentified damages are highly likely to develop and expand during the long-term operation of the railway, eventually causing serious safety accidents and posing a huge safety hazard to railway transportation.

[0038] With the continuous advancement of technology, deep learning has demonstrated outstanding performance in many fields such as image recognition and data analysis, enabling efficient and accurate feature extraction and classification of complex data. Introducing deep learning technology into the field of rail flaw detection, combined with advanced edge computing technology, to achieve real-time automatic analysis of rail flaw detection data and timely feedback of damage conditions to flaw detection workers, will undoubtedly greatly improve the quality and efficiency of rail flaw detection work.

[0039] Therefore, this application aims to provide a rail flaw detection device based on online damage analysis. By integrating small rail flaw detection instruments, edge computing technology, and related communication and alarm modules, it overcomes the problems of missed detection and misjudgment that are prone to occur in traditional manual flaw detection methods. It realizes real-time acquisition, transmission, online analysis, and instant alarm of rail flaw detection data, improves the accuracy and timeliness of rail flaw detection, and ensures the safe and reliable operation of railway transportation.

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a rail flaw detection device is provided, including a slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 and an edge computing box unit 120; wherein:

[0042] The sliding shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit 110 includes a rail flaw detection component 111 and a signal acquisition and processing module 112; the rail flaw detection component 111 contacts the rail surface and is used to detect flaws in the rail and obtain flaw detection signals; the signal acquisition and processing module 112 is connected to the rail flaw detection component 111 and is used to amplify, filter and perform digital-to-analog conversion processing on the flaw detection signals and output digital signal data;

[0043] The edge computing box unit 120 includes a data receiving module 121 and a computing processing module 122. The data receiving module 121 is connected to the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 and receives digital signal data. The computing processing module 122 is used to perform edge computing on the received digital signal data and output the damage analysis results.

[0044] Specifically, the rail flaw detection device of this application may include a slipper-type rail flaw detection small instrument unit 110 and an edge computing box unit 120. It is understood that the slipper-type rail flaw detection small instrument unit 110 is the basic part of the rail flaw detection device for collecting rail flaw detection signals or data, and the edge computing box unit 120 is the core data analysis and processing part of the rail flaw detection device.

[0045] The sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 may include a rail flaw detection component 111 and a signal acquisition and processing module 112. The rail flaw detection component 111 can maintain contact with the rail surface to ensure that the flaw detection signal emitted by the rail flaw detection component 111 can be effectively transmitted into the interior of the rail to detect flaws in the rail, thereby obtaining the flaw detection signal reflected back from the interior of the rail.

[0046] The signal acquisition and processing module 112 is connected to the rail flaw detection component 111. It amplifies and filters the weak flaw detection signals acquired by the rail flaw detection component 111 to improve the quality of the flaw detection signals. For example, the signal acquisition and processing module 112 can acquire flaw detection signals according to a set sampling frequency (e.g., the sampling frequency can be adjustable between 1kHz and 10kHz), and convert the continuous analog signals into discrete digital signals. The conversion process follows certain quantization accuracy requirements (e.g., the conversion accuracy can be 8 bits, 12 bits, etc.), thereby initially organizing the acquired internal structure information of the rail into digital signals and outputting digital signal data to prepare for subsequent data analysis and processing by the edge computing box unit 120.

[0047] The edge computing box unit 120 may include a data receiving module 121 and a computing processing module 122. The data receiving module 121 can be connected to the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 via a wireless communication interface (such as a wireless module supporting Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 standards, or a Bluetooth module with Bluetooth 5.0 or higher), and can receive digital signal data transmitted from the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 in real time. Simultaneously, the data receiving module 121 has a certain data caching function; when there are brief communication fluctuations or data transmission peaks, it can temporarily store some data to ensure that data is not lost, thereby ensuring the integrity of subsequent analysis.

[0048] The computing and processing module 122 can perform edge computing on the received digital signal data and output damage analysis results. Specifically, the computing and processing module 122 can have a built-in high-performance processor (such as a multi-core processor based on ARM architecture or a dedicated AI processing chip) as well as a large-capacity memory (such as 4GB or more) and storage unit (such as a solid-state drive of 64GB or more).

[0049] It is understandable that a rail damage and defect identification model based on deep learning algorithms can be run on the processor. This model can be an existing model, for example, trained and optimized using a large amount of rail flaw detection sample data (including labeled normal and different types of flaw detection signal data). This allows for feature extraction, analysis, and classification of the input flaw detection signal data, identifying whether damage exists inside the rail and the specific type of damage (such as cracks, inclusions, porosity, etc.). Furthermore, after receiving the digital signal data, the computational processing module 122 can preprocess the digital signal data (e.g., normalization) to make it conform to the input requirements of the rail damage and defect identification model. The processed data is then input into the rail damage and defect identification model for analysis and calculation to obtain the damage analysis results.

[0050] In one exemplary embodiment, the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 may further include an instrument body shell, which has an ergonomic shape and is made of engineering plastic.

[0051] Specifically, the shape of the instrument's main casing is ergonomically designed for easy handling and pushing by the flaw detector operator on the rails. The main casing can be made of engineering plastics, which are sturdy yet lightweight, with good shock resistance and wear resistance, protecting the internal electronic components from external environmental interference and physical damage.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal acquisition and processing module 112 is located inside the main body of the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110; the rail flaw detection component 111 includes a flaw detection probe installed on the bottom of the slipper, connected to the signal acquisition and processing module 112, for transmitting ultrasonic waves to the rail and receiving ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the rail.

[0053] In practical applications, the signal acquisition and processing module 112 can be located inside the main body of the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 to facilitate the connection of the flaw detection probe to the rail flaw detection assembly 111. The rail flaw detection assembly 111 may include a flaw detection probe installed at the bottom of the slipper. This probe is connected to the signal acquisition and processing module 112 and can be a high-precision ultrasonic probe capable of emitting ultrasonic waves into the rail and receiving ultrasonic echo signals reflected from different interfaces inside the rail. The ultrasonic frequency and other parameters of the flaw detection probe can be selected and configured according to actual flaw detection requirements. For example, a probe with a frequency between 2MHz and 10MHz can be selected to adapt to the flaw detection requirements of rails of different materials and thicknesses.

[0054] In one exemplary embodiment, the edge computing box unit 120 further includes a housing and a heat dissipation structure disposed on the housing; wherein the housing is made of metal; and the heat dissipation structure includes either heat dissipation fins or a heat dissipation fan.

[0055] Specifically, the edge computing box unit 120 can use a metal casing with good electromagnetic shielding performance, effectively preventing external electromagnetic interference from affecting the internal computing chips and circuits of the edge computing box unit 120. It also prevents electromagnetic radiation generated by the internal electronic components of the edge computing box unit 120 from interfering with the outside world. The casing can be equipped with heat dissipation structures such as heat sinks or cooling fans to ensure that the high-performance computing chips and other components inside the edge computing box unit 120 can operate stably within a suitable temperature range during long-term operation, preventing performance degradation or malfunction due to overheating.

[0056] In one exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the edge computing box unit 120 also includes a control module 123; the control module 123 is connected to the computing processing module 122 and is used to output the damage analysis results via wired or wireless means, and to send a control signal to the alarm device to trigger the alarm operation when damage or defects are detected in the rail.

[0057] In practical applications, the control module 123 can be connected to the calculation and processing module 122. Based on the damage analysis results obtained by the calculation and processing module 122, the damage analysis results are output via wired (such as USB interface, RS485 interface, etc.) or wireless (such as sending data to a remote monitoring terminal via a specific frequency band) methods, so that the flaw detector operator can view them or transmit them to a remote railway maintenance management system for recording and further analysis. Simultaneously, when the damage analysis results connected to the calculation and processing module 122 identify damage or defects in the rail, the control module 123 can send a control signal to the alarm device of the rail flaw detector to trigger an alarm operation, reminding the flaw detector operator to pay attention and handle the issue promptly.

[0058] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the rail flaw detection device also includes a wireless communication module 130, which is used to establish a wireless data transmission channel between the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 and the edge computing box unit 120.

[0059] Specifically, the wireless communication module 130 can establish a wireless data transmission channel between the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 and the edge computing box unit 120. The wireless communication module 130 is compatible with multiple wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi (supporting different security encryption methods to ensure data transmission security) and Bluetooth (enabling rapid pairing and connection for convenient deployment at the flaw detection site). Flaw detection workers can flexibly choose which communication method to use for data transmission based on the actual site environment and work requirements. The wireless communication module 130 has the ability to automatically adjust the transmission rate dynamically based on factors such as wireless signal strength and channel interference, ensuring that even in complex and changing railway site environments (with interference from other wireless devices, transmission requirements at different distances, etc.), the digital signal data acquired by the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 can be transmitted to the edge computing box unit 120 in real time at a relatively stable rate, avoiding data transmission delays or interruptions. The wireless communication module 130 can adopt a high-gain antenna and other designs to enhance the transmission and reception capabilities of wireless signals, expand the effective communication range, and has automatic reconnection and error correction mechanisms. When a brief signal interruption or transmission error occurs, it can quickly restore the connection and retransmit the correct data to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data transmission.

[0060] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the rail flaw detection device also includes an alarm device 140; the alarm device 140 includes an audible and visual alarm unit 141 and a vibration alarm unit 142; the audible and visual alarm unit 141 includes an LED indicator and a buzzer, used to emit audible and visual signals; the vibration alarm unit 142 is used to emit vibration signals.

[0061] In a specific implementation, the alarm device 140 may include an audible and visual alarm unit 141 and a vibration alarm unit 142. When the edge computing box unit 120 detects damage or defects in the rail, the alarm device 140 can promptly issue a clear alarm signal based on the alarm control signal issued by the control module 123 of the edge computing box unit 120 to remind the flaw detection worker.

[0062] The audible and visual alarm unit 141 may include LED indicator lights and a buzzer, such as high-brightness LED indicator lights (different colors can be used to represent different degrees of damage, such as red for severe damage and yellow for general damage) and a high-volume buzzer. When an alarm control signal is received from the control module 123 of the edge computing box unit 120, the LED indicator lights of the audible and visual alarm unit 141 flash, and the buzzer emits a loud sound. Through the combination of sound and light, the attention of the flaw detector can be effectively attracted even in a noisy railway environment, enabling them to quickly become aware of the damage to the rail.

[0063] The vibration alarm unit 142 can be installed on the equipment carried by the flaw detector operator (such as a belt, handheld device, etc.). When it receives an alarm control signal from the control module 123 of the edge computing box unit 120, the vibration alarm unit 142 emits a vibration signal to alert the flaw detector operator by generating vibration. It is especially suitable for situations where flaw detector operators may not easily notice the audible and visual alarms in bright light or noisy environments. The vibration alarm provides an additional reminder method to further ensure that the flaw detector operator does not miss the alarm information.

[0064] Meanwhile, the alarm device 140 can also automatically adjust the brightness of the LED indicator and the volume of the sound and light alarm unit 141 and the vibration intensity of the vibration alarm unit 142 based on the severity information of the damage analysis results output by the edge computing box unit 120. This allows the flaw detector to intuitively judge the severity of the damage by the intensity of the alarm, making it easier to prioritize the handling of more serious damage.

[0065] For example, if the damage analysis results indicate severe cracks, the alarm device 140 will trigger a rapid flashing of the red LED indicator, a high-decibel sound from the buzzer, and a strong vibration alarm, enabling the flaw detector to quickly locate the defect for further inspection and confirmation.

[0066] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the rail flaw detection device also includes an auxiliary device 150; the auxiliary device 150 includes: movable auxiliary wheels 151, which are installed on both sides of the bottom of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit 110, and the movable auxiliary wheels are made of rubber. The auxiliary device 150 also includes: a display screen and operation buttons 152, which are set on the instrument body shell of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection small instrument unit 110 or on the shell of the edge computing box unit 120.

[0067] In practical applications, the mobile auxiliary wheels 151 can be installed on both sides of the bottom of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110. The mobile auxiliary wheels 151 can be made of wear-resistant rubber material with good shock absorption performance. When the flaw detector operator pushes the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 along the rail, it can reduce friction and make pushing smoother and easier. At the same time, it can also reduce the labor intensity of the flaw detector operator to a certain extent and improve the efficiency of flaw detection work.

[0068] The display screen and operation buttons 152 can be located on the outer shell of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit 110 or on the outer shell of the edge computing box unit 120. The display screen (such as a high-resolution LCD screen with good viewing angles and contrast, convenient for viewing under different lighting conditions) allows the flaw detector operator to intuitively view key flaw detection parameters (such as sampling frequency, current transmission status, battery level, etc.) and damage analysis results output by the edge computing box unit 120 (such as whether there is damage, damage type, and other simple information). The operation buttons allow the operator to perform basic operation settings on the rail flaw detection device (such as adjusting the sampling frequency, switching wireless communication modes, and turning the alarm function on or off), making the use of the rail flaw detection device more flexible and convenient.

[0069] In one embodiment, the rail flaw detection device also includes a battery supply module, comprising a battery pack and power management circuitry, which can be used to provide stable and reliable power support for each unit of the entire rail flaw detection device.

[0070] The battery supply module can use a high-capacity rechargeable lithium battery pack, such as 10,000mAh or more, to meet the power requirements of the device during long-term flaw detection operations (e.g., continuous operation for more than 8 hours). The battery pack is equipped with overcharge and over-discharge protection circuits, effectively extending battery life and ensuring safe operation.

[0071] The power management circuit is responsible for the precise management of the battery pack's charging and discharging process. Based on the different voltage and power requirements of each unit (such as the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit, edge computing box unit, wireless communication module, alarm device, etc.), it converts and distributes the voltage output by the battery pack to ensure that each unit can obtain a stable and appropriate operating voltage. At the same time, it can also monitor the battery's power status in real time and display the remaining power to the flaw detection operator through power indicator lights, reminding the operator to charge in time and avoid the device stopping work due to insufficient power during the flaw detection process.

[0072] To further illustrate the solution of this application, specific examples are provided below. The rail flaw detection device in this embodiment can employ a 5MHz flaw detection probe, installed at the bottom of the sliding shoe of the sliding shoe-type rail flaw detection instrument unit. The main body of the sliding shoe-type rail flaw detection instrument unit is made of high-strength engineering plastic. The internal signal acquisition and processing module is set to a sampling frequency of 5kHz and a quantization accuracy of 12 bits. The edge computing box unit uses a multi-core processor based on an ARM architecture, paired with 8GB of memory and a 128GB solid-state drive. Its built-in rail damage and defect identification model is trained based on a large amount of actual rail flaw detection data and can identify three common damage types: cracks, inclusions, and porosity. The defect judgment threshold has been optimized. The wireless communication module simultaneously enables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, prioritizing Wi-Fi for data transmission by default. Its adaptive transmission rate adjustment range is set between 1Mbps and 10Mbps. In the audible and visual alarm unit of the alarm device, red LED indicators indicate severe damage, and yellow indicates moderate damage. The buzzer volume is adjustable between 60dB and 100dB. The vibration alarm unit has three vibration intensity levels, triggering the corresponding level of vibration based on the severity of the damage. The power supply module uses a 12000mAh rechargeable lithium battery pack, and the corresponding power management circuit parameters are configured.

[0073] This application provides a rail flaw detection device that enables real-time online analysis and alarm during the flaw detection process. It collects rail flaw detection data in real time through a sliding shoe-type rail flaw detection instrument unit and rapidly transmits it to an edge computing box unit for immediate analysis via wireless communication. Once the edge computing box unit detects rail damage, it alerts the flaw detection worker through various alarm methods such as sound, light, and vibration, allowing the worker to be aware of the damage and take appropriate measures immediately. This ensures the safety of railway operation and improves the timeliness of railway maintenance work.

[0074] The device has a reasonable overall structural design, providing flaw detection workers with a convenient and efficient operating experience. The various parts are closely connected and work together smoothly. Flaw detection workers only need to perform basic operations such as starting the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit, setting parameters, and pushing it along the rail to complete the entire flaw detection operation. At the same time, the flaw detection parameters and results can be easily viewed through the display screen, and the operation buttons can flexibly adjust the device settings. Auxiliary devices (such as moving auxiliary wheels) further reduce labor intensity, improve the efficiency of flaw detection work, and reduce labor costs.

[0075] Meanwhile, it can adapt to complex environments and has multiple functions to ensure stable operation in complex railway field environments, such as the adaptive adjustment and anti-interference capability of the wireless communication module, the electromagnetic shielding and heat dissipation design of the edge computing box unit, and the stable power supply and power management of the power supply module. This enables the device to reliably perform flaw detection on rails under different weather and electromagnetic environments, and has strong environmental adaptability and practicality.

[0076] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a rail flaw detector for implementing the rail flaw detection device described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the above-described device. Therefore, the specific limitations of one or more rail flaw detection device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the rail flaw detection device described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0077] In one embodiment, a rail flaw detector is provided, including the rail flaw detection device as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0078] In one embodiment, a rail flaw detection vehicle is provided, including a running car frame and the rail flaw detection device described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0079] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "some embodiments," "other embodiments," "ideal embodiments," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example that are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples.

[0080] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this application.

[0081] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rail flaw detection device, characterized in that, The rail flaw detection device includes a slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit and an edge computing box unit; wherein: The slipper-type rail flaw detection miniature instrument unit includes a rail flaw detection component and a signal acquisition and processing module; the rail flaw detection component contacts the rail surface to detect flaws in the rail and obtain flaw detection signals; the signal acquisition and processing module is connected to the rail flaw detection component and is used to amplify, filter, and perform digital-to-analog conversion processing on the flaw detection signals to output digital signal data; The edge computing box unit includes a data receiving module and a computing processing module; the data receiving module is connected to the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit and receives the digital signal data; the computing processing module is used to perform edge computing on the received digital signal data and output the damage analysis results.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit also includes an instrument body shell, which has an ergonomic shape and is made of engineering plastic.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal acquisition and processing module is located inside the main body of the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit; The rail flaw detection assembly includes a flaw detection probe installed on the bottom of the slipper, connected to the signal acquisition and processing module, used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the rail and receive ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the rail.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge computing box unit also includes a housing and a heat dissipation structure disposed on the housing; The outer casing is made of metal; the heat dissipation structure includes either heat dissipation fins or a cooling fan.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge computing box unit also includes a control module; The control module is connected to the computing and processing module and is used to output the damage analysis results via wired or wireless means, and to send a control signal to the alarm device to trigger the alarm operation when damage or defects are detected in the rail.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The rail flaw detection device also includes a wireless communication module for establishing a wireless data transmission channel between the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit and the edge computing box unit.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The rail flaw detection device also includes an alarm device; the alarm device includes an audible and visual alarm unit and a vibration alarm unit. The audible and visual alarm unit includes an LED indicator and a buzzer for emitting audible and visual signals; The vibration alarm unit is used to send vibration signals.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The rail flaw detection device also includes auxiliary devices; the auxiliary devices include: Mobile auxiliary wheels are installed on both sides of the bottom of the sliding shoe type rail flaw detection instrument unit, and the mobile auxiliary wheels are made of rubber. The display screen and operation buttons are located on the outer shell of the instrument body of the slipper-type rail flaw detection instrument unit or on the outer shell of the edge computing box unit.

9. A rail flaw detector, characterized in that, The rail flaw detector includes the rail flaw detection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A rail flaw detection vehicle, characterized in that, The rail flaw detection vehicle includes a running frame and a rail flaw detection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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