Device for monitoring rail bogies and associated rail bogies

Abstract

A device (8) for monitoring a rail bogie is proposed. The device comprises a printed circuit board (14), sensor means (16) configured to measure at least one physical parameter of the rail bogie, and a planar antenna (17) embedded in the printed circuit board, the planar antenna being configured to transmit the measurements supplied by the sensor means.

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to the monitoring of rail bogies.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a device for monitoring rail bogies and a rail bogie comprising such a device.

[0003] Generally, a train car rests on bogies.

[0004] A bogie comprises axle boxes, with each axle box containing an axle supported by bearings that drives wheels of the train.

[0005] To monitor the bogie, for example to detect a bearing failure, a wireless monitoring device is generally attached to the axle box.

[0006] The wireless monitoring device can measure vibration and temperature of the bogie and transmits the vibration and temperature measurements for further processing.

[0007] To transmit the measurements, the wireless monitoring device may include a ceramic antenna soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the wireless monitoring device.

[0008] Since the wireless monitoring device is attached to the bogie, the wireless monitoring device is subject to vibrations.

[0009] The vibrations of the bogie can detach the ceramic antenna from the PCB by breaking the solder joints or tearing the copper from the PCB, so that the wireless monitoring device cannot transmit the measurements to monitor the bogie.

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention intends to propose to improve the connection of the antenna on the PCB.

[0011] According to one aspect, a device for monitoring rail bogies is proposed.

[0012] The device comprises a printed circuit board, sensor means configured to measure at least one physical parameter of the rail bogie, and a planar antenna embedded in the printed circuit board, wherein the planar antenna is configured to transmit measurements provided by the sensor means.

[0013] The planar antenna is embedded in the PCB, so that the planar antenna is located directly in the copper of the PCB.

[0014] Since the planar antenna is embedded in the PCB, the planar antenna cannot be removed from the PCB.

[0015] Preferably, the device comprises a housing and fastening means arranged at a first end of the housing on an outer surface of the housing, wherein the circuit board is arranged inside the housing such that the planar antenna is located at a second end of the housing, wherein the second end of the housing is opposite the first end of the housing.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one physical parameter comprises a physical parameter of the temperature of the rail bogie and vibrations of the rail bogie.

[0017] Advantageously, the circuit board carries the sensor means.

[0018] Preferably, the planar antenna comprises: - a rectangular loop element comprising a first side element, a second side element parallel to the first side element, a first base element connecting a first end of the first side element to the first end of the second side element, and a second base element having a first end connected to the second end of the first side element and a second end forming a terminal of the antenna, wherein the first side element is longer than the second side element, - a rectangular element inserted into the rectangular loop and comprising a recess, and - an L-shaped element inserted into the recess such that the longest side of the L-shaped element is parallel to the first base element. The planar antenna advantageously comprises: - a first rectangular element comprising a first side, a second side parallel to the first side, a third side connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, - a first L-shaped element connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element such that the longest side of the first L-shaped element extends the first side of the first rectangular element, - a second L-shaped element connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element such that the longest side of the second L-shaped element extends the second side of the first rectangular element, wherein the end of the longest side of the second L-shaped element not connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element forms a first terminal, and - a second rectangular element comprising a first side extending the longest side of the second L-shaped element with a gap, a second side parallel to the first side with respect to the first L-shaped element, a third side connecting the first and second sides, the third side being with respect to the second L-shaped element, and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the second rectangular element forming a second terminal of the antenna.

[0019] Advantageously, the planar antenna comprises: - a first straight element, a second straight element, a third straight element, a fourth straight element and a fifth straight element, each straight element having a first side, a second side parallel to the first side, a third side connecting the first side to the second side and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, wherein the first side of the first straight element, the first side of the second straight element and the first side of the third straight element are parallel, wherein the second straight element is arranged between the first and the third straight element, wherein the fourth straight element connects a first end of the first straight element and a first end of the third straight element such that the first side of the fourth straight element is perpendicular to the first side of the first straight element, wherein the fifth straight element connects the second end of the first straight element and the first side of the second straight element such that the first side of the fifth straight element is parallel to the first side of the fourth straight element, and - the second straight element forming a connection of the antenna.

[0020] Preferably, the planar antenna comprises: - a first straight element, a second straight element, a third straight element and a fourth straight element, each straight element having a first side, a second side parallel to the first side, a third side connecting the first side to the second side and a fourth side parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, - a first U-shaped element, a second U-shaped element and a third U-shaped element, each U-shaped element comprising a first leg, a second leg parallel to the first leg and a base element, a first end of the first leg being connected to a first end of the base element and a first end of the second leg being connected to a second end of the base element, wherein the second end of the first leg of the first U-shaped element is connected to a first end of the first straight element and the second end of the first leg of the second U-shaped element is connected to the second end of the first straight element, such that the base element of the first and second U-shaped elements is parallel to the first side of the first straight element, wherein a first end of the second straight element is connected to the second side of the first straight element, such that the first side of the second straight element is perpendicular to the second side of the first straight element, wherein the second end of the second straight element forms a first terminal of the antenna and is connected to a first end of the third straight element such that the first side of the second straight element is perpendicular to the first side of the third straight element, wherein the second end of the third straight element is connected to the second end of the first leg of the third U-shaped element such that the base element of the third U-shaped element is parallel to the first side of the first straight element and such that the base element is between the first straight element and the third straight element, wherein the second end of the second leg of the third U-shaped element forms a second terminal of the antenna, wherein the first end of the fourth straight element is connected to the second side of the first straight element such that the first side of the fourth straight element is perpendicular to the second side of the first straight element and such that the fourth straight element lies between the second straight element and the second U-shaped element, and wherein the second end of the fourth straight element forms a third terminal of the antenna.

[0021] Advantageously, the device further comprises a battery adapted to supply the planar antenna and the sensor means.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a rail bogie is proposed which comprises a device as defined above.

[0023] Preferably, the rail bogie further comprises an axle bearing, wherein the device is attached to the axle bearing so that the device is located on an outer side of the rail bogie.

[0024] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed, in no way limiting, description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. Figure 1 shows schematically a train according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows an example of a device for monitoring a rail bogie, attached to a partial view of an axle box, according to the invention; Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows an example of the device according to the invention, Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of the interior of the device according to the invention, Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a first example of a planar antenna according to the invention, Fig. 6 schematically shows a second example of the planar antenna according to the invention, Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows a third example of the planar antenna according to the invention, and Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a fourth example of the planar antenna according to the invention.

[0025] It will be Fig. 1, which schematically represents a train 1 comprising train carriages 2.

[0026] Each train wagon 2 comprises a rail bogie 3, which includes axle bearings 4.

[0027] Each axle bearing 4 comprises a shaft 5 and bearings 6 that support the shaft 5.

[0028] The shaft 5 is driven by an electric motor or a motor (not shown) and drives the wheels 7 of the bogie 3.

[0029] A device 8 for monitoring the bogie is attached to each axle bearing 4, so that the device 8 is located on an outer side of the bogie 4.

[0030] The device 8 is designed to measure at least one physical parameter of the bogie 4 and to transmit the measurements of the physical parameter wirelessly to a processing unit 9.

[0031] The processing unit 9 is designed to process the received measurements and to determine the state of wear of the bogie 3, for example by determining the state of wear of the bearings 6, the onset of wear of the wheels 7 or the axle bearing.

[0032] The physical parameter can be the temperature of the bogie or the vibrations endured by the bogie.

[0033] In a variant, the device 8 is intended to measure two physical parameters, for example the temperature of the bogie and the vibrations of the bogie.

[0034] The devices 8 and the processing unit 9 form a monitoring system for monitoring bogies 3.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the device 8 attached to a partial view of the axle bearing 4.

[0036] The device 8 comprises a housing 10 and fastening means 11 which are arranged at a first end of the housing on an outer surface of the housing 10.

[0037] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows an example of the device 8 with part of the housing 10 removed.

[0038] The fastening means 11 comprise, for example, a flange and the axle bearing 4 comprises, for example, a pin, wherein the pin is inserted into the flange and fastened in the flange.

[0039] The housing 10 comprises a housing 10a and a cover 10b which closes the housing 10a.

[0040] The device 8 comprises batteries 12 which are located on the floor of the housing 10a.

[0041] The housing 10 may further comprise a support part 13 located between the cover 10b and the batteries 12.

[0042] The device 8 further comprises a printed circuit board PCB 14 which is attached to the carrier so that the printed circuit board 14 can be visible when the cover 10b is removed from the housing 10a.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows the example of the device 8 when the cover 10b is removed from the housing 10a.

[0044] The PCB 14 is attached to the support part 13 with screws 15, for example.

[0045] The PCB 14 comprises sensor means 16 designed to measure at least one physical parameter, an embedded planar antenna 17, an antenna impedance matching circuit 18 connected to the planar antenna 17, and a processing unit 19.

[0046] The PCB 14 carries the sensor means 16, the antenna impedance matching circuit 18 and the processing unit 19.

[0047] The processing unit 19 is intended to implement the sensor means 16 so that the sensor means 16 provide measurements of the at least one physical parameter, and is intended to transmit the measurements to the antenna impedance matching circuit 18 so that the planar antenna 17 transmits the measurements to the processing unit 9.

[0048] The batteries 12 are intended to supply the sensor means 16 and the processing unit 19 with power.

[0049] The PCB 14 is arranged within the housing such that the planar antenna 17 is located at a second end of the housing 10a, the second end of the housing 10a being opposite the first end of the housing.

[0050] The planar antenna 17 is arranged on an outer side of the bogie 3 and as far as possible from the axle bearing 4 so that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the planar antenna 17 are not disturbed by metal parts of the bogie 3.

[0051] The electromagnetic waves emitted by the planar antenna 17 may be radio waves.

[0052] The planar antenna 17 is embedded in the PCB 14 so that the planar antenna 17 is located directly in the copper of the PCB 14.

[0053] Since the planar antenna 17 is embedded in the PCB 14, it cannot be detached from the PCB 14.

[0054] The planar antenna 17 is manufactured according to known methods for realizing conductor tracks for integrated circuits.

[0055] Fig. 5 schematically shows a first example of the planar antenna 17.

[0056] The planar antenna 17 comprises a rectangular loop element 20 which comprises a first side element 20a and a second side element 20b parallel to the first side element 20a.

[0057] The rectangular loop element 20 further comprises a second base element 20c connecting a first end of the first side element 20a to the first end of the second side element 20b, and a second base element 20d having a first end connected to the second end of the first side element 20a.

[0058] The first side element 20a is longer than the second side element 20b.

[0059] The second end of the second side element 20b forms a terminal 21 of the antenna, which is connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0060] The planar antenna 17 further comprises a rectangular element 22 which is inserted into the rectangular loop 20 and comprises a recess 22a.

[0061] The planar antenna 17 comprises an L-shaped element 23 which is inserted into the recess 22a so that the longest side of the L-shaped element 23 is parallel to the first base element 22a.

[0062] Fig. 6 schematically shows a second example of the planar antenna 17.

[0063] The planar antenna 17 comprises a first rectangular element 24 having a first side 24a, a second side 24b parallel to the first side 24a, a third side 24c connecting the first side 24a to the second side 24b, and a fourth side 24d parallel to the third side 24c.

[0064] The first page 24a is longer than the third page 24c.

[0065] The planar antenna 17 further comprises a first L-shaped element 25 connected to the fourth side 24d of the first rectangular element 24 such that the longest side of the first L-shaped element 25 extends the first side 24a of the first rectangular element 24.

[0066] The planar antenna 17 includes a second L-shaped element 26 connected to the fourth side 24d of the first rectangular element 24 such that the longest side of the second L-shaped element 26 extends the second side 24b of the first rectangular element 24.

[0067] The end of the longest side of the second L-shaped element 24, which is not connected to the fourth side 24d of the first rectangular element 24, forms a first terminal 27.

[0068] The planar antenna 17 further comprises a second rectangular element 28 having a first side 28a extending the longest side of the second L-shaped element 27 with a gap, and a second side 28b parallel to the first side 28a with respect to the first L-shaped element 25.

[0069] The second rectangular element 28 further comprises a third side 28c connecting the first and second sides 28a, 28b.

[0070] The third side 28c concerns the second L-shaped element 26.

[0071] The second rectangular element 28 includes a fourth side 28d which is parallel to the third side 28c.

[0072] The second rectangular element 28 forms a second terminal of the antenna and includes a connection point 28e.

[0073] The first terminal 27 and the connection point 28e of the second terminal 28 are connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0074] Fig. 7 schematically shows a third example of the planar antenna 17.

[0075] The planar antenna comprises a first straight element 29, a second straight element 30, a third straight element 31, a fourth straight element 32 and a fifth straight element 33.

[0076] Each straight element 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 has a first side 29a, 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a, a second side 29b, 30b, 31b, 32b, 33b parallel to the first side 29a, 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a.

[0077] Each straight element 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 further has a third side 29c, 30c, 31c, 32c, 33c connecting the first side 29a, 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a with the second side 29b, 30b, 31b, 32b, 33b, and a fourth side 29d, 30d, 31d, 32d, 33d parallel to the third side 29c, 30c, 31c, 32c, 33c.

[0078] The first page 29a, 30a, 31a, 32a, 33a is longer than the third page 29c, 30c, 31c, 32c, 33c.

[0079] The first side 29a of the first straight element 29, the first side 30a of the second straight element 30 and the first side 31a of the third straight element 31 are parallel.

[0080] The second straight element 30 is arranged between the first and the third straight element 29, 31.

[0081] The fourth straight element 32 connects a first end of the first straight element 29 and a first end of the third straight element 31 such that the first side 32a of the fourth straight element 32 is perpendicular to the first side 29a of the first straight element 29.

[0082] The third side 29c of the first straight element 29 is in contact with the second side 32b of the fourth straight element 32 and the third side 31c of the third straight element 31 is in contact with the second side 32b of the fourth straight element 32.

[0083] The fifth straight element 33 connects the second end of the first straight element 29 and the first side 30a of the second straight element 30 such that the first side 33a of the fifth straight element 33 is parallel to the first side 32a of the fourth straight element 32.

[0084] The third side 33c of the fifth straight element 33 is in contact with the second side 29b of the first straight element 29 and the fourth side 33c of the fifth straight element 33 is in contact with the first side 30a of the first straight element 30. The second straight element 30 forms a terminal of the antenna and includes a connection point 30e.

[0085] The connection point 30e of the second straight element 30 is connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0086] Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a fourth example of the planar antenna 17.

[0087] The planar antenna 17 comprises a first straight element 34, a second straight element 35, a third straight element 36 and a fourth straight element 37.

[0088] Each straight element 34, 35, 36, 37 has a first side 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a and a second side 34b, 35b, 36b, 37b parallel to the first side 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a.

[0089] Each straight element 34, 35, 36, 37 further has a third side 34c, 35c, 36c, 37c connecting the first side 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a with the second side 34b, 35b, 36b, 37b, and a fourth side 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d parallel to the third side 34c, 35c, 36c, 37c.

[0090] The planar antenna 17 further comprises a first U-shaped element 38, a second U-shaped element 39 and a third U-shaped element 40.

[0091] Each U-shaped element 38, 39, 40 comprises a first leg 38a, 39a, 40a, a second leg 38b, 39b, 40b parallel to the first leg 38a, 39a, 40a and a base element 38c, 39c, 40c.

[0092] A first end of the first leg 38a, 39a, 40a is connected to a first end of the base element 38c, 39c, 40c and a first end of the second leg 38b, 39b, 40b is connected to a second end of the base element 38c, 39c, 40c.

[0093] The second end of the first leg 38a of the first U-shaped element 38 is connected to a first end of the first straight element 34 and the second end of the first leg 39a of the second U-shaped element 39 is connected to the second end of the first straight element 34 such that the base element 38c, 39c of the first and second U-shaped elements 38, 39 is parallel to the first side 34a of the first straight element 34.

[0094] The third side 34c of the first straight member 34 is in contact with a first side of the first leg 38a of the first U-shaped member 38 such that the second end of the second leg 38b of the first U-shaped member 38 is with respect to the second side of the first straight member 34, and the fourth side 34d of the first straight member 34 is in contact with a first side of the first leg 39a of the second U-shaped member 39 such that the second end of the second leg 39b of the second U-shaped member 39 is with respect to the second side of the first straight member 34.

[0095] A first end of the second straight element 35 is connected to the second side 34b of the first straight element 34 such that the first side 35a of the second straight element 35 is perpendicular to the second side 34b of the first straight element 34.

[0096] The third side 35c of the second straight element 35 is in contact with the second side 34b of the first straight element 34.

[0097] The second end of the second straight element 35 forms a first terminal of the antenna, so that, for example, a connection point 35e on the fourth side 35d of the second straight element 35 is connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0098] The second end of the second straight element 35 is connected to a first end of the third straight element 36 such that the first side 35b of the second straight element 35 is perpendicular to the first side 36a of the third straight element 36.

[0099] The third side 36c of the third straight element 36 is in contact with the first side 35a of the second straight element 35.

[0100] The second end of the third straight element 36 is connected to the second end of the first leg 40a of the third U-shaped element 40 such that the base element 40c of the third U-shaped element 40 is parallel to the first side 34a of the first straight element 34 and such that the base element 40c lies between the first straight element 34 and the third straight element 36.

[0101] A first side surface of the first leg 40a of the third U-shaped element 40 is in contact with the fourth side 36d of the third straight element 36.

[0102] The second end of the second leg 40b of the third U-shaped element 40 forms a first terminal of the antenna, so that, for example, a connection point 40d of the second end of the second leg 40b of the third U-shaped element 40 is connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0103] The first end of the fourth straight element 37 is connected to the second side 34b of the first straight element 34 such that the first side 37a of the fourth straight element 37 is perpendicular to the second side 34b of the first straight element 34 and such that the fourth straight element 37 is located between the second straight element 35 and the second U-shaped element 39.

[0104] The third side surface 37c of the fourth straight element 37 is in contact with the second side surface 34b of the first straight element 34.

[0105] The second end of the fourth straight element 37 forms a second terminal of the antenna, so that, for example, a connection point 37e on the fourth side 37d of the fourth straight element 37 is connected to the impedance matching circuit 18.

[0106] The person skilled in the art will be able to determine the arrangement and value of the capacitors and inductors to design the impedance matching circuit 18 according to the example of the planar antenna 17 connected to the impedance matching circuit 18 and according to the frequency range in which the planar antenna emits electromagnetic waves comprising the measurements.

Claims

[1] Device (8) for monitoring a rail bogie (3), comprising a printed circuit board (14), sensor means (16) designed to measure at least one physical parameter of the rail bogie, and a planar antenna (17) embedded in the printed circuit board, the planar antenna being designed to transmit the measurements provided by the sensor means. [2] Device according to claim 1, comprising a housing (10) and fastening means (11) arranged at a first end of the housing on an outer surface of the housing, wherein the printed circuit board (14) is arranged inside the housing so that the planar antenna (17) is located at a second end of the housing, wherein the second end of the housing is opposite the first end of the housing. [3] The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one physical parameter comprises a physical parameter of the temperature of the rail bogie and vibrations of the rail bogie. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the circuit board (14) carries the sensor means (16). [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the planar antenna (17) comprises: - a rectangular loop element (20) comprising a first side element (20a), a second side element (20b) parallel to the first side element, a first base element (20c) connecting a first end of the first side element to the first end of the second side element, and a second base element (20d) having a first end connected to the second end of the first side element and a second end forming a terminal of the antenna, the first side element being longer than the second side element, - a rectangular element (22) inserted into the rectangular loop and comprising a recess (22a), and - an L-shaped element (23) inserted into the recess such that the longest side of the L-shaped element is parallel to the first base element. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the planar antenna (17) comprises: - a first rectangular element (24) comprising a first side (24a), a second side (24b) parallel to the first side, a third side (24c) connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side (24d) parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, - a first L-shaped element (25) connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element, so that the longest side of the first L-shaped element extends the first side of the first rectangular element, - a second L-shaped element (26) connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element such that the longest side of the second L-shaped element extends the second side of the first rectangular element, the end of the longest side of the second L-shaped element not connected to the fourth side of the first rectangular element forming a first terminal, and - a second rectangular element (28) comprising a first side (28a) extending the longest side of the second L-shaped element with a gap, a second side (28b) parallel to the first side with respect to the first L-shaped element, a third side (28c) connecting the first and second sides, the third side being with respect to the second L-shaped element, and a fourth side (28d) parallel to the third side, the second rectangular element forming a second terminal of the antenna. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the planar antenna (17) comprises: - a first straight element (29), a second straight element (30), a third straight element (31), a fourth straight element (32) and a fifth straight element (33), each straight element having a first side (29a, 30a, 31a, 32a), a second side (29b, 30a, 31a, 32a), a second side (29b, 30b, 31b, 32b) parallel to the first side, a third side (29c, 30c, 31c, 32c) connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side (29d, 30d, 31d, 32d) parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, wherein the first side of the first straight element, the first side of the second straight element and the first side of the third straight element are parallel, wherein the second straight element is arranged between the first and the third straight element, wherein the fourth straight element connects a first end of the first straight element and a first end of the third straight element such that the first side of the fourth straight element is perpendicular to the first side of the first straight element, wherein the fifth straight element connects the second end of the first straight element and the first side of the second straight element such that the first side of the fifth straight element is parallel to the first side of the fourth straight element, and - the second straight element forming a connection of the antenna. [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the planar antenna (17) comprises: - a first straight element (34), a second straight element (35), a third straight element (36) and a fourth straight element (37), each straight element (34, 35, 36, 37) having a first side (34a, 35a, 36a, 37a), a second side (34b, 35b, 36b, 37b) parallel to the first side, a third side (34c, 35c, 36c, 37c) connecting the first side to the second side, and a fourth side (34d, 35d, 36d, 37d) parallel to the third side, the first side being longer than the third side, - a first U-shaped element (38), a second U-shaped element (39) and a third U-shaped element (40), each U-shaped element (38, 39, 40) comprising a first leg (38a, 39a, 40a), a second leg (38b, 39b, 40b) parallel to the first leg and a base element (38c, 39c, 40c), a first end of the first leg being connected to a first end of the base element and a first end of the second leg being connected to a second end of the base element, wherein the second end of the first leg of the first U-shaped element is connected to a first end of the first straight element and the second end of the first leg of the second U-shaped element is connected to the second end of the first straight element, such that the base element of the first and second U-shaped elements is parallel to the first side of the first straight element, wherein a first end of the second straight element is connected to the second side of the first straight element, such that the first side of the second straight element is perpendicular to the second side of the first straight element, wherein the second end of the second straight element forms a first terminal of the antenna and is connected to a first end of the third straight element such that the first side of the second straight element is perpendicular to the first side of the third straight element, wherein the second end of the third straight element is connected to the second end of the first leg of the third U-shaped element such that the base element of the third U-shaped element is parallel to the first side of the first straight element and such that the base element is located between the first straight element and the third straight element, wherein the second end of the second leg of the third U-shaped element forms a second terminal of the antenna, wherein the first end of the fourth straight element is connected to the second side of the first straight element such that the first side of the fourth straight element is perpendicular to the second side of the first straight element and such that the fourth straight element lies between the second straight element and the second U-shaped element, and wherein the second end of the fourth straight element forms a third terminal of the antenna. [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a battery (12) adapted to supply the planar antenna (17) and the sensor means (16). [10] Rail bogie (3) comprising a device (8) according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] A rail bogie (3) according to claim 10, further comprising an axle box (4), wherein the device is attached to the axle box such that the device is located on an outer side of the rail bogie (3).

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