Long-term measuring bolts for railway switches

Abstract

Measuring bolt for a railway switch, comprising a bolt body (2) which corresponds in dimensions and fit to a conventional center bolt, at least one sensor integrated in the bolt body (2) for detecting mechanical quantities and an electronic unit (1) arranged in the bolt head with signal processing, storage and wireless data transmission, wherein the electronic unit (1) is encapsulated and the measuring bolt is designed for long-term use in the track environment.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of railway infrastructure. In particular, it relates to a measuring bolt designed as a replacement or supplement for conventional center bolts in railway switches. The measuring bolt is equipped with integrated sensors and electronics and enables continuous, wireless condition monitoring of switches in the railway network. 2. State of the art

[0002] Force-measuring bolts are known to be used in conjunction with actuating force measuring devices (e.g., HZM). These solutions require the time-consuming removal of the regular center bolt and the installation of a special, wired measuring bolt. The measured values ​​are only recorded as a snapshot. Furthermore, different measuring bolts with varying diameters are required for different switch configurations (e.g., Ø 24 mm, Ø 25 mm, Ø 26 mm). This results in considerable logistical and time-related costs. A permanently integrated, wireless, and universally applicable measuring bolt is not yet known. 3. Object of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a device that serves as a dimensionally compatible replacement for conventional center bolts, can remain permanently in a turnout, reliably records the relevant measured variables, and transmits the results continuously and wirelessly. Furthermore, the device should be available for different bolt diameters and operate maintenance-free. 4. Solution to the task

[0004] This task is accomplished by a measuring bolt with a bolt body (2) that corresponds to a center bolt in dimensions and fit. The measuring bolt (2) comprises at least one sensor for detecting forces, displacements, or deformations, as well as an electronic unit (1) arranged in the bolt head. The electronic unit (1) includes signal processing, memory, a radio module, and a power supply. The entire electronic unit is hermetically sealed and designed for long-term use in track environments.

[0005] The measuring bolt can be used both in the area between the drive and the chuck rail (variant A) and between the tongues (variant B). In a preferred embodiment, the bolt is manufactured in several fixed versions, particularly for Ø 24 mm and Ø 25 mm, to ensure an optimal, backlash-free fit. Alternatively, it can be adapted for different bolt diameters using an adapter sleeve or spacer. The device enables continuous, real-time transmission of status data to a central system. The measuring bolt is designed to be maintenance-free during operation and requires no regular lubrication, although lubrication can be provided during installation to facilitate assembly.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the measuring pin is completely encapsulated and has no service opening. Firmware updates and data transmission are performed exclusively wirelessly (over-the-air). The power supply is designed for a service life of at least 10 years and is supplemented by energy harvesting.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment, the bolt head has a sealed service cover containing an inductive interface and / or an NFC module. This serves exclusively for diagnostic purposes or for recharging the power source during the initial and testing phases. 5. Examples of Implementation

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the bolt body (2) is made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel. The electronic unit (1) is integrated into the bolt head and comprises a microcontroller, an analog amplifier, memory, and a radio module. Data transmission is wireless via a suitable radio protocol, preferably Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRaWAN, LTE-M, or NB-IoT. Power can be supplied by a long-life battery, supplemented by energy harvesting methods such as vibration or inductive coupling. In further embodiments, additional sensors, for example for temperature or acceleration, can be integrated. The electronic unit is encapsulated with potting compound to achieve at least IP67 protection. 6. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: - Fig. 1 a front view of the measuring bolt (2) according to the invention with electronic unit (1) arranged in the head area. - Fig. 2 a side view of the same measuring bolt (2), showing the diameter range (3). 7. Summary

[0010] The invention relates to a measuring bolt (2) designed as a central bolt for railway switches. The measuring bolt is equipped with integrated sensors and an encapsulated electronic unit (1) for wireless transmission of status data. It can be used in various positions on the switch and is suitable for long-term use in the track environment. The bolt is maintenance-free in operation and requires no regular lubrication, although lubrication may be provided during installation to facilitate assembly. The measuring bolt is preferably manufactured in two fixed versions (Ø 24 mm and Ø 25 mm) to ensure maximum stability and dimensional accuracy. Alternatively, it can be adapted to other diameters using an adapter sleeve. In the preferred embodiment, the bolt is completely encapsulated without a service opening; firmware updates and data transmission are performed exclusively wirelessly (over-the-air).Alternatively, the bolt head can have a sealed service cover with an inductive energy and / or NFC interface, which is used exclusively for the initial and testing phase. 8. List of reference symbols 1 electronic unit 2 bolt bodies / measuring bolts 3 Diameter range

[0011] Edited version, as I have to present the intellectual property claims separately on a sheet.

Claims

[1] Measuring bolt for a railway switch, comprising a bolt body (2) which corresponds in dimensions and fit to a conventional center bolt, at least one sensor integrated in the bolt body (2) for detecting mechanical quantities and an electronic unit (1) arranged in the bolt head with signal processing, storage and wireless data transmission, wherein the electronic unit (1) is encapsulated and the measuring bolt is designed for long-term use in the track environment. [2] Measuring bolt according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of strain gauges, shear force transducers, piezoresistive sensors or displacement sensors. [3] Measuring bolt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic unit includes a microcontroller, an analog amplifier, memory, and a radio module. [4] Measuring bolt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat wireless transmission is carried out using a radio protocol from the group consisting of Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRaWAN, LTE-M, NB-IoT or WLAN. [5] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the energy supply includes a battery and is supplemented by energy harvesting. [6] Measuring bolt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is located in the area between the drive and the stock rail. [7] Measuring bolt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is located in the area between the tongues of a switch. [8] Measuring bolt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it includes additional sensors, in particular temperature or acceleration sensors. [9] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic unit is modular and accommodates an interchangeable electronic module. [10] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the radio transmission is encrypted. [11] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it is manufactured in several fixed versions with different nominal diameters, in particular Ø 24 mm and Ø 25 mm, to ensure a backlash-free and stable fit. [12] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it can alternatively be used for different bolt diameters by means of an adapter sleeve or spacer. [13] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it enables continuous real-time transmission of measurement data to a central system. [14] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in one embodiment it is completely potted, has no service opening and data transmission and firmware updates are exclusively wireless. [15] Measuring bolt according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in an alternative embodiment it has a sealed service cover with an inductive energy and / or NFC interface, which serves exclusively for diagnostic and testing purposes in the initial and test phase.

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