Arrangement and method for detecting possible holding problems for devices and device holders attached to a vehicle rail

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting possible holding problems in devices (12) and device holders (26, 28) attached to a vehicle rail (10), comprising, at least on one device (12) and device holder (26, 28), an acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analysing the detected acceleration data, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the behaviour, in particular in the vibration behaviour, of the at least one acceleration sensor as a rail vehicle passes by.

Description

[0001] D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DETECTING POSSIBLE MOUNTING PROBLEMS FOR DEVICES AND DEVICE MOUNTINGS ATTACHED TO A VEHICLE RAIL

[0004] 5

[0005] TECHNICAL AREA OF INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for detecting possible mounting problems for devices attached to a vehicle rail, in particular electronic devices such as wheel sensors, and device mounts.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5

[0008] For various reasons, it is necessary to mount devices, especially electronic devices such as sensors and switching elements, on vehicle tracks, particularly railway tracks, for which appropriate device mountings are required.

[0009] Numerous device mounting systems for attaching devices to vehicle rails (hereinafter also referred to as rails) have already been proposed. These can be broadly categorized according to whether it is necessary to drill through a rail section, usually the so-called rail web, to attach the device mounting system, or whether they are clamped to a rail section, usually the so-called rail foot, without drilling. Device mounting systems of the first type are known, for example, from DE 32 34 651 A1, DE 199 15 598 A1 and DE 102013 012 084 B4. Device holders of the second type are known, for example, from DE 695 741 C1, EP 1 960 603 B1 and DE 974202 C1, wherein, according to all three documents, device holders are clamped to the rail base and wherein the last two documents show height-adjustable device holders.

[0010] The most frequent and safety-related application of such device mounts is the mounting of so-called D / PINUXR-042-PCs.

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] Wheel sensors, also called track switches, although the invention is not limited to such electronic devices.

[0013] Wheel sensors are regularly used to monitor track sections for

[0014] 5. To monitor whether a rail vehicle, in particular a train, is present. For this purpose, for example, inductive detection is used to determine how many wheels (and thus axles; in railway engineering, this is usually referred to as axle counting and axle counting circuits) have passed over sensors located on the rails at the beginning and end of a monitored track section, in order to conclude whether another rail vehicle is permitted to enter the track section or not.

[0015] For such sensors and other devices to function correctly, their precise positioning on a rail is crucial, especially the adjustment of the distance between the top of the device and the top of the rail's running surface, commonly referred to as height adjustment. The problem of achieving an exact height adjustment arises not only during the initial installation of such a device on a rail. Wear and subsequent modifications often cause significant wear on the running surface, considerably reducing the distance between the top of the device and the top of the running surface. This can lead to incorrect settings, such as device calibration, and consequently, erroneous measurement results, particularly with sensors. In extreme cases, a device can even be damaged by a passing wheel.

[0016] Adjusting the height is far from trivial in the work environment in question. Equipment mounts must be able to withstand loads of several hundred, sometimes even over a thousand grams, which can occur when a very fast train passes over a section of track to which an equipment mount is attached. In addition to these mechanical loads, thermal stresses are also regularly present.

[0017] To at least partially solve the problem of height adjustment, see the five previously mentioned publications EP 1 960603 B1 and DE 974202 C1 D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0018] - 3 - Height-adjustable device holders are known, each comprising a base holder with two clamping jaws to be fixed to a vehicle rail and an adapter plate to be fixed to the base holder in various relative positions to the same for mounting a device to be attached to the vehicle rail

[0019] The solution known from EP 1 960603 B1 allows the often very heavy base bracket to be fixed to the rail first, and then the adapter plate to be fixed to the base bracket at a specific mounting height. In contrast, the solution known from DE 974202 C1 uses a single clamping screw to clamp both the adapter plate against one of the two clamping jaws of the base bracket and both clamping jaws against the rail foot. It should be noted at this point that the common term "adapter plate" does not necessarily refer to an actual plate-shaped (flat) component. Rather, the adapter plate can have various suitable designs and, for example, be shaped like a T-beam or a box.5 By using different adapter plates, different devices can be attached to one and the same base bracket.In this text, the term adapter plate does not refer to the precise physical shape of the component so designated, but rather to its function. 0.

[0020] While the aforementioned solutions allow for fairly precise positioning of a device on a vehicle rail, the stresses mentioned above cause the devices to loosen over time and no longer be positioned correctly for proper functioning. This problem arises particularly when the device mounts—advantageous in themselves for precise positioning—have various parts that can be positioned relative to each other, such as a base mount that attaches directly to a rail and an adapter plate that connects the device to the base mount. In such cases, both the connection between the adapter plate and the base mount, and the connection between the adapter plate and the device, can loosen or even detach completely, potentially leading to a change in the device's position.

[0021] If the device is an inductively operating wheel sensor, it is at least partially suitable for solving the problem of detecting D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0022] - 4 -

[0023] Position adjustments are known to provide additional inductively operating resonant circuits on the sensor and to align them so that they are vapor-deposited in their correct operating position by a part of the rail on which the wheel sensor is attached, for example by the rail foot, or by a separate component.

[0024] 5. However, not all devices are suitable for the attachment of such additional resonant circuits, which are also complex to manufacture, require a relatively large amount of space, and increase the weight of the device, and thus the vibrations transmitted from the device to the (if present) adapter plate, or at least to the base mount. Furthermore, the resonant circuits are limited in their detection capabilities – typically, they only activate when the position of the device has changed significantly or it has even fallen completely off the rail.

[0025] Another approach to detecting misalignment of a device on a rail involves using accelerometers to determine the orientation of the device or its mounting in space. US 2008 / 0303656 A 1 describes the use of accelerometers to detect misalignment of train inspection sensors by determining their position relative to the rail. US 2024 / 0083477 A 1 also describes the use of accelerometers to detect that a device has fallen off a rail (or off the mounting, which may still be attached to the rail) or that the entire rail has shifted (e.g., due to a landslide). Accelerometers can also be used to detect the passage of a wheel, as described in CN 108731792 A.

[0026] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Although known solutions advantageously allow for the detection of genuine mispositioning, such as a device falling, such mispositioning regularly means that the device can no longer be used and fails completely, which, depending on the type of device, requires immediate action and may cause disruptions in operations, e.g., in rail transport. D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0028] - 5 - can. However, a device falling off is often a gradual process in which the device or its mounting gradually loosens.

[0029] Based on this, the invention aims to provide an arrangement and

[0030] 5. To specify a method for detecting possible mounting problems for devices attached to a vehicle rail, in particular electronic devices such as wheel sensors and their device mounts, which makes it possible to detect mounting problems, for example, in particular due to a loosening of a device and / or a device mount on a vehicle rail, even if there has not yet been a change in position that impairs the function of the device, including a complete fall of the device from the rail.

[0031] The problem is solved by an arrangement with the features of claim 15 or a method with the features of claim 7. Dependent claims 13 and 15 relate to a device or a device holder with an arrangement according to the invention. Dependent claim 17 relates to the use of at least one acceleration sensor for detecting potential mounting problems in a device attached to a vehicle rail or in a device holder that attaches a device to a vehicle rail. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments and further developments.

[0032] An arrangement according to the invention for detecting potential mounting problems in devices and device mounts attached to a vehicle rail comprises at least one acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analyzing the detected acceleration data, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the behavior, in particular the vibration behavior, of the at least one acceleration sensor when a rail vehicle passes by. In the intended mounting state, when such an arrangement is firmly connected to a corresponding device or device mount, the arrangement advantageously allows mounting problems to be detected at an early stage, which is not necessarily possible with position measurements alone, as known from the prior art. For example, it can happen that a device or its device mount loosens, D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0033] - 6 - that the device (possibly purely by chance) is still in a correct or at least tolerable position during a position measurement. However, loosening of the connections between the device and / or device mount and / or rail typically leads to significantly stronger vibrations, especially during

[0034] 5. Passing of a rail vehicle. If the behavior of the accelerometer attached to a device or device mount changes when a rail vehicle passes by, this indicates that the device or its mount has become loose. Depending on how the accelerometer is attached to the device or mount, it could theoretically become loose, but even then, a mounting problem would exist and should be reported, as the accelerometer is used to monitor the device and must therefore be correctly attached to it, possibly via the mounting bracket.Typically, however, the accelerometer is securely mounted in a suitable device housing or on a device bracket, for example by potting, such that a change in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of the accelerometer is always synonymous with a change in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of the device or the device bracket. If changes in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of at least one accelerometer are detected when a rail vehicle passes by, a warning signal can advantageously be generated automatically if the detected changes are outside predetermined limits. Depending on the application, the warning signal can be an optical and / or acoustic signal emitted by the device or the device bracket.Typically, however, the warning signal is automatically transmitted to a higher-level control unit, such as a signal box or other control center, from which further measures can then be initiated automatically or manually. It is also possible to provide different levels of warning signals, for example, signals indicating that the detected changes are still within a permissible tolerance range, but that the changes suggest more serious mounting problems may soon occur. D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0035] - 7 -

[0036] Accelerometers usable according to the invention are advantageously inexpensive and lightweight components with a small footprint, which can be connected in a simple and cost-effective manner via standard interfaces to a corresponding evaluation unit, which is a separate unit or

[0037] 5. A unit provided by a device to be mounted on a rail can be connected for data evaluation. Unlike known resonant circuits, they can detect not only changes in a relative position, but also the actual orientation in space. Their energy consumption is extremely low, and standard sensors are available that can reliably withstand even extremely high acceleration forces, such as those that can occur on rails when a train passes by.

[0038] The at least one accelerometer can be arranged on or in a device holder or on or in a device attached to a vehicle rail.5 The detection of potential mounting problems can be improved by positioning several accelerometers at different locations. This also advantageously allows for redundancy, which is frequently required, especially in the railway sector. 0 In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit is also designed to detect changes in the position of the at least one accelerometer. Depending on the specific application, this can involve the detection of an "absolute position" in space (i.e., its actual orientation in space with respect to three orthogonal spatial axes,5 not its actual location, which could be determined with an additional GPS sensor) or the detection of a relative position.The combination of position detection and vibration behavior detection improves the ability to detect mounting problems early and reliably, before they actually impair the function of a device.

[0039] An inventive method for detecting possible mounting problems in devices attached to a vehicle rail comprises acquiring acceleration data in three spatial directions on or in a device attached to a vehicle rail or on or in a device mount that attaches the device to the vehicle rail and evaluating the acquired D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0040] - 8 -

[0041] Acceleration data with regard to a change in the vibration behavior of the device and / or the device mount during the passing of a rail vehicle.

[0042] 5 In a preferred embodiment, the method also includes acquiring acceleration data in three spatial directions on or in the device attached to a rail or on or in the device holder that attaches the device to the rail, regardless of whether a rail vehicle is passing by (i.e., the acquiring of acceleration data in three spatial directions can take place both during and outside of the passage of a rail vehicle), and evaluating the acceleration data acquired thereby with regard to the current position of the device and / or the device holder. Advantageously, depending on the application and, for example, applicable standards, the person skilled in the art can choose whether this acquiring of the acceleration data is continuous, for example at predetermined time intervals, or discontinuous, for example within a specific time window before, during, or after the passage of a rail vehicle.The recording can also be triggered remotely by a higher-level control unit, for example, as part of certain audits. 0.

[0043] In a preferred implementation, the evaluation of the recorded acceleration data (both the acceleration data recorded while a rail vehicle is passing and the acceleration data recorded outside of the passing of a rail vehicle) includes a comparison with previously recorded acceleration data and / or with predefined target values. Here, too, the person skilled in the art can advantageously choose the implementation method that is particularly suitable for the respective application. Hybrid methods are also possible. For example, it can be predefined that vibrations may only be below certain target values, while no exact specifications are given for the position, but rather the position resulting after the initial installation of the device or the device holder on a rail and testing of the device for operational positioning is used as a comparison value.The position is determined from the values ​​of the gravitational acceleration measured in three different directions, typically perpendicular to each other. If the accelerometer5 were oriented exactly so that one of its axes points exactly vertically downwards, D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0044] - 9 - the corresponding acceleration value would be approximately 9.81 m / s², depending on the location. 2 , while the acceleration in the other two directions would be 0. As a person skilled in the art can see, the sensor does not need to be specially aligned to detect changes in position or vibration behavior.

[0045] 5

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the evaluation of the acceleration data includes determining a long-term trend with respect to the position and / or vibration behavior. This advantageously allows potential mounting problems to be identified before they actually occur. For example, vibrations may increase or the position of, say, a wheel sensor may change without the vibrations or the position falling outside the respective permissible tolerance ranges. However, a clear trend can indicate that problems will arise in the future, so that, for example, appropriate measures can be taken during routine maintenance work.

[0047] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following purely exemplary and non-limiting description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawing comprising a single figure.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a section of a rail with a device holder attached to it, containing an electronic device.

[0050] DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZED EXECUTION FORMS

[0051] Fig. 1 schematically shows a section of a rail, designated 10 in its entirety, together with a device holder arranged thereon, and an electronic device, designated 12 in its entirety. The device is a typical wheel sensor with a sensor plate 14 and a sensor housing 16. The invention can be advantageously used in such wheel sensors D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0052] - 10 - can be used, but is also suitable in principle for any other rail-mounted devices.

[0053] The section of rail 10 shown is a typical

[0054] 5 Railway track with a rail head 18, the upper side of which forms a running surface 20, a rail web 22 and a rail foot 24.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment of a device holder, a base holder 26 engages the rail foot 24. It comprises two clamping jaws that clamp the rail foot 24 between them by means of one or more clamping screws. The device holder shown is therefore one of those device holders that does not require drilling through the rail 10. However, the arrangement according to the invention for detecting potential mounting problems is not limited to such types of device holders. The base holder can, for example, also be attached to the rail web 22 via corresponding bores and corresponding retaining screws.

[0056] The device holder further comprises an adapter plate 28, wherein, in this embodiment, the adapter plate 28 and the base holder 26 are fixed by means of two clamping screws which are "height-adjustable" in two elongated holes 30. To clarify the design of the adapter plate 28, the clamping screws, which actually pass through the two elongated holes 30 in the adapter plate 28 to fix the adapter plate 28 relative to the base holder 26, as well as the fastening screws, which actually pass through the two mounting openings 32 to attach the device 12 to the adapter plate 28, have been omitted from the schematic representation in Fig. 1. The term "height-adjustable" refers to the fact that by sliding the adapter plate along the elongated holes 30, the distance of the device 12 to the running surface of the rail 10, and thus the height of the device 12 above the rail foot 24, can be changed.The arrangement according to the invention is suitable not only for height-adjustable device mounts and multi-part device mounts, which, like the one shown, consist of a base mount and an adapter plate, but for all types of device mounts. D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0057] - 11 -

[0058] With the device holder shown, it is possible that the clamping jaws tensioned against each other, the connection between adapter plate 28 and base holder 26, or the connection between adapter plate 28 and device 12 may loosen, or due to an accidental or intentional

[0059] 5. Damage completely resolves. Loosening can become noticeable, for example, through a change in the device's position relative to the rail or, if this position happens to be the correct one, through increased vibrations, especially when a rail vehicle passes by. Even if a connection is completely broken and the device lies loose next to the rails, its position in space typically changes, recognizable by different gravitational acceleration in the three spatial directions, as does its vibration behavior.

[0060] To enable the early detection of such mounting problems, the invention provides an arrangement, not visible in the figure since it is housed within the device 12, more precisely in the sensor housing 16, consisting of at least one accelerometer for detecting accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analyzing the detected acceleration data. This allows for the examination of various data and the acquisition of insights that advantageously enable the early detection of problems such as the described loosening of connections before malfunctions occur. The evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of the at least one accelerometer when a rail vehicle passes by. Additionally, the evaluation unit can advantageously also be designed to detect changes in the position of the at least one accelerometer.As described above, the fixed connection between the accelerometer and the device being monitored, or the corresponding device mount, provided, for example, by potting, means that a change in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of the at least one accelerometer is equivalent to a change in the behavior, particularly the vibration behavior, of the device or the device mount when a rail vehicle passes by. If such changes are detected, the evaluation unit can be designed to generate a warning signal if the detected changes are outside predetermined limits, and the warning signal can then be sent to a higher-level control unit. D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0061] - 12 -

[0062] It is also advantageous to use multiple accelerometers whose data can be compared to test their correct functioning. The evaluations described above can actually be performed by a single evaluation unit.

[0063] 5, or by various subunits that form "one" evaluation unit within the meaning of the invention. The term "evaluation unit" is therefore to be understood functionally.

[0064] Accelerometers of the type used here measure accelerations, simply the acceleration due to gravity when at rest, in three spatial directions, usually three mutually perpendicular directions, most often designated x, y, and z. To detect mounting problems according to the invention, no special orientation of the accelerometers is necessary. In the illustrated example of a wheel sensor 12, for instance, it can be attached to a rail 10 and aligned so that it optimally fulfills its intended function. Once the wheel sensor 12 is correctly aligned, it is fixed in this position by tightening the corresponding clamping and / or locking screws. At least one accelerometer is fixedly arranged in the housing 16, for example by potting, such that it follows all movements of the housing 16.The acceleration data measured in the three spatial directions after the wheel sensor 12 is fixed are read out and can form target values ​​against which deviations are then determined. For example, if accelerations of 0.4 g each are measured in the x and y directions, it can be provided that if, for example, 0.3 g is measured in the x direction and 0.5 g in the y direction during a subsequent measurement, a change in position outside a previously defined tolerance range is detected, whereupon, for example, a corresponding warning signal can be generated and sent to a higher-level control unit, from where appropriate measures can then be triggered.If only a specific trend is detected, but the position of the wheel sensor 12 is still within the tolerance range, this can also be reported to the higher-level control unit. Such a report may then have a lower urgency than if the position of the wheel sensor 12 has moved into a critical range. If the position of the wheel sensor 12 is not critical, the control unit can, for example, trigger the wheel sensor in the D / PINUXR-042-PC.

[0065] - 13 -

[0066] It will be examined more closely as part of a routine inspection. However, if the position of the wheel sensor 12 is critical, immediate on-site maintenance can be initiated.

[0067] Similarly, target values ​​for a specific vibration behavior can be defined.

[0068] 5. The vibration behavior during several typical train passages is determined by first measuring the vibration behavior. It can even be provided that different vibration profiles are created for different train types (freight trains, high-speed trains) and stored in a way that is accessible to the evaluation unit. Using appropriate communication means, the evaluation unit can then be informed during operation which type of train is passing, so that the evaluation unit can compare the currently measured vibrations with the correct vibration profile and generate corresponding warning signals in the event of certain deviations. 5. Within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, numerous modifications and further developments are possible, which relate, for example, to communication between the evaluation unit and the higher-level control unit.For example, data from at least one accelerometer can be sent at regular intervals to the higher-level control unit, where it is preferably evaluated using AI, for example, to confirm certain setpoints or to detect trends. Generally, the evaluation unit does not need to be located close to the at least one accelerometer, but can be situated at a distance from it. 5.

[0069] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0070] 10 rail

[0071] 12 Device (here: wheel sensor)

[0072] 14 Sensor plate

[0073] 16 Sensor housing 18 Rail head 20 Running surface 22 Rail web D / PINUXR-042-PC

[0074] - 14 -

[0075] 24 rail foot

[0076] 26 Base bracket

[0077] 28 Adapter plate

[0078] 30 slotted holes

[0079] 32 Mounting opening

Claims

D / PINUXR-042-PC - 15 - PATENT CLAIMS 1. Arrangement for the detection of possible mounting problems in devices and device mounts attached to a vehicle rail, comprising: 5 at least one accelerometer for detecting Accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analyzing the recorded acceleration data, characterized in that the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the behavior, in particular in the vibration behavior, of the at least one acceleration sensor when a rail vehicle passes by.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one acceleration sensor is arranged on or in a device holder. 5 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one acceleration sensor is arranged on or in a device mounted on a vehicle rail.

4. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the position of the at least one acceleration sensor.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit is designed to generate a warning signal when a detected change is outside predetermined limit values.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the arrangement is designed to send the warning signal to a higher-level control unit.

7. Method for detecting potential mounting problems in devices and device mounts attached to a vehicle rail, comprising: Acquisition of acceleration data in three spatial directions on or in a device attached to a vehicle rail or on or in a D / PINUXR-042-PC - 16 - Attaching the device to the vehicle rail using the device holder when a rail vehicle passes by and Evaluating the recorded acceleration data with regard to changes in behavior, especially vibration behavior, 5. Vibration behavior of the device or device mount when a rail vehicle passes by.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising Acquisition of acceleration data in three spatial directions on or in the device attached to a vehicle rail or on or in the device holder attaching the device to the vehicle rail, regardless of the passing of a rail vehicle and Evaluating the recorded acceleration data with regard to the current position of the device or device mount. 5 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the evaluation of the recorded acceleration data includes a comparison with previously recorded acceleration data and / or with predefined target values.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that a warning signal is automatically generated when deviations of the recorded acceleration data from the previously recorded acceleration data and / or from the predefined target values ​​exceed predetermined limit values.

11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the warning signal is automatically transmitted to a higher-level control unit.

12. Method according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the evaluation of the acceleration data comprises determining a long-term trend with regard to the behavior, in particular the vibration behavior, of the device or the device holder and / or, insofar as recorded, with regard to the position of the device or the device holder.

13. Device, in particular an electronic device such as a wheel sensor, for mounting on a vehicle rail, comprising an arrangement of D / PINUXR-042-PC - 17 - at least one acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analyzing the detected acceleration data, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in behavior 5 of at least one acceleration sensor to detect when a rail vehicle passes by.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is configured according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

15. Device holder, in particular height-adjustable device holder for mounting devices on a vehicle rail, comprising an arrangement of at least one acceleration sensor for detecting accelerations in three spatial directions and an evaluation unit for analyzing the detected acceleration data, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect changes in the behavior of the at least one acceleration sensor when a rail vehicle passes by.

16. Device holder according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement is designed according to one of claims 4 to 6.

17. Use of at least one acceleration sensor to detect changes in the behavior of a device attached to a vehicle rail or a device holder attaching a device to a vehicle rail when a rail vehicle passes by.

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