Automatic Wheel Diameter Calibration During Train Operation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining train speed and distance rely on accurate wheel diameter measurements, which are compromised by wheel wear, leading to incorrect calculations if not regularly updated, posing safety and operational risks.

Innovation Solution

An automated system and method for wheel diameter measurement and calibration using a sensing device to measure wheel rotation and a positioning system to calculate actual wheel diameter and inaccuracy, integrated with a controller to continuously adjust wheel diameter settings in the OBU, reducing the need for manual maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual wheel diameter measurement and updating is performed periodically, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to frequent maintenance interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel diameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-measurement of wheel diameter by the train itself during normal operation. The sensing device continuously monitors wheel rotation while the positioning system tracks actual distance traveled, allowing the controller to automatically calculate and update wheel diameter without external intervention or maintenance stops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel diameter measurement and updating process occurs continuously during train operation rather than requiring periodic maintenance stops. The sensing device and positioning system work continuously to monitor wheel rotation and calculate actual distance, enabling real-time updates of wheel diameter parameters without interrupting service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If manual wheel diameter measurement is performed frequently, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed and distance calculation accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs wheel diameter measurement and updating without requiring manual intervention. The sensing device continuously monitors wheel rotation, the positioning system tracks actual distance, and the controller automatically calculates and updates the wheel diameter parameter, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to manually measure and update wheel dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously compares the distance calculated from wheel rotation measurements with the actual distance from the positioning system. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to detect discrepancies and automatically adjust the wheel diameter parameter to maintain accurate speed and distance calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If wheel diameter is not updated regularly, then productivity is improved by reducing maintenance frequency, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to wheel wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidwheel diameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel diameter measurement and updating process occurs continuously during train operation rather than requiring periodic maintenance stops. The sensing device and positioning system work continuously to monitor wheel rotation and calculate actual distance, enabling real-time updates of wheel diameter parameters without interrupting service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic self-measurement of wheel diameter by the train itself during normal operation. The sensing device continuously monitors wheel rotation while the positioning system tracks actual distance traveled, allowing the controller to automatically calculate and update wheel diameter without external intervention or maintenance stops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12454293B2System and method for automatic wheel diameter measurement and calibration

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SIEMENS MOBILITY INC

AI summary

A system for automatic wheel diameter measurement and calibration comprises one or more sensing device(s) configured to sense rotation of a wheel and provide rotation data of the wheel, a positioning system configured to provide positioning data of a vehicle, a database including milepost and distance data, and a controller configured to automatically calculate a wheel diameter and a wheel diameter inaccuracy based on the rotation data, the positioning data, and a distance between a start point and an end point extracted from the database, during operation of the vehicle. Further, an associated method and non-transitory computer readable medium are described.