Axle Counter Dynamic Threshold Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle counter systems in rail systems often inaccurately determine the number of axles of a rail vehicle, leading to incorrect assessments of track section occupancy, causing delays and disruptions due to detection errors and environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
An axle counter system with a dynamic frequency difference threshold adjustment module that adjusts the frequency difference threshold based on the current axle counter system state, including sensor module temperature and environmental conditions, to improve the reliability of axle counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed frequency difference threshold is used for axle detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental influences and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment by continuously adapting the frequency difference threshold based on real-time monitoring of system state parameters including temperature, supply voltage, and resonance frequency. This transforms the static threshold into a dynamic parameter that automatically compensates for environmental variations, thereby maintaining high measurement precision without requiring complex manual calibration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the threshold parameter from a fixed value to a variable that depends on multiple system parameters. By establishing functional relationships between the threshold and parameters such as temperature, supply voltage, and resonance frequency, the system automatically adjusts the threshold to maintain optimal detection accuracy under varying operating conditions
2Measurement precision
If the frequency difference threshold is adjusted dynamically based on system state, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring system state parameters (temperature, supply voltage, resonance frequency) and using this information to automatically adjust the frequency difference threshold. The evaluation unit processes feedback from sensors and dynamically modifies the threshold to maintain optimal detection accuracy, creating a closed-loop control system that improves precision without requiring complex external calibration equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration and self-adjustment by using its own operational parameters to determine the appropriate threshold. The evaluation unit automatically adapts the threshold based on internally measured quantities such as resonance frequency shifts and temperature variations, enabling the system to maintain high accuracy through self-service without external intervention or complex additional hardware
3Reliability
If multiple sensor data streams are processed with dynamic threshold adjustment, then the reliability of occupancy detection improves, but the loss of time increases due to additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing functional relationships and lookup tables that map system state parameters to optimal threshold values. During operation, the system quickly retrieves appropriate threshold values from pre-computed data structures rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thereby maintaining high detection reliability while minimizing processing time delays
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accuracy of axle counting by dynamically adapting to changing conditions, reducing errors and ensuring more reliable detection of axle occupancy, thereby minimizing delays and disruptions in rail operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first oscillating circuit with a first coil arranged on a rail of the track section and a second oscillating circuit with a second coil arranged on the rail
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The application relates to an axle counter system (100, 200, 300) for monitoring a track section (216, 316) of a rail system (240, 340), comprising at least one evaluation arrangement (102, 202, 302) with a receiver module (104, 204, 304), configured at least for receiving a first sensor data stream from a first sensor module (212, 312) arranged on the track section (216, 316), comprising a first resonant circuit (230) with a first coil (222) arranged on a rail (214, 314) of the track section (216, 316) and a second resonant circuit (232) with a second coil (224) arranged on the rail (214, 314), wherein the first sensor data stream includes at least a first frequency response of the first resonant circuit (230) and a second frequency response of the second resonant circuit (232) contains, wherein the evaluation arrangement (102, 202, 302) comprises an evaluation module (106, 206, 306) configured to determine the number of axes of a sensor module (212,312) of a passing rail vehicle (690), at least based on the first frequency profile and the second frequency profile as well as on a frequency difference threshold, wherein the evaluation arrangement (102, 202, 302) comprises at least one threshold adjustment module (108, 208, 308) configured to adjust the frequency difference threshold, at least based on a provided axle counter system state of the axle counter system (100, 200, 300).