Bogie Frame State Estimation from Axle Box Vibration Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for estimating the state of a railway vehicle's bogie frame are limited by the need for predetermined inspection points, which are prone to fatigue damage and require strain gauges, making it difficult to accurately assess the frame's condition during travel.

Innovation Solution

An estimation device and method using sensors to measure external forces and vibrations on connecting parts of the bogie frame, deriving displacement and stress distributions through motion equations, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the frame's state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If strain gauges are used to measure stress at predetermined inspection points, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces strain gauges (mechanical contact sensors) with acceleration sensors that measure vibration characteristics. By substituting the mechanical measurement system with a vibration-based indirect measurement system, the complexity of sensor installation and signal processing is significantly reduced while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vibration characteristics as an intermediary parameter. Instead of directly measuring stress with strain gauges, the system measures acceleration-induced vibrations and uses these as intermediate data to infer stress states, simplifying the measurement process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the number of inspection points is increased, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate estimation precisionVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single acceleration sensor serve multiple functions by analyzing vibration characteristics at different frequencies. The same sensor data is used to evaluate the state of multiple locations on the bogie frame through frequency analysis, eliminating the need for multiple sensors at different inspection points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from spatial distribution of multiple sensors to frequency domain analysis. Instead of placing sensors at multiple physical locations, the system uses frequency characteristics of vibration signals to infer conditions at different locations, adding a temporal/frequency dimension to the measurement approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If predetermined inspection points are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection point selectionVSAvoidstate estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mechanical vibration characteristics of the bogie frame during operation to identify critical areas. By analyzing natural frequencies and vibration modes, the system determines which areas experience highest stress without requiring predetermined knowledge of inspection points, combining ease of operation with improved precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

Enables accurate estimation of the bogie frame's state by deriving displacement and stress distributions, overcoming limitations of previous methods that rely on predetermined inspection points.

Implementation Method 1

vibration characteristics of a bogie frame when a railway vehicle travels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

acceleration sensor that measures acceleration of a vehicle body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3992052B1Estimation device, estimation method and program
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP3992052B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3992052B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3992052B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An estimation device (400) derives external forces acting on force application points (31a, 31b, 32a, and 32b) of a bogie frame 16 based on data of acceleration measured by acceleration sensors (21a, 21b) attached to axle boxes (17a, 17b). The estimation device (400) derives a displacement distribution of the bogie frame (16) by giving a distribution of an external force acting on the bogie frame (16) to a motion equation representing vibration of the bogie frame (16) and solving this motion equation.