Rail Bogie Sensor Mount With Spring Return Against Track Collisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements for rail vehicles are not positioned close to the rails, making them susceptible to damage from obstacles or track irregularities, and lack protective measures against such collisions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement with a reset mechanism, such as a spring-loaded or oscillating return device, that allows the sensor to deflect and return to its original position, protecting it from damage and maintaining connection to the vehicle chassis during collisions, eliminating the need for breakaway points and support rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the rails for effective rail diagnostics and monitoring, then the measurement precision and diagnostic capability are improved, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to damage from obstacles and track irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed with a dynamic support mechanism that allows the sensor to move between a first position (close to the rail for measurement) and a second position (retracted for protection). This dynamic positioning enables the system to optimize measurement precision when needed while protecting the sensor during potential collision events, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and sensor protection.
2Reliability
If the sensor is rigidly mounted to maintain stable connection, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the mounting hardware is susceptible to excessive loads and stresses during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism provides a dynamic connection that maintains reliable sensor mounting during normal operation through controlled movement capabilities. During collision events, the mechanism allows the sensor assembly to deflect and move, preventing excessive loads from being transmitted to the mounting hardware, thus protecting both the connection reliability and hardware strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism is designed with inherent compliance and movement capability that acts as a cushion before collision forces can damage the mounting hardware. This pre-built protection mechanism allows controlled deflection during impact events, preventing excessive stresses from reaching the mounting points and preserving hardware durability.
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
The sensor arrangement effectively protects sensors from obstacles and track irregularities while maintaining reliable connection to the vehicle, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-loaded return mechanism allows the sensor to quickly return to and maintain its nominal state after a deflection
Implementation Method 2
The return mechanism is designed as a wire rope spring, the coils of which are connected on a first side and a second side
Implementation Method 3
it can also be helpful if the reset device is designed to oscillate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor arrangement comprising at least one sensor (16). It is proposed that the sensor arrangement has a restoring device (19) which, on one side, is connected to the at least one sensor (16) and which, on the other side, is connectable in particular to a bogie for a rail vehicle at a short distance of the at least one sensor (16) from a track (17) and not supported by the track (17), and which restoring device is adjusted in such a manner that the at least one sensor (16), after being deflected out of a nominal state into a deflected state, is returned again into the nominal state. As a result, the sensor arrangement is protected against damage, as may occur, for example, due to a collision with an object.