Rail Vehicle Brake Caliper Torque Measurement via Axial Force Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking devices for rail vehicles face challenges in accurately determining braking torque due to shifts in the point of application of frictional force, leading to incorrect frictional force and torque calculations, especially when external factors like chassis deflection and inhomogeneous contact pressure distribution occur.
Innovation Solution
The braking device is designed such that at least one bearing reaction force is directed radially through the axis of rotation of the brake disc, allowing only relevant forces to contribute to the braking torque, reducing the number of force sensors needed for precise torque calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple force sensors are used to measure all bearing reaction forces, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the irrelevant bearing reaction forces (those directed through the axis of rotation) from the measurement system. By recognizing that only forces with lever arms relative to the axis of rotation contribute to braking torque, the patent removes the need to measure radial forces, thereby reducing the number of force sensors required while maintaining accurate braking torque determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the bearing reaction forces into two categories: relevant forces (with lever arms relative to the axis of rotation) and irrelevant forces (directed through the axis of rotation). This segmentation allows the measurement system to focus only on the relevant components, reducing sensor requirements while preserving measurement accuracy for braking torque calculation.
2Measurement precision
If all bearing reaction forces are measured to calculate braking torque, then calculation completeness is improved, but operational reliability decreases due to inclusion of irrelevant forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of measuring irrelevant forces (which would introduce errors and reduce reliability) into a benefit by deliberately designing the force sensor arrangement to exclude these irrelevant forces. By positioning force sensors to measure only bearing reaction forces with lever arms relative to the axis of rotation, the system automatically filters out erroneous measurements, thereby improving operational reliability.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors are arranged to measure all components including radial forces, then measurement coverage is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the unnecessary measurement of radial bearing reaction forces from the system. By recognizing that radial forces directed through the axis of rotation do not contribute to braking torque, the patent removes these measurements from the required sensor configuration, thereby reducing the quantity of force sensors needed while maintaining complete coverage of all relevant force components.
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
This approach enables accurate determination of braking torque with fewer force sensors, reducing costs and complexity while enhancing operational reliability by eliminating irrelevant bearing reaction forces from the calculation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force sensor for measuring at least one of the bearing reaction forces is arranged on the console and/or on the brake caliper unit and/or on the at least one connecting element between the console and the brake caliper unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a braking device for a rail vehicle comprising a brake caliper unit (10) which impinges upon on a brake disc (1) by means of at least one brake lining (20), and which can be secured by means of at least one connecting element on a console (3) of the chassis of the rail vehicle, wherein bearing reaction forces (F1, F2, F3) of the brake caliper unit (10) can be transmitted to the console (3) via at least one connecting element, and wherein at least one force sensor for measuring at least one of the bearing reaction forces (F1, F2, F3) being arranged on the console (3) and/or on the brake caliper unit (10) and/or on the at least one connecting element between the console (3) and the brake caliper unit (10), in order to detect the braking torque (MB) acting upon the brake disc (1). Said braking device is characterised in that the at one connecting element is designed and/or oriented such that at least one of the bearing reaction forces (F3) is essentially aligned with a rotational axis (2) of the brake disc (1). The invention further relates to a method for determining a braking torque of a braking device.