Service Brake Cylinder Sensor Layout for Protected Brake State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current brake pad inspection methods for rail vehicles are costly and require trained personnel, with existing solutions for brake state detection being complex and exposed to environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A service brake cylinder with a braking state detection device housed entirely within the cylinder, using sensors to detect the spindle position and provide objective data on the brake's applied or released state, reducing costs and improving safety by protecting the detection system from weather and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual visual inspection and hammer testing are used to check brake pads, then brake condition can be detected, but the inspection is costly and requires highly trained maintenance personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake condition detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods (visual inspection and hammer testing) with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor detects the position of the push rod or brake shoe to determine brake application and release states, eliminating the need for trained personnel to perform manual checks and reducing inspection costs while maintaining detection accuracy.

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

2Reliability

If a proximity sensor is mounted on the brake chamber wall to detect brake state, then brake condition can be monitored, but the sensor protrudes into the brake chamber and is exposed to ambient conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake state monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsensor exposure to environmental conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the sensor within the brake chamber housing structure. The sensor is positioned inside the housing and detects the position of internal components (push rod or brake shoe) through the housing wall or internal space, eliminating the need for the sensor to protrude into the brake chamber or be exposed to external environmental conditions while maintaining monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If regular manual inspection of brake pads is performed, then brake safety can be maintained, but the process is time-consuming and requires brake application and release cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake safetyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated monitoring of brake state through the sensor system, which continuously detects the position of brake components without interruption. This eliminates the need for periodic manual inspections that require time-consuming brake application and release cycles, providing continuous safety monitoring while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution provides a safer, simpler, and cost-effective means of monitoring brake states, enabling automatic processing and preventing potential brake-related hazards, especially in enclosed or autonomous environments.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor (11) arranged in an interior section (3) of the housing (2) between a front wall (2b) and a projection (9) of the spindle housing (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4126630B1Service brake cylinder comprising a device for sensing a state of a brake, and method for sensing a state of a service brake cylinder
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP4126630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4126630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4126630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A service brake cylinder (1) has a housing (2) with a spindle (5) and a brake state detection device (10) for the detection of an applied state (A) and a released state (L) of the service brake cylinder (1). The brake state detection device (10) is arranged enclosed by the housing (2) completely within an interior chamber (3) of the service brake cylinder (1), and detects the position of the spindle (5), a method for the detection of a brake state of a service brake cylinder (1) is provided.