Ground Element Insertion Arm Positioning Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inserting elements into the ground, such as railway track saddles, achieve precise absolute positioning but fail to effectively reduce relative positioning errors, which can lead to unacceptable vibrations, especially when absolute errors of different elements cancel each other out.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the absolute positioning error of a preceding element and adjusts the insertion arm's guidance for the next element to minimize relative positioning errors by calculating and applying half of the preceding element's absolute error in the same direction, using multiple topographic survey stations to measure and correct the insertion arm's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automatic guidance based on topographic surveys is used to achieve precise absolute positioning, then absolute positioning error is reduced to within +/- 1 mm, but relative positioning error between consecutive elements can accumulate to unacceptable levels (e.g., 2 mm)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsolute positioning errorVSAvoidrelative positioning error
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the actual position of each inserted element, calculates the absolute positioning error relative to the nominal position, and feeds this error information back to adjust the target position for the next element. This feedback mechanism ensures that relative positioning error is actively controlled rather than allowing it to accumulate independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Before inserting each element, the system pre-calculates the target position by adjusting the nominal position with half of the previous element's absolute error. This preliminary adjustment prevents the relative positioning error from accumulating to unacceptable levels while maintaining the benefits of automatic guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If multiple topographic survey stations are used to cover the entire trajectory, then measurement coverage is improved, but dimensional differences between stations can introduce additional positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverage areaVSAvoiddimensional difference between stations
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the dimensional difference between adjacent topographic survey stations by measuring the same target with both stations and calculating the difference. This measured dimensional difference is then fed back to correct the coordinates of subsequent target positions, compensating for the systematic error introduced by the station transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the coordinate parameters of target positions based on the measured dimensional differences between stations. By changing the coordinate parameters to account for station-specific systematic errors, the system maintains measurement precision across the entire trajectory despite using multiple stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1826319B1Verfahren und System zum Einführen von Elementen auf dem Boden, Auskunftaufzeichnungsmedium für dieses Verfahren
Publication Date: 2010.10.27 ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
  • EP1826319B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1826319B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1826319B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The method involves establishing nominal positions to which elements are inserted in a ground with respect to a theoretical path. An absolute positioning error of one element with respect to the nominal position at which the element to be inserted is determined. An insertion arm is automatically guided towards a target position at which another element to be inserted, where the automatic guidance is performed with respect to the determined absolute positioning error. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an information recording medium comprising instructions to perform a method for inserting elements (2) a system for inserting elements in a ground along a theoretical path.