Point Rail Attachment Detection Using Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining whether a point rail is securely attached to a stock rail in turnouts rely on switch feedback, which can lead to misjudgment and safety issues due to potential failures or foreign objects, making it difficult to ensure proper attachment.
Innovation Solution
A method using strain gauges and pressure sensors to detect pressure between the point rail and stock rail, coupled with a PID control algorithm to accurately control the switch's operation, ensuring the point rail is securely attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switch feedback is used to determine point rail attachment, then the determination process is simple, but the reliability is low due to potential switch failures and foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
A strain gauge is introduced as an intermediary element between the point rail and stock rail to indirectly measure the attachment status. The strain gauge detects pressure changes caused by foreign objects or attachment failures, converting physical states into electrical signals for reliable determination without directly interfering with the rail attachment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical switch feedback system with an electrical sensing system using strain gauges and pressure sensors. This substitution enables more reliable detection by converting mechanical attachment status into measurable electrical signals, reducing the impact of mechanical wear and foreign object interference.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are added to accurately detect attachment status, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strain gauge serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the pressure sensor assembly and a sensing element for detecting attachment status. The integrated design combines the pressure-sensing function with the existing rail structure, reducing the need for separate dedicated sensors and simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the strain gauge continuously monitors pressure between the point rail and stock rail, and this information is fed back to the control system. The PID control algorithm uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the switch operation, ensuring precise attachment control while compensating for variations in real-time.
3Manufacturing precision
If PID control algorithm is used to control switch operation, then the control precision improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PID control algorithm performs preliminary calculations and adjustments based on predicted attachment status and historical data. By anticipating potential attachment issues and pre-adjusting switch parameters, the system achieves higher control precision while reducing the need for complex real-time corrections and manual interventions.
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 reduces the risk of train derailment by accurately determining and maintaining the attachment of the point rail to the stock rail, even in the presence of foreign objects or switch failures, with the PID control algorithm providing robust and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is configured to detect whether the point rail is attached to the corresponding one of the pair of stock rails, convert a pressure signal between the point rail and the corresponding one of the pair of stock rails into a voltage signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting whether a point rail is attached to a stock rail is disclosed. The method is performed by using a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. Each of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is configured to detect whether the point rail is attached to the corresponding one of the pair of stock rails, convert a pressure signal between the point rail and the stock rails into a voltage signal, and transmit the voltage signal to a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process and transmit the processed voltage signal to a monitoring center having a host computer. The host computer is configured to control an operation of a switch in response to the detected pressure value collected by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor by using a PID control algorithm.