Portable Air Pressure Measuring Device for Rail Brake Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake testing systems for rail vehicles face challenges in accuracy due to pressure loss in long compressed air hoses, limited versatility, and inability to test multiple brake systems simultaneously or locally without a central device.
Innovation Solution
A portable air pressure measuring device equipped with control electronics, a user interface, a radio transmission unit, and a time recording unit, allowing for local measurement and communication with a central system via radio or wired connections, enabling simultaneous testing of multiple brake systems and reducing measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central brake testing device with fixed pressure sensors is used to measure brake pressure at a distance, then the measurement can be performed remotely, but the fixed position limits versatility and prevents simultaneous testing of multiple brake systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the brake testing function into multiple independent portable air pressure measuring devices, each capable of autonomous operation. Instead of one centralized device, multiple segmented units can be distributed to different locations and brake systems simultaneously, enabling parallel testing while maintaining remote measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring devices transition from fixed stationary positions to mobile portable units that can be dynamically repositioned. The devices include rechargeable batteries and wireless communication capabilities, allowing them to move freely along the train while maintaining operational autonomy and data transmission to central systems.
2Ease of operation
If long compressed air hoses are used to supply compressed air to the brake system being tested, then the testing device can be positioned far from the brake system, but pressure loss occurs leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a portable air supply unit with a movable compressed air tank as an intermediary between the central testing system and the brake system under test. This intermediary can be positioned close to the measurement point, supplying compressed air through short hoses and eliminating pressure losses associated with long hoses while maintaining testing flexibility.
3Device complexity
If only one air pressure measuring device is provided for a car, then the device can be stationary and simple to operate, but multiple independent brake systems cannot be tested simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
Each portable air pressure measuring device is designed as a universal unit capable of testing any brake system independently. The devices have identical functionality including pressure measurement, time recording, and wireless communication, allowing multiple units to operate in parallel on different brake systems simultaneously, thereby increasing testing throughput without increasing operational complexity.
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
Enables precise, portable, and flexible testing of compressed air brake systems, reducing pressure losses and allowing local influence over the measurement process, while supporting simultaneous testing of multiple systems without the need for repositioning or central control.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure sensor for measuring the air pressure in the compressed air brake system to be measured
Implementation Method 2
a radio transmission unit for transmitting the measured values to the brake testing system
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) has pressure sensor and compressed-air connection. The device is designed portable and includes control electronics, user interface and radio transmission unit connected with each other. A time detecting unit is provided for measuring response time of the air braking system. An electrical rechargeable battery for power supply is provided in time detection unit. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) braking pressure testing equipment for examination of air braking system; and (2) method for testing air brake system of rail vehicles.