Rail Brake Unit Deicing Through Pressing Member Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle braking systems, particularly electromechanical systems, are ineffective in maintaining full brake functionality under icy and snowy conditions due to ice formation, which can lead to malfunctions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A braking system for rail vehicles that includes a brake actuator and a brake unit with pressing members and an electric motor, capable of moving these members towards or away from a rotatable member to actively remove ice through vibration, using sensors and controllers to trigger deicing actions based on temperature, gap distance, or predefined schedules, ensuring efficient ice removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electromechanical braking systems are used in rail vehicles, then braking control precision and response speed are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to ice formation and malfunction in cold weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by oscillating the pressing members against the rotatable member to generate ice-breaking effects. The brake actuator is configured to produce vibrations that actively remove ice formations from the braking system components, ensuring reliable operation in cold weather conditions while maintaining the precision and response speed benefits of electromechanical braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ice formation into a beneficial deicing function. By detecting ice accumulation through sensors and triggering controlled braking actions that generate friction and heat, the system transforms the problematic ice presence into an opportunity for active ice removal, thereby converting the harm into a benefit that restores and maintains brake functionality.
2Reliability
If pneumatic brakes are used for rail vehicles, then emergency braking functionality is ensured, but regulation speed and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system with an electromechanical system. The brake actuator uses electrical motors and electronic control mechanisms instead of pneumatic cylinders and pressure regulation. This substitution maintains the reliable emergency braking functionality while dramatically improving the regulation speed and precision of brake application, allowing for faster and more accurate control responses.
3Device complexity
If the same brake units are used for multiple braking functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of malfunction due to leakages and imprecise regulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the brake unit with a rotatable member that can serve multiple purposes. The same pressing members and actuator mechanism are used across different braking functions (service braking, emergency braking, parking braking), eliminating the need for separate pneumatic lines and control systems for each function. This universal design reduces overall system complexity while the electromechanical control eliminates leakage risks and improves regulation precision through electronic feedback control.
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 system effectively removes ice from the braking system, maintaining optimal brake functionality regardless of weather conditions, ensuring safety and reliability by proactively preventing ice accumulation and efficiently crushing existing ice formations.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, wherein the brake unit is configured to cause the electric motor to act on the gear assembly so that the first and second pressing members are caused to move towards or away from the rotatable member
Implementation Method 2
The brake actuator is configured to receive a brake command, and in response thereto produce an electric brake-force signal commanding a brake action
Data Source
AI summary
A braking system for a rail vehicle (100) has a brake actuator (120) that receives a brake command (cmdB) and produces an electric brake-force signal (BF) commanding a brake action. A brake unit (200) receives the electric brake-force signal (BF) and causes an electric motor (230) to act on a gear assembly causing first and second pressing members (211) to move towards or away from a rotatable member (110) mechanically linked to at least one wheel (105) of the rail vehicle (100) to execute the brake action with respect to the rotatable member (110). If a deicing criterion (DI) is fulfilled, the brake actuator (120) is configured to produce the electric brake-force signal (BF) in such a way that the brake action involves moving the first and second pressing members (211; 212) away from the rotatable member (110) so as to remove any ice and/or snow on the brake unit (200).