Rail Vehicle Camera with External Image Deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle monitoring systems face challenges in adaptability to different vehicle types and lengths, as well as the need for cable bushings and weather protection for on-board video cameras, which complicates the monitoring of side door and roof regions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A rail vehicle monitoring system with a video camera located inside the car body and an image deflecting device outside, redirecting light from monitored zones to the camera without the need for cable passageways or weather protection, using a compact design with a transparent window and rectilinear optics to minimize distortion, and optionally featuring motorized mechanisms for adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video cameras are mounted outside the vehicle on the sidewalls, then the monitored zone coverage is improved, but cable bushings and weather protection are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the video camera outside the vehicle to directly monitor the door zone, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the camera inside the vehicle and using an image-deflecting device (mirror or prism) positioned outside to redirect light from the monitored zone to the camera. This eliminates the need for cable bushings and weather protection while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an image-deflecting device (mirror or prism) as an intermediary element between the external monitored zone and the internal video camera. This mediator redirects light paths, allowing the camera to capture external scenes without being physically exposed to external environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If video cameras are mounted outside the vehicle, then direct monitoring of door and roof regions is achieved, but protection from bad weather is necessary which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reverses the conventional arrangement by placing the video camera inside the protected environment of the vehicle while using an external image-deflecting device to capture external scenes. This inversion allows the camera to operate in a protected environment without compromising its ability to monitor external door and roof regions.
3Ease of operation
If cable passageways are provided through the side wall for video signals, then on-board monitoring is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the video camera from the external environment and relocates it to the internal protected environment of the vehicle. By doing so, the need for cable passageways penetrating the vehicle structure is eliminated, as the camera can be connected to the monitoring system through internal wiring only.
4Reliability
If viewing windows protrude on top of the roof to monitor current collector, then direct view is obtained, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of protruding structures extending in the aerodynamic flow direction, the invention uses an optical reflection approach where the image-deflecting device is positioned to capture light from above the roof (current collector zone) and redirect it to the camera inside the vehicle. This changes the monitoring approach from a spatial protrusion to an optical path solution, eliminating aerodynamic penalties.
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 solution allows for reliable and adaptable monitoring of side door and roof regions without cables or weather protection concerns, reducing aerodynamic drag and maintaining image quality, while enabling real-time video feed to the driver's cabin for enhanced safety and operational control.
Implementation Method 1
at least one image deflecting device which, in an operative position, is located at least partially outside the car body so as to redirect light from the monitored zone towards the video camera
Data Source
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AI summary
A rail vehicle (10) has at least one car body (14), and a monitoring device (24) comprising a video camera (26) for monitoring a monitored zone (28) located outside the car body (14). The monitored zone extends either along a roof wall of the car body (14) to include a current collector in an operative position and in a retracted position or at least alongside several side door openings (18) provided in a side wall (16) of the car body (14) for boarding and alighting from the rail vehicle (10). The video camera (26) is located inside the car body (14) and the monitoring device (24) further comprises at least one image deflecting device (38) which, in an operative position, is located at least partially outside the car body (14) so as to redirect light from the monitored zone (28) towards the video camera (26).