Rail Contact Element Using Optical Fiber Drop-Off Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail monitoring elements face challenges in detecting drop-offs due to mechanical complexity and cost, and optical fibers are prone to damage during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A rail contact element comprising a spring element and an optical fiber, where the spring element's tension or relax state indicates the mounting state, and the optical fiber's interaction with a reflector or absorber element changes light reflection or absorption based on the spring's state, allowing detection of proper attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electrical contact is used to monitor mounting state, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical contact system with an optical fiber-based detection system. The optical fiber transmits light signals to detect the mounting state through changes in light properties (intensity, phase, or wavelength) caused by the spring element's mechanical state, eliminating the need for electrical contacts and associated mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber acts as an intermediary between the spring element and the detection system. Instead of direct electrical contact, the optical fiber transmits information about the spring's state through optical signals, enabling indirect detection of the mounting state without mechanical electrical contacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an optical fiber with Fiber Bragg Grating is used, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase due to optical fiber damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrain detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a simple optical fiber without fragile FBG structures. The optical fiber can be standard, inexpensive types that are easier to handle and less prone to damage during manufacturing. The detection mechanism relies on the spring element's mechanical state affecting the optical fiber rather than requiring precise FBG gratings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the FBG grating structure from the optical fiber system. Instead of using an optical fiber with embedded FBG gratings, the invention uses a separate optical fiber that detects the spring element's state through mechanical interaction, removing the fragile FBG component that causes manufacturing difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the optical fiber is held in an elastically deformed state, then detection capability is improved, but the optical fiber becomes more susceptible to damage during manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidoptical fiber strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the spring element in a relaxed state during manufacturing, then allowing it to be deformed to the required position during assembly. This separates the manufacturing process from the operational state, enabling the optical fiber to be installed in a relaxed condition and only deformed during normal operation, reducing manufacturing damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Provides a reliable and cost-effective method to detect the mounting state of rail monitoring elements, reducing mechanical complexity and potential damage to optical fibers.

Implementation Method 1

The spring element is in a tension state or in a relax state depending on a mounting state of the rail contact element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the optical fiber's interaction with a reflector or absorber element changes light reflection or absorption based on the spring's state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the optical fiber's interaction with a reflector or absorber element changes light reflection or absorption based on the spring's state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12552424B2Rail contact element and drop off detection unit

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 THALES MANAGEMENT & SERVICES DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

AI summary

A rail contact element for drop off detection is disclosed, wherein the rail contact element is mountable to a rail and includes a spring element, a main body which holds the spring element and an optical fiber. The spring element is in a tension state or in a relax state depending on a mounting state of the rail contact element. The optical fiber includes an outlet surface for emitting a light beam and the rail contact element further includes a reflector element. The spring element, the reflector element and the optical fiber are arranged so that the influence of the reflector element on the light beam is different in the tension state than in the relax state.