Rail Vehicle Coupling Angle Sensor for Door Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling door opening in articulated rail vehicles are complex to assemble and adjust, provide inaccurate control of acceleration, speed, and door opening, and require a large amount of space with non-wear-free components, limiting their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The use of angle sensors that can detect continuous or discrete angles between rail vehicles or parts, allowing for adjustable door opening without repositioning the sensor, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying assembly, while providing more accurate control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If limit or proximity switches are used to detect relative positions, then door opening control can be achieved, but the installation and adjustment process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening controlVSAvoidinstallation and adjustment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical limit or proximity switches with an angle sensor that directly measures the articulation angle between rail vehicle components. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical switch installations and adjustments, while providing more accurate and reliable door opening control based on actual angular position data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the measurement parameter from binary switch states (on/off) to continuous angle measurements. The angle sensor provides precise angular position data, enabling sophisticated door opening control algorithms that adapt to the actual articulation angle, thereby improving reliability while simplifying the physical installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If limit or proximity switches are used, then door opening control is possible, but measurement precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening controlVSAvoidacceleration, speed, and door opening control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces imprecise mechanical switches with an angle sensor that provides continuous, high-resolution angular measurements. This enables precise determination of the articulation angle, which directly improves the precision of door opening control and vehicle positioning by providing accurate real-time data on the relative positions of connected rail vehicle components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If limit or proximity switches are used, then door opening control can be implemented, but the space required for installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening controlVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the door opening control function with the articulation angle measurement function. The angle sensor, which naturally measures the angle between connected rail vehicle components, simultaneously provides the data needed for door opening control. This integration eliminates the need for separate limit switches and their associated mounting space, reducing the overall installation area while maintaining control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If limit or proximity switches are used, then door opening control is achievable, but component wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening controlVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based limit or proximity switches with a non-contact angle sensor. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear that occurs with repeated switching operations, as the angle sensor measures position optically or magnetically without physical contact. This significantly extends the service life and duration of action of the control system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2817192B2Coupling for rail vehicles or rail vehicle parts with angle sensor

Publication Date: 2023.04.05 BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to - a coupling (1) by means of which two rail vehicles or two rail vehicle parts (2, 3) can be connected to one another, comprising a sensor (19) or a sensor arrangement for determining the angle between the longitudinal axes (X1, X2) of the rail vehicles or rail vehicle parts, the sensor (19) being an angle sensor; - a rail vehicle (part) combination comprising a coupling of this kind; - a device for controlling door opening in rail vehicles and/or rail vehicle parts (2, 3) that are connected to each other, and/or for controlling the acceleration and/or speed of rail vehicles or rail vehicle parts (2, 3) that are connected to each other; - a method for determining the angle between the longitudinal axes of rail vehicles or rail vehicle parts (2, 3) that are connected to each other; and - a method for controlling the acceleration, speed and/or door opening of rail vehicles or rail vehicle parts (2, 3) that are connected to each other.