Rail Displacement Detection via Optical Cutting and Motion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail displacement detection apparatuses face maintenance challenges and measurement errors due to movable parts and the difficulty in accurately tracking rail irregularities, especially when installed on vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A rail displacement-detecting apparatus using a self-position detector, irradiator, and image pickup camera to calculate rail displacement via an optical cutting method with slit light, correcting for errors caused by vehicle motion and orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If movable mirrors and servo mechanisms are used to track rail positions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the movable mirrors and servo mechanisms from the measurement system. Instead of using movable components to track rail positions, the invention extracts the measurement function to a fixed camera system that captures images of the rail surface, eliminating the need for complex motion control mechanisms while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical servo mechanism with an optical measurement system. Instead of mechanically adjusting mirrors to track rail positions, the system uses a fixed camera to capture images and electronically processes these images to determine rail displacement, substituting mechanical motion control with optical and computational methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is installed on a vehicle, then mobility and coverage are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vehicle motion causing position differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the position of the apparatus relative to the rail using the camera and image processing. This feedback information is used to compensate for vehicle motion effects, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision while operating on a moving vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the rail surface position and characteristics before calculating displacement. By first establishing the current rail surface geometry through image capture and processing, the system can then accurately determine changes in position even though the apparatus is on a moving vehicle.
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
Enhances reliability and reduces maintenance needs by providing accurate rail displacement measurements with reduced likelihood of measurement errors and no need for movable parts or servo mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
an image pickup camera that images the surfaces of the rail that are irradiated with the slit light by the irradiator
Implementation Method 2
irradiate an upper surface and a side surface of the rail with slit light
Data Source
AI summary
A displacement detecting apparatus is provided with a self-position detector for detecting a position and an orientation of the apparatus relative to a preset reference position and a preset reference orientation. Displacement of a rail at an upper surface reference point and a side surface reference point relative to a preset reference position is calculated from imaged image data of the surfaces of the rail using an optical cutting method, and the calculated displacement of the rail is corrected using data obtained from the self-position detector, thereby compensating for errors caused by differences in position and orientation of the apparatus associated with a vehicle running motion. By doing so, the displacement detecting apparatus is superior in maintenance and unlikely to cause measurement errors.