Rail Displacement Sensor Using Hinge-Coupled Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring railroad displacement are unreliable due to the inability to install sensors on concrete railroad ties and indirect measurement of rail displacement, which can lead to inaccurate data and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising rail fixing members and sensor casings with angle sensors that directly measure rail displacement by being fixed to the rail and hinge-coupled to accommodate subsidence, allowing for precise measurement regardless of the material type of the railroad ties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are installed on railroad ties to measure displacement, then displacement measurement is possible, but it becomes impossible to install sensors when railroad ties are made of concrete material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces rail fixing members as intermediary components that attach to the rail rather than the railroad tie. These fixing members serve as a mediator that enables sensor installation without requiring direct attachment to the tie, thus solving the incompatibility with concrete ties while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching sensors directly to the railroad tie as in conventional methods, the invention inverts the attachment strategy by fixing sensors to the rail itself through separate fixing members. This reversal enables universal application across different tie materials including concrete
2Ease of operation
If displacement is measured indirectly through railroad ties, then measurement can be performed, but reliability of measured data decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement target from the railroad tie system and directly attaches sensors to the rail. By separating the sensor mounting function (performed by fixing members) from the measurement target (the rail itself), the system achieves direct measurement with higher reliability while maintaining ease of installation
3Measurement precision
If sensors are directly exposed to measure rail displacement, then direct measurement is achieved, but sensors become vulnerable to damage from external loads
Solution Approach 1:
The rail fixing members are designed to absorb and distribute external loads before they reach the sensor. The fixing members act as a protective buffer that cushions the sensor from direct exposure to mechanical stresses, vibrations, and environmental factors while maintaining measurement precision
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 data reliability by directly measuring rail displacement, ensuring stable and precise measurement even with concrete ties, and addresses the challenge of indirect measurement by providing a structural configuration that prevents sensor damage from external loads.
Implementation Method 1
an angle sensor installed at the lengthwise sensor casing 200a so as to measure a change of an angle between the pair of rail fixing members 100
Implementation Method 2
two ends of the lengthwise sensor casing 200a may be hinge-coupled to the lengthwise hinge coupling portions 101a of the pair of rail fixing members 100, so as to be hinge-driven in correspondence to subsidence of the one rail 10
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a displacement of a railroad includes a pair of rail fixing members 100 fixed to enclose a lower part of one rail 10, and installed to be spaced from each other; a lengthwise sensor casing 200a installed between the pair of rail fixing members 100; and an angle sensor installed at the lengthwise sensor casing 200a so as to measure a change of an angle between the pair of rail fixing members 100. With such a configuration, the present invention can be applied to a structure of railroad ties formed of a concrete material. Further, data can be obtained with high reliability, since a displacement of the rail is directly measured.