Rail Sensor Fastening Device with Integrated Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for sensor elements on rails are prone to damage from shocks and impacts, leading to incorrect detection of axle counts and occupancy status, as they lack reliable damage detection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductor element within the clamping device that severs and interrupts the circuit when damaged, ensuring the sensor element can be automatically deactivated to prevent misinformation, with the conductor element strategically placed at vulnerable points to ensure reliable detection and prevention of false readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clamping device is used to mount the sensor element on the rail, then the mounting flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but the reliability of the sensor element is worsened due to susceptibility to vibrations, impacts, and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that continuously checks the integrity of the clamping device by detecting changes in electrical resistance or continuity. When damage is detected (such as from vibrations, impacts, or shocks), the system provides feedback to indicate the damaged state, allowing for timely intervention before false axle count readings occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical mounting verification with an electrical monitoring system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical integrity, the system uses electrical conductivity changes to detect clamping device damage, providing a more reliable indication of the mounting status that can trigger appropriate responses.
2Device complexity
If no damage detection mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of axle counts is worsened due to inability to detect incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the monitoring system: it detects clamping device damage, determines sensor element positioning status, and triggers deactivation of the sensor element. This multi-functional approach achieves reliable axle count measurement precision without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system enables the sensor element to self-diagnose its mounting status. By continuously monitoring the clamping device integrity and automatically deactivating when damage is detected, the system performs self-verification and self-protection, reducing the need for external monitoring and intervention mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the sensor element remains active without damage detection, then the productivity is maintained, but the loss of information increases due to incorrect assessment of track occupancy status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary damage detection that prevents incorrect information from being generated in the first place. By detecting clamping device damage before it causes false axle count readings, the system takes preventive action to avoid information loss rather than attempting to correct errors after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of clamping device integrity before the sensor element begins axle counting operations. This preliminary check ensures that the sensor element is properly positioned and the clamping device is intact, preventing incorrect track occupancy information from being recorded in the first place.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device for fastening a sensor element (7) to a rail (5), wherein the fastening device has at least one clamping element (1) for clamping the sensor element (7) against the rail (5). Said fastening device is characterized in that the clamping element (8) is provided with a conductor element (8), which extends at least over a point (9) of the clamping element (1) at risk of fracture and which is part of a closed electrical circuit in the correctly mounted state of the sensor element (7). In this way, reliable detection of the mounting state of the sensor element is enabled even if the clamping element is damaged.