Rail-Supported Force Measurement Device for Railway Running Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force measurement devices for rail vehicle running boards require external infrastructure, limiting their flexibility and location independence, making them unsuitable for use on rail networks without a platform or maintenance hall.
Innovation Solution
A device that measures force in the direction of displacement of a rail vehicle's running board, supported solely by the rails, allowing for flexible and location-independent operation without additional support surfaces, featuring a sensor carrier and base carrier that can be easily assembled and disassembled, and attached to the rails using fastening elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing force measurement devices are used, then force measurement capability is provided, but flexibility and location independence are limited due to requirement for external infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the infrastructure-dependent context and relocates it to a self-contained device that uses only the rail as support. The sensor carrier with force sensor is detached from any platform or maintenance hall requirements, allowing measurement directly at the rail location.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves itself by using the rail structure as its own support mechanism. The base carrier attaches to the rail, and the entire measurement system is supported by the rail itself without requiring external platforms, floors, or infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If measurement devices requiring external infrastructure are used, then force measurement is possible, but application flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a base carrier that attaches to the rail and a sensor carrier that holds the force sensor. This segmentation allows the components to be easily assembled and disassembled, improving transportability and application flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, infrastructure-fixed measurement system to a dynamic, mobile system that can be quickly deployed and removed from different rail locations. The detachable connection to the rail enables this dynamic repositioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a device supported by rails is used, then location independence is achieved, but device stability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The base carrier is designed with universal attachment capability to the rail structure, allowing the device to be stably mounted at any location along the rail. The same attachment mechanism works throughout the entire rail network, providing both location independence and stability.
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
Enables precise and flexible force measurement in the displacement direction of rail vehicle running boards, allowing for use at any location on a rail network, with the device being completely supported by the rails, thus eliminating the need for external infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (6), in particular a force sensor, for measuring the force in the displacement direction V
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (4) for measuring a force in the displacement direction (V) of a running board (10) of a rail vehicle (1) that is displaceable in the displacement direction (V), wherein the rail vehicle (1) is configured to be positioned on at least one rail (2). The device (4) comprises: - a sensor carrier (12) configured to support a sensor (6) for measuring the force in the displacement direction (V); - a base support (14) which is detachably connected to the sensor carrier (12) and which is configured to be detachably attached to the at least one rail (2) such that the device (4) can be completely supported by the at least one rail (2) for measuring.