Rail Track Section Length Determination via Statistical Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the length of rail track sections, especially across switches and brakes, are error-prone and inaccurate, and changes in track lengths during operation can impact system performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses traffic reports from rail contacts to record the time intervals and wheelbases of rail vehicles, employing statistical evaluation to determine track section lengths, which compensates for inaccuracies and accounts for changes in track positions, using sensors to detect individual wheels or axles and providing uniformly determined values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurement methods are used to determine track section lengths at the beginning of a project, then the initial length data can be obtained, but the measurement results are comparatively error-prone and inaccurate, especially across switches and brakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical measurement systems with a mechanical measurement system based on rail contacts (sensors) that physically detect the passage of rail vehicles. The rail contacts are installed at specific positions along the track section and trigger detection events when a vehicle passes, allowing precise determination of track section length through time interval measurements and vehicle speed calculations, thereby eliminating the inaccuracies of optical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system utilizes the rail vehicles themselves as part of the measurement process. The vehicles' own motion and passage through the track section are used to trigger the detection events at the rail contacts. The system leverages the natural operation of the rail traffic to perform measurements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement equipment or procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical measurement methods are used, then initial track length data can be obtained, but the system cannot account for changes in track section lengths that occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control device continuously receives detection events from rail contacts during normal system operation. By analyzing the time intervals between detection events and knowing the vehicle speeds, the system continuously determines and updates the actual track section lengths. This feedback loop ensures that any changes in track configuration or length are automatically detected and accounted for, maintaining system reliability and safety throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. Instead of relying on fixed initial measurements, the system continuously adapts to changing track conditions by processing real-time detection data from passing vehicles. The control device dynamically updates track section length values based on current operational data, allowing the system to respond to and adapt to changes in track configuration during operation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple rail vehicles are used to collect traffic reports for statistical evaluation, then more comprehensive data can be gathered, but the complexity of data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection events from different rail vehicles and different rail contacts into a unified statistical evaluation process. The control device collects detection events from multiple vehicles passing through the same track section or from the same vehicle passing through multiple track sections, and processes this combined data set to determine track lengths. By merging multiple data sources and using statistical methods, the system achieves high precision while managing complexity through integrated processing.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the length of at least one track section (L1, L2, L3), wherein - drive-over signals which are caused by a plurality of rail vehicles (10) driving over the at least one track section (L1, L2, L3) and which are triggered by rail contacts (K1, K2, K3, K4) that delimit the respective track section (L1, L2, L3) are detected, and - the length of the at least one track section (L1, L2, L3) is determined by means of a statistical evaluation that takes into account the time intervals between the detected drive-over signals and the axle distances of the rail vehicles (10). The invention further relates to a control device (50) for determining the length of at least one track section (L1, L2, L3).