Rail Vehicle Antenna Guide Part for Waveguide Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail vehicle data transmission systems face challenges in reliability due to vibrations and deviations from central position, leading to interference and potential antenna damage.

Innovation Solution

A rail vehicle system with a slotted waveguide integrated into the rail section, featuring a guide part attached to the vehicle via a spring element, which houses an antenna and ensures it remains within the permissible range through a U-shaped guide with a metallic slotted waveguide and threading parts for smooth alignment and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the antenna is allowed to move freely in the slotted waveguide, then the antenna can accommodate vibrations and position deviations, but the antenna may leave the permissible range and cause interference or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna position adaptabilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide part acts as an intermediary component between the antenna and the slotted waveguide walls. It provides a controlled interface that allows the antenna to move within permissible limits while preventing it from leaving the waveguide, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide part changes the mechanical constraints on the antenna by providing a controlled clearance range. This allows the antenna position parameter to vary within acceptable limits while maintaining reliable data transmission, effectively managing the trade-off between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a guide part is added to limit the antenna position, then the antenna remains within permissible range, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide part is designed as a U-shaped component with leg sections that create clearance in the transverse direction. This simple geometric structure provides the necessary guidance and limitation functions without adding significant complexity to the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The guide part serves as a simple intermediary element that mediates between the antenna and the waveguide constraints. Its U-shaped design with leg sections provides effective guidance while maintaining minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the guide part is made of electrically insulating material, then interference with other receivers is reduced, but the guidance friction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide part is designed with local quality differentiation: the leg sections have smooth surfaces facing the antenna to minimize friction, while the overall structure uses electrically insulating material to reduce electromagnetic interference. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between electrical properties and friction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures reliable and low-error data transmission by maintaining the antenna within the waveguide, reducing interference and preventing damage from vibrations, while allowing for easy manufacturing and alignment.

Implementation Method 1

a slotted waveguide (1) being provided on a rail section (100) of the rail section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

data transmission to the rail vehicle... slotted waveguide for data transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a spring element (4), to which an antenna (30) is connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

Even if there are vibrations or other deviations from the central position of the antenna in the opening slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2994360B1Installation, comprising a rail vehicle that can be moved along a rail segment, in particular along a rail part
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2994360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2994360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2994360B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation, comprising a rail vehicle that can be moved along a rail segment, in particular along a rail part, wherein a slot waveguide is provided on a rail part of the rail segment, in particular is fastened to said rail part of the rail segment or is an integral part thereof, in particular as a continuous casting part, wherein a guide part is fastened to the rail vehicle, in particular to the frame of the rail vehicle, by means of a spring element, to which guide part an antenna is connected, wherein the slot waveguide has an opening slot that extends in the rail direction, wherein the opening slot is bounded in the transverse direction by means of two wall segments of the slot waveguide, wherein the antenna protrudes through the opening slot into the waveguide region of the slot waveguide, wherein one of the wall segments is arranged between two leg segments of the guide part, in particular such that the guide part is bounded in the transverse direction by the clearance between the leg segments, in particular in the transverse direction.