Rail Vehicle Wheel Property Determination Using Multi-Angle Pattern Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining the properties of rail vehicle wheels lack sufficient accuracy in detecting wear and deformation, leading to inefficient maintenance planning and potential unnecessary repairs.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising multiple electromagnetic radiation sources and detection devices arranged on the rail to project and detect two-dimensional patterns on the wheel, allowing for precise calculation of the wheel's geometric properties through triangulation and image data evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single detection device is used to detect the wheel pattern, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel surface detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection device configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection devices (first detection device and second detection device), each capturing pattern information from different viewpoints. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher measurement precision through multi-angle observation while maintaining modular device complexity that can be independently optimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-point or single-angle detection to multi-dimensional detection by positioning detection devices at different locations and angles relative to the wheel. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive surface characterization through triangulation and stereoscopic evaluation, significantly improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple detection devices are deployed to improve measurement accuracy, then the measurement precision increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel property determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple detection devices are merged into a coordinated system where the first detection device and second detection device work together to detect the same wheel pattern from different angles. The combining of their data through stereoscopic evaluation achieves high measurement precision while the integrated system architecture manages complexity through unified processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple detection devices that essentially copy the detection function from different spatial positions. Each detection device creates a copy of the pattern detection capability, and the combination of these copies through triangulation provides enhanced measurement precision without requiring each individual device to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If regular maintenance intervals are used without considering actual wear, then maintenance planning is simplified, but unnecessary repairs occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance appropriateness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring actual wheel properties and wear states, then using this information to adjust and optimize maintenance intervals. The precise geometric data obtained from multi-angle pattern detection provides real-time feedback on wheel condition, enabling dynamic maintenance scheduling that improves both efficiency and appropriateness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system enables wheels to essentially self-report their condition through automated optical detection. By projecting patterns and analyzing their distortion on the wheel surface, the system allows wheels to provide their own diagnostic information, eliminating the need for manual inspection and enabling precision-based maintenance decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system significantly increases the accuracy of wheel property determination, enabling early detection of wear and damage, and optimizing maintenance schedules by providing precise geometric data of the wheel's surface and rim.

Implementation Method 1

The first radiation source is designed and set up in such a way, in particular arranged on the rail, that the first radiation source is used to project a first pattern in at least a first area onto a wheel that is standing on the rail or passing on the rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3275762B1System and method for determining properties of at least one wheel of a rail vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 AUE KASSEL GMBH
  • EP3275762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3275762B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) and a method for determining the properties of at least one wheel (2a) of a rail vehicle.The system comprises at least one first system part (3a), wherein the first system part (3a) can be arranged on at least one rail (4a) of a track (5), wherein the first system part (3a) comprises at least one first measuring unit (9), wherein the first measuring unit (9) has at least one first electromagnetic radiation source (10) and at least one first detection device (11), wherein the first radiation source (10) is designed and configured such that a first pattern (12) can be projected onto the wheel (2a) of a rail vehicle in at least one first area (13) using the first radiation source (10), wherein the first detection device (11) is designed and configured such that the first pattern (12) can be detected on the wheel (2) in the first area (13) using the first detection device (11), and wherein the first pattern (12) is a pattern of at least two dimensions.A system (1) and a method for determining the properties of a wheel (2a) and/or a wheelset of a railway vehicle, in which the accuracy of the determined properties of the wheel (2a) and/or the wheelset is increased compared to systems (1) and/or methods known from the prior art, is realized by the first measuring unit (9) comprising a second detection device (14), and by the second detection device (14) being designed and configured in such a way that the first pattern (12) in the first area (13) on the wheel (2) can be detected with the second detection device (14).