Railway Consumable Dispenser Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for distributing consumables between railway rolling stock wheels and rails lack real-time malfunction detection, leading to suboptimal maintenance frequency and potential damage due to undetected empty tanks or clogged dispensers.
Innovation Solution
A system with consumable level sensors, processing, and control means that determine theoretical and actual consumable levels, generating malfunction data if differences exceed thresholds, and includes geolocation and wireless communication for immediate issue reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If consumable level checks are performed only during scheduled maintenance operations, then maintenance frequency can be reduced, but malfunctions cannot be detected between maintenance operations and maintenance optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system uses the existing control means of the railway rolling stock to automatically perform consumable level checks and malfunction detection. The system self-monitors by comparing actual consumable levels with theoretical levels calculated from distribution instructions, eliminating the need for manual verification during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors consumable levels and provides feedback by comparing actual levels with theoretical levels. When a discrepancy exceeds a threshold, the system generates a malfunction data item, enabling real-time detection and optimization of maintenance operations based on actual consumable consumption patterns.
2Loss of time
If manual verification of dispensers is scheduled during maintenance, then malfunction detection is possible, but maintenance frequency must be increased and operational impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of malfunctions by continuously monitoring consumable levels during normal operations. By detecting issues before they lead to operational problems, the system prevents the need for urgent maintenance interventions and reduces overall maintenance time loss.
3Productivity
If consumable distribution is monitored in real-time, then maintenance operations can be optimized, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system leverages the existing multi-functional control means already present in railway rolling stock for other operational purposes. By reusing existing sensors, processors, and communication infrastructure, the system achieves real-time monitoring without significant additional energy consumption or system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates mainly to a system for detecting a malfunction of a consumable dispenser for railway rolling stock, which dispenser comprises at least one reservoir and at least one dispensing device intended to distribute said consumable to at least one wheel (1) of said railway rolling stock according to at least one determined dispensing setpoint, the dispenser being in a functional state when at least the level of consumable in its reservoir is above a determined limit level, characterized in that the system comprises at least one consumable level sensor in the dispenser's reservoir, and processing and control means which are connected to the level sensor and the dispensing device, and configured to compare at least one measurement data from the level sensor and the dispensing setpoint,and to generate at least one data point indicating a malfunction of the dispenser if the measurement data from the level sensor is not correlated with the dispensing setpoint.