Railway Crossing Connection Monitoring With Fixed-Basis Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for monitoring releasable connections in railway points or crossing components, such as frog or tongue rail devices, face challenges in simplifying the monitoring process and ensuring that exchangeable components can be replaced without affecting the sensor system or requiring its dismantling, and are prone to damage and corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A sensor is integrated into the basic component of the crossing component, such as a frog block or tongue rail adapter, to monitor the quality of the releasable connection, which is fixedly connected and protected from direct contact with exchangeable components, allowing for non-destructive exchange and protection against corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sensor is arranged in the exchangeable component, then the sensor can directly monitor the connection quality, but the sensor must be exchanged or dismantled when the component is changed, increasing expenditure and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection quality monitoringVSAvoidsensor exchange requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into exchangeable components (frog insert, tongue rail) and a fixed basic component (frog block, tongue rail adapter). The sensor is placed in the fixed basic component, allowing the exchangeable components to be replaced without affecting the sensor. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the monitoring function from the exchangeable parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basic component acts as an intermediary between the exchangeable component and the sensor. The sensor monitors the connection quality through the basic component, which remains fixed while the exchangeable components are replaced. This intermediary structure allows continuous monitoring without sensor replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the sensor is arranged in the exchangeable component, then the monitoring is integrated with the component, but the sensor is exposed to dirt and damage risk and must be removed with the component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring integrationVSAvoiddirt exposure and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is extracted from the exchangeable component and placed in the fixed basic component. This extraction removes the sensor from the harmful environment (dirt, moisture, mechanical stress) associated with the exchangeable components while maintaining its monitoring function through the basic component structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is positioned in the fixed basic component before the exchangeable components are installed, creating a protected environment. The basic component structure shields the sensor from dirt and damage risks that would otherwise affect a sensor placed in the exchangeable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the releasable connection is used for component exchange, then the components can be replaced, but the connection quality may deteriorate over time due to loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent exchangeabilityVSAvoidconnection quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor provides continuous feedback on the connection quality of the releasable connection. By monitoring parameters such as vibration, noise, or force transmission through the basic component, the system can detect loosening or deterioration of the connection over time, allowing for timely maintenance while preserving component exchangeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 reliable monitoring of the releasable connection quality without needing to replace the sensor during component exchange, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance downtime.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor for monitoring the quality, in particular the force transmission and/or form-fitting connection, of the releasable connection, wherein a signal is generated in the sensor when a rail vehicle travels over the points or crossing component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20260001579A1Points or crossing component with releasable connection and method and arrangement for monitoring the releasable connection

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 VOESTALPINE TURNOUT TECH GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a points or crossing component (200), comprising a basic component (202), an exchangeable component (206), at least one releasable connection (216, 218, 220) by means of which the exchangeable component (206) can be connected to the basic component (202) and at least one sensor (244) for monitoring the quality of the releasable connection, wherein, in the sensor (244), when a rail vehicle travels over the points or crossing component (200), a signal is generated that is representative of the quality of the releasable connection. For reliably detecting a connection that is in the process of becoming released, the invention proposes that the sensor (244) is arranged in the basic component (202) and is fixedly connected thereto.