RFID Reference Plate for Precise Track Axis Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of railway track axes using moving sensors are impractical due to contamination and damage of reference objects, leading to inaccurate measurements and lack of quality assurance, particularly in safety-critical areas.
Innovation Solution
A plate-shaped support with an RFID transponder and distinct surface regions is used, allowing for precise determination of a reference point through image processing, reducing contamination and damage effects, and enabling reliable position determination with moving sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If moving sensors are used to determine track axis position, then measurement time is reduced and productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to contamination and damage of reference objects
Solution Approach 1:
The reference object is segmented into multiple distinct surface regions (first surface region with first color, second surface region with second color) separated by boundary lines. This segmentation allows the moving sensor to identify the reference point through the intersection of boundary lines rather than relying on a single point that may be contaminated or damaged, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling fast moving sensor measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference object uses color-coded surface regions (first color and second color) to create visually distinct areas that can be easily detected by sensors. The boundary lines between these colored regions provide clear geometric features for precise position determination, allowing the system to maintain high measurement accuracy even when the reference object is subjected to contamination or damage during rapid passing measurements.
2Ease of operation
If reference objects are exposed in safety zones, then ease of operation is improved for maintenance, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination and damage from flying gravel
Solution Approach 1:
The reference object is designed with redundant geometric features (multiple boundary lines forming an intersection point) that provide tolerance against contamination and damage. Even if parts of the reference object are damaged or contaminated, the boundary line intersection can still be reliably detected, cushioning against the reliability deterioration caused by exposure to harsh environments in safety zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of color-coded surface regions creates high-contrast visual features that are easily detectable by sensors even under varying lighting conditions and partial contamination. The distinct colors and clear boundary lines ensure that the reference point can be reliably identified regardless of minor damage or grime accumulation, maintaining reliability while allowing the reference object to remain accessible in safety zones.
3Device complexity
If conventional bolts are used as reference objects, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision deteriorates when bolts are contaminated or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The reference object is segmented into multiple surface regions with distinct colors and boundary lines, transforming a simple single-point reference into a distributed geometric feature system. This segmentation increases measurement precision by providing multiple detectable features (boundary lines) that can be used to calculate the reference point through intersection, reducing the impact of contamination or damage on any single feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference object incorporates color-coded surface regions that create high-contrast visual features easily detectable by sensors. The distinct colors and clear boundary lines between regions provide robust geometric features for precise position determination, significantly improving measurement precision compared to conventional uniform-colored bolts while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 solution provides accurate and reliable position determination of railway track axes, even in contaminated and damaged conditions, with improved quality assurance and reduced safety risks, suitable for safety-critical areas.
Implementation Method 1
mit enthaltenden RFID‑Transponder
Implementation Method 2
durch Detektieren einer durch Interaktion eines elektromagnetischen Messsignals mit dem Referenzobjekt erzeugten Messgröße
Implementation Method 3
eine Kamera, die das natürliche Umgebungslicht detektiert, welches von dem Referenzobjekt reflektiert wird
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a reference object (1) and to a method for determining the position of real or geometric objects of real systems relative to a reference point (R) of the reference object (1) by detecting a measurement variable resulting from the interaction between an electromagnetic measurement signal and the reference object (1) using active and/or passive sensors (9). According to the invention, the reference object (1) is designed as a plate-shaped support (4) with an installation face and a measurement face lying opposite thereto, wherein the support (4) is provided with an RFID transponder, the data storage of which contains identification information which uniquely identifies the support (4); the surface of the plate-shaped support (4) on the measurement face has a measurement surface (M) with adjoining surface regions (2.i; i=l,2,...N), each of which corresponds to a constant measurement variable in interaction with the measurement signal, said measurement variable being different for adjoining surface regions (2.i); and the boundary lines (3) of adjoining surface regions (2.i) or the imaginary extensions thereof intersect in a reference point (R), which is unique to the support (4), for determining the location.