Rail Running-Gear Height Control Using Platform Boarding Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting the running gear of rail vehicles to compensate for height differences between platforms and vehicles are complex, requiring expensive measurements and calculations, and involve frequent maintenance checks to ensure compliance with tolerance limits.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensors to detect vehicle height relative to platform edges, adjusting running gear height via a controller, and employing wheel wear inserts to maintain optimal leveling, simplifying commissioning and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional measurement and calculation methods are used to adjust running gear height, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with an optical sensor-based detection system. The sensor optically detects the height difference between the vehicle floor and platform, eliminating the need for mechanical measurement devices and complex calculation systems while achieving the same calibration objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical sensors to create a digital representation (measurement value) of the physical height difference. This copied information is then processed by the control system to adjust the running gear, replacing the need for direct mechanical measurement and manual calculation with an automated information-based control approach.
2Reliability
If frequent maintenance checks are performed to ensure compliance with tolerance limits, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously or periodically detect the actual height difference, and the control system automatically compares this with target values and adjusts the running gear accordingly. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for frequent manual maintenance checks while ensuring continuous compliance with tolerance limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment through automated control. The sensor detects height deviations, the controller processes the information, and the running gear is automatically adjusted without human intervention. This self-service capability replaces manual maintenance checks with an autonomous system that maintains compliance continuously.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable step platforms are used to bridge height differences, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adjusting the platform or adding intermediate steps to bridge the height difference, the patent inverts the approach by adjusting the vehicle itself (through running gear height adjustment) to match the platform height. This eliminates the need for complex step platforms while achieving the same ease of boarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the height adjustment function from the boarding aid system (step platforms) and transfers it to the vehicle's running gear system. By taking out the adjustment mechanism from the platform side and placing it on the vehicle side, the complex step platform system becomes unnecessary.
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
Simplifies the commissioning and maintenance of rail vehicles by reducing the need for costly measurements and calculations, ensuring consistent leveling across platforms, and allowing for efficient adaptation to wear and route-specific height variations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for monitoring a passenger boarding point of the rail vehicle... to measure the distance of the passenger boarding point from the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A method calibrates running-gear control for a rail vehicle. In the method, at least one value of a vehicle height of a rail vehicle with respect to a railway-platform upper edge of a railway platform on the track for the rail vehicle is detected by use of at least one suitable measuring device of the rail vehicle. A predefined value of a running-gear height is adjusted on the basis of the at least one detected value of the vehicle height by a suitably configured running-gear controller of the rail vehicle.