Stepper Motor Railway Point Machine Wireless Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point machines in rail infrastructure suffer from inefficiencies, high maintenance needs, and malfunctions due to d.c. motors with large losses and inaccurate adjustments, which impact rail network capacity and maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a stepper motor with a brushless d.c. motor design, combined with a wireless communication unit and storage battery, provides improved propulsion, reduced maintenance, and enhanced reliability, allowing for precise control and operation of point blades without the need for physical wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If d.c. motors with two field windings are used in point machines, then the motors can operate in both directions of rotation, but the motors have relatively large losses and cannot be adjusted with great accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the motor by transitioning from conventional d.c. motors with two field windings to stepper motors. This parameter change enables precise angular positioning (measurement precision) and reduced energy losses through the stepper motor's inherent ability to hold position without power consumption and its higher efficiency in converting electrical energy to mechanical motion.
2Duration of action of moving object
If d.c. motors with trailing contacts are used in point machines, then the motors can provide continuous rotation, but the trailing contacts require maintenance due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trailing contact system (carbon brushes and commutators) with an electronic control system that drives the stepper motor. This substitution eliminates the mechanical wear inherent in trailing contacts while maintaining continuous rotation capability through electronic commutation and pulse-driven operation of the stepper motor phases.
3Reliability
If friction units and cams are added to point machines to prevent overloading and ensure correct switching, then the reliability of point action is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through limit switches or sensors that detect the position of the point blades and provide signals to the control system. This electronic feedback replaces the need for mechanical friction units and cams, as the control system can precisely control the stepper motor to stop at the correct positions and detect when the blades have reached their intended position, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.
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
This solution results in a more efficient, reliable, and robust point machine with lower maintenance requirements, capable of precise operation and remote control, reducing the likelihood of malfunctions and enabling efficient management of rail infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The motors according to the invention are stepper motors, in particular hybrid synchronous stepper motors
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electric point machine for switching the blades of a point as a result of which a rail vehicle can change its direction of travel, comprising: motion bolts which are designed for setting the two point blades in motion between a first and a second position; a motor which is connected to the motion bolts for the propulsion thereof; a transmission which is connected between the motor and the motion bolts and is designed for adapting at least one of the power, speed and torque of the motor to the motion bolts; a control unit which is designed for driving the motor on the basis of a received control signal, characterized in that the electric point machine further includes a wireless communication unit which is designed for wireless reception of the control signal and driving the motor by the control unit, on the basis of the control signal, for propelling the two point blades of the railway point between the first and second point positions.